Student Leadership Awards | GW School of Business | The George Washington University

Annual GW Business Student Leadership Awards

Every year, the George Washington University School of Business (GWSB) Undergraduate Programs office sponsors the Student Leadership Awards (SLAs) to recognize our outstanding undergraduate students. These awards aim to celebrate undergraduate students and their contributions to the GWSB community. The nomination process is announced at the start of the Spring semester. More details regarding the nomination process for this year’s Student Leadership Awards are included below. Award winners will be announced during the annual GWSB Student Leadership Awards ceremony on April 30th, 2026.

Submit a Nomination

Nomination Process

Any member of the GWSB community, including students, faculty, and staff, may submit nominations. There is no limit to the number of nominations you may submit and we encourage you to recognize the outstanding contributions of student leaders and organizations in the GWSB community. Self-nominations are allowed.

Please make sure to review the award descriptions and related eligibility criteria listed in the award description drop-down boxes below prior to submitting any nomination(s).

For all nominations, you will be required to thoughtfully describe the nominee's eligibility and qualifications for the award(s) you are nominating for. This will include providing clear examples of the nominee’s involvement in GWSB Co-Curricular Learning initiatives (e.g. student organizations, case competitions, career networking treks, conferences, initiatives, etc.), career development, academic achievement, contributions to the GW and GWSB community, and community service. Details and specific examples are critical for success.

Additionally, to nominate an undergraduate student for any of the individual awards, you must have the following information readily available to submit in the nomination form:

Nominee's Full Name
Nominee’s Academic Year & Class Standing (E.g. Senior - Class of 2026)
Clear examples of the nominee's academic and co-curricular engagement, leadership, and impact

Award Descriptions

Each award honors an individual student and/or student organization that exemplifies the values of GWSB. Please select the drop-down boxes below to review award descriptions and relevant criteria.

Individual Awards

Outstanding Student Awards

The Outstanding Student Award recognizes undergraduate students who have exemplified what it means to be a GWSB student leader, balancing high levels of involvement and service with high achievement in their own career and academic development. One recipient will be selected from each academic class year (Outstanding First-Year, Outstanding Sophomore, Outstanding Junior, and Outstanding Senior) on an annual basis.

Outstanding candidates will demonstrate most or all of the following:

Involvement and Achievements:

Student has demonstrated involvement in student organizations and co-curricular learning initiatives.
Student has actively participated in a leadership capacity and demonstrated a significant positive impact on the organization or co-curricular learning initiatives in which they were involved.

Career Development:

Student actively engages in the development and advancement of their career through GWSB resources and/or internships.
Student is actively involved in career-focused events and initiatives.

Community Service:

Student has demonstrated participation and a significant positive impact in service initiatives throughout the GW and Washington, D.C. community.

Academic Achievement:

GPA of 3.0 or above.
Student explores academic initiatives outside the classroom through experiences such as independent research, experiential learning, and/or study abroad.

Dean's Award

The Dean's Award recognizes a GWSB undergraduate student on an annual basis who displays a strong moral character and serves as a role model for others through their outstanding positive attitude, relationship-building, and personal integrity. This award recognizes student leaders who go above and beyond to support the development and excellence of the GWSB community. This award is selected by the Vice Dean for Undergraduate Programs.

Outstanding candidates will demonstrate most or all of the following:

Leadership & Mentorship:

Student exemplifies commitment to building an inclusive community in GWSB.
Student exemplifies the mission, vision, and values of GWSB.
Student inspires & encourages personal and professional development in others.
Student significantly contributes to the GWSB community through leadership, academic, and/or service accomplishments.

Co-Curricular Learning Engagement:

Student demonstrates engagement in student leadership and involvement in GWSB organizations and co-curricular learning initiatives (e.g. student organizations, case competitions, career networking treks, conferences, initiatives, etc.).
Student demonstrates a positive impact on the organization or co-curricular learning initiatives in which they were involved.

Service:

Student supports the local community by planning or participating in service initiatives.
Student leverages the advantages and opportunities of GW’s Washington, D.C. location.

Academic Achievement:

GPA of 3.0 or above.
Student explores academic initiatives outside the classroom through experiences such as independent research, experiential learning, and/or study abroad.

Inclusive Leadership Award

The Inclusive Leadership Award recognizes a GWSB undergraduate student who has made outstanding contributions toward advancing GWSB’s mission, core values, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The award celebrates students who have demonstrated consistent excellence in their efforts to uplift an inclusive GWSB community. The Inclusive Leadership Award will be based on a candidate’s demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as expressed through leadership in research, creative programming, co-curricular engagement, academic achievement, mentoring, acts of service, and/or a combination of accomplishments in these areas.

Outstanding candidates will demonstrate most or all of the following:

Fosters an Inclusive Community:

Student consistently demonstrates a commitment to creating a culture of inclusion within their areas of influence while modeling respect and care when interacting with others.
Student has led an initiative, project, or program that cultivates/advances/models access and inclusion within the GW and/or GWSB community.
Student cultivates creativity and innovation in the promotion of inclusivity throughout GW and/or GWSB.

Exemplifies Inclusive Excellence:

Student encourages diverse perspectives throughout the GW and/or GWSB community.
Student creates a welcoming and supportive community environment through visibility, communication, and collaboration efforts.

Inclusive Leadership:

Student serves as an outstanding and consistent advocate and role model for cultural awareness and ongoing learning.
Student demonstrates exemplary commitment to the advancement of cultural competency through research, creative programming, mentoring, acts of service, and/or collaborative partnerships.

Business Leader Development (BLD) Program Mentor of the Year

The Business Leader Development (BLD) Program Mentor of the Year award recognizes a BLD Program Mentor who has gone above and beyond in order to achieve the mission of the BLD Program. This award is intended to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of a Mentor who has served as a positive role model, infused creativity into the classroom, and positively inspired their students and fellow community members. Successful nominees have consistently encouraged student involvement in professional and academic opportunities while providing an exemplary level of passion, dependability, and commitment to excellence.

Note: GWSB students who are eligible for this award include undergraduate student employees who taught either BADM 1001: Business Leader Foundations 1, BADM 1002: Business Leader Foundations 2, BADM 1003: Business Leader Foundations for Transfer Students, and/or BADM 3001: Business Leader Career Strategy during the academic year of the Student Leadership Awards.

Outstanding candidates will demonstrate most or all of the following:

Peer Leadership:

Mentor consistently serves as a positive role model and peer leader in the classroom and GWSB community, showing professionalism, accountability, and respect for GWSB values through actions such as establishing peer-to-peer connections, communicating respectfully, and taking initiative.

Inclusive Teaching & Community Connections:

Mentor consistently exhibits an active commitment to GW’s values, provides engaging and collaborative classroom facilitation, and builds and fosters an inclusive community within the School of Business.

Personal & Professional Development:

Mentor consistently supports the personal growth of their students and supports the development and advancement of their students' careers by actively encouraging them to engage with GWSB resources and/or internships.

Group Award

Outstanding GWSB Undergraduate Student Organization Award

The Outstanding GWSB Undergraduate Student Organization award recognizes a GWSB-Affiliated Student Organization that has gone above and beyond in establishing innovative programs & initiatives, fostering an inclusive environment, and contributing to the GWSB community. Successful nominees have maximized opportunities for student learning, leadership development, and community connections while advancing GWSB’s mission, vision, and goals.

Outstanding candidates will demonstrate most or all of the following:

Innovative Programs & Initiatives:

Organization demonstrates significant impact through its programs and initiatives and has implemented innovative initiatives during the academic year.

Career Development:

Organization has organized initiatives that have significantly impacted student career development.

Community Engagement:

Organization has participated in and actively organized multiple service initiatives throughout the GW and Washington, D.C. community.

Student Organization Standing:

The organization must be in good standing with the GW Office of Student Life.
Must be classified as a GWSB-Affiliated Undergraduate Student Organization.

Individual / Group Award

Outstanding Initiative Award (Individual or Group)

The Outstanding Initiative Award recognizes an initiative or program that has significantly impacted the GWSB community. Eligible nominations include initiatives/programs that have been implemented by a GWSB student and/or one (or more; partnership/collaborative events are eligible) of the GWSB-Affiliated Student Organizations. Initiatives should demonstrate thoughtful planning, significant impact on student learning, maximized community connections, and an overall innovative approach.

Note: This award is not designed to be automatically provided to the largest event, but is rather focused on the impact of the initiative.

Outstanding candidates will demonstrate most or all of the following:

Initiative Design & Implementation:

The initiative demonstrates thoughtful inclusivity, accessibility, and/or collaboration.

Community Impact:

The initiative maximizes community connections and has quantitatively and qualitatively demonstrates significant impact on the GW and/or GWSB community.

Student Learning & Development:

The initiative significantly contributes to the advancement of student learning and development.

Nomination Form and Deadline

Nominations for the 2025-2026 academic year GWSB Student Leadership Awards are now open. Detailed information, including award descriptions and requirements, can be found in the dropdown sections below. Please make sure to review the related eligibility criteria prior to submitting any nomination(s).

Nominations are due by Friday, February 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.

Submit a Nomination for the 2025-2026 Student Leadership Awards

Please contact the GWSB Undergraduate Programs office (ugradbusgwu [dot] edu) if you have any questions about the nomination process.

General Tips for Writing a Nomination

Review the Event Context: The best step to take before beginning the nomination process is to thoroughly review the GWSB Student Leadership Awards website. This helps equip you with the information needed to prepare for submitting a nomination in the allotted timeline.
Review the Award Description & Award Components (Criteria): After learning about the overarching process, nominators should then focus on reviewing each award description to learn about the award's purpose and various components. Understanding the award description and the various components of the award is key to writing a quality nomination that is in alignment with the award's evaluation criteria.
Brainstorm & Draft: Once you thoroughly understand the award process, timeline, award descriptions, and award components, then nominators should devote time to brainstorming and gathering relevant information to draft a nomination submission.
Include Multiple Specific Examples: When writing an award nomination, it is critical to include multiple specific examples that help the reader understand the nomination and it's alignment to the award description and components.
Consider Your Audience: Nominations should be written in a manner that is easy to understand for an audience that has limited to no knowledge of the nominee (e.g. clearly describe, avoid acronyms and jargon, etc.). The nomination should paint a clear picture of the nominee's eligibility for the award based on the award's description and award components.
Write Persuasively & Honestly: A nomination is ultimately a persuasive argument as to why an individual/organization/initiative/etc. is deserving of an award. Thus, it is important to consider how your nomination clearly articulates why the nominee is deserving of the specific award in a direct, honest, and accurate manner.
Highlight Impact: When highlighting impact in a nomination, we encourage you to think about various impact metrics that are both quantitative and qualitative.
Proofread Before Submitting: Finally, before submitting your nomination, nominees should take time to proofread the nomination for any grammatical and spelling errors.

Questions?

Please ugradbusgwu [dot] edu (contact GWSB Undergraduate Programs) if you have any questions about the nomination process.