Student Excellence Awards 2021

About the awards

Our Student Excellence Awards celebrate students’ contributions to the Macquarie University community.

These awards help recognise the outstanding resilience, spirit of service and leadership exhibited by our students. There are three main award categories:

1. Leadership Excellence Award: This individual award recognises the outstanding leadership of an individual student to the Macquarie University community.
2. Outstanding Volunteer Award: This individual award celebrates the efforts of student volunteers across Macquarie University and their contribution to the student experience.
3. Outstanding Student Group Award: This team award recognises an affiliated student group that has made an outstanding contribution to student life at Macquarie University in 2021.

You may be nominated for the awards by your fellow students, a Macquarie University staff member, or you may choose to self-nominate. For self-nominations, you must provide a letter of reference from at least two Macquarie staff members or community members that endorse your nomination. For full details, refer to the 2021 Award criteria and selection process below.

The team/individual winners will receive a certificate and prize of $500. Runner up candidates will receive a certificate of recognition.

Last year, we received over 80 submissions with three deserving 2020 winners.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration of the 2021 Student Excellence Awards, nominees must:

• Be an enrolled Macquarie University student at any study level, enrolled in at least one unit in 2021 on campus or online, and have satisfactory academic progress
• For a student group, they must be a currently affiliated group for 2021 and in good standing with Macquarie University.

The Award nomination applications must either be accepted from Macquarie staff or students on behalf of nominees, or candidates may self-nominate for awards.

Nominations open on Monday 16 August and close on Sunday 19 September.

Once received, all nominations are checked by the Student Engagement Team for current enrolment, satisfactory academic progress and exemplary conduct history before consideration by the panel.

Award selection criteria

Leadership Excellence Award

This individual award recognises the outstanding leadership of an individual student to the Macquarie University community.

Selection criteria

1. Outstanding contribution to the Macquarie community, particularly during COVID-19
2. Outstanding capabilities leading a team or a group of students in the co-curricular/extra-curricular setting
3. Evidence of outstanding contribution to the student experience and the provision of support to students and/or community during COVID-19
4. Evidence of creating positive social change in the Macquarie University community during 2021

Outstanding Volunteer Award

This individual award celebrates the efforts of student volunteers across Macquarie University and their contribution to the student experience.

Selection criteria

1. During their service in 2021, they fulfilled their role with enthusiasm, professionalism and fairness at all times
2. Strong engagement in programs and/or services outside their volunteering role, which encourage participation, success and sense of community
3. Evidence of going above and beyond their expected voluntary position or role
4. Commitment to positive social change in the wider community through the challenges of COVID-19

Outstanding Student Group Award

This team award recognises an affiliated student group that has made an outstanding contribution to student life at Macquarie University in 2021.

Selection criteria

1. Evidence of an outstanding contribution to student engagement and experience online and/or on campus during 2021
2. Consistent delivery of high-quality events and/or activities to their members
3. Model good practice and strong governance with communication and management of the student group
4. Creativity and innovation when engaging and supporting students through the challenges posed by COVID-19

How to nominate

Applications are now closed for 2021. 

Nomination for others

• Submit a completed nomination form before the closing date, addressing the selection criteria for the relevant award category listed below.
• Provide supporting documentation with the application such as photos, videos, feedback/testimonials from staff, students or community members (or any other relevant documentation that may enhance the nomination).
• Submit nominations for exceptional performance/activity in 2021 only.

Self-nominations

• Submit a completed nomination form before the closing date, addressing the selection criteria for the relevant award category listed below.
• Provide supporting documentation with your application such as photos, videos, feedback/testimonials from staff, students or community members (or any other relevant documentation that may enhance your nomination)
• Submit nominations for exceptional performance/activity in 2021 only.
• Include a letter of reference that must be provided by a Macquarie staff or community member that endorses your application.

Selection process

All eligible nominations will be reviewed by a selection panel comprised of:

• Director, Employability and Graduate Success
• Associate University Librarian
• Academic staff member

Finalists will be invited to an Awards Ceremony where one winner will be announced for each category. The team/individuals will receive a certificate and prize of $500.

For more information about the awards or completing the nomination, contact studentengagement@mq.edu.au.