The Involvement Awards

Inovlvement Awards logo

NOMINATIONS OPEN
JAN. 7, 2026

The 14th annual Involvement Awards will be
held on TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026
in the Student Activities Center.

Award Descriptions

Given to an RSO/SSO in its first year (provisional or permanent) that most exemplified the traits of an excellent Auburn student organization and that best empowered its members to be impactful Auburn students as a group. Nominations will be evaluated on how the organization enhanced the student experience and how it was innovative in building an organizational foundation and recruiting membership. Must be a first-year RSO/SSO to be eligible.

Given to an RSO/SSO that displayed high-quality marketing & communications efforts to ensure the student body and campus community were aware of their activities and achievements. Nominations will be evaluated on how an organization strategically planned and executed their outreach efforts while utilizing creative ideas and methods to share their stories with the campus community. Must be an RSO/SSO to be eligible.

Given to an SAO that displayed high-quality marketing & communications efforts to ensure the student body and campus community were aware of their activities and achievements. Nominations will be evaluated on how an organization strategically planned and executed their outreach efforts while utilizing creative ideas and methods to share their stories with the campus community. Must be an SAO to be eligible.

Given to an organization that positively impacted the culture of Auburn by empowering students to gain greater insight, understanding, and appreciation of cultures. Nominations will be evaluated on how an organization planned and executed a program, event, campaign, or initiative that positively displayed and impacted the culture of Auburn while providing a cultural learning opportunity for the student body. Must be a student organization to be eligible.

Given to an organization whose philanthropic and/or service activities exemplified the power of the “Human Touch” as outlined in the Auburn Creed. The Auburn Creed states, “I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.” Nominations will be evaluated on how the organization served the campus and/or community, demonstrated innovation in their philanthropic and/or service activities, and cultivated sympathy while being helpful and bringing happiness. Must be a student organization to be eligible.

Given to an RSO/SSO host organization that enhanced the student experience by engaging students in a well-planned, well-executed, successful event. Nominations will be evaluated on how an event enhanced the student experience, used innovative practices to engage students, and fulfilled the organization’s mission through a high-quality event. Must be an RSO/SSO event to be eligible. Two awards will likely be given, one for a fall semester event and one for a spring semester event. Eligible events considered are those that occurred between February 1, 2023 – February 1, 2024.

Given to an SAO host organization that enhanced the student experience by engaging students in a well-planned, well-executed, successful event. Nominations will be evaluated on how an event enhanced the student experience, used innovative practices to engage students, and fulfilled the organization’s mission through a high-quality event. Must be an SAO event to be eligible. Two awards will likely be given, one for a fall semester event and one for a spring semester event. Eligible events considered are those that occurred between February 1, 2023 – February 1, 2024.

Given to an RSO/SSO organization that empowered its members to grow in career readiness through their engagement in the organization. Nominations will be evaluated on how an organization enhanced the student experience by providing growth opportunities for its members to build leadership skills, technical skills, and other career skills they can carry beyond Auburn. Must be an RSO/SSO to be eligible.

Given to an SAO organization that empowered its members to grow in career readiness through their engagement in the organization. Nominations will be evaluated on how an organization enhanced the student experience by providing growth opportunities for its members to build leadership skills, technical skills, and other career skills they can carry beyond Auburn. Must be an SAO to be eligible.

Given to an individual/group of individuals/office who exceeded their obligations in supporting one or more student organizations and their students. Nominations will be evaluated on how the supporter enhanced the student experience, demonstrated dedication to students’ success, and helped students fulfill their mission(s). Must be a university faculty/staff/office to be eligible but should not be a student organization advisor for this award.

Given to an RSO/SSO organization advisor who exceeded their obligations in supporting a student organization and its students. Nominations will be evaluated on how the advisor enhanced the student experience, demonstrated dedication to the student organization’s success, and helped the students fulfill their mission. Must be an Advisor to a Registered Student Org (RSO) or Sponsored Student Org (SSO) to be eligible.

Given to a student who embodies the values set forth in the Auburn Creed. Nominations will be evaluated on whether a student should be recognized and honored for the ways in which they model outstanding hard work, desire to grow through education, honesty and truthfulness, sound mind/body/spirit, good sportsmanship, obedience to law, sympathy for others, helpfulness, belief in country, and a love for Auburn. Be the Creed Honorees are positive examples for others in the Auburn community and beyond. Must be a student to be eligible.

Given to multiple students who best demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities and the principles of the Auburn Creed through their student organization involvement. Nominations will be evaluated on how the student leader enhanced the student experience for others and how they set an example for their peers. Must be a student in a student organization to be eligible.

Given to an RSO/SSO that most exemplified the traits of an excellent Auburn student organization and that best empowered its members to be impactful Auburn students as a group. Nominations will be evaluated on how the organization enhanced the student experience and how it was innovative in fulfilling its mission. Must be an RSO/SSO to be eligible.

Given to an SAO that most exemplified the traits of an excellent Auburn student organization and that best empowered its members to be impactful Auburn students as a group. Nominations will be evaluated on how the organization enhanced the student experience and how it was innovative in fulfilling its mission for the student body. Must be an SAO to be eligible.

You might be wondering...

Some awards are divided into the following two categories of organization types:

  • Student Activity Organization (SAO) - SAOs are the 15 large organizations housed directly in the Student Involvement Office. These include Auburn University Dream Makers, Beat Bama Food Drive, Black Student Union, The Circle, Eagle Eye TV, The Glomerata, IMPACT, International Student Organization, Involvement Ambassadors, LEAD Auburn, Organizations Board, The Auburn Plainsman, Student Government Association, University Program Council, and WEGL 91.1. Additionally, for the purpose of the Involvement Awards, Aubie and Greek Councils are also considered for SAO-category awards.
  • Registered Student Organization (RSO) / Sponsored Student Organization (SSO) - RSOs and SSOs are the approximately 450+ organizations that represent a wide variety of academic colleges, university departments, and specific interests.

Typically, organizations do not win the same award they won the previous year.

No, AUinvolve will allow you to return to your submission if you do not finish it. Only completed applications will be considered for each award. Make sure that you return to your award and complete it prior to the deadline. You must click “Submit” on AUinvolve for it to be evaluated.

Contact Brad Smith, Director of Student Involvement at smithbk@auburn.edu or 334-844-3277 for any questions about award applications, selections, or the Involvement Awards Ceremony.