OFFICE OF STUDENT ORIENTATION, LEADERSHIP, AND ENGAGEMENT

Greek Awards

Texas A&M International University believes that the sorority and fraternity experience can and should be an educationally enriching and socially meaningful one that contributes to the overall sense of community on campus. While many fraternities and sororities at TAMIU provide this experience to their members, it is essential to develop benchmarks and expectations to ensure that all members have the opportunity to enhance their collegiate experience through fraternal membership. This will help us achieve our vision that “fraternities and sororities will be the most trusted educational organizations on the campus in the development of men’s and women’s values, leadership, relationship and citizenship”.

To this end, the Office of Student Orientation, Leadership and Engagement has designed the Greek Standards of Excellence Accreditation program to improve the management and quality of fraternity and sorority chapters at the Texas A&M International University. This program will allow chapters to complete a self-evaluation of the previous year and show the chapter where growth is needed. The accreditation program will allow the University to recognize those organizations that achieve excellence. The six areas of accreditation criteria within this program are intended to help chapters understand basic expectations and identify areas of strength and weakness. The program is designed to assess chapters’ success in these six areas and provide both recognition and accountability.

The six areas of accreditation are: Intellectual Development, Membership Development, Global Citizenship, Leadership Development, Positive Relationships, and Chapter Management.

Annually, the Greek Council holds the Greek Awards ceremony, honoring individual and collective efforts from the past year. Chapter awards are determined by the Greek Standards of Excellence accreditation program. Individual awards are determined by applications and are judged by a group of TAMIU Community members.

Awards provided are as follows:

University Life Awards

Held at the end of each Spring Semester, the University Life Awards recognizes students and student organizations for their efforts inside and outside of the classroom. Each year, awards are provided for the following:

• Freshman Excellence Award - This award is designed to recognize a first-time freshman* student who is engaged in the University and has demonstrated leadership potential. Nominees of exceptional caliber may have helped recognize untapped opportunities, challenged with purpose, enabled others to work towards the broader mission or a multitude of other possibilities.
• Sophomore of the Year - This award is designed to recognize a Sophomore student who is engaged in the University and has demonstrated leadership potential. Nominees of exceptional caliber may have helped recognize untapped opportunities, challenged with purpose, enabled others to work towards the broader mission or a multitude of other possibilities.
• Leader of the Year - This award is designed to recognize a student (30+ completed credit hours) who is engaged in the University and has demonstrated leadership abilities. Nominees of exceptional caliber may have inspired a shared vision towards new frontiers, enabled others to work towards the broader mission, and encouraged others to persist despite roadblocks or a multitude of other possibilities.
• Graduate Student of the Year - Established to recognize individuals who excel above and beyond their scholastic participation in TAMIU. Award recognizes graduate student based on character, service and outstanding contributions, and academic achievements. A significant contribution is defined as a measurable, positive impact that benefits the student and academic experience at TAMIU.
• Honors Student of the Year - Established to recognize individuals who are in The TAMIU University Honors program that seeks to foster the academic development of the most talented undergraduate students. Award recognizes Honors student based on character, outstanding contributions, and academic achievements while developing intellectual leadership.
• David T. Newman Changemaker Award - This award refers to a student that desires change in the world and, by gathering knowledge and resources, makes that change happen. Changemaking is a broad and inclusive term used to describe a wide range of approaches include social innovation and social entrepreneurship. The focus change making has on taking collaborative action, thinking in systems, developing creative solutions, and sparking a deep sense of agency in students is what sets it apart. This award acknowledges the hard work and dedication of student who have, through collaborative efforts, developed creative solutions to address a societal problem/issue that has sparked an interest in social action here at TAMIU.
• Student Organization Advisor of the Year - This award is presented to an outstanding advisor of a recognized student organization. The advisor plays an integral role in assisting the organization thrive while promoting student growth, holistic student development, and honing leadership skills. The advisor also helps the organization accomplish their goals and live by their mission statement.
• TAMIU Wall of Fame - The TAMIU Wall of Fame is dedicated to the TAMIU community members who have provided leadership and service to the Texas A&M International University community. This award recognizes students, staff, or faculty members who have gone above and beyond the expectations of their role and made a significant contribution to student life at TAMIU. A significant contribution is defined as a measurable, positive impact that benefits the student experience at TAMIU. Students, faculty and staff can be nominated for this award. A caricature is commissioned for recipients and displayed in the TAMIU Wall of Fame.
• Vice President's Award for Outstanding Service to the University Community - Recognizes individuals who excel above and beyond with their service to the TAMIU community. Award recognizes unique contributions and service that will leave a long lasting mark in the University. A significant contribution is defined as a measurable, positive impact that benefits the academic, co-curricular and student experiences at TAMIU.
• Student Organization of the Year - This award is given to an organization that exemplifies student engagement, service, and overall excellence. The Student Organization of the Year Award provides Texas A&M International University the opportunity to recognize the efforts made by the student organizations on our campus.
• Changemaking Student Organization of the Year - This award refers to the Student Organization that desires change in the world and, by gathering knowledge and resources, makes that change happen. Changemaking is a broad and inclusive term used to describe a wide range of approaches include social innovation and social entrepreneurship. The focus change making has on taking collaborative action, thinking in systems, developing creative solutions, and sparking a deep sense of agency in students is what sets it apart. This award acknowledges the hard work and dedication of student organizations who have, through collaborative efforts, developed creative solutions to address a societal problem/issue that has sparked an interest in social action here at TAMIU.
• Performance Student Organization of the Year - Performance student organizations add to the vibrancy of any college campus. Through countless hours of rehearsal and performance, these student organizations showcase a deep appreciation for culture and the arts. This award is awarded to a student performing group that has demonstrated a mastery of their art.
• Zaffirini Scholarship and Leadership Award - The Senator Judith Zaffirini Scholarship and Leadership Award is bestowed upon an individual who excels in and out of the classroom and embodies many of the traits that make our Senator the leader she is, which include Service, Leadership and Scholarship. First established in 2001 this prestigious award has been given to future lawyers, doctors and community leaders. This requires you the nominator to submit an application and letter of recommendation
• Student Employee of the Year
• Global Scholar Award
• CAB Awards
• SGA Awards
• Greek of the Year
• Greek Chapter of the Year
• President's Volunteer Services Awards with Student Conduct and Community Engagement

Please join at the 29^th Annual University Life Awards being held on Saturday April 27^th, 2024 this year! More information coming soon.

University Life Awards Applications Due April 3^rd, 2024

University Live Awards
Applications Now Open

Don't forget to nominate your favorite Dustdevils for these prestigious awards.

Apps Due April 3.

University Life Awards are here! Make sure to share with any outstanding TAMIU Student Leader.

Applications on Presence

University Life Awards
April 27^th, 2024

Emerging Leaders Celebration

The Emerging Leaders Celebration is a recognition ceremony for students who participated in the various leadership programs at TAMIU throughout the past year. Students are honored for their hard work and dedication towards improving not only themselves, but also their own communities, whether here at TAMIU, in Laredo or the world. In order to be considered for the Emerging Leaders Celebration, there must be a leadership curriculum that participants learn.

The following leadership programs are honored at the Emerging Leaders Celebration:

• Freshman Leadership Organization
• Sophomores Leaders Involved in Change
• Leadership TAMIU
• International Leadership Fellows
• TAMIU Trailblazers
• International Certificate in Leadership
• Academic Center for Excellence Student Mentors
• Academic Center for Excellence Student Tutors
• Recruitment and School Relations Student Success Mentors
• TAMIU Honor Council
• TAMIU Orientation Leaders

TAMIU Trailblazers

The TAMIU Trailblazers program is a co-curricular leadership initiative that allows students to Go Beyond the classroom. It is free and open to all Dustdevils. No application is required.

Available engagement opportunities include conferences, workshops, organizations, leadership roles, and the list goes on. All 150+ items are offered within five learning dimensions: Career Development, Civic Leadership, Global Perspective, Health & Wellness and Personal Enrichment.

Each learning dimension is divided into three levels: Exploring Stage, Engagement Stage and the Leadership Stage. Successful completion of a learning dimension includes:

Completing three (3) items in the Exploring Stage

Completing two (2) items in the Engagement Stage

Completing one (1) item in the Leadership Stage

You may track your progress using the Presence platform. Items may be completed through self-reporting, event attendance records, and membership within organizations.

Upon completing a learning dimension, you will earn a patch for graduation. Students who complete all five learning dimensions will earn an additional patch and pin.