2026 MSU SEC Exchange- Award Nominations

Every year, the SEC Student Governments submit applications for awards that are selected and awarded by the hosting university. The awards will be announced at the banquet. These awards will be applied for based on the 2025-2026 SEC Student Government Administrations, not the current administrations. You are not required to submit applications for each award, but we would encourage you to apply to as many as you think necessary. Please submit each application as a PDF file.

Deadline to submit award nominations is Monday, June 15th at 11:59pm CT

Advisor of the Year

This award is presented to the advisor and their respective institution for their work with the student government within the last academic year. The application summary should include descriptions and examples of the advisor's experiences with their student government. Advisors nominated for this award should demonstrate qualities of student empowerment, student support, and other qualities the nominator considers relevant.

Community Impact Award

This award is presented to the student government and its respective institution for its commitment to developing leaders, fostering involvement, and creating a welcoming environment for all students. This award acknowledges the initiatives, campaigns, and programs that have positively impacted student engagement, campus life, and community involvement. The author should include specific details on how the student government worked with campus administrators, the obstacles encountered, the advocacy and support measures taken, and a reflection on how the commitment has effectively impacted the student body.

Outstanding Initiative Award

This award is presented to the adviser and their respective institution for developing and implementing an outstanding policy initiative within the last academic year. The application must address a campus concern and detail the steps the student government took to find a solution and to develop a long-term approach with campus partners to achieve tangible results.

Outstanding Legislation Award

This award is presented to the student government and its respective institution for developing and implementing an outstanding piece of legislation that positively impacts the campus and/or community at large. The application must address specific details of the legislation and its research, the intended goals and outcomes, and the positive impact it has had, whether visible or personal, on the student body.

Student Leader of the Year Award

This award is presented to the student leader who has demonstrated excellence in leadership on their respective campus. The application must demonstrate how the student leader outstandingly performed in the following areas:

Advocating and supporting the needs of students on campus
Effectively collaborating with campus administrators and off-campus partners to accomplish goals
Developing and implementing necessary and innovative programs and services while demonstrating exceptional leadership and engaging with all student populations
Establishing a sustained feeling of belonging to the student body while supporting the institution's mission

Student Government of the Year Award

This award is presented to the student government and its respective institution for excelling in student leadership within the last academic year. The application summary must demonstrate how student leaders performed in three or more of the following areas:

Advocating and supporting student needs on campus
Effectively collaborating with campus administrators and off-campus partners to accomplish goals
Developing and implementing necessary and innovative programs and services while demonstrating exceptional leadership and engaging with all student populations
Establishing a sustained feeling of belonging to the student body while supporting the institution's mission