Student Involvement Awards

The Event of the Year Award recognizes an event that has significantly impacted the SFU Beedie community. It acknowledges the organizers’ outstanding commitment throughout the planning and execution process. This award is granted to an event that reflects the values of creativity, innovation, and engagement within the SFU Beedie community. 

Eligibility

• Must be hosted by a SFU Beedie-sponsored organization or joint initiative
• Must be primarily led by students (not staff, faculty, or industry-led initiative)
• Eligible events include online, in-person, hybrid, single-day, and multi-day events
• For programs that are longer term, which may be part of a series or made up of a cohort (i.e. a set group of participants that continue throughout a period of multiple weeks), please nominate those in the Program of the Year Award
• Event must have happened between March 19, 2024–March 10, 2025 

Nomination form

The Student Organization of the Year is awarded to a student organization that has demonstrated excellence in the areas of community engagement, collaboration, innovation, and leadership development. In addition, the award acknowledges the organization's overall contribution to the SFU Beedie student experience and the impact on communities within and beyond SFU Beedie. 

Examples of student organizations 

• Student organizations & joint initiatives   

Eligibility

• Must be an official SFU organization with an executive team with more than 50 per cent participation by SFU Beedie students (BBA Major or Business Minor program)
• Must be supported by SFU Beedie (partnership or joint initiative)
• Must be active and in good standing with its governing bodies during eligibility period
• Must offer opportunities and events that are open to SFU Beedie students. Examples include leadership positions, networking events, skill development opportunities, and programs that promote learning and development.

Nomination form

The Program of the Year recognizes a transformative long-term initiative that has made a valuable contribution to the learning and development of its participants and the SFU Beedie community. This award acknowledges commitment, personal growth among both participants and those responsible for executing the program or initiative, and engagement with each other. The organization or group of people who organized the program would have demonstrated dedication, excellence, intentionality, and well-planned implementation. 

Eligible programs would have taken place over multiple weeks. Examples include a series of workshops, discussions, or sessions, and may include a cohort starting and ending the program together (e.g. a set group of participants that continue their involvement throughout three weeks or more).

Eligibility

• Must be from an official SFU organization with an executive team with more than 50% participation by SFU Beedie students (BBA Major or Business Minor program)
• Must be supported by SFU Beedie (partnership or joint initiative)
• Must be active and in good standing with its governing bodies during eligibility period
• Must have a duration of at least 3 weeks
• If the initiative you are nominating was a single day or multi-day event (i.e. a conference, short-term competition, or networking opportunity), please nominate it under the Event of the Year category
• The Program must have concluded by March 10, 2025 for consideration for the 2025 Student Involvement Awards. Beyond this window, please submit a nomination for the 2026 Student Involvement Awards
• Eligible programs include online, in-person, hybrid, single-day, and multi-day events
• Students would have led the planning, implementation, and execution of the program 
• Programs where staff, faculty, industry, alumni, or other non-SFU Beedie students take the lead in setting the program content, curriculum, and events will not be considered 

Nomination form

The Experiential Learning award recognizes a student organization, student group, program, or event that engaged students in a practical, hands-on experience where "learning by doing" was at the core. An experiential initiative goes beyond the traditional classroom setting, providing students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world situations. Participants actively engage, experiment, and problem-solve, gaining new experiences, skill sets and competencies in the process. The initiative encourages critical analysis and reflection to make meaning of new knowledge.

Eligibility

• Must be created by a SFU Beedie-Sponsored Organization, student-led organizing team, Joint-Initiative or group of students within a class at SFU.
• Must have been created and in practice during this period: March 19, 2024, and March 10, 2025
• This award recognizes activities that are student developed and not part of paid position. To be considered, the activity or experience must fall within the co-curricular or in-class category
• Initiative must have had a component in which participants were able to engage in application of knowledge, hands on work, and reflection. 
• Project within a classroom may be considered if the activity content was generated by students. Not developed by a faculty member. 
• Project within an exchange term may be considered if the activity was driven by an SFU student.

Nomination form

The Community Impact Award recognizes outstanding efforts of a student, student organization or group for their meaningful contributions to the community. They have made a positive impact on the social, cultural, sustainability or environmental matters of the community they are involved with, including SFU Beedie, SFU, and external community. Their contributions help develop socially responsible business leaders. 

Award recipient(s) must have identified gaps or needs within their surrounding communities and engaged in meaningful work that helps address these while taking steps towards positive social change. They have built and developed connections with community members and leaders or other stakeholders to sustain community engagement. As a result, the community or communities impacted are experiencing a positive outcome and will have built greater competence and understanding among the participants, organizers, and community collaborators (e.g., alumni, instructors, industry professionals, subject matter experts, etc.)  

Eligibility

• Co-curricular experience within SFU, SFU Beedie or in the surrounding communities.
• If individual, must be currently enrolled in the BBA or Business Minor program at SFU
• Must have a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0 if individual
• If group, must be hosted by a SFU Beedie sponsored, student-led organizing team, or Joint Initiative
• Must have been created and in practice during this period: March 19, 2024, and March 10, 2025

Please note, this award may be awarded to an individual, group or both. Nominations will be reviewed within the category they belong to, for example all individual submissions will be reviewed with other individual submissions.  

Quantitative factors

• Number of community members engaged or impacted by
• Number of resources saved or conserved through sustainable practices 
• Attendance and participation rates in social/sustainable focused events 

Qualitative factors

• Relevant documentation of initiatives, programs, or research, examples include reports, news, testimonials, and feedback from the community members, stakeholders, and collaborators.

Nomination form

The Collaboration of the Year Award recognizes collaboration between a student organization, joint initiative, or student group with an internal or external organization. This award recognizes meaningful partnerships highlighting how teamwork, shared experiences, the power of diverse thoughts and skills contribute to fill knowledge gaps and create transformative experiences. This collaboration will have resulted in a significant impact on the SFU Beedie, or outside community. It also showcases the positive outcome lead by joining forces, thereby creating beneficial change for the community and those participating in the initiative.  

• One part of the collaboration must include 50% participation from SFU Beedie students (BBA and/or Business Minor)
• Must be supported by the Beedie School of Business (Sponsorship, Joint Program, etc.) during the eligibility period
• Must be active from March 2024–April 2025. 

Nomination form

Leaders are not defined by titles or positions. Rather, a leader is someone who models the way and inspires others towards a shared vision. The Inspirational Leader Award is presented to a student who regardless of position has fostered inspiration amongst those they work with and demonstrated leadership skills such as resilience, persistence, creativity, and encouraging others.

The individual may be advancing a cause in a way that inspires and unites others to join them, compounding their overall impact towards action. They may have persisted through setbacks, uncertainty, and challenging circumstances. Their character, actions, and words help foster teamwork to ensure projects, initiatives, or deadlines are met, and leave their communities thriving better than before. Others are inspired by this person and their way of leading. 

This award is open to all Beedie students, regardless of formal titles or leadership roles. Inspiring others stems from commitment to the community, exemplifying values, helping others grow their potential, and overcoming challenges.

Eligibility

• Must be a current SFU BBA or Business Minor student
• Minimum GPA 2.0
• This award only recognizes voluntary contributions. Paid positions will not be considered unless the commitment and contributions of this individual go above and beyond their paid position 
  

Nomination form

The Student Leader of the Year is presented to a member of the SFU Beedie undergraduate program who has taken on a formal leadership role and has gone above and beyond to support their team and the SFU Beedie community. A formal leadership position is defined as a position with a title. The position could have been elected, part of an interview and selection process, etc. This award is not restricted to just presidents, leads, and co-leads. 

The Student Leader of the Year recognizes the individual's exceptional performance, growth, and commitment to their areas of involvement, as well as their diligence to help their organization thrive, remain in alignment with mission and values, and accomplish collective goals. This leader would have exemplified skills such as critical thinking, innovation, ethical decision making, teamwork, and strategic thinking.  

Eligibility

• Must have participated and be involved in a SFU Beedie-supported student organization, association, programming, event, or initiative supported by the SFU Beedie School of Business
• Must be enrolled in a BBA or Business Minor program
• Must have held a formal leadership position within a SFU Beedie-sponsored organization or Joint Initiative for at least five months. 
• Minimum GPA of 2.0
• This award only recognizes voluntary contributions. Paid positions will not be considered unless the commitment and contributions of this individual go above and beyond their paid position. 
  

Nomination form

Mentorship is a valued and vital role in the development and guidance of SFU Beedie undergraduate students. The Mentor of the Year award recognizes the commitment of an individual who has demonstrated outstanding mentorship abilities to support, encourage, connect, and foster growth in a mentee. This award recognizes a mentor who has shown exceptional ability to guide and motivate a mentee(s) in a respectful, responsible, and mature manner.

The award is open to anyone with a mentorship role whether with a formal title or informal.

Examples include but are not limited to:  

• BASS Mentorship program
• Beedie Writing Mentor
• LAUNCH Leader 
• Business Career Peers  

Eligibility

• Must be a current SFU BBA or Business Minor student
• Minimum GPA of 2.0
• Position must be voluntary (not part of a job or paid position) 
  

Nomination form

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes a first-year business student who has displayed enthusiasm and eagerness to participate and engage purposely within the SFU Beedie Community. This individual demonstrates initiative in developing leadership skills, energetically takes part in co-curricular experiences and expresses curiosity and openness to diverse experiences.  This award recognizes the personal and professional growth the student has experienced and showcases their high potential in becoming a leader within the community. 

This award recognizes the student's commitment to a well-balanced student experience inside and outside of the classroom during their first year.

Eligibility

• Must be enrolled in a BBA or Business Minor program
• Must be in their first year of study at the SFU Beedie School of Business and have begun their studies in SFU Beedie between Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025. Candidate must have been admitted:
  • as a high school graduate entering SFU Beedie in their first semester of university
  • as a transfer student, into SFU Beedie from another faculty or institution
  • also includes Business Minor students admitted in Fall 2024

Nomination form

The Alumni Impact Award recognizes an outstanding SFU Beedie alumni, whose voluntary contributions have significantly enhanced the student experience. This individual has shown their commitment to developing individuals and organizations by providing coaching, mentoring, and encouraging student engagement in the SFU Beedie community.

Eligibility

• Must have graduated from an SFU Beedie as of April 1, 2024

Nomination form

The Faculty Recognition Award recognizes an outstanding faculty member whose voluntary contributions have significantly enhanced the co-curricular student experience. This individual has shown their commitment to developing individuals and organizations by providing coaching, mentoring, promoting learning outside of the classroom and encouraging student engagement in the SFU Beedie community.

Eligibility

• Must be a current faculty member at SFU Beedie
  
• Must not be a Student Involvement Awards Adjudication Committee member
• Nominees for this award will be evaluated based on their work from March 19, 2024–March 10, 2025

Nomination form