The Student Engagement area within Student Life consists of six departments dedicated to supporting student growth and development through active participation in experiential learning opportunities. These departments include the Center for Service and Leadership (CSL), The University of Alabama Student Center, Student Involvement, Student Governance and Citizenship (SGA), University Programs (UP), and the Blackburn Institute. On April 8, 2025, Student Engagement hosted the Exemplo Capstone Awards (formerly Service and Leadership Awards) to honor individuals, student organizations and full-time staff who “serve compassionately, engage masterfully, and live boldly.”
The awards were presented in five categories:
- Building Community
- Experiential Learning and Leadership
- Growth and Development
- Student Learning
- Success Beyond
See below for a list of the achievements and honors earned within the Capstone community.
Building Community Awards
- Advocacy in Action Award – Baby Steps at The University of Alabama
- ABC Award of Excellence – Johnnice Robinson and Luisa Colin
- Henry M. Lipsey Heart of Service Award – Luisa Miranda
- Fall 2024 UP Ambassador of the Year Award – Courtney Stringer
- Spring 2025 UP Ambassador of the Year Award – Ora Graham
- Excellence in Hospitality Award – Emilie Pietig
Experiential Learning and Leadership Awards
- John L. Blackburn Advisor of the Year – Eve Pentecost
- Will Byington Award for Student Officer of the Year – Pratiksha Chaudhari and Victoria O’Tool
- Star Bloom Volunteer of the Year Award – Noelle Smith
- Barbara Grimes Selfless Service Award – Tamya Evans and Kennedi Preston
- Spirit of UP Award – Vivian Longino
- April C. Sanders Distinguished Service Award – Hali Skelton
- 2025 Capstone Leadership Award – Darnell Ashton
- 2025 STAR Award – Shirley DuBose
Growth and Development Awards
- Outstanding New Organization Award – Wish Makers at Bama
- Champion for Children’s Hospital Award – Sydney Clements and Hayden Phillips
- SGA Most Outstanding CWE Event – The Mind Matters Workshop Series, UA Counseling Center
- SGA Most Outstanding Campus Partner – Women and Gender Resource Center
- SGA Organizational Excellence Award – Alpha Chi Omega
- UP Persistence Award – Kennedy Russell
- Bama Rising Star Award – Faith Lindsey
Student Learning Awards
- Organization Event of the Year – UA Museum Club and the Undergraduate Historical Society
- Capstone Innovation Award – La Escuelita de Ingles
- Outstanding Tide2 Student Award – William Battle and Isabella Nguyen
- Outstanding Tide2 Peer Collaborator Award – Ava O’Donley and Tjay Woods
- Community Partner Award – School Yard Roots
- Rick Funk Award – UA Department of Transportation Services
- UP Spotlight Award – Meg Neville, Kayrie Weldon Victoria Campbell and Trinity Bailey
Success Beyond
- Roll Tide Resilience Award – Wesley Betterton
- Blackburn Institute Officers Recognition – Rolland Grady, Connor Higgins and Lily Noble
- Outstanding Advocacy Organization Award – The Alabama Rural Health Association and Planned Parenthood Generation Action
- Outstanding Service Organization Award – The Joy Project
- Outstanding Cultural and Identity Based Organization Award – The Black Student Union
- Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Organization Award – UA Museum Club
- Outstanding Religious or Spiritual Organization Award – UA Vedic Society
- Outstanding Club Sports Organization Award – UA Badminton Club
- Outstanding Political Organization Award – IGNITE National UA
- Outstanding Academic Organization Award – UASPACE
- Outstanding Honors Organization Award – Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
- Outstanding Recreational/Athletic Organization Award – Pickleball Club
- Outstanding Graduate Student Organization Award – College of Education Graduate Student Association
- Outstanding Professional Organization Award – Financial Planning Association of UA
- David L. Phelps Organization of the Year Award – Nepalese Student Association
- UP Graduating Senior Recognition – Trinity Bailey, Taylor Branick, Vivian Longino, Victoria Lopez, Megan Neville, Avery Thaxton, Javaris Tolton and JaMiya Walton
- Daniel Nielsen Exceptional Change Award – Sammi Samler and Allison Pope
- The UNLESS Award – Hayden Phillips and Katelyn Rials
- Stephanie Shamblin Award – Amy Nichols
