Award Categories 

Emerging Leader (Freshmen and Sophomores Only): This award recognizes individuals whose contributions have added to the advancement of their affiliated organization mission and goals and/or to the APIDA community at UA. Nominees must show consistent leadership that is displayed through their active participation in the organization and actively promotes community building. Nominee demonstrates potential for future contributions to the organization, campus community, and to APIDA populations; demonstrates outstanding leadership characteristics and skills; student does not have to hold a specific leadership position in the organization.

Established Leader (Juniors and Seniors Only) Minimum 2.5 G.P. A: This award recognizes individuals whose contributions have supported the advancement of their affiliated organization mission and goals and/or to the APIDA community at UA. Nominees must show consistent leadership that is displayed through their active participation in the organization and actively promotes community building. Nominee provides leadership and vision for the organization; demonstrates ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with others; serves as a role model and mentor for new members, other students on campus, and to APIDA populations; demonstrates outstanding leadership characteristics, skills and student does not have to hold a specific leadership position in the organization.

Outstanding Faculty/Staff: Given to one faculty and one staff at the University of Arizona. This award recognizes individuals who have contributed to the success and advancement of students and/or student organizations within the APIDA community. Nominees must show dedication to the APIDA community that is displayed through their active participation in the APIDA campus community.  Nominees demonstrates ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with others; serves as a role model and mentor to APIDA populations. Nominees must be current Faculty or Staff at the University of Arizona for at least 3 years.

Outstanding Student Organization: This award is designed to recognize a student organization that has contributed significantly to the campus around the issues that APIDA students face

• These organizations can be educational, political or social in nature and should serve the needs of multiple sections of the University of Arizona community and APIDA communities.
• Organization must be registered with the Student Organizations Office (ASUA).  
• Organization must be in good standing with the university as designated by the Student Organizations Office (ASUA).
• Organization develops positive collaborative relationships with other student organizations, community organizations, staff and/or faculty.
• Organization makes significant contributions to the campus community of color or underrepresented populations.
• Organization contributes positively to the personal development of its members; Supports other campus events as well as other student of color organizations or organizations that promotes APIDA populations.
• Events meet the needs of the students of color and underrepresented populations.
• Develops campus events that build and educate the campus community.

2022-2023 Winners

• Emerging Student Leader: John Piamonte and Kate Santiago
• Established Student Leader: Sakshi Karra
• Outstanding Student Organization: Pre-Health Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)
• Outstanding Faculty and Staff: Dr. Jenny Lee
• Community Builder Award: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

2021-2022 Winners

• Emerging Student Leader: Connor McKay
• Established Student Leader: Jenny Tram and Brittany Hum
• Outstanding Student Organization: Pre-Health Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)
• Outstanding Faculty and Staff: Josie Gin Morgan

2020-2021 Winners

• Emerging Student Leader: Lady Elli
• Established Student Leader: Dianne Saez
• Outstanding Student Organization: UnderSkore
• Outstanding Faculty and Staff: J. Serena Kim

2019-2020 Winners

• Emerging Student Leader: Soho Cho
• Established Student Leader: An Luu
• Community Builder Award: Dr. Brett Esaki
• Aileen Primero Award: Alissa Atrero & Jackie Tan
• Outstanding Student Organization: Vietnamese Student Association

2018-2019 Winners

• Community Builder Award: Dr. Daisy Rodriguez Pitel 
• Aileen Primero Outstanding BOD Award: Jason Marquez
• Emerging Leader Award: Tia Hunt
• Established Leader Award: Chinwuwanuju "UjU" Ugo-Obi Sampson 
• Outstanding Faculty and Staff: Dr. ChoLik Chan
• Outstanding Student Organization Award: Vietnamese Student Association (VSA)

2017-2018 Winners

• Community Builder Award: Carolyn Classen 
• Aileen Primero Outstanding BOD Award: Trinh Nguyen 
• Emerging Leader Award: Ryan Ngo and Morgan Tom
• Established Leader Award: Jenna Pontillas
• Outstanding Faculty and Staff: Teresa Graham Brett
• Outstanding Student Organization Award: Filipino American Student Association (FASA)