Excellence in Leadership Awards



The Office of Student Involvement at DePaul University takes pride in recognizing outstanding leadership through the Excellence in Leadership Awards, an annual event held during the Spring quarter. This ceremony provides a platform for students, student organizations, and advisors to be acknowledged for their exceptional contributions to the university community. Nominations are solicited, and nominees are subsequently invited to apply for the awards. Expert committees meticulously review the applications, considering factors such as accomplishments and accolades, to select deserving recipients. Categories for awards span a diverse range, including Staff Advisor of the Year, Outstanding Senior, Blue Demon Spirit Award, Best On-Campus Event, Student Organization of the Year, and Fraternity and Sorority Life Chapter of the Year. By celebrating exemplary leadership, these awards inspire and empower individuals to continue making meaningful impacts within the DePaul community. For further inquiries, individuals can direct their questions to studentorgs@depaul.edu.

ELAs Timeline

Nominations open in early March and close in late March
Applications for ELAs open in early March and close the first week of April
Ceremony takes place the last week of May

Categories for General Student Organizations

  • Outstanding First Year

    Recognizes the top first year students who have excelled in areas such as scholarship, character, leadership and service. This award recognizes outstanding initiative, motivation, and potential as a future leader on campus.

  • Outstanding Sophomore Year

    Recognizes a sophomore for exemplary leadership, service, and commitment to the University community. This award recognizes outstanding initiative and motivation, and continued student leadership on campus by a sophomore student to the DePaul University community.

  • Outstanding Junior Year

    Recognizes a junior for exemplary leadership, service, and commitment to the University community. This award recognizes outstanding motivation and initiative, as well as strong evidence of continued student leadership, by an outstanding junior student to the DePaul University community.

  • Outstanding Senior Year

    Recognizes a senior for exemplary leadership, service, and commitment to the University community. This award recognizes outstanding motivation and initiative, as well as strong evidence of continued student leadership and mentorship, by a student in their senior year at DePaul University.

  • Faculty Advisor Award

    Given to the organization's faculty advisor who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the organization through investments of time and energy, who has impacted the student members in a significant way, and who has been a role model as members grow in their involvement in the organization.

  • Staff Advisor Award

    Given to the organization's staff advisor who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the organization through investments of time and energy, who has impacted the student members in a significant way, and who has been a role model as members grow in their involvement in the organization.

  • Community Service

    Recognizes a group and one individual who demonstrated a commitment to community service by promoting and contributing to a culture of service in and around the DePaul Community. Nominees will be recognized for giving their time and energy in the service of others.

  • Blue Demon Spirit

    Recognizes a group and one individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting campus spirit, pride, and loyalty to DePaul.

  • Social Change

    Recognizes a group and one individual who demonstrated a commitment to social change through their involvement and advocacy on campus. Nominees for this award would be recognized for their efforts that have enhanced the campus climate as it relates to race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, culture, socioeconomic status, disabilities, and wellness.

  • Best On-Campus Event

    Recognizes a student organization in their effort to plan and execute an on-campus event open to the entire student body. This award highlights events that are novel and original, which bring together a variety of communities, and foster a sense of belonging and appreciation within the DePaul Community.

  • Student Organization of the Year

    Recognizes a student organization that has gone above and beyond in their engagement on campus this academic year. Recipients of this award should be able to showcase excellence through a history of events, engagement opportunities for their membership, and a commitment to growth in their tenure at DePaul.

  • New Student Organization

    Recognizes a student organization that was founded in the last three years. Recipients of this award should demonstrate a commitment to growth for their organization, a strong understanding of the connection between their mission and the mission of the university and should be noticeably active on campus.

  • Dream Big Award

    Recognizes a student organization that has introduced an outstanding new initiative on campus, this initiative should be motivated by their efforts to make an impact on campus, and will have produced a unique program, event, or service that has the opportunity to make a lasting effect on campus.

Categories for Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL)

  • Chapter of the Year

    IFC, NPHC, MGC, PHC:
    Recognizes one chapter from each council that has gone above and beyond in their engagement on campus and within the fraternity and sorority community this academic year. Recipients of this award should be able to showcase excellence through a history of events, engagement opportunities for their membership, a commitment to growth, and significant contribution to Fraternity and Sorority Life in their tenure at DePaul.

  • Neo or New Member of the Year

    IFC, NPHC, MGC, PHC:
    Recognizes one new member or neo from each council who has excelled in areas such as scholarship, character, leadership and service. This award recognizes outstanding initiative, motivation, and potential as a future leader within the fraternity and sorority community.

  • Chapter President of the Year

    IFC, NPHC, MGC, PHC:
    Recognizes one chapter president from each council who has who demonstrate outstanding dedication and service to their chapter. This award recognizes presidents who have made an impact on their individual chapters and the DePaul Fraternity and Sorority Life community through their leadership and service. Must have served one full term as President.

  • Chapter or Graduate Advisor of the Year

    Recognizes one volunteer fraternity or sorority advisor who serves on a graduate or alumni advisory team for a chapter. This advisor has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the organization and fraternity and sorority community through investments of time and energy, who has impacted the student members in a significant way, and who has been a role model as members grow in their involvement in the organization.

  • Program of the Year

    Recognizes one fraternity or sorority for their efforts to plan and execute a program that has had a significant impact on the DePaul community in the areas of service, philanthropy, or educational engagement. This award highlights events and programs that educate attendees on sorority or fraternity values and initiatives and adds value to the FSL, DePaul, and Chicago communities.