The Office of Community Engagement (OCE), the Student Life Inclusion and Diversity Office (SLIDO) and the UNMC Student Senate hosted the inaugural Student Awards Ceremony celebrating student accomplishments in 2021-2022.
The ceremony was held in the Wigton Heritage Center on Tuesday, April 26, and honored individual student and faculty recipients for their contributions to UNMC student culture, as well as student organizations for their impacts throughout the year. Philip Covington, EdD, associate vice chancellor for student success, served as emcee for the event.
A list of the awards and award recipients is below. View photos of the event on UNMC’s Flickr page.
UNMC Student Senate Awards
These student-nominated awards recognize recipients who embody leadership qualities and provide a positive influence to the education and overall experience of UNMC students.
View full biographies of the 2022 Student Senate Award recipients.
Student Impact Award
Seven awards were distributed to one student in each college who have had a lasting, positive impact at UNMC and in the community.
- Shailendra Selvaraj, College of Pharmacy
- Sydney Armstrong, College of Dentistry
- Rodrigo Banda, College of Allied Health Professions
- Lauren Wegner, College of Medicine
- Claire Nissen, College of Public Health
- Cole White, College of Nursing
- Natalie Sturd, Graduate Studies
Distinguished Mentor Award
This award recognizes a full or part-time faculty member who serves as a role model to students, demonstrating high professional and ethical standards.
- Elizabeth Wellsandt, DPT, PhD
- Ka-Chun (Joseph) Siu, PhD
Distinguished Teacher Award
This award recognizes a full or part-time faculty member who goes above and beyond to provide excellent education to students.
- Emily Coffey
- Barbara Nickel
OCE Awards
Community Impact Award
This award recognizes student organizations that extend UNMC core values through creation of health care initiatives that are impactful and sustainable in the community.
- UNMC Racquet Club
Community Health Education Award
This award recognizes student organizations that extend UNMC core values through demonstration of exemplary contribution to the development of educational health care services or programming to community agencies, schools or organizations.
- Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity through the College of Pharmacy
Faculty Advisor Excellence in Engagement Award
This award recognizes excellence in community engagement by UNMC faculty and for providing exceptional service to students, their colleagues and/or UNMC.
- Ryan Mullane, DO, for his advising of the UNMC SHARING Clinics
SLIDO Awards
Collaboration Award
This award goes to a group of two or more organizations that have successfully worked together to sponsor or host an event or program that has benefited the UNMC campus community.
- Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Student Association
The following organizations were recognized for their collaboration with the AAPI Student Association:
- Graduates & Professionals Representing Achievement, Diversity and Service (GRADS)
- Multicultural Nursing Student Association (MNSA)
- Student Pride Alliance (SPA)
- Student Alliance for People of All Abilities (SAPA)
- White Coats 4 Blacks Lives (WC4BL)
- International Student Association (ISA)
Diversity & Inclusion Program Award
This award recognizes successful and organized planning and implementation of a program that promoted cross-cultural learning and interaction, appealed to a broad audience and provided a meaningful exchange of ideas and made a significant impact on the UNMC community.
- International Student Association (ISA)
Shark Tank Competition
- EMPOWER
This competition awards a $1,000 prize to the student organization that presents the strongest pitch for use of the funds to a panel of judges or "sharks." EMPOWER will be partnering with The Women’s Center for Advancement and Girls, Inc., to develop interprofessional educational training for students as future health care providers/caregivers on domestic/interpersonal violence.