Student Excellence Awards

Nominate now
Portrait of Vice Chancellor Tyrone Carlin

A message from the Vice Chancellor

I’m pleased to announce the nominations for the Southern Cross University Student Excellence Awards 2024 are now open. These Awards celebrate our students' contribution to leadership, volunteering, sporting life, and arts at SCU, and their contribution to university and community engagement. I wish all nominees the very best and congratulate them on enhancing the student experience and fostering positive change. Last year, we celebrated the achievements of its extraordinary students whose contributions span from youth work to supporting refugees and volunteering as a surf lifesaver. 

I invite you to nominate a student, either by nominating yourself or a member of the student community. 

Professor Tyrone Carlin
Vice-Chancellor & President, Southern Cross University

The Awards

In 2024, the Student Excellence Awards are presented to five outstanding students.

Student Excellence Award recipients (5) receive:

• $1000
• A trophy
• a framed certificate signed by the Vice Chancellor 
• acknowledgement of award on their Australian Higher Education Academic Statement (AHEGS)

Student Excellence Award-Runner Ups (5) receive:

• $500
• A framed certificate signed by the Vice Chancellor
• Acknowledgement of award on their Australian Higher Education Statement (AHEGS)

Important Dates

Date Event
Monday 26 August Nominations open
Friday 20 September     Nominations close
Thursday 21 November Awards presentation

Award categories

Student Excellence Awards will be granted in recognition of students who demonstrate excellence and impact through a significant contribution to enhancing the student experience and fostering positive change or community engagement, leading to lasting impact.

Outstanding Leadership

Evidence of outstanding leadership of a club or society, or other significant student focused leadership activity either individually, managing a team or as part of a program run by the University.

Community Engagement Excellence

Evidence of significant work in a volunteer or paid capacity leading to positive social change or community advancement focusing on positive social change in areas of diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity, the environment or other areas of significance.

SCU Engagement Excellence

Evidence of outstanding positive contribution and/or impact to the campus culture and life of Southern Cross University (e.g., through the SCUMates, Peer Assisted Learning (PALS), Orientation and Events, Ally Network, SCU Social Sports and Ambassador programs).

Outstanding Sporting Spirit

Evidence of outstanding leadership in sports or a significant positive contribution to enhancing the student experience through SCU sports (team management, volunteering etc).

Indigenous Excellence

Evidence of significant achievements made by Indigenous students, such as overcoming barriers or challenges within or external to the University environment, outstanding contributions to the community, other students or other individuals.

Nominate now

Step 1

Read the Student Excellence Awards Information and Tips to guide you.

Download Tip Sheet

Step 2

Work through the Student Excellence Awards Checklist before submitting a nomination.

Download checklist

Step 3

Please submit your nomination by 11.59pm on Friday 20 September 2024. 

Nominate now

2023 Student Excellence Award Recipients

Olivia Noffke, Bachelor of Psychological Science, 2023 Student of the Year

Olivia has demonstrated academic excellence and an outstanding care for her community. She is the recipient of a National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine Research Futures Scholarship, works as a research assistant and is involved in University Governance as a Student Council Member. She has shown dedication to helping others through various roles in community organisations, including as a Residential Youth Worker for Aspire Hub, a Youth Worker for Life Without Barriers and as a private support

Student standing in nursing lab

Oriana Watts, Bachelor of Social Work

Oriana showed a strong dedication to helping others during her social work placement with North Coast Settlement Services in Coffs Harbour. She went above and beyond to support recently settled refugee community members, developing innovative programs and demonstrating her advocacy both within and outside of her placement hours, overcoming language barriers and complex issues.

Student standing

Binqiang (Johnny) Zhang, Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)

Binqiang (Johnny) is an active member of the University community and is involved in various committees. He fosters a sense of community and inclusivity, both on and off-campus, through his volunteer work including beach clean-ups, support for LGBTQ+ causes, and his commitment to social justice, diversity and community engagement.

johnny is standing on the beach ready to collect rubbish

John Palencia, Bachelor of Nursing

John is a leader in the student nursing community. He spearheads an online platform for Southern Cross nursing students. His passion for health extends beyond university, volunteering for St John Ambulance and working as an Assistant Nurse in an acute mental health setting. As a 2023 Regional Youth Taskforce member, he influences policy-makers and advocated for the expansion of the Coffs Harbour Health Precinct.

John standing in nursing lab

Chloe Dunemann, Bachelor of Education

With over 375 hours of volunteering and eight years of service under her belt, Chloe has shown active community involvement as a member of Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club. Chloe is Head Coach of Nippers and has received numerous accolades. She also works as a Youth Development Officer and coordinates events such as the Gold Coast Youth Development Camp. Chloe was named Young Person of the Year for Coolangatta at the State Member for Parliament’s Community Champion Awards.

Chloe in surf lifesaving uniform at the beach

FAQs

You can self-nominate or nominate a student by completing the nomination form from Monday, 26 August 2024. The form must be completed and submitted before the closing date.

The nominee must be an enrolled Southern Cross University student or on an approved leave of absence for at least one teaching period in 2024. Nominees can be enrolled full-time or part-time and can be from any academic cohort, such as undergraduate or postgraduate.

Any Southern Cross University staff member or student.

You can only self-nominate once, however, you can be nominated multiple times by staff and/or students.

Nominations need to articulate how the student is eligible for a Student Excellence Award. Nominations must include the following information.

Staff nominating a student:

  1. Endorsement of the nomination, including evidence of the achievements/reasons for the nomination (approx. 250 - 500 words)
  2. Supporting documentation e.g., photos, social media posts, media coverage, testimonials, videos etc.

Students nominating another student:

  1. Endorsement of the nomination, including evidence of the achievements/reasons for the nomination (approx. 250 - 500 words)
  2. Supporting documentation e.g., photos, social media posts, media coverage, testimonials, videos etc.

Self-nomination:

  1. Description of the nomination, including evidence of the achievements/reasons for the self-nomination (approx. 250 - 500 words)
  2. Supporting documentation e.g., photos, social media posts, media coverage, testimonials, videos etc.
  3. Letter of support for the nomination on a letterhead from an individual or organisation that the nominee has been involved with, for example, an SCU staff member, stakeholder, community organisation, club or group.

The closing date for nominations is 11.59 pm on Friday, 20 September 2024. No late entries will be accepted. Incomplete nominations will not be accepted.

Read the Student Excellence Awards Information and Tips 2024 and the Student Excellence Awards Checklist 2024. This will assist in highlighting what points to include and then help in the drafting of the nomination.

Each runner-up receives $500 and acknowledgement of their win on their Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement and a framed certificate presented at the award presentation on Thursday, 21 November, at the Lismore campus.

Student Excellence Winners receive $1000, a trophy and acknowledgement of their win on their Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement.

The selection panel will determine how many awards are awarded using the judging criteria. Depending on the number of nominations received, one student will be awarded a Student Excellence Award in each of the 5 award categories.

The Student Excellence Awards selection panel is made up of SCU staff who have been selected for their knowledge and expertise.

At the Student Excellence Awards presentation on Thursday 21 November 2024.

In September 2024, all nominees are notified of the outcome of their nomination by email and the award finalists will be invited to attend the awards presentation.

Previous winners

Meet our previous award winners

Discover our incredible past award winners who have distinguished themselves in the areas of leadership, volunteering, community engagement and sport.

Read more
award image

Contact the team for help.

studentawards@scu.edu.au