STAR Awards
What are the STAR Awards?
In 1996 Missouri State University hosted the first ever Student Talent and Recognition (STAR) Awards Ceremony. Each year the STAR Awards ceremony honors outstanding student leaders and student organizations which have been nominated by various organizations, students, faculty, and staff. Since its beginning, STAR Awards has recognized over 350 students, organizations, and advisors at Missouri State.
About the awards and application process
On average, 150 applications are submitted to the Office of Student Engagement each year and nominations are taken from faculty, staff, students, and student organizations. We encourage you to make nominations for every award possible, for there are two categories: Organization Awards and Individual Awards.
No applications will be accepted via email or physically. Only those submitted utilizing the online nomination form will be accepted.
2025 STAR Awards
This occasion is best described as a business formal/cocktail event which surrounds its guests with elegant décor.
- Monday, April 22nd
- Location: PSU Ballroom
- 5:00 pm
2025 STAR Awards Nominations
- Nominations for STAR Awards are currently open! You can apply here, applications are open until February 21.
- Student organization programs that took place between August 1, 2024 - February 21, 2025 are eligible for nomination. If you have questions about a specific program and its eligibility, please reach out to OSEIA@missouristate.edu
Individual Awards Categories & Rubrics
- Emerging Leader (Outstanding First Year Student)
- Eligibility: Any current MSU student with less than 30 credit hours completed
- Outstanding Sophomore
- Eligibility: Any current MSU student with between 30-59 credit hours completed
- Outstanding Junior
- Eligibility: Any current MSU student with between 60-89 credit hours completed
- Outstanding Senior
- Eligibility: Any current MSU student with over 90 credit hours completed
- Outstanding Graduate Student
- Eligibility: Any current MSU graduate student that has completed at least one semester of coursework
- Outstanding Transfer Student
- Eligibility: Any current MSU student who has: a) transferred from a different university; and b) has not already won this award
- Outstanding First-Generation Student
- Eligibility: Any current MSU student who is the first in their family to attend college
- Outstanding Non-Traditional Student
- Eligibility: Any current MSU student who self-identifies as a 'Non-Traditional' or 'Adult' student
- Outstanding Leader
- Eligibility: Any current MSU student who has made a significant impact on their peers, their organization(s), and the greater campus community
- Outstanding Organizational Advisor
- Eligibility: Any faculty/staff advisor for a registered MSU student organization
- Living Our Values
- Eligibility: Any current MSU student who exemplifies one or more pillars of our Public Affairs mission
Organizational Awards Categories & Rubrics
- Mark of Distinction / Distinguished Merit
- This award is the top award of the year--we will award the Mark of Distinction award to one outstanding student organization that has gone above and beyond this year, and we will award up to three Distinguished Merit awards to student organizations who receive honorable mention for the top award.
- Most Improved Organization
- This award is given to the student organization that showcases the most significant, positive growth over the year.
- Outstanding New Organization
- This award is given to a student organization that was founded this academic year (2024-2025)
- Outstanding Commitment to Public Affairs
- This award is given to a student organization that exemplifies one or more pillars of MSU's Public Affairs mission
- Outstanding Membership Development Initiative
- This award is given to a student organization who goes above and beyond to train and develop their general membership (and beyond)
- Outstanding Inclusion & Belonging Initiative
- This award is given to a student organization that is a leader in fostering an increased sense of inclusion & belonging among MSU students
- Outstanding Social Media Presence
- This award is given to a student organization that showcases outstanding use of one or more social media platform(s).
- Outstanding Academic or Educational Program
- This award is given to a student organization that hosted an outstanding program dedicated to education/professional development
- Outstanding Social, Service, or Philanthropic Program
- This award is given to a student organization that hosted an outstanding program dedicated to service, philanthropy, or socialization of students.
- SGA Initiative Award 2025 - Intentional Leadership Award
- This award, sponsored by the Student Government Association, highlights a focus area voted on by members of the SGA Cabinet
- This year, SGA has chosen to honor Intentional Leadership--this award is given to a student organization that has prioritized thoughtful, intentional leadership in their org(s), and/or their greater campus community
Questions about STAR Awards?
If your question is not addressed above, please email OSEIA@missouristate.edu or call the Office of Student Engagement at 417-836-4386.