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.

2027 STAR Awards

  • Monday, April 26, 2027
  • Location: Darr Agriculture Center
  • 6:00 pm

2027 STAR Awards Nominations

  • Nominations for STAR Awards will open at the beginning of the Spring 2027 semester - details coming soon! Applications are only accepted through BearLink, via the STAR Awards Application Form.
  • Student organization programs that took place between July 1, 2026 - February 15, 2027 are eligible for nomination. If you have questions about a specific program and its eligibility, please reach out to OSEIA@missouristate.edu for further information.

 

Individual Awards Categories

  • Freshman of the Year
    • Eligibility: Any current MSU student with less than 30 credit hours completed
  • Sophomore of the Year
    • Eligibility: Any current MSU student with between 30-59 credit hours completed
  • Junior of the Year
    • Eligibility: Any current MSU student with between 60-89 credit hours completed
  • Senior of the Year
    • Eligibility: Any current MSU student with over 90 credit hours completed
  • Graduate Student of the Year
    • Eligibility: Any current MSU graduate student that has completed at least one semester of coursework
  • Transfer Student of the Year
    • Eligibility: Any current MSU student who has: a) transferred from a different university; and b) has not already won this award
  • First-Generation Student of the Year
    • Eligibility: Any current MSU student who is the first in their family to attend college
  • Non-Traditional Student of the Year
    • Eligibility: Any current MSU student who self-identifies as a 'Non-Traditional' or 'Adult' student
  • Organization Leader of the Year
    • Eligibility: Any current MSU student who has made a significant impact on their peers, their organization(s), and the greater campus community
  • Organization Advisor of the Year
    • Eligibility: Any faculty/staff advisor for a registered MSU student organization
  • Excellence in Campus Collaboration Award
    • Winner chosen by the Office of Student Engagement staff
  • Resident of the Year
    • Sponsored by Residence Hall Association
    • Eligibility: Any current student who lives/lived on campus during the current academic year
  • Dr. Earle Doman Student Commitment Award
    • Sponsored by Student Government Association
    • Winner chosen by the Student Government Association Cabinet members

Organizational Awards Categories

  • Student Organization of the Year
    • This award is the top award of the year--we will award the Org of the Year award to one outstanding student organization from each student org tier that has gone above and beyond this year.
      • Sponsored Student Organization (SSO)
      • Affiliated Student Organization (ASO)
      • Registered Student Organization (RSO)
  • Most Improved Student Organization
    • This award is given to the student organization that showcases the most significant, positive growth over the year.
  • New Student Organization of the Year
    • This award is given to a student organization that was founded this academic year that has gone above and beyond to establish themselves as a distinguished student organization on campus
  • Outstanding Commitment to Public Affairs
    • Sponsored by the Office of Public Affairs Support
    • This award is given to a student organization that exemplifies one or more pillars of MSU's Public Affairs mission
  • Outstanding Leadership/Membership Development
    • This award is given to a student organization who goes above and beyond to train and develop their general membership (and beyond)
  • Outstanding Social Media Presence
    • This award is given to a student organization that showcases outstanding use of one or more social media platform(s).
  • Program of the Year
    • Sponsored by Student Activities Council & Traditions Council
    • This award is given to a student organization that hosted an outstanding program during this academic year
    • Eligible programs must have been hosted between July 1, 2026 and February 15, 2027
  • S.M.I.L.E. Award
    • Sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement
    • This award is given to a student organization that exemplifies the Office of Student Engagement's five values: Service, Mentorship, Inspiration, Leadership, and Engagement.
  • Club Sport of the Year
    • Sponsored by Campus Recreation
    • Winner is chosen by the Foster Recreation Center staff
  • Outstanding Merch Design
    • Sponsored by the Mo State Bookstore
    • This award is given to a student organization that showcases outstanding creativity, outreach, and promotion of their organization to students across the Mo State campus and the Springfield community
  • SGA Initiative Award
    • Sponsored by Student Government Association
    • This award highlights a focus area voted on by members of the SGA Cabinet
    • Check back later this year for more information on the selected focus area!

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.