The April RSO of the Month is… everyone! We want to give a big shoutout to all of the wonderful Registered Student Organizations on campus for making Grand Valley a place where students find their place in the community and enhance their college experiences. Last Friday, many of these orgs came together for the Student Life Awards and took home well-deserved awards for their hard work this year. Check out the Student Life Award winners of each category:

Program Awards:

Outstanding Educational Program 

The winner is Alpha Phi Alpha for their Color in Politics event! This organization pulled together numerous panelists, faculty and staff members, and students to create a space for equitable learning and understanding. Well done!

Care for Community

This award was given to the Alzheimer's Awareness Club for the AAC Dodgeball event. This event created an opportunity for students to have fun, get competitive, and help support research for a disease that currently impacts nearly seven million people worldwide. This event surely made a lasting impact!

Outstanding Cultural Program

Congratulations to the Asian Student Union for their outstanding Asian New Year Festival! ASU took this event to the next level this year, with over 300 people in attendance. Not only was it popular, but it raised money for the Young Center, a charity for immigrant children in the community. Keep up the good work!

Collaboration in Program

Asian Student Union, Black Student Union, and Latino Student Union won this award for their Wings, Ramen, and Fruta event. These three organizations took it upon themselves to collaborate around food to share their various cultures without much help from a campus department. Way to take initiative!

Program of the Year

Students for Democratic Society went for the gold with their Queer Rave! It was amazingly promoted and attended, and those who went RAVED about the experience. This event provided a safe space for queer students to have fun, and it didn’t go unrecognized. Congratulations! 

Organization Awards

Best New Organization

B.L.A.C.K (Black Leaders Aspiring for Critical Knowledge) stood out against the 32 new organizations that registered during this year and took the top spot for this award. They co-hosted and supported numerous events, while building a space on campus for students to come together. Well done to the members of this brand new org!

Most Improved Organization

After expanding their membership, improving relationships on campus, and providing expanding and growing programming opportunities, the Filipinx American Student Association won this award of improvement. This organization put over seven months into planning their largest event of the year that led to establishing the club throughout the midwest. Hard work pays off!

Art Hills Spirit 

Way to go, Subject to Change Improv! This org upholds GVSU spirit by hosting original events that bring Lakers together through laughter! You can always count on them to bring smiles to the faces of our community at their improv shows. 

Sheila Williams Outstanding Organization

Latino Student Union won this award for their effective programming and overall growth. They have provided engaging entertainment and a space for students to participate in discussion-based meetings that created avenues for members to feel more connected to their roots and culture. Congratulations to this wonderful organization!

Individual Awards

Emerging Leader

Sophia Bates of Student Senate and Lily Nykamp of Asian Student Union took home the Emerging Leader awards. These students were raved about by their fellow org members and others about their continued passion and hard work. We couldn’t be more grateful for our student leaders!

Outstanding Financial Officer

April Duran of Latino Student Union has gone above and beyond to build relationships with other student organizations to assist them with financial management. Thanks to their utilization of the allocations process, LSU was able to successfully host numerous learning opportunities and exciting events. Keep up the good work, April!

Outstanding Vice President

Danielle Blanchard of Connections Through Conversations was the glue of their organization this year. Danielle was described as “a huge help in getting this newer org up and running” as well as “planning important events”. This hard work is what keeps organizations thriving each year. 

Outstanding President

Georgia Hessel of STAGE took a spot in the oval office this year! The Office of Student Life has watched this president go above her organization’s elected position to truly improve the experiences of everyone around her. Keeping the passion alive for group members is what being president is all about. Congrats!

Jo Ann Litton Outstanding Advisor

Advisors are the cornerstone of the support system for our student organizations at GVSU. John Steeno helped Subject to Change Improv find the truth in comedy for many years. John always supplies the org with a funny joke, kind smile, and genuine advice. 

Congratulations to the winning organizations and individuals! Seeing you go above and beyond for the benefit of GVSU and the community is truly inspiring. To every organization on campus, you make Grand Valley feel like home for thousands of students. 

Explore these orgs on LakerLink