Faculty & Staff Involvement
The participation of USC faculty and staff is a critical element of the Student Recognition Awards. Faculty and staff are uniquely equipped to identify students deserving of recognition due to their meaningful contact with each student during their time at USC. Faculty and staff ensure that a diverse array of worthy students is represented at the Student Recognition Awards by nominating eligible outstanding students. Faculty and staff can also provide important volunteer support by serving on the Student Recognition committee and supporting day-of operations during the Student Recognition Awards Ceremony.
Nominations
Faculty and staff are eligible to nominate graduating undergraduate and graduate students. Each nominator is responsible for completing the online nomination form, supplying relevant information about each nominee’s co-curricular involvement at USC and how their work aligns with USC’s Unifying Values and the Student Recognition Awards Rubric.
Nomination applications for the 2026 ceremony open following winter recess. Nominations close on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Nominators with questions may email the committee at uscsrc@usc.edu.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Nominees must be graduating in December 2025, May 2026, or August 2026.
- Students may only be nominated by current USC faculty and staff. Faculty and staff may nominate as many students as they deem worthy of consideration.
- Nominators may not nominate family members.
Nominators should be prepared to:
- Describe your relationship with the nominee.
- Provide a summary of their contributions to student life at USC.
- Explain how they have helped make USC a place where:
- All students belong.
- A caring culture fosters our ability to thrive in mind, body, and spirit.
- Students are guided by our values, honesty, and ethical principles.
Please keep in mind:
- Only complete nominations will be considered.
- Curricular and co-curricular activities undertaken for University credit or graduation requirements are not a part of the Student Recognition rubric. For curricular awards, please refer to USC Academic Honors and Fellowships.
- Only nominations submitted via the official nomination form will be considered.
- Letters of recommendation are not part of the nomination and will not be reviewed. Nominators will be asked to answer questions describing the student’s involvement and to upload a copy of the student’s resume.
- Nominators are responsible for completing the nomination form for each student they nominate.
Not all nominees will receive a Student Recognition Award.