Leadership Awards
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 12p.m. to 1p.m.
Location: Platt Living Room
The Harvey Mudd College Leadership Awards Ceremony was created to recognize valued members of our community. The annual awards recognize students, faculty and staff not only for their academic talents, but for their engagement with and contribution to the Harvey Mudd community. Please nominate your peers, students, and colleagues for the categories below.
Nominate fellow Mudders for the 2026 awards here!
Criteria for Awards Nominated by Harvey Mudd Community
These awards are nominated by students, faculty or staff and the recipients chosen by an external committee.
Outstanding Student Organization
This award is presented to a recognized student organization that makes a positive impact on campus or in the wider community. The organization demonstrates integrity, leadership and teamwork and excels in program planning and leadership development of members.
Distinguished Emerging Leader
This award recognizes a first-year student or sophomore who exhibits great potential as a campus and/or community leader. This student demonstrates a commitment to leadership and service through participation in organizations that benefit the campus and/or off-campus community. Nominees are engaged in positive, community-building efforts and are respected by peers, staff and faculty.
Outstanding Mudder Award
Nominees for this award embody what it means to be a “whole person” at Mudd. This student demonstrates creativity, leadership, teamwork, ethics, inclusion, community engagement, wellness and communication in both curricular and co-curricular endeavors.
Faculty Impact Award
Nominees go above and beyond their job roles to serve as mentors for students and/or student organizations and to embody Mudd values, such as collaboration and care for the campus community. This award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate leadership in providing quality student support, promoting inclusion, fostering intellectual growth and encouraging involvement in campus, local, national and global communities.
Staff Impact Award
Nominees go above and beyond their job roles to offer dedicated support, guidance and service to students, student life and the Mudd community. This award recognizes staff members for their positive contributions to the campus and for their leadership and willingness to make a difference in the lives of students.
Res Life Community Builder of the Year
Res Life Community Builder of the Year Award recognizes a student leader who has gone above and beyond in creating a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive residential community. This award honors a Proctor and Mentor who shows up consistently, leads with care and integrity, and makes a meaningful difference in the everyday experience of their peers.
Student Award for Community Impact and Leadership
The Student Award for Community Impact and Leadership recognizes a student whose initiative, leadership, and sustained commitment to service and civic engagement have strengthened communities and created meaningful change. Recipients demonstrate a dedication to working collaboratively with community partners, connecting their academic learning to real-world challenges, and contributing in ways that emphasize mutual learning and shared impact. This award honors students who take initiative, remain engaged over time, and help create lasting, positive change through partnership and leadership. Self-nominations are welcome.
Program of the Year
This award recognizes a program or initiative that has made a meaningful contribution to the student experience and the Mudd community. Eligible programs may include events, initiatives, or ongoing efforts that engage students, encourage participation, and create impactful or memorable experiences. Strong nominees demonstrate a commitment to connection, learning, and community building while fostering a sense of belonging and contributing positively to campus life.
Programs may be organized by campus department or office that serve students; However, programs organized by the DSA departments awards are not eligible for nomination.
Criteria for Awards Nominated by Students
This award is nominated by students; the recipients chosen by an external committee.
Dean Chris Sundberg Prize
Established by Dana Seaton ’06, this award recognizes a rising junior who demonstrates exceptional leadership and has a positive impact on the Harvey Mudd College community. The nominee is an ambassador of the College’s mission statement and Honor Code and contributes to creating “enhanced college experiences” for other students on campus. The recipient of the Dean Chris Sundberg Prize will receive $500.
Dorman Student Altruism Prize
Established by the Dorman Family Foundation, the Dorman Student Altruism Prize recognizes one graduating senior student who is selected by their fellow students as “one who has done the most for his/her fellow students.” The awardee will be selected based on nominations by student peers. The recipient of the Dorman Student Altruism Prize will receive at least $250.