Catalyst Award

Honors students who spark collective impact through leadership, collaboration, and mentorship.

What the Award Recognizes

The CALS Catalyst Award honors students who ignite positive change by energizing others, strengthening organizations or teams, and advancing shared goals. This award recognizes collaborative leaders who mentor peers, build partnerships, and elevate the work of groups, clubs, or programs across CALS.

Students in any CALS major or program, including the Agricultural Technology Program, are eligible and encouraged to be nominated.

Who the Award Is Designed For

Students who:

• Demonstrate strong leadership in student clubs, teams, or programs
• Foster collaboration and shared success
• Mentor peers or guide others’ development
• Lead initiatives that improve processes, programs, organizations, or community efforts

What Makes a Strong Nominee

A strong nominee will have:

• Evidence of programmatic or group impact (e.g., improving a club, leading a team, launching an initiative)
• Demonstrated collaboration, communication, and partnership-building
• Examples of mentoring others or building leadership capacity in their peers
• A track record of mobilizing people, strengthening group culture, or improving systems

Who Can Nominate

Students, faculty, advisors, staff, mentors, organizational leaders, or community partners. Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged.