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Student Awards

Each year, Cal State Monterey Bay honors students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, innovation and service. Celebrate their impact by nominating a graduating student whose achievements reflect our shared commitment to equity, community and transformative education.

Student luncheon
Commencement

Each year, Cal State Monterey Bay recognizes graduating students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, innovation and service to our campus and region. The Student Awards celebrate individuals who embody our commitment to inclusive community, purposeful action and transformative education.

Faculty and staff play an essential role in honoring student achievement. We encourage you to review the award criteria below and nominate students whose impact, integrity and dedication deserve recognition.

All nominees must be graduating with a degree award date of Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026. Complete nomination materials must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026, to Jennifer Willoughby at jhinds@csumb.edu.

Review each award category below for eligibility requirements and selection criteria.

Award categories and eligibility criteria

Cal State Monterey Bay’s Student Awards recognize graduating students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, innovation and service. Review each award category below for eligibility requirements and selection criteria before submitting your nomination.

The President’s Award for Exemplary Student Achievement is granted to a student who has best demonstrated the values and commitments of CSUMB and achieved all of the following:

  • Is a well-rounded student who has made notable contribution to a particular area of university life through depth of involvement and service as a student leader.
  • Has participated actively as a positive agent of innovation and action, with demonstrated service to the campus community.
  • Has achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 (includes transfer credits), not including Spring 2026 grades.
  • Is in good standing and not on probation of any kind.
  • Is an undergraduate with a degree award date of Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026.

The President's Graduate Award for Exemplary Regional Stewardship is granted to a well-rounded graduate or credential student with an award date of the current academic year, who has best demonstrated the values and commitments of CSUMB and exhibits all of the following:

  • Notable contribution to a particular area of the community, academic field or university life through depth of involvement and service as a student leader.
  • Positive agent of innovation and action, with demonstrated service to the region.
  • Cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 (includes transfer credits), not including graduating term.
  • Good standing and not on probation of any kind.

The Provost’s Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement is awarded to a student who:

  • Has demonstrated exemplary achievement in his/her major; stands out personally and academically.
  • Contributes to the learning community of CSUMB.
  • Has achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 — includes transfer credits — not including Spring 2026 grades.
  • Is in good standing and not on probation of any kind.
  • Is an undergraduate with a degree award date of Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026.

The Provost's Graduate Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement is awarded to a student who:

  • Demonstrates exemplary achievement in their program; stands out personally and academically.
  • Contributes to the learning community of CSUMB as an academic role model and leader.
  • Contributes to the learning and development of others.
  • Achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.8 — includes transfer credits — not including graduating term.
  • Maintained good standing and is not on probation of any kind.
  • Awarded a graduate degree for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026.

The Outstanding Senior Award for Social Justice is awarded to a student who:

  • Coordinated or participated in a project with the objective of promoting equity or social justice or generated awareness.
  • Participated actively as a positive agent of change.
  • Provided a service that benefited or improved the quality of life in local or other communities.
  • Maintained good standing and is not on probation of any kind.
  • Awarded a degree for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026.

The Alumni Vision Award is given in recognition to the graduating student (graduate or undergraduate) who best exemplifies the Vision of CSU Monterey Bay of preparing leaders for a collaborative, multicultural society.

The Alumni Vision Award is awarded to a student who:

  • Manifested the beliefs and tenets of the vision statement through personal example, voice and initiative.
  • Spoke words that touched and moved others in promoting the vision.
  • Provided leadership in a project or activity that extended the vision into the lives of others, especially in the areas of bridging social and economic divides, empowering education, celebrating diversity, and promoting understanding and respect for other cultures and global awareness.
  • Maintained good standing and is not on probation of any kind.
  • Awarded an undergraduate or graduate degree in Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026.