The Penn State Hazleton Faculty Senate's Committee on Student Relations has developed a Student of the Month award as a way to recognize students for accomplishments outside of the classroom and off the field, including forms of prosocial behavior such as civility, overcoming personal obstacles, dedication to the community through volunteerism, and much more.

Eligibility
All currently enrolled, full-time (12 or more credits) students at Penn State Hazleton are eligible for nomination and selection as the recipient of the “Student of the Month Award.” The award will take place during the following months of fall and spring semesters: September, October, & November (fall), January, February, March, and April (spring). One student per month will receive the award. Students may only receive the award once a semester.

Nomination Criteria
Any student, faculty or staff members may nominate any student they feel is deserving of the award. Nomination for the award is not strictly limited to highest academic achievement or athletic performance. Instead students, faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate students who have demonstrated any of the following general categorical reasons for deserving the award. Students, however, who are on probation as specified under “The University Code of Conduct” are not eligible for the award until they are removed from such status.

  • Civility: high levels of civility towards others such as acts of kindness that have made difference in another person’s life including other students.
  • Academic Improvement: improvement in the classroom after a tough semester start or high levels of positive classroom engagement and contribution to the learning process.
  • Community Care & Activism: active involvement in community organizations as a volunteer or campus involvement in organizations.
  • Personal Achievement/Obstacles: overcoming personal obstacles that warrant recognition.
  • Other: nomination based on other criteria than those suggested above.

Nomination Process
Any person wishing to nominate a student must complete an online Student of the Month Nomination Form. 

Selection Process
All student nominations received by the Faculty-Student Relations Committee will be reviewed once the eligible month has passed. Faculty and students serving on the committee will review all nominations, narrow the nominations down to finalists, and vote on which student will receive the “Student of the Month Award.” In case of a tie, the chair of the committee will cast the deciding vote. If a student on the committee is a nominee, they shall abstain from voting. At the completion of the vote, all nominees not selected for that month will be discarded. Students not selected however are eligible to be nominated in future months. If no nominations are received for the month, no award will be given for that particular month.

Award Process/Recognition
At the end of each nominating month, the committee will collect nomination forms and a vote at the committee’s next regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Nominations for the current month end on the last day of the month and the committee will announce the award in the month that follows (i.e.; September award announced in October). Once a student receives the award, the committee will contact the student and arrange for a photo of the student by the marketing department. Student photos will be on display in the Charles T. Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center for one month. If no student receives the award during the next month, the previous student’s picture will remain posted until the next monthly award is determined.

FERPA Compliance
Persons nominating a student for the award should make every effort to insure they comply with FERPA rules and regulations. During the selection process, should the committee identify any potential FERPA violations the committee will make every effort to insure that such violations do not take place.