Student Awards
The College of Communication and Fine Arts (CCFA) is proud to introduce a series of annual undergraduate student awards that celebrate the creativity, dedication, and brilliance of the emerging artists, architects, designers, performers, scholars, and storytellers who define our college. CCFA students bring heart and hustle to everything they do. Whether they are shaping culture through their work, pushing boundaries in the studio, elevating communities through service, or excelling in academic and creative pursuits, our students carry the bold Memphis spirit into every project, performance, and idea. These awards honor the students who show us what is possible when talent meets passion and purpose, reflecting our commitment to recognizing the extraordinary achievements, leadership, growth, and impact of the next generation of creative thinkers and makers.
We invite CCFA full-time faculty to nominate students who stand out for their innovation, excellence, collaboration, or community engagement. If you have taught, mentored, or worked alongside a student whose work rises to the top, who brings vision and dedication to their discipline, or who represents the best of CCFA, we encourage you to share their story. Together, let us lift up the remarkable students who inspire us every day and who remind us why CCFA is not just a college, but a creative family rooted in grit, soul, and limitless possibility. Nomination deadline is February 15.
Submit an Undergraduate Nomination > Submit a Graduate Nomination >
Undergraduate Outstanding Achievement Award
Description
- Purpose: Celebrates an undergraduate student who demonstrates outstanding achievement in their discipline.
- Eligibility: Any enrolled senior CCFA undergraduate student.
- Nomination Procedure: Nominations accepted from full-time faculty.
- Documentation: Nomination letter with example(s) of disciplinary academic, artistic, or scholarly achievements.
- Award Received: $300 and commemorative plaque.
Evaluation Criteria
- Excellence in Academic or Creative Work: Evidence of high-quality, original, rigorous, or impactful work within the student’s discipline.
- Consistency of Achievement: Examples demonstrating sustained excellence across coursework, projects, performances, or research.
- Professional Growth and Development: Documentation showing initiative, leadership, growth, or commitment to advancing skills and knowledge.
- Contribution to Discipline or Department: Evidence that the student meaningfully enhances their program through collaboration, innovation, or engagement.
Each category is worth 1–5 points.
Undergraduate Experiential Learning Award
Description
- Purpose: Celebrates an undergraduate student who excels in internships, service learning projects, or research.
- Eligibility: Any enrolled junior or senior CCFA undergraduate student.
- Nomination Procedure: Nominations accepted from full-time faculty.
- Documentation: Nomination letter with example(s) of internship, research, or service learning project accomplishments.
- Award Received: $300 and commemorative plaque.
Evaluation Criteria
- Depth and Quality of Experiential Engagement: Evidence of meaningful, responsible, and rigorous involvement in internship, research, or service learning experiences.
- Impact of Experiential Work: Examples showing how the student contributed significantly to an organization, project, or community partner.
- Reflection and Integration of Learning: Documentation demonstrating how the student connected experiential work to academic growth or career goals.
- Professionalism and Initiative: Evidence of reliability, communication, leadership, or proactive problem-solving throughout the experience.
Each category is worth 1–5 points.
Undergraduate Community Engagement Award
Description
- Purpose: Celebrates an undergraduate student who has made meaningful contributions to local or regional communities through engagement or outreach.
- Eligibility: Any enrolled junior or senior CCFA undergraduate student.
- Nomination Procedure: Nominations accepted from full-time faculty.
- Documentation: Nomination letter with example(s) of outreach initiatives and demonstrated community impact.
- Award Received: $300 and commemorative plaque.
Evaluation Criteria
- Quality of Community Engagement Activities: Evidence of purposeful, sustained, and meaningful involvement with community partners or initiatives.
- Impact on Community or Partners: Examples demonstrating positive outcomes or benefits for local or regional communities.
- Leadership and Initiative in Engagement: Documentation showing the student’s ability to lead, collaborate, or develop community-focused projects.
- Alignment with CCFA Mission: Evidence that the student’s engagement strengthens CCFA’s commitment to creativity, communication, and civic impact.
Each category is worth 1–5 points.
Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Achievement Award
Description
- Purpose: Celebrates an undergraduate student whose work integrates multiple fields or areas of study.
- Eligibility: Any enrolled junior or senior CCFA undergraduate student.
- Nomination Procedure: Nominations accepted from full-time faculty.
- Documentation: Nomination letter with example(s) of projects, research, or creative work that combines multiple fields.
- Award Received: $300 and commemorative plaque.
Evaluation Criteria
- Integration Across Multiple Disciplines: Evidence of thoughtful synthesis of methods, ideas, or practices from more than one field.
- Innovation and Creativity: Examples demonstrating original thinking, experimentation, or boundary-pushing approaches.
- Impact or Outcome of Interdisciplinary Work: Documentation of successful results such as projects, performances, research, or collaborations.
- Breadth and Depth of Knowledge: Evidence that the student maintains rigor and competency while working across varied disciplines.
Each category is worth 1–5 points.
Undergraduate Emerging Talent Award
Description
- Purpose: Celebrates an undergraduate student in their first or second year who demonstrates exceptional promise and potential.
- Eligibility: Any enrolled freshman or sophomore CCFA undergraduate student.
- Nomination Procedure: Nominations accepted from full-time faculty.
- Documentation: Nomination letter with example(s) of promising academic or creative work and indicators of future potential.
- Award Received: $300 and commemorative plaque.
Evaluation Criteria
- Demonstrated Potential for Future Excellence: Evidence of early promise in creative, academic, or scholarly work.
- Quality of Early Work: Examples demonstrating strong foundational skills, creativity, craftsmanship, or conceptual development.
- Engagement and Initiative: Documentation showing the student’s willingness to participate, explore, and contribute to the CCFA community.
- Commitment to Learning and Growth: Evidence of curiosity, adaptability, resilience, and responsiveness to feedback in early academic years.
Each category is worth 1–5 points.
Undergraduate Academic Achievement Award
Description
- Purpose: Celebrates the undergraduate student with the highest GPA for the academic year.
- Eligibility: Any enrolled CCFA undergraduate student.
- Nomination Procedure: Nominations not accepted.
- Documentation: Academic records verified by the Graduation Analyst.
- Award Received: $300 and commemorative plaque.
Evaluation Criteria
- Recipient is identified and confirmed by the Graduation Analyst.
Graduate Leadership and Community Impact Award
Description
- Purpose: Celebrates a graduate student who demonstrates strong leadership by creating meaningful contributions to local or regional communities through engagement and outreach.
- Eligibility: All enrolled CCFA graduate students.
- Nomination Procedure: Nominations accepted from full-time faculty.
- Documentation: Nomination letter with example(s) of engagement or outreach activities that demonstrate leadership and meaningful contributions to local or regional communities.
- Award Received: $750 and commemorative plaque.
Evaluation Criteria
- Demonstrated Leadership: Evidence of taking initiative in leading projects, programs, or efforts that engage communities.
- Community Engagement and Outreach: Clear examples of meaningful involvement with local or regional communities through service, partnerships, or outreach activities.
- Impact on Community: Documented outcomes showing how work has positively affected individuals, groups, or organizations.
- Sustained Commitment and Growth: Evidence of ongoing engagement and a developing leadership trajectory in community-focused work.
Each category is worth 1–5 points.
Graduate Interdisciplinary Practice Award
Description
- Purpose: Celebrates a graduate student who creates original work spanning multiple academic or creative disciplines.
- Eligibility: All enrolled CCFA graduate students.
- Nomination Procedure: Nominations accepted from full-time faculty.
- Documentation: Nomination letter with example(s) of projects, research, or creative work that combines multiple fields.
- Award Received: $750 and commemorative plaque.
Evaluation Criteria
- Integration of Disciplines: Evidence of effectively combineing multiple academic or creative fields in their work.
- Innovation in Approach: Examples of original or experimental methods that emerge from interdisciplinary practice.
- Quality of Work: Demonstrated excellence in execution, concept, and development across disciplines.
- Impact and Relevance: Evidence that the interdisciplinary work contributes meaningfully to broader conversations, practices, or audiences.
Each category is worth 1–5 points.
Graduate Research Excellence Award
Description
- Purpose: Celebrates a graduate student whose research demonstrates exceptional originality, impact, and contribution to their field.
- Eligibility: All enrolled CCFA graduate students.
- Nomination Procedure: Nominations accepted from full-time faculty.
- Documentation: Nomination letter with example(s) of published work, exhibitions, performances, or funded research, and evidence of impact.
- Award Received: $750 and commemorative plaque.
Evaluation Criteria
- Originality of Research: Evidence of innovative ideas, questions, or methodologies that advance the field.
- Scholarly Impact: Documented recognition such as publications, presentations, citations, or funded research.
- Contribution to the Field: Clear examples of how the research adds to knowledge, practice, or discourse within the discipline.
- Rigor and Methodological Strength: Evidence of thorough, well-executed research processes and critical analysis.
Each category is worth 1–5 points.
Graduate Creative Activity Award
Description
- Purpose: Celebrates a graduate student whose creative activity demonstrates exceptional originality, impact, and contribution to their field.
- Eligibility: All enrolled CCFA graduate students.
- Nomination Procedure: Nominations accepted from full-time faculty.
- Documentation: Nomination letter with example(s) of published work, exhibitions, performances, or funded activities, and evidence of impact.
- Award Received: $750 and commemorative plaque.
Evaluation Criteria
- Creative Originality: Evidence of unique, innovative, or compelling creative work.
- Artistic or Creative Impact: Documented recognition such as exhibitions, performances, screenings, or public engagement.
- Technical and Conceptual Quality: Demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship, execution, and conceptual depth.
- Contribution to Creative Practice: Examples of how the work advances or challenges ideas within the field.
Each category is worth 1–5 points.
Graduate Excellence in Teaching Award
Description
- Purpose: Celebrates a graduate teaching assistant who demonstrates outstanding undergraduate instruction through creativity, clarity, and engagement.
- Eligibility: All enrolled CCFA graduate teaching assistants.
- Nomination Procedure: Nominations accepted from full-time faculty.
- Documentation: Nomination letter with example(s) of effective teaching, student engagement, and evidence of impact.
- Award Received: $750 and commemorative plaque.
Evaluation Criteria
- Effectiveness of Instruction: Evidence of clear, organized, and engaging teaching practices that support student learning.
- Student Engagement: Examples of fostering active participation, curiosity, and meaningful interaction in the classroom.
- Impact on Student Learning: Documented outcomes showing improved understanding, performance, or student success.
- Professionalism and Commitment to Teaching: Evidence of preparation, responsiveness, adaptability, and dedication to instructional responsibilities.
Each category is worth 1–5 points.
Award recipients are announced during the University's Annual Honors Assembly.