Grims Awards 2026

The Office of Student Development invites the NEC community to attend the 2026 Grims Awards celebrating student leadership.

Tuesday, April 7, from 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Simon Great Room

Do you know an NEC student or organization who should be nominated for one of the following awards? Submit your nomination by Tuesday, March 24.

Student Awards

Emerging Leader Award
This award is given to a first- or second-year student who exemplifies leadership through campus community. The winner of this award has helped campus envision the future, identified paths to success, and carried out the vision of the organization. This student continuously steps up and helps out their organizations. Please include what organization(s) the nominee is part of and specific examples of how the nominee has embodied the description above. All nominees should be in the first or second year of study as an undergraduate student.

Unsung Hero Award
The Unsung Hero award recognizes students who have positively influenced a program or organization from behind the scenes with a positive attitude, a willingness to help in whatever capacity necessary, and a commitment to excellence. This student can be an executive board member or a general member. Please include what organization(s) the nominee is part of, the role(s) they have, and their length of service in the organization. Explain how the nominee has impacted the group or organization, and how this nominee’s contributions differ from others in the program.

Student Organization of the Year
This organization will have demonstrated outstanding leadership, event planning, and community service during the academic school year. This group goes above and beyond to reach new students, sponsor events, and make the campus a better place overall. Nominations should include a description of innovative ideas, how the organization has improved, how the organization has responded to the needs of the community, and any outstanding events, programs, speakers, etc.

The Phoenix Award
This award is given to a newly formed organization that has made outstanding contributions OR to an organization that was at risk of losing recognition or sustaining its existence and has made a big comeback. In the nomination, please include organization name, description of the challenges faced by this organization, and how the organization overcame these obstacles or how they managed to develop a strong membership or brand in the inaugural year.

Community Award
The Community Award is presented by the Office of Empowerment and Leadership to identify individuals or recognize student organizations that have significantly enhanced the New England College campus and surrounding community. The recipient(s) demonstrates leadership and is committed to the values of respect, social consciousness and equality.

Excellence in Leadership Award
The Excellence in Leadership Award is presented to an upper-class (junior or senior) student who exemplifies leadership though campus. The recipient of this award has shown, through motivation, initiative, and persistence, that they are positively committed to their organization and the New England College community as a whole. Please include what organization(s) this person is part of, their role(s), and number of years of membership for each. A list of examples should be included to show how this person has gone above and beyond for their organization(s).

The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, March 24.