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Nomination Information

Who May Be Nominated?

The SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence (CASE) acknowledges students' outstanding achievements. While there is no minimum GPA requirement, candidates are expected to have demonstrated exceptional academic performance. To be eligible, a student must graduate between June 2025 and May 2026.

We seek nominations of students who have best demonstrated the integration of SUNY excellence within many aspects of their lives, which must include three of the following areas:

• Academics
• Leadership
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice
• Campus involvement, Civics & Service
• Research & Development
• Arts (creative or performing)

The achievements and accomplishments listed in their nomination should reflect why they are one of the top outstanding students SUNY-wide in each of the selected three areas. Examples of achievements and accomplishments to consider may include, but are not limited to, athletics, advocacy, military service, student government, teaching and service positions, involvement in clubs and organizations, volunteer work, and research experience.

Achievements and accomplishments must have been attained during the timeframe enrolled. Please do not include awards or recognition from previous colleges, high school, or experiences before the nominee enrolled at your institution. Nominated students with measurable, long-term accomplishments and achievements will be measured (scored) at a higher level than other achievements. Students' achievements that affect the greater campus community and/or a large number of students and/or community members will be valued higher than other achievements.

Nominations are due by January 31, 2026.

Nomination form for the 2026 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence

Who Nominates?

• Campus officials nominate students to the SUNY CASE Selection Committee to be considered for the award.
• The campus designees will submit their campus-level CASE finalists and nominate them for the SUNY CASE Selection Committee to review and select final recipients of the CASE Awards.

Campus Review and Nomination Process

• The designated campus officials will work with the campus President and others to determine their specific campus-level nomination and review process. They are encouraged to communicate this process to their students, faculty, and staff.
• Select up to the allowable number of nominees from your campus for the award.
• After selecting campus nominees, the campus designee will submit a nomination form for each nominee to be considered by the SUNY CASE Selection Committee.
• Students should be reviewed regarding conduct and academics at the campus level before submitting their nomination to the SUNY CASE Selection Committee.

Allowable Number of Campus Award Nominations

Campuses may nominate one candidate for each 1,750 total Average Annual Full-time Equivalency (AAFTE) with a minimum of two nominations and a maximum of fifteen nominations per campus (e.g., a campus with 17,700 AAFTE students may submit up to ten nominations).

A document outlining the number of award nominations each campus is eligible for was sent in the November memo to campus presidents. If you have questions regarding the number of award nominations for your campus, please contact the SUNY CASE Awards Committee at caseawards@suny.edu.

Campus Directions for Submission of Nominations to SUNY CASE Selection Committee

1. Click on the Campus Nomination Forms. Please create a username and password to save your work and return to it later.
2. Complete the CASE Award form (one form per campus nominee)
3. Attach a personalized letter of recommendation signed by the campus President. Nominations without this letter will not be reviewed.
4. All nomination forms must be submitted by January 31, 2026.

SUNY System-wide Selection Process

A SUNY-wide selection committee involving campus representatives and System Administration staff will review each nomination and recommend final award recipients. Once recipients are identified, they will be notified along with their campus designees. We anticipate notifying recipients and their campus designees before March 13, 2026.

Recognition Ceremony

An in-person recognition ceremony will occur at The Albany Capital Center in Albany, New York, on Monday, April 27, 2026. Additional details will follow.

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If you have any questions, please contact the SUNY CASE Awards Committee at caseawards@suny.edu.