The Office of Student Leadership and Involvement provides support, leadership training, and resources to student organizations. Current students can access information about organizations and student life events through Bulldog Central.
Student Involvement Fair
At the beginning of fall semester, the Office of Student Leadership & Involvement hosts a fair for all registered student organizations. The student organization fair takes place on Ben Brown Plaza and is a great opportunity for new and returning students to learn about Samford’s 200+ student organizations. This fair also takes place on a smaller scale during the spring semester.
Student Organization Training
2 organization officers of registered student organizations must attend all Student Organization Trainings in the Fall. These trainings will give student leaders and advisors the tools they need to successfully manage their organizations.
Student Organization Workshops
All officers of registered student organizations are advised to participate in Bulldog Central Workshops. Workshops are 1-hour sessions held monthly during the fall and spring semesters. Officers will learn how to navigate Bulldog Central, update organization information, submit event requests, manage membership rosters, and utilize available tools to support their organization's success. Participants must register through Bulldog Central in advance.
Student Organization Funding
All registered undergraduate student organizations are eligible to receive funding from SGA Senate. Early each semester, a mandatory informational meeting is held to provide information about the senate funding process.
Undergraduate Funding Request Form
Student Organization Awards
The Office of Student Leadership and Involvement hosts the annual Student Organization Awards. All non-Greek student organizations are invited to apply based on the following categories:
Outstanding Community Connection Award
This award recognizes a student organization that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to building meaningful connections within the Samford University community and beyond. Through collaboration, service, outreach, and engagement, the organization has positively impacted campus life while fostering relationships that strengthen the university and surrounding community.
Top Student Event(s) of the Year Award
This award recognizes a student organization that successfully hosted one or more outstanding events with exceptional student participation and engagement. These events contributed significantly to campus life by providing meaningful opportunities for involvement, connection, and community building among students.
Best Social Media Presence Award
This award recognizes a student organization that has demonstrated excellence in marketing, branding, and student engagement through social media. The recipient consistently maintains an active online presence, effectively communicates with its audience, and utilizes creative strategies to promote organizational initiatives and events.
Outstanding Commitment Award
This award recognizes a student organization that has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the responsibilities and expectations of being a recognized student organization at Samford University. The recipient consistently participates in required trainings, engages in Student Leadership and Involvement programs and events, maintains an up-to-date organizational profile, and exemplifies a strong commitment to organizational excellence.
Most Improved Organization Award
This award recognizes a student organization that has demonstrated significant growth and progress during the academic year. Improvements may include increased student engagement, enhanced programming, stronger marketing efforts, greater organizational commitment, and measurable growth in membership and participation.
Outstanding Advisor of the Year Award
This award recognizes a student organization advisor who has been advising a student organization for at least two consecutive years, has had a positive impact on the student organization and the Samford community, demonstrates strong advising skills, is readily available to students, takes great strides to help the organization's leaders, and displays consistent involvement with the organization as a whole.
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award
This award recognizes a student leader who exemplified strong leadership, service, and commitment to a student organization. The student positively impacted the members of the organization, motivated the group, and empowered members by recognizing strengths and talents of individuals in the group. The student sought to consistently uphold the organization's mission as well as Samford's Christian values, and set a precedent for the organization's continued excellence.
Outstanding New Student Organization Award
This award recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student organization chartered during the last two academic years that displayed initiative in organizational development and potential to contribute to the quality of campus life at Samford University. The organization established a positive presence on campus and/or in the Birmingham community and collaborated with other student organizations and/or University departments.
Outstanding Organization of the Year Award
This award recognizes a student organization that has demonstrated outstanding achievement, leadership, and impact throughout the academic year. The recipient exemplifies excellence through innovative programming, meaningful contributions to campus life, strong member engagement, and a commitment to its mission.
Healthy Org Award
The Healthy Org Award is meant to honor a student organization committed to the wellbeing and thriving of its members. This award recognizes a commitment to wellness concepts, participation in Samford CARES events, and an ongoing partnership between the organization and Samford CARES.
