Award Categories and Criteria

Undergraduate Awards | Graduate Awards | Faculty Award | Staff Award | Alumni Award

The Stanford Asian American Awards recognizes notable undergraduate students, graduate students, staff and faculty.

Undergraduate Student Awards

Cindy Ng Special Achievement Award

Named after Stanford leader and A³C Associate Dean and Scott JJ Hsu Director Emerita, Cindy Ng, this award recognizes a currently enrolled undergraduate who has demonstrated commitment and dedication for the Asian American community through outstanding contributions in their academic, activist, athletic, extracurricular, or entrepreneurial endeavors. This award is named after Stanford's transformational leader, Cindy Ng, who served as the Associate Dean of Students and inaugural Scott J.J. Hsu Director of the Asian American Activities Center.

Public Service Award

This award recognizes a currently enrolled undergraduate who has performed exceptional service in the local community or beyond through active participation and leadership in public service events or projects that impact the greater Asian American community through their work.

Community Building Award

This award recognizes a currently enrolled undergraduate who has demonstrated devotion and enthusiasm for the Asian American community through their efforts to foster inclusivity, build connections, raise awareness for, and/or advance the diverse interests of the Stanford community.

Gender/Sexuality Issues Award

This award recognizes a currently enrolled undergraduate student who actively advocates for womxn and/or queer and trans-related issues as they pertain to identity, sexuality, and/or sex-positivity in the Asian American community through on- or off-campus activities.

Performing/Fine Arts Award

This award recognizes a currently enrolled undergraduate who has shown great talent, dedication and achievement in the fine and performing arts that impact the greater Asian American community through their work.

Research Award

This award recognizes a currently enrolled undergraduate who has completed research (need not be an honors thesis) that broadly benefits or advances the interests of the Asian American community. The recipient of the award need not be an Asian American studies major or minor.

Graduate Student Awards

Given to currently enrolled graduate students from the Graduate Schools of Business, Law, Medicine, Education, Doerr School of Sustainability, Engineering, or Humanities and Sciences.

Leadership Award

This award recognizes a currently enrolled graduate student who has been a leader in the Stanford community by making outstanding contributions in their academic, athletic, performing/fine arts, extracurricular, social, political or entrepreneurial endeavors.

VPGE Research/Teaching Award

This award is supported by the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and recognizes a currently enrolled doctoral candidate who has demonstrated excellence in research or in teaching and who holds great promise for a successful career in academia.

Faculty Award

This award recognizes the contributions of an outstanding faculty member who has represented the Asian American community at Stanford by enhancing undergraduate and/or graduate education or community.

Staff Award

Two staff members are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Asian American community at Stanford and/or in communities beyond campus. Nominations may be submitted through either or both of the following organizations:

• The Filipino American Community At Stanford (FACS)
• The Asian Staff Forum (ASF)

Alumni Award

This award goes to a distinguished alumnus of either Stanford undergraduate or graduate school who has made exceptional contributions to the Stanford community in service, leadership or financial contribution and who has also demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to the community outside of Stanford, especially the Asian American community.

If you have any questions regarding categories and/or who qualifies, please contact the A³C Staff.