Most Improved Student Organization

This award is presented to the student organization that has improved from last year using measurable metrics such as increased membership, involvement with campus life, and its activities from the previous year. It also requires the organization to provide a strategic plan, goals, and objectives for their programs.

Application

In order to apply for this award, you will need to complete the two steps below by 11:59PM on February 5th:

Create a compelling 8-minute audio-recorded PowerPoint presentation adhering to the submission requirements below, that showcases why your organization should be selected as the award winner.
1. If your organization is also applying for any of the following presentation-based awards, you will address these in the same presentation.
Submit the Application Form where you will include the link to your recorded presentation, as well as a PDF of your slide deck.

Submission Requirements for Audio-Recorded PowerPoint

In addition to the requirements listed below, organizations are encouraged to follow best practices with regard to slide design and visual aids to best showcase their impact.

Presentations must include voice-only narration (cameras must be turned off) utilizing PowerPoint’s Recording Feature. Total presentation time must not exceed 8 minutes and must include the following slides:

Opening slide needs to include the names of each of the presentation-based awards (including this award) that you are applying for, and you should verbally announce these in your audio recording.
Organizational fact slide that highlights program relevant statistics including size, list of events, and their type such as socials, professional, service, and other information.
Informational slides answering the following questions:
- Objective of organization, list of goals, and plans that lead to improvement.
- How the organization has improved from last year – provide measurable metrics to quantify improvements, if possible.
- What steps were taken with strategic planning to set goals, objectives, and make these improvements?
- The increase in number of programs and members between this year and last year.
- How did your organization’s activities impact the professional and personal development of your members?
- How did the meetings, activities, and events held by your organization have a positive impact on the greater college community?
- What qualitative or quantitative evidence do you have regarding your organization’s impact?
- How did your activities support or relate to your organization’s mission/vision/values?
- How does your organization plan to sustain itself in the future?
- How does the executive board effectively function as a team?
Appendix slides at the end of your presentation detailing the following:
- A list of all past activities from January 2022 to December 2022. In the description for each event, please include the following:
  - Date of the event
  - Number of attendees
  - Purpose of each event
  - Description of each event
- Membership numbers and roster with names and email addresses (both spring and fall semesters).
- Please insert link to PDF displaying all appendix information.

Submission Instructions for Audio-Recorded PowerPoint

Once you have finalized your audio-recorded PowerPoint, please follow the instructions below to make it shareable using Microsoft Stream.

With your presentation deck open, click the Recording tab, then select Publish to Stream. If you don’t see a Recording tab, you can add this setting as follows:
- Windows OS: Open PowerPoint > File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Select "Main Tabs" from dropdown list on the right > Scroll down and click the check box next to "Recording" and then click OK
- Mac OS: First, Export Video – File > Export > Select “MOV” in the File Format dropdown list > Make sure check box next to “Use Recorded Timings and Narrations” is clicked > Click Export Button > Open Microsoft Stream through GatorCloud > Select “Upload Video” from Create dropdown list > Click “Browse” and select MOV file containing your presentation
Type a title and a description for the video.
Check the boxes that follow to allow everyone in your organization to see this video (on Mac OS this will appear under the “Permissions” drop down tab) and upload your original PowerPoint file along with this video.
Click the Publish button and then allow a few minutes for this process to occur.
Windows OS users will see a status progress bar at the bottom right of the PowerPoint window, and a message will display once the upload is successful.
Once you have received the successful upload notification, click it to view your video.
The video will then open in a browser for Gator Cloud. Copy the browser link for your video and then when you are ready to submit the Application Form, please insert the link there.
For Mac OS – Click “Share” > Copy the browser link for your video and when you are ready to submit the Application Form, please insert the link there.

Selection Process & Criteria

The winning organization will be chosen by a selection committee of Heavener staff members, based on the following criteria:

Does the audio-recorded PowerPoint adhere to all submission requirements?
Does this organization focus programming on the development of personal and professional skills for their members?
Does this organization and its activities add value to the Heavener School of Business community?
Is there evidence that this organization provides experiences that support its mission and values?
Is there evidence of significant program growth through quantitative or qualitative metrics?
Did the organization provide evidence of positive and impactful events?
Is there evidence that the organization’s leadership has worked cohesively to create growth in the program?

By submitting an application, applicants agree to release their academic records and discipline records to the selection committee. This year’s selection committee members are: Jack Causseaux, Danica Mandarano, Sarah Morais, Dr. Jessica Francis, and the BCC President.

Application Form

Previous Award Recipients

2021-22

Association of Latin Professionals for America

2020-21

Association of Latin Professionals for America (ALPFA)

2019-20

Student Investment Club

2018-19

Undergraduate Consulting Club

2017-18

Retail Society

2014-15

Undergraduate Consulting Club

UCC is a relatively new club on campus and it initially struggled to develop its image and brand. Retention issues plagued UCC during the first two years of its existence. This past year, mitigating these issues became the focus of the leadership team. By utilizing the networks built by students through summer internships with companies such as KPMG, McGladery and Ernst and Young, connections were established and opened the door for partnerships throughout the academic year.

Through these strategic partnerships, as well as the restructuring of the leadership team and the revamping of member programming, this organization has yielded a 150% increase in dedicated membership throughout the semester.

2013-14

Florida Women in Business

FWIB this year has increased its membership, involvement with campus life, and its activities from the previous year. They have worked diligently throughout the year, focusing on redesigning their mentorship program, their member retention system, and developing the first annual Women’s Professional Development Summit.

2011-12

American Marketing Association

The American Marketing Association (AMA) has improved in several ways this year. First, they forged new relationships with 8 companies, in addition to existing relationships, allowing for weekly contact with companies for their membership. This year, they also executed several initiatives specifically targeted at recruitment of members, as well as increased dues revenue and partnerships. For this reason, AMA was able to, for the first time in four years, cover all expenses and have money left over. Currently, AMA has 94 paying members, 59 of which were brand new to AMA in the Fall of 2011 Alone.

2010-11

International Business Society

The International Business Society (IBS) has gained an increase in membership to almost 140 students, up from 100 in the previous year. IBS focused on forming partnerships with other student organizations and departments on campus, successfully collaborating with such organizations as Students in Free Enterprise, Hispanic Student Business Association, and the Poe Center for Business Ethics Education and Research. IBS has also begun to volunteer with Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, and participated in the Co-Ed Intramural Soccer League here at UF. A partnership with Warrington’s International Programs made the Global Gathering possible, with over 150 students benefiting from the chance to meet exchange students and learn about possible places to study abroad.

2009-10

International Business Society International

International Business Society (IBS) has seen an increase in the number of members attending their meetings and events, as well as an overall increase in the level of participation. There has been an increased involvement with international students and they were able to coordinate 8 new events this semester.

2008-09

Minority Business Society

This year, the Minority Business Society has made noteworthy strides in its development as an organization. Within the past year, MBS has increased its membership by 40% due to numerous recruitment efforts. They have built relationships with the UF community by collaborating with different student organizations for meetings and social functions. MBS has obtained official partnerships and sponsorships from reputable corporations and organizations. They also conducted numerous professional development sessions for their members and participated in community service projects that increased their visibility on campus.

2007-08

Student Investment Club

This year the Student Investment Club improved its organization in numerous ways. They increased their networking with other Warrington student organizations to familiarize their members with all that the School of Business can offer them. This increased networking caused new ideas and programs to surface. They improved their marketing strategies in order to spread awareness of their new programs. They also acquired new sponsorships from Gumby’s Pizza and TheUpDown.com, which provided SIC with more funds to help the organization grow and improve. Their membership also increased from 54 students last spring to 141 this spring. Their increased membership and improved organizational efficiency has allowed SIC to host and help with events such as Reichert House, Investment Workshop, and Investment Challenge.

2006-07

International Business Society

Beginning this Fall with only 5 active members, the leadership of the International Business Society restructured their organization to allow greater engagement with, and between its, members. Actions such as reviving committees and redistributing responsibilities within the organization led to an increase in active membership to almost 40. this increased membership and organizational efficiency has allowed IBS to create events such as the International Speaker Series, The 1st annual IBS Film Festival, and Study Abroad Forums.

2005-06

Delta Epsilon Chi

Delta Epsilon Chi set two goals for themselves this year: to increase membership and to increase the number of members participating in the State Career Development Conference. They have achieved both. Membership in DEX increased this year from three to twenty-two members and state conference participation increased from one member to seven. Achieving these goals earned the Florida chapter the “Largest Membership Increase Award” at the state conference.