GW Community Impact Awards

Nominations are due on September 28th at 5:00 pm ET via the nomination form.

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement is excited to announce the 2nd annual GW Community Impact Awards during 2026 OneGW Summit: Many Voices. OneGW.

Whether through inclusive leadership, advocacy, policy change, community engagement, research, mentorship, or other forms of service, the GW Community Impact Awards recognize members of our community who turn the values of diversity, inclusion, civic engagement and service, and community into meaningful action. Award recipients demonstrate a commitment to creating positive and lasting change and make a significant impact on the lives of others through their work at GW, in the District of Columbia, and beyond. 

GW Community Impact Award Nomination Form

Examples of community impact may include:

• Advocating for change alongside or within a community, particularly by amplifying voices and perspectives that are often underrepresented
• Addressing critical needs related to social, economic, health, education, environmental, or other community challenges
• Engaging in interdisciplinary research and practice to solve the world's greatest challenges
• Developing or leading initiatives that strengthen communities and contribute to the greater good
• Advancing knowledge or understanding through research, scholarship, creative work, or other forms of inquiry
• Mentoring, supporting, or empowering others in ways that create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact
• Building bridges across communities by fostering collaboration, dialogue, belonging, civil discourse, and mutual understanding
• Creating meaningful and sustained change through leadership, service, innovation, or other contributions that positively affect the lives of others

We are seeking nominations from members of the GW community for recipients of each category of the GW Community Impact Awards: undergraduate student, graduate student, student organization, faculty, staff, alumni, and DC community partner. GW community members may self-nominate. All nominators must be members of the GW community with a valid university GWID. Nominations are due on September 25th at 5:00 pm ET via the nomination form.

A university-wide committee will select award recipients and notify them in advance of the Summit. Recipients will have their university background checked for current conduct or personnel-related matters to ensure eligibility to participate. Recipients will receive their award and recognition during the 2026 OneGW Summit: Many Voices. OneGW. on October 28 - 30, 2026.