Dave Marshall Leadership Awards

This award is a prestigious, non-monetary award in recognition of the dedication and leadership Dr. Dave Marshall demonstrated during his 18 years of consecutive service as the Dean of Education and President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University. Dr. Marshall’s tenure at Nipissing

University is a reflection of his commitment to higher education, vision for the future, and leadership in external community service. These were all characteristics reflective of Dr. Marshall’s position at Nipissing University and are qualities embodied in the students chosen for this award.

Award Categories

Dave Marshall Leadership Awards will be presented to students noted for their exceptional leadership within three categories: 

1. Academic -- 8 Academic Awards 
2. Campus -- 12 Campus Awards 
3. Community -- 5 Community Awards 

To be nominated in the academic category, a student must have the potential to further pursue their area of study and possibly affect, or be involved with, cutting edge work that will result in the advancement of their discipline. The student must be engaged in research or some other activity that is exceptional and outside the normal expectations of their program. This research or activity should be able to increase people’s understanding of, or interest in, the discipline. The student may also balance their academic demands with other services to the local or university community.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Academic Nominations must come from Nipissing University Faculty
• Nominee must be beyond their first year of study, in good conduct and academic standing with a minimum of a 70% average
• Nominee must not have received a Dave Marshall Leadership Award in the past
• Self-nominations will not be accepted
• Peers nominating one another is discouraged
• Nominators may nominate up to 3 individuals

Nominees are assessed against the following criteria:

• Capacity for critical thinking
• Ability to increase people’s understanding of, or interest in the discipline
• Contribution to research or other exceptional research-related activity
• Capacity to create change through research or other exceptional research-related activity

Selection Process: 

Upon review of a report compiled by the Student Learning and Transitions team detailing information from the nomination forms and the nominees’ academic records, the Senate-appointed Academic Awards Committee will determine and select the students to be recognized with a Dave Marshall Leadership Award. 

Nominators are asked to review the award criteria, and complete and submit the nomination form by January 31st, 2026 at 11:59 pm. 

To be nominated in the Campus category, a student must use their leadership to influence university affairs to create a sense of community on-campus. This student enhances the campus culture by encouraging others to become involved and attempts to improve the quality of life for all students. The student must be actively, and meaningfully, engaged in a club or student organization, student government, athletics, and/or student support services.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Student must be beyond their first year of study, in good conduct and academic standing with a minimum 65% average
• Nominee must not have received a Dave Marshall Leadership Award in the past
• Self-nominations will not be accepted
• Peers nominating one another is discouraged
• Nominators may nominate up to 3 individuals

Nominees are assessed against the following criteria:

• Ability to foster a sense of community on campus
• Ability to motivate/empower others to get actively and meaningfully involved on campus
• Personal commitment to being actively and meaningfully engaged on campus
• Commitment to improving campus culture and quality of life for all students

Selection Process: 

Upon review of a report compiled by the Student Learning and Transitions team detailing information from the nomination forms and the nominees’ academic records, the Senate-appointed Academic Awards Committee will determine and select the students to be recognized with a Dave Marshall Leadership Award. 

Nominators are asked to review the award criteria, and complete and submit the nomination form by January 31st, 2026 at 11:59 pm. 

To be nominated in the Community category, a student must have made a significant contribution to an external organization or group. As a volunteer, the student used their knowledge gained at university to affect the success of the organization. Their leadership and participation must have provided a demonstrated benefit and shown concern for issues/residents of their area.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Student must be beyond their first year of study, in good conduct and academic standing with a minimum of 65% average
• Nominee must not have received a Dave Marshall Leadership Award in the past
• Self-nominations will not be accepted
• Peers nominating one another is discouraged
• Nominators may nominate up to 3 individuals

Nominees are assessed against the following criteria:

• Commitment to civic and social responsibility
• Ability to motivate/empower others within the community or organization
• Ability to work collaboratively and inclusively with others
• Capacity to create change through their contribution to the community or organization

Selection Process:

Upon review of a report compiled by the Student Learning and Transitions team detailing information from the nomination forms and the nominees’ academic records, the Senate-appointed Academic Awards Committee will determine and select the students to be recognized with a Dave Marshall Leadership Award. 

Nominators are asked to review the award criteria, and complete and submit the nomination form by January 31st, 2026 at 11:59 pm. 

Nominees will receive an email with the subject line "You've been nominated to receive a Dave Marshall Leadership Award!" 

Please read the following information carefully: 

1. Before nominations can be moved forward to the Academic Awards Committee of Senate for review, the first step in the process is for nominees to indicate that they want their nomination(s) to stand. 
2. Allowing your nomination(s) to stand requires giving affirmative consent to the DMLA Coordinator to check current academic and conduct standing at the University.
3. To give consent, please choose YES in the consent form included in your nomination email. Choosing NO in the consent form indicates that you do not give your nomination permission to stand. The DMLA Coordinator will not check current academic or conduct standing. You acknowledge that your nomination will not move forward. 
4. After this screening process, if you are determined to be eligible, your nomination(s) will be moved forward and reviewed by the Academic Awards Committee of Senate for their ranking.  

Criteria and eligibility requirements for each category are available in the other tabs on this page.