Distinguished First-Year Student of the Year
The Distinguished Undergraduate First Year Student of the Year Award specifically recognizes one FTIC Full Time cohort student who demonstrates significant engagement, inspires others to achieve high success, and motivates their peers to return for the sophomore year. This student will be the featured speaker at Freshman Convocation and the Rising Sophomore event. The award winner will also receive a stipend of $750.
Qualifications: Nominees must have:
- FTIC FT cohort status for the current academic year
- Earned at least 12 undergraduate Fall term semester credits with 100% of attempted hours earned, no NC or DFW grades
- Nominees must have an institutional GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Must have attended the Freshman Convocation
- No academic misconduct violations
Required Documentation
For each nominee, please submit the following material as a single PDF document:
- A current transcript (an unofficial transcript from MyFAU is acceptable).
- A cover letter describing why the student feels they would be a good candidate for this recognition.
- One detailed nomination letter from a FAU employee (e.g. faculty, staff, advisor, coach, etc.) outlining the student's qualifications for the award
- Optional: A one-page resume or curriculum vitae.
Candidate will be interviewed by the selection committee prior to award.
Deadline: January 26th of each year for nominations.
In 2025, the first ever Distinguished First Year Undergraduate Student of the Year was awarded to Maya Desai.
A little about Maya - she has a vibrant personality and an inquisitive mind. She joined the University Honors Program as an out-of-state student majoring in International Business and brought in 47 credits from high school. She is the Vice President of the Community Service Club because she knows how important it is to give back to her community. In Fall 2024, she made the Dean’s List, President’s List, Housing Director’s List, and was nominated for a Prestigious Fellowship. Looking forward, Maya is applying to be a Resident Assistant and a UHP Peer Academic Coach for the 2025-2026 school year.