Puma Choice Awards

Description of Awards

Every year, the Office of Student Life and Leadership and the Student Leadership Council partner to present the Student Leadership Awards to outstanding PVCC students and recognized student clubs/organizations at the Annual Puma Choice Awards.

Description of Awards

This is your chance to nominate your club or organization, or officer for the Student Involvement awards, including:

  • Inclusiveness
  • Excellence in Entertainment
  • Advisor of the Year
  • Positive Social Change Award
  • Club Officer of the Year
  • And Spirit Awards!

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Golden Puma: Distinguished Student Leadership Award (awarded to a student who has completed at least 24 credits)


The Distinguished Student Leadership Award is the highest honor bestowed upon three students annually at PVCC.

This award recognizes model students who have integrated academic excellence with achievement in areas such as leadership, athletics, community service, fine and performing arts, entrepreneurship and career achievement. Although there is no prescribed grade point average for this award, it is assumed that recipients will have high academic achievement.

Faculty or staff members are encouraged to nominate students.

  • Students MAY NOT self-nominate.
  • Candidates must have completed 24 credits to be considered for the award.

The Distinguished Student Leadership award recipients receive the following:

  • $500 scholarship;
  • Plaque;
  • Certificate along with recognition at the Student Recognition Ceremony.

Individuals nominated, but not selected, will receive the Puma Paw Award. In order to receive the scholarship, students must be U.S. Citizens or have legal residency.


Puma Paw: Student Leader Award (awarded to a student who has completed at least 12 credits)


The Puma Paw is reserved for students who demonstrate superior college and/or community involvement.

Although there is no prescribed grade point average for this award, it is assumed that recipients will have high academic achievement.

Faculty or staff members are encouraged to nominate students.

  • Students MAY NOT self nominate.
  • Candidates must have completed 12 credits to be considered for the award.

(All students nominated for the Puma Paw will receive a puma paw pin and a certificate along with recognition at the Student Recognition Ceremony.)


Selection Criteria:

Selection criteria, listed below, are the same for each award. A student may be nominated for either or both awards.

  • Academic Performance: Examples may include grade point average, honors received, and/or other scholarly projects.
  • Leadership: Examples may include coordination of a project, program or event, developed and implemented successfully within our college or community, documented local, state, or national recognition for excellence (i.e., recipient of major scholarships/ athletic awards and/or recognition by national associations and honor societies), and/or demonstrated exceptional leadership on campus instrumental in creating or enhancing a student organization.
  • Community Service: Examples may include performance of outstanding and innovative service within our community, documented membership in a non-profit organizations, and/or community outreach activities.

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Each year, Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) recognizes outstanding alumni, friends and students through an award ceremony that celebrate achievements in volunteerism, success and commitment to the college, community and personal achievement.

The Alumni Award is presented to alumni who have achieved outstanding academic success and have demonstrated career and professional preparation, campus and community leadership and involvement, or "leaders in the classroom, laboratory, campus and community." 

Questions? Contact the Office of Student Life and Leadership at Paradise Valley Community College at 602-787-7240 or DL-PVC-StuLife@paradisevalley.edu

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