Xceleader Announces Inaugural Student Leader, Alumni and Advisor Awards

The Xcellence awards recognize servant leaders across the 100+ Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The awards are hosted by Xceleader.

Leaders at every level and in every industry faced a tough set of challenges when the pandemic halted and changed our world. Among those leaders were student leaders on college campuses everywhere. While it may seem minuscule to most, leading a group of your peers during one of the most unprecedented times in American history is no small feat.

HBCU campus leaders and administrators had to adapt to and create a collegiate experience that was foreign to even their university presidents. They made policy changes on Zoom rather than in-person, they hosted events with virtual venues, and didn’t have a homecoming. Talk about foreign.

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” - President Barack Obama

Xceleader recognized the insurmountable pressure and challenges that these scholars faced. Our Executive Student Leader Fellows often brought attention to the many academic and personal issues that they were experiencing while in their leadership roles.

The Xceleader Xcellence Awards is our way of highlighting the leaders on HBCU campuses who decided to step up to the plate and do the work to make a difference. They are unique this year because we launched them in the middle of a global pandemic when most leaders don’t feel like they have much to celebrate. We think not, this is the perfect time to lift up the amazing work that is being done.

The categories for this year’s awards are XceleadHER Woman Leader of the Year (Alumna + Student), Advisor of the Year, Student Leader of the Year, and SGA President of the Year. Student Leader of the Year and Advisor of the Year were voted on by the public via social media (1 like = 1 vote). XceleadHER and SGA President of the Year were selected based on the provided information from their nominators and the committee's assessment of the submission by an award committee of HBCU alumni and advisors.

SGA President of the Year

Jacqueline Flournoy

SGA President of the Year 1st Runner Up

Dallyn Beverly

SGA President of the Year 2nd Runner Up

Khaniya Burley

XceleadHER Alumna of the Year

Sarah Adewumi

XceleadHER Student of the Year

Kaylan Tanner

Student Leader of the Year

Dexter Maryland

Advisor of the Year

Veronica Hairston