In the spring of 2008 the staff of Campus Pride came together to develop the Voice & Action National Leadership Award. This award is for undergraduate student leaders who are creating positive change for LGBT students on college campuses across the country. The staff wanted to create this award because at the time there was no way on the national scale that students were being recognized for the amazing work they do on a daily basis. In just the past three award cycles (including this one) we have seen a huge increase in the awareness of the award as well as the amount of applicants applying each year. This year has raised the bar even higher – we have a total of 40 applicants, which is a 25% increase in the number of applicants from last year. We are also looking at the most diverse applicant pool of the three years this award has been in place.

We need like to publicly thank, Ernst & Young & OUTMedia. These two organizations have offered the financial support to make this award possible. Along with a free registration to attend a regional LGBT College Student Conference, the individual receives the official Voice & Action Award from Campus Pride as well as a free artist/speaker/entertainer to bring to his/her campus from our educational partner OUTmedia.

Before we move onto discussing the 2011 Voice & Action Leadership Award Applicant Pool, I wanted to briefly remind everyone of the past recipients of the award. In 2009 we awarded Justin Hager, UW-Madison; Shawna Scott, University of Georgia; and Celso Perez, Boston College. Than in 2010 we award Stephan Lucas, Pennsylvania State University and George Aumoithe, Jr., Bowdoin College. Please click here to learn about these outstanding leaders.

Now onto the 2011 Voice & Action Leadership Award Applicant Pool

Details are after the jump!

Tonight on the campus of University of Georgia, Shawna Scott, one of the 2009 Voice & Action Award Recipients, has a special comedy night with international sensation Vidur Kapur. The night of comedy was part of her Voice & Action Award made possible by OUTmedia. Learn more about OUTmedia online at http://www.outmedia.org and Vidur Kapur at http://www.vidurkapur.com. Vidur Kapur was also recentl recognized by Campus Pride's HOT LIST as one of the Top 25 LGBT college acts -- Learn more.

Campus Pride, the leading national nonprofit 501(c)(3) which serves LGBT and ally student leaders and, or campus organizations, awards the Campus Pride Voice & Action National Leadership Awards annually. The honorary recognition highlights the extraordinary contributions of LGBT young adult leaders at colleges and universities across the United States. Out of nearly thirty student leaders, only three students Justin Hager from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Shawna Scott from University of Georgia and Celso Perez from Boston College were chosen this year for the prestigious honor.

Apply now for the 2010 Voice & Action Awards -- click here.