In 2011 the staff of Campus Pride decided that another level of recognition was to be added to the National Voice & Action Leadership Award. The staff felt that there were too many amazing student leaders creating positive change on their respective campuses to only give recognition to the final recipients of the ward. This was the main reason the Top 12 Leaders in Action recognition was created. This year was another example of just that! All of the committee members agree that the applicants who applied and the work they have done is the very reason Campus Pride developed this national honor. These students are on the front lines of the movement creating positive change every day. We should be proud and thankful of all the work they do.

Just before the New Year, Campus Pride finished its review and selected the Top 12 Leaders in Action. These 12 students will also be forwarded on to the final review process. This final review process will result in the selection of the National Voice & Action Award Recipient(s).

Now please let us introduce you to the Top 12 Leaders in Action (listed in alphabetical order by first name); Ande Stone – University of Georgia, Anthony Wagner – University of Michigan-Dearborn, Derrick Clifton – Northwestern University, Eric Highers – Albion College, Giovanni Correale – Florida International University, Jacob Tobia – Duke University, Julie Champion – Georgia Tech, Kevin Claybren – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ky Kubitz – University of Oregon, Marco Flores – University of California-Berkeley, Matthew Troy – Greensboro College, Tovah Leibowitz – New York University.

Learn more about these Top 12 Leaders 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.