Lorenzo Santavicca, a recent James Madison College graduate and former president of the Associated Students of Michigan State University, has earned the prestigious Student Body President of the Year Award from the National Campus Leadership Council, or NCLC, this summer.
He was presented with the award at a conference in Washington, D.C. earlier this month.
The NCLC works with over 500 colleges and universities around the United States to cultivate, strengthen and advance student leadership in higher education. The Associated Students of Michigan State University, or ASMSU, has been a partner institution with the organization since its founding in 2012.
The award recognizes student body presidents who have completed at least one term and have made a resounding impact on their campus through strong and effective leadership, as well as demonstrating the power of student voice.
Santavicca served as the ASMSU president for two terms and previously was the ASMSU vice president of academic affairs. He was involved with several university governance committees, task forces and search committees.
According to Santavicca, his proudest achievements in his role as president were to bring the international Outstanding Student Government Association of the Year Award to ASMSU in 2017, oversee the implementation of the Spartan Code of Honor Academic Pledge, and implement the ASMSU Safe Ride Program. Other achievements included serving on the search committee for the new director of MSU’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services, becoming a strong advocate for survivors' voices of sexual assault and improving policy on campus.
Santavicca was nominated by peers at MSU, as well as others at the university. He was a top 5 finalist competing against other schools including the University of Michigan, University of Illinois, University of Virginia and Eastern Oregon University.
“I am beyond honored to have received such a prestigious award and could not have possibly been the recipient, nor the finalist, if it weren’t for the many mentors and friendships propelling me to do such important work at Michigan State University along the way.”
More information about the National Campus Leadership Council can be found here.