Each year, Maine Maritime Academy hosts the Student Life Awards Banquet to honor students and staff/faculty who contribute to campus and community life beyond the classroom. These awards recognize individuals who make meaningful contributions through service projects, athletics, student-employment, and involvement in co-curricular organizations and activities.

There are twelve Student Life Award categories, celebrating a wide range of student leaders as well as faculty and staff who support student success and engagement. The Student Life Awards Committee will review all nominations and select the top three nominees in each category. These top nominees will be invited to and recognized at the Student Life Awards Banquet, where the overall award recipient for each category will be announced.

2026 Student Life Awards Banquet

This year marks the 25th Annual Student Life Awards Banquet! The 2026 banquet will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Please review all award descriptions carefully and submit your nominations by February 15, 2026. Each nomination should include a short narrative that provides supporting details about the nominee’s accomplishments. Nominations without a narrative make it difficult for the committee to fairly evaluate each nominee’s achievements, so please provide as much information as possible.

Not sure which category best fits a student you’d like to recognize? Submit your nomination under the “General Nomination” category using the button below, and the Student Life Awards Committee will determine the most appropriate category for consideration.

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Student Awards

Athletic Integration Award – Recognizes the positive contributions intramural, club, or varsity athletes make to the campus community. It is awarded to a student-athlete who has impacted campus life through leadership and collaboration with others.

Club / Organization Advisor of the Year Award – This award recognizes a staff or faculty member who has gone above and beyond in their commitment to students through their role as a student organization or club advisor. This individual is highly dependable, possesses strong leadership skills, and has demonstrated an ability to help students grow through guidance and mentorship.

Emerging Leader Award (2) – Given to two students who have emerged as leaders and who can be expected to contribute significantly to the campus community and the welfare of their fellow students during their time at the Academy.

Mariner Pride Award – A community-wide nomination that honors an organization, event, or activity that enhances Mariner Pride by bringing people together and helping to strengthen the campus community.

Non-Traditional Student Impact Award – This award is given to a non-traditional student who has used their life experiences to make a significant impact in the campus community, including, but not limited to, campus life, academic achievement, leadership, and community service. The award winner will have promoted and demonstrated excellence in all aspects of their college experience.

Outstanding Collaboration Award – Recognizes an individual member of the student body who has collaborated with multiple constituencies.  This student has led with integrity to unify the student body and make significant contributions to the greater campus community.

Outstanding Contribution to Residential Life Award– This award is presented to a student who has made significant contributions to the community and the experience of students living in residence halls. The awardee, through their actions, leadership, and innovation, has promoted community through respect, fairness, and inclusion.

Phyllis Tenney Community Service and Leadership Award – This award is presented to a student who has displayed outstanding dedication and loyalty to MMA, commitment and service to the Castine community, exemplary leadership skills, and has also achieved great success academically and socially at MMA. The recipient has the promise of becoming a lifelong contributor to Maine Maritime Academy, to their community, and society as a whole.

Student Employee of the Year Award – Recognizes a student worker who has demonstrated a high quality of work and leadership skills and who has made a significant impact on the department or departments in which they work.

Student Government Leadership Award – Recognizes a student affiliated with the Student Government Association who has shown immense integrity and perseverance in striving to improve student life and welfare.

The Sarah F. Hudson Unsung Mariner Award – This award is presented to a staff or faculty member who demonstrates outstanding service to the MMA community, supports student life, and works to enhance the student experience.

12/10 Ryan King Award – Ryan King’s motto of 12/10 was his hope that everyone would have a 12 out of 10 day. This award is presented to a student employee, faculty, or staff member who exhibits this attitude, while supporting students at every turn, and who seizes every opportunity to be helpful and kind and to lift others up. 

Student Life Awards Committee

• Ann Cleveland, Professor of Marine Biology 
• Bill Mottola, Director of Athletics
• Dan Gardner, Director for Residential Life & Student Activities
• Emily Berry, Assistant Director for Student Activities
• Jeff Taub, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
• Josh Stanhope, Assistant Director of Residential Life
• Kristi Carter, Assistant Professor of Mathematics 
• Kyle Willette, Bravo and Echo Company Officer