Each year, the Chancellor recognizes students, staff, faculty, and community partnerships that embody UC Berkeley’s proud tradition of public service and commitment to improving our local and global community. Faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, student organizations, and campus-community partnerships are all eligible. Award categories include: civic engagement, community-engaged teaching, research in the public interest, and campus-community partnership.
Award Information
The Chancellor’s Awards for Public Service honor individuals and groups for their exceptional commitment to advancing social change through public service, a pillar of the university’s public mission. Annually, thousands of students, staff, and faculty devote hundreds of thousands of hours to direct service to the community, and even more hours to research and partnerships that serve the public interest. If awarded, recipient will serve as a representative of the university (including the Chancellor) at the event and in media. These awards will be presented at the annual Chancellor’s Awards for Public Service ceremony.
2025-2026 award recipient with Chancellor Richard K. Lyons
Award Descriptions
Chancellor’s Awards for Civic Engagement
These four public service awards honor the work of an undergraduate student, a graduate student, a student group, and a staff member for their contributions to the community. Recipient receives a $1,000 stipend in recognition of their work.
Chancellor’s Award for Community-Engaged Teaching
This award honors leadership by faculty in developing or teaching community-engaged courses or in engaging students in community-based research. Recipient receives a $1,000 stipend in recognition of their work.
Chancellor’s Award for Research in the Public Interest
This award honors research by faculty that addresses critical needs and issues affecting local, state, national, or global communities. Recipient receives a $1,000 stipend in recognition of their work.
Chancellor’s Award for Campus-Community Partnership
This award honors campus-community partnerships and University-sponsored programs that improve the quality of life in our community. Recipient receives a $1,000 stipend in recognition of their work.
Rosalie M. Stern Award
This award honors a graduate of UC Berkeley who has demonstrated significant contributions to public service (at the local community, state, or national level). Preference will be given to recipients whose public service work has been focused on addressing needs faced by women. Recipient receives a $1,500 honorarium in recognition of their work.
The Cheng Zedler First Generation Scholar Award
This award honors a first generation student, preferably a graduating senior, for their exemplary public service. Recipient receives a $1,500 stipend in recognition of their work.
Robert J. and Mary Catherine Birgeneau Recognition Award for Service to Underrepresented Students
This award honors an undergraduate or graduate student, or student ally, who has performed exemplary service pertaining to underrepresented students. Recipients are awarded $1,500 in recognition of their work.
Robert J. and Mary Catherine Birgeneau Recognition Award for Service to Undocumented Students
This award honors an undergraduate or graduate student, or student ally, who has performed exemplary service pertaining to undocumented students. Recipients are awarded $1,500 in recognition of their work.
Mather Good Citizen Award
This award honors a graduating senior in recognition of contributions to campus and community. Recipient receives a $1,500 stipend in recognition of their work.
Award Criteria
Please read award criteria before submitting your nominations.
2026-2027 Nomination Forms
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Civic Engagement Awards (Students, Student Group, Staff, The cheng Zedler First Gen Scholar and Rosalie M. Stern Alumni Awards) |
Click here to nominate by Friday, December 18, 2026 |
| Faculty and Campus-Community Partnership Awards | Click here to nominate by Friday, December 18, 2026 |
| Robert J. and Mary Catherine Birgeneau Awards | Click here to nominate by Friday, December 18, 2026 |
Contact Information
Chancellor’s Award Committee
serviceawards@berkeley.edu
2025-2026 Recipients
Here are our 2025-2026 Award Recipients. Congratulations!
| Category | Recipient | Department |
| Chancellor’s Award for Civic Engagement – Undergraduate Student | Lara Zangana | Fung Fellow, Society & Environment + Conservation & Resource Studies |
| Chancellor’s Award for Civic Engagement – Graduate Student | Neil Gallagher | JD Candidate- Berkeley Law School |
| Chancellor’s Award for Civic Engagement – Student Group | Volunteer Health Interpreters Organization (VHIO) | |
| Chancellor’s Award for Civic Engagement – Staff | Erin Blanton | Political Sciences |
| Chancellor’s Award for Research in the Public Interest | Stephanie L. Canizales | Sociology |
| Chancellor’s Award for Community-Engaged Teaching | Elijah Baucom | UC Berkeley Cybersecurity Clinic, School of Information |
| Chancellor’s Award for Community-Engaged Teaching | Glynda Hull | School of Education |
| Chancellor’s Award for Campus-Community Partnership | Berkeley/Oakland AileyCamp | Cal Performances |
| Chancellor’s Award for Campus-Community Partnership | Y-PLAN Richmond & WCCUSD | |
| Rosalie M. Stern Award | Shiree Teng | Alumna, Psychology and Social Welfare |
| The Cheng Zedler First Generation Scholar Award | Jennifer Lico | Political Science Major, Education Minor |
| Mather Good Citizen Award | Marlenne Perez | Social Welfare |
| Birgeneau Recognition Award for Service to Underrepresented Students | Shrida Pandey | Ethnic Studies, Public Health, and Society & Environment |
| Birgeneau Recognition Award for Service to Undocumented Communities | Sara Terán | Global Studies, Conservation & Resource Studies |
2025-2026 Birgeneau award recipient with Chancellor Richard K. Lyons and Robert J. Birgeneau, Chancellor Emeritus, and Mary Catherine Birgeneau