STARS Program (Student Training and Recognizing Success) 

Be recognized for the things you do! Whether it is a required step of the renewal process or your org going above and beyond, Student Involvement wants to recognize your successes!  

Student Training and Recognizing Success (STARS) is Student Involvement’s organization development program. The STARS Program (previously known as COMPASS) offers coaching, workshops, and recognizing things that you already do like attending Student Org Conference Night (SOCN) and hosting regular membership meetings, developing and growing your org, enhancing your individual professional skills, and promoting your org’s success! 

Are you in a specific type of org such as a fraternity or sorority, sports, engineering, or health club? Earn a specific star for successes related directly to your type of org! By joining our training program, your org will receive a higher ranking level, each of which comes with additional benefits and rewards. 

Earn points for STARS by attending these upcoming workshops! 

Ethical Leadership — Wed, Apr 1st @ 12:00–1:00pm, Union 381

Attend this workshop to understand the key principles of ethical leadership, reflect on personal leadership values and ethical dilemmas, and explore practical strategies for leading in ethically complex environments.

RSVP Here: https://cglink.me/2iq/r376157 

Spring into Fall: Prepare for Involvement Fair, Renewal, and Student Organization Conference Night  — Wed, Apr 8th @ 1:30– 2:30pm

Plan now for organization success early in the fall semester! This workshop will help your organization to prepare for success with major fall events and activities including Involvement Fair, Renewal Registration [required] and Student Organization Conference Night (SOCN) [required]. Be sure to have someone attend who will be with the organization next fall.
RSVP Here: https://cglink.me/2iq/r376161

Reach out to Student Involvement at 414-229-5780 or csidesk@uwm.edu with questions. 

Accreditation Form (fill out to get credit)
STARS Point Tracker
A wooden plaque with a polished finish is displayed outdoors among vibrant flowers, including purple and pink petunias and clusters of small lavender blooms. The plaque features a silver and black circular emblem at the top left with the letters “UWM” and a wave design, representing the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Below the emblem, a large gold plate reads: “University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, University Student Service Award.” Beneath this, multiple smaller gold plates are arranged in two columns, engraved with names and organizations recognized for the award. Some plates are blank, leaving space for future honorees. The plaque is surrounded by lush green foliage and colorful flowers, creating a celebratory and formal presentation.
leadership workshop

Getting Stuff Done

Learn the basics. Organizations can get credit for:

  • Completing the Annual Renewal Process
  • Adhering to required Dates and Deadlines
  • Completing Formal Officer Transitions using Passing the Torch online
  • Applying for SAC Grant funding
  • Attending Student Org Conference Night

Leadership Development

Invest in your leaders, elected or otherwise. Organizations can get credit for:

  • Hosting a workshop from a campus or community partner
  • Attending a professional conference related to your organization’s mission
  • Participating in Organization Officer training sessions or Executive Board training
  • Setting SMART goals every semester: Goal Setting Worksheet
  • Meeting with your organization liaison or advisor

Membership Experience

Transform your organization from just “something you did in college” into a powerful developmental experience worthy of your professional resume. Organizations can get credit for:

  • Hosting a large event (public or private)
  • Participating in Community Service or fundraising for a philanthropic cause
  • Hosting regular organization membership meetings
  • Participating in the Fall or Winter Involvement Fair
  • Completing True North DEI Self Audit for RSOs and meeting with your liaison to discuss your results
A group of approximately twenty people is standing and kneeling in rows inside a decorated event space. They are posing for a photo in front of a black backdrop adorned with gold and white star designs and text that reads “Student Stellar Awards.” The backdrop also features a mascot dressed in black with a gold accent, positioned near the center. Most individuals are holding small awards or trophies, indicating they are recipients. The setting has dark green curtains and bright lighting from the sides, creating a celebratory atmosphere. This image represents an award ceremony recognizing student achievements.

Benefits for Participating Organizations

For every checklist item that your organization completes each academic year, your organization can receive points. Complete a checklist item = get a point! Earn the appropriate amount of points listed for each star to rank higher. You must earn Star One before Star Two, and so on. A higher organization status = more rewards and benefits for your organization.

⭐ One Star Organizations stick to the basics. These are things that your org already does! Simply sign up for the STARS program to get points and credit for what you already do! You need 10 points from the following items to earn your first star! Organizations in this category:

⭐ ⭐ Two Star Organizations go beyond the basic requirements of an org. To qualify as a two star organization, you must already have star one. You need to earn 5 points from the following items to earn your second star: 

  • Participating in Organization Officer training sessions or Executive Board training (1 point per session)
  • Setting SMART goals every semester: Goal Setting Worksheet. Must submit in the accreditation form (1 point)
  • Meeting with your organization liaison or advisor (1 point)
  • Participating in the Fall Involvement Fair (1 point)
  • Participating in the Winter Involvement Fair (1 point)
  • Two days of independent tabling (1 point)
People are seated at round tables covered with black tablecloths in a large, well-lit event space with big windows in the background. Each table has gold and black decorations, including gold balloons tied to weights and printed programs or flyers. The attendees appear to be engaged in conversation or listening to something happening off-camera. The setting is part of the Student Stellar Awards, an event recognizing outstanding student achievements, with a celebratory atmosphere highlighted by the gold-themed decor.

⭐ ⭐⭐ Three Star Organizations are taking the next step further! Organizations in this category must have star one and star two already. You need to earn 5 points from the following items to earn your third star:

  • Hosting a workshop from a campus or community partner (1 point) 
  • Attending a professional conference related to your organization’s mission (2 points) 
  • Hosting a large event (public or private) (2 points) 

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Four Star Organizations go above and beyond working with community partners on and off campus. Organizations in this category must have star one, two, and three already. You need to earn 5 points from the following items to earn your fourth star: 

  • Participating in Community Service or fundraising for a philanthropic cause (1 point) 
  • Planning combined events with other orgs on campus (2 points) 
  • Engaging with other orgs on campus for a combined Community Service project  (2 points) 
  • Working with an academic department to research and improve life on campus (2 points) 

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Five Star Organizations come to Student Involvement with their own unique ideas for a custom star. This star could relate to the specific type of organization you are in, such as a sorority, health, engineering, or more. Organizations in this category must have star one, two, three, and four already. You need to earn 5 points from the following items to earn your fifth star: 

  • Complete an org type specific star (Greek life, health, sports, engineering, etc.) (points may vary) 
  • Complete a custom-made star that does not fall into the other categories (points may vary)
  • Attending leadership programs like Strengths for Students and Strengths for Officers (points may vary)
  • Participating in a “relief effort” for a specific natural disaster or another humanitarian crisis (points may vary)

Annual Accreditation and Incentives

Student Involvement is honoring student organizations that have completed requirements for ⭐ ⭐ two stars by the end of the Fall 2025 semester. Please see the list of incentives below for student orgs that are at the Two Star level by December 12th, 2025:

  • Tabling supplies: one plastic table frame 8.5×11, one plastic business card holder
  • Stickers: Student Involvement will coordinate the design and pay for the printing of 100 stickers for the organization (those who quality will submit requests to Student Involvement directly)
  • Winter Involvement Fair preferred placement
  • Drawing for t-shirt workshops: one organization from those who have two stars will be selected at random to have a t-shirt silk-screening session with the Student Arts and Crafts Center.

Every year in April, Student Involvement asks organizations to submit their Compass Annual Accreditation on Presence. The organization can submit items for accreditation at any time and multiple submissions are allowed. In order to verify your status for the following academic year and maintain access to your benefits, your organization must complete the Accreditation Form by April 18th.

A close-up view of several clear glass awards arranged in a neat row on a white table with a black ruffled edge. Each award is circular and mounted on a rectangular glass base. The engraved text on the awards reads “Student Excellence Awards” with categories such as “Service with Heart” and “Student Emerging Organization,” along with the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee logo. The background shows an event space with black and gold balloons and softly blurred tables and chairs, creating a festive atmosphere for the Student Excellence Awards ceremony.