Awards and Recognition

The GW President’s Service Award recognizes GW students, faculty, and staff for public service in their communities. Students who complete and record at least 100 hours of service during a calendar year will be eligible for a silver service cord to wear at Commencement and digital certification.
 

Hours completed between April 20, 2025 and April 19, 2026 will be eligible for the 25/26 award year. All hours must be recorded in the GWServes platform by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, April 19, 2026 and all award recipients will be notified by the end of April!

Frequently Asked Questions

What service counts towards the award?

Service hours can consist of hours completed through any of the six Pathways of Public Service and Civic Engagement: direct service, social innovation projects, community engaged learning/research, community organizing, policy and governance work, and philanthropy. Hours do not have to be completed through GW or in DC to count for award hours.

Eligible service does not include donating funds, conducting worship service, religious instruction, proselytizing, serving only family members, and partisan political lobbying, campaigning, or efforts to directly influence an election (non-partisan voter registration is eligible service).

Students can record service hours completed as part of a course, Federal Work-Study service role, student organization service, volunteering, and internships (paid or unpaid) with nonprofits or public agencies including government internships. Faculty and staff can record service to the university beyond their work role, or to the larger community as a coach, mentor, board member or in other volunteer capacities. If you are unsure whether your service hours count towards the award please email gwservesgwu [dot] edu. If you need support recording your hours in GWServes, check out our tutorials!

Can my service count if it was mandatory for a course or a student organization?

Yes, required service hours are eligible for the service award. 

Can I retroactively add my service hours?

You can retroactively add service hours for this service calendar year up until the deadline, although we encourage you to record service as you are completing it. We cannot retroactively grant awards from previous years.

I completed my 100 hours, now what?

We will process all awards after the April 19, 2026 deadline. We encourage you to ensure your hours are verified by your community partner in GWServes and that your impacts in GWServes are not set to private.

Do all 100 hours have to be with the same organization?

No, students can serve with multiple organizations to reach 100 hours.

Can service I did independently count?

Yes, service does not need to be completed in DC or through a GW course/organization/program to count for the service award.

I got the PVSA in previous years, how can I get my silver cord?

During the months of April and May, you can come to the Nashman Center front desk to pick up your silver cord. You are eligible for a silver cord if you have received a PVSA or a GW President’s Service Award any year during your time at GW. We are open 9am - 5pm Monday through Friday and located at 2300 H St NW on the 4th Floor.