Each year we invite our member campuses to recognize special achievements on campus and in the community with our annual awards. The 2025 awards celebration was held on Friday, April 11th in the Kay Fredericks Room in the Klas Center at Hamline University in St. Paul.
This year’s awards
Schedule and tickets
- 1:00 pm – Check-in & awards sponsors open house
- 2:00 pm – Presentation of awards (snacks and refreshments will be offered)
- 3:00 pm – Keynote speaker
- 3:30 pm – Meet the awardees
Individual tickets ($15) and group tickets ($100 for a table of 8) will be available for purchase. Awardees can attend for free.
What awards are offered?
In preserving traditions from our foundational network, two types of awards are offered each year, the Presidents’ Awards, and the Engaged Campus Awards.
Presidents’ Awards
Presidents’ Awards recognize outstanding contributions in civic and community engagement by students, faculty, staff, collaborative teams, and community organizations. Every member campus is invited to designate awardees to be recognized at the event.
- The Presidents’ Student Leadership Award recognizes an individual student or a student organization that models a deep commitment to civic responsibility and leadership, evidenced by initiative, innovative and collaborative approaches to addressing public issues, effective community building, and integration of civic engagement into the college experience.
- The Presidents’ Civic Engagement Leadership Award recognizes a member of the faculty, administration, or staff or for a group (e.g., advisory committee, task force, project team) that has significantly advanced their campus’ distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting others’ civic and community engagement, and working to institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement.
- The Presidents’ Community Partner Award recognizes a community-based partner or organization that has enhanced the quality of life in the community in meaningful and measurable ways and has engaged in the development of sustained, reciprocal partnerships with the college or university, thus enriching educational as well as community outcomes.
Engaged Campus Awards
Engaged Campus Awards recognize great projects, partnerships, and programs related to civic and community engagement. A selection committee reviews nominations made by members and selects award winners to be recognized at the event.
- The Alumni Leadership Award recognizes an alum from a member institution making strong contributions to their community and demonstrating the values of the civic mission of higher education.
- The Community Collaboration Award recognizes a collaboration co-created with community organizations, leaders, and/or partners that is deep, reciprocal, and transformational.
- The Emerging Innovation Award recognizes a recent project, program, or initiative making unique and innovative contributions that demonstrate strong future potential, including student-led projects.
How do I nominate an individual or group for an award?
Only one form should be submitted for each member campus. Each campus can decide how to coordinate their local award selection process. Our staff is available for questions and to discuss best options for organizing your campus’ submission.
Be sure to subscribe to our e-newsletter for notifications of when nominations open and important deadline updates. Please contact Kara Trebil-Smith with any questions.
- November 15 – nominations open
- February 28 – nominations due
- March 14 – awardees selected by review committee
- April 11 – awards celebration at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN
Communication will go out to all Presidents’ awardees confirming their award, with the nominator included. Engaged Campus awardees will be notified, along with their nominating campus, once they are selected.
Previous Award Winners
2024 Engaged Campus Award Winners
Access our past awards programs to see previous winners.
Further Questions
Questions about the awards process and event? Contact Kara Trebil-Smith.
