Annual Awards

Each year we invite our member campuses to recognize special achievements on campus and in their communities with the Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact Awards. In preserving traditions in both states in our network, two types of awards are offered:

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.

Engaged Campus Awards recognize great projects, partnerships, and programs related to civic and community engagement. A selection committee reviews nominations and selects award winners to be recognized at the event.

Purchase Awards Event Tickets

Event Details

The 2024 awards celebration will be on Friday, April 19th in the Kagin Ballroom at Macalester College in St. Paul.

Tickets
Individual tickets ($15) and group tickets ($100 for a table of 8) are available for purchase until April 1. Awardees attend for free and will receive an email with a link to RSVP.

Map and Parking
Here is a campus map that includes parking options. The most convenient lot (most likely to be open) is West 2 lot, but it does require a bit of a walk. Any lots are okay to park in. There is also street parking on Grand and Summit.

If you need accessible parking, access to a lactation room, or any other accommodations for the event, please reach out to Kara at ktrebilsmith@compact.org so we can connect you with our hosts at Macalester.

Agenda

      • 1:30 pm – Doors open
      • 2:00 pm – Presentation of awards (snacks and refreshments will be offered)
      • 3:00 pm – Keynote speaker
      • 3:30 pm – Meet the awardees

Following the awards event, we invite members of our network to join us at the Macalester College Alumni House as we celebrate the transition from Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact to our new organizational identity. This event is free, but please RSVP if you plan to attend. We hope you can make it!

      • 4:00-5:00pm – Launch party celebrating our new organizational identity

Award Categories: Presidents' Leadership Awards

Presidents from each member campus are invited to designate an individual or group for each of the following categories. ALL nominees will be recognized at the celebration for their accomplishments.

  • 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 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.

Award Categories: Engaged Campus Awards

Member campuses are invited to submit nominations for each of the following categories. The nominees may be an individual or a group. A selection committee will review and choose one awardee and one honorable mention per category who will be recognized at the event.

  • The Engaged Campus Award for Alumni Leadership 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 Engaged Campus Award for Community Collaboration recognizes a collaboration co-created with community organizations, leaders, and/or partners that is deep, reciprocal, and transformational.
  • The Engaged Campus Award for Emerging Innovation recognizes a recent project, program, or initiative making unique and innovative contributions that demonstrate strong future potential, including student-led projects.

Awards Timeline

Awards for the 2023-2024 academic year will follow this timeline:

  • December 12 – nominations open
  • March 1 – nominations due
  • March 22 – awardees selected by review committee; communication shared with member campuses & awardees directly
  • April 19 – awards celebration at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN

Past Awardees