Recognizing outstanding higher education programs and initiatives that make meaningful impact by partnering with communities to address complex social issues
Campus Compact’s Excellence in Community-Engaged Partnerships Award recognizes outstanding programs and initiatives that demonstrate meaningful partnership with communities to to address complex social issues and further equity, justice, and prosperity for all. Programs that receive the award exemplify core the principles of effective civic and community engagement—reciprocity, collaboration, transdisciplinarity, and sustainability—and address specific social issues, such as public health, violence prevention, economic development, K-12 education, climate change, or houselessness.
How to apply
Nominate a program (new for 2024!)
Do you know of a program that deserves recognition for its deep impact on campus civic and community engagement efforts? We encourage you to nominate a candidate for this award. The nomination form will allow you to submit a program for consideration and offer a testimonial describing why it is deserving of the award. Key contacts from the programs nominated will be notified of their selection and encouraged to complete the full application to be considered for the award.
Submit a nomination for the Excellence in Community-Engaged Partnerships Award →
Nominations are due October 14, 2024
Apply for the award
We strongly encourage individuals to apply for the award directly! Whether or not you are nominated for the award, representatives of any program you wish to be considered for the award must complete the full application to be eligible for consideration.
Start an application for the Excellence in Community-Engaged Partnerships Award →
Applications are due October 31, 2024
Eligibility
Partnerships can be led by a team or an individual. The applicant must:
- Be affiliated with a Campus Compact member institution
- Complete the full application and provide materials that demonstrate a substantive impact
Additional details
Selection Criteria
- Degree of engagement with an established community partner centered on reciprocity
- Level of community voice in decision making
- Breadth and depth of program outcomes/impacts
- Integration of engagement principles that center accessibility and inclusion
- Durability of long-term sustainability plan
Application requirements
- Program title
- Program abstract
- Applicant information
- Additional team members information
- Program description, including:
- Program goals
- Team member roles
- Timeline
- Outcomes/impacts
- Sustainability plan
- Description of community partnership
- How was the relationship initiated?
- How was the need for the program/project identified?
- In what ways will the relationship continue?
- Community partner letter of support
- Up to three additional supporting materials (publicity, recognition, promotion, photos, scholarly products, etc.)
Timeline
For the 2025 Excellence in Civic & Community Engagement Programming Award:
- The online application form will open in August 2024
- The application deadline will be October 31, 2024
- The 2024 recipients will be notified in December 2024
- Public announcement: January 2025
- Recognition: at Compact25, March 31 - April 2, 2025