Recognizing students who demonstrate inspiring leadership qualities through civic and community engagement

Campus Compact’s Student Leadership Awards recognize students who demonstrate inspiring leadership qualities through civic and community engagement. Students who receive the award are leading change on their campuses and in their communities and inspiring their peers to do the same.

Recipients may be serving in leadership roles on their campus, creating impactful programs in their communities, or collaborating with faculty on community-based research. Each year Campus Compact recognizes one undergraduate student from a four-year college, one undergraduate student from a community college, and one graduate student.

How to apply

Nominate a student (new for 2024!)

Do you know of a student who deserves recognition for their leadership in 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 student for consideration and offer a testimonial describing why they are deserving of the award. Nominees will be notified of their selection and encouraged to complete the full application to be considered for the award.

Complete a nomination form for the Student Leadership Awards →
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, students who wish to be considered for the award must complete the full application to be eligible for consideration.

Start an application for the Student Leadership Awards →
Applications are due October 31, 2024

Eligibility

The applicant must:

  • Be affiliated with a Campus Compact member institution
  • Be enrolled as a undergraduate or graduate student at the time of nomination

Additional details

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Selection Criteria
  1. Strength of leadership on campus or community impact
  2. Proven ability to overcome and learn from adversity
  3. Level of commitment to integrating lessons from this work in the future
  4. Degree of involvement in civic and community engagement
  5. Level of investment and belief from campus partners 
Application requirements

Application

  • Personal information
  • Short bio
  • Headshot

 

Essays (750 words maximum for each)

  • Tell a story about how your leadership contributed to change on your campus or in your community. Please provide any qualitative or quantitative evidence you collected that demonstrates your impact. 
  • Describe a challenge or issue you have faced in your community engagement work (personal, organizational, systemic, etc.). How did you address the challenge, what have you learned from the process, and how will you integrate those lessons moving forward?
  • Convey how your civic and community engagement work has shaped you as a civic leader and will contribute to your personal or professional goals long-term. 

Supplemental Materials

  • Please upload a letter of support from a faculty or staff member who is familiar with your work.
  • Please upload a resume or list your most updated leadership experience in civic and community engagement.
Timeline

For the 2025 Student Leadership Awards:

  • 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

Apply for an Award or Nominate Someone Today!

This year, we’re excited to offer new ways to recognize exceptional civic and community engagement. If you know someone who deserves an award, submit a nomination form by October 1, 2024, to recommend them and share why they should be recognized. Nominees will be notified and encouraged to apply. Interested in applying yourself? Applications are due by October 31, 2024!