Region IV Awards

ACUI Region IV recognizes that during these unprecedented times our work environment has taken on a different form.

For many, we seek to find the positivity in our “new normal” as we look to what the future may bring. In that light the Regional Leadership Team would like to provide you and your colleagues the opportunity to open your minds to the positive aspects of the work we do and consider submitting a regional award for individuals, programs, and events which have made a significant impact on your campus community and student success.  

We have so much to be thankful for as members of the higher education community. While you navigate remote work and reintegration back to your campuses, pause for a few moments to review the regional awards and criteria below. We are certain will find many people and programs to celebrate, nominate and honor.   

Award nominations remain open until May 31, 2023.

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Community College Professional Service Award

The ACUI Region IV Community College Professional Service Award honors an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement in the field of student activities or college union management at a community college.

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ELIGIBILITY

Nominees must:

  • Be employed by an ACUI two-year college in student activities or the college union field
  • Be dedicated to the ideals of ACUI two-year colleges
  • Be involved in two-year college issues at the college, regional, or international levels
  • Exemplify standards of professional integrity and conduct
  • Be held in esteem by two-year colleagues and peers
  • Have provided significant and valuable leadership to the local college union or student activities field and ACUI
CRITERIA

The review process includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the criteria listed below.

  • Exceptional achievement in student activities or college union management at a two-year college
  • Demonstrated excellence in the enhancement of the college union ideal
  • Exceptional service to ACUI
NOMINATION INFORMATION

A letter of support outlining the following:

  • Achievement of nominee in the student activities or college union field at a two-year college
  • Demonstrated commitment to the ideals of ACUI
  • Demonstrated commitment to community college issues at the college, regional, or international level
  • Exemplification of professional integrity standards and conduct within ACUI
  • Demonstrated leadership to the community college community and to ACUI
Excellence in Student Training Programs Award
This award recognizes individuals, organizations, or institutions in Region IV that have demonstrated innovative approaches, commitment, and intelligence toward training student employees on their campuses. Winning employee training programs will have shown evidence of improved performance, gains in student skills and capabilities, boosted motivation, and progress toward organizational objectives.

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Eligibility

Any individual, campus organization, or institution that is an ACUI member is eligible to apply for this award. For collaborative initiatives or partnerships, all institutions must be ACUI members.

Eligible projects must:

  • Have been initiated within the past three years
  • Be submitted by an applicant/nominator who is in good standing with ACUI
  • Be submitted by an applicant who agrees to allow a summary of their accomplishments to be published
Criteria

The review process includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the criteria listed below. Due to the wide variety of programs that can be considered, a program does not need to meet each and every criterion.

  • Does the program demonstrate the use of practices that exemplify outstanding creativity or introduce new approaches?
  • Does the applicant clearly demonstrate leadership in the field and practices beyond what is standard?
  • How complete and well-designed is the program from a learning standpoint? Is the program delivery effective? Are evaluation tools in place?
  • Does it result in significant and measurable benefits to participants and the organization?
  • How is the program novel? What new techniques or benefits does it offer?
  • Did the program realize its objectives? For example, were students retained or promoted because of increased motivation and skills?
  • Does the program lend itself to replication on other campuses?
NOMINATION INFORMATION

A two-page summary of the project, addressing:

  • The overall plan of the training program as well as its purpose, scope, and intended audience
  • Why it was undertaken
  • What stakeholders were involved and who should be credited with the project
  • Any costs related to the project and any creative financing techniques
  • Why it is innovative
  • Tangible benefits of the project
  • How effective the program was

In a separate document, you may also include information such as sample course materials, curriculum, evaluations, photos, maps, budgets, diagrams, links to videos, press clips, letters, etc. that directly support the project.

NOTE: Please scan all additional materials into one (1) pdf document to submit.

Moonen-Solbach Award

The Moonen-Solbach Award recognizes significant leadership, volunteer service, and commitment to student development. Originally presented separately as the Pat Moonen Outstanding Service Award (Region 13) and the Vern Solbach Award (Region 14), this award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to the region while reflecting the mission and goals of ACUI.

The Pat Moonen Service Award was established to recognize Union professionals who best exemplified Pat's dedication and motivation to students and staff, and to recognize those who provided outstanding support to ACUI Region 13.

The Vern Solbach Award was established in 1998 to recognize individuals who had made significant contributions to ACUI Region 14. The award honored the thirty-seven years of service made by Vern Solbach to the college union and student activities field and his more than thirty years of service to ACUI at the regional and international levels.

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Criteria

The nominee:

  • Has served Region IV for a minimum of one year
    Has made a significant contribution to Region IV(or any former regions now part of Region IV), while reflecting the mission and goals of ACUI
Nomination Process
  • Nomination may be submitted by individual staff or students who have individual membership or are associated with a member institution within Region IV
  • Self-nominations are accepted
  • Nominations will carry over for one-year if nominee does not receive the award.

A nomination letter should include:

  • How long and in what capacity nominator has known the nominee?
  • Why should this individual receive the Moonen-Solbach Service Award?
  • How has the nominee contributed to Region IV (or former regions now part of Region IV)? Please be specific and share examples.
  • In what other ways has the nominee furthered the growth and goals of Region IV (or former regions now part of Region IV)?
A letter of recommendation is recommended. Letters may be written by another colleague, a supervisor, co-worker, or anyone familiar with the nominee’s involvement in ACUI Region IV (or former regions now part of Region IV). If you are submitting more than one (1) letter, please scan all letters into one (1) pdf document to submit below.
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award

This award is given to an outstanding undergraduate student at a member institution of Region IV who has shown dedicated work ethic in the student union/student activities field. The nominated individual will have demonstrated significant contributions to their home campus and serve as a role model for fellow peers and students, in addition to exemplifying the core values of the Association in their work and studies.

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Process for Nomination

Nomination letter should include:

  • How long and in what capacity nominator has known the nominee
  • Why this individual should receive the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
  • Outline of leadership and/or employment success, campus contributions, and other items related to award criteria

Letters of recommendation are recommended, but not required, in addition to the nomination letter, provided it addressed criteria, history of employment, and any other honors and awards. If you are submitting more than one (1) letter, please scan all letters into one (1) pdf document to submit.

Rodie Keintz New Professional Award

This Rodie Keintz New Professional Award is presented to an individual who demonstrates the potential, and commitment for excellence in the field of college unions and student activities. 

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AWARD CRITERIA

The nominee:

  • Makes a significant contribution to campus life at their institution
  • Demonstrates commitment to the college union or student activities field
  • Is viewed by colleagues as an educator
  • Displays genuine support and regard for students
  • Has been employed as a current full-time professional staff member of an ACUI member institution in the field for five years or less (not less than nine months a year)
NOMINATION Process
 A nomination letter letter that includes:
  • How long and in what capacity nominator has known the nominee
  • Why this individual should receive the Rodie Keintz New Professional Award
  • Outline of leadership and/or employment success, campus contributions, and other items related to award criteria

A letter of recommendation is not required in addition to the nomination letter provided it addressed selection criteria, history of employment, and any other honors and awards. 

Rodie-Keintz Outstanding Staff Mentor Award

This Rodie-Keintz Staff Mentor Award is presented to an individual who’s worked to mentor and develop new professionals in the field of college unions and student activities.

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AWARD CRITERIA

The nominee:

  • Makes a significant contribution to campus life at their institution
  • Demonstrates commitment to the college union or student activities field
  • Is viewed by colleagues as an educator
  • Displays genuine support and regard for students and staff
  • Has been employed as a current full-time professional staff member of an ACUI member institution
  • Has a demonstrated record of mentoring and developing new student staff, paraprofessional staff, and/or new professional staff within the college union field.

NOMINATION Process
 

A nomination letter letter that includes

  • How long and in what capacity nominator has known the nominee
  • Why this individual should receive the Rodie Keintz Outstanding Staff Mentor Award
  • Outline of leadership and/or employment success, campus contributions, and other items related to award criteria

A letter of recommendation is not required in addition to the nomination letter provided it addressed selection criteria, history of employment, and any other honors and awards. If you are submitting more than one (1) letter, please scan all letters into one (1) pdf document to submit below.

Student-Driven Program of the Year Award
The ACUI Region IV Student-Driven Program of the Year Award was established to recognize the impact of programming on student learning and to celebrate the achievements of students charged with programming on their campus. This award is given to a program that is created and implemented by students that represents standards of excellence and innovation in campus programming. Students may be advised by professional staff, but planning and implementation must be executed primarily by students.

 

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Eligibility

Any individual, campus organization, or institution that is an ACUI member is eligible to apply for this award. Nominated program must meet the following minimum standards:

  • Have been created and implemented by student staff
  • Have occurred on the campus of an ACUI member institution
  • Have taken place since July 2016
Criteria

The review process includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the criteria listed below. Due to the wide variety of programs that can be considered, a program does not need to meet every criterion.

  • Demonstrated excellence in campus programming
  • Innovation and uniqueness
  • Achievement of stated program outcomes
  • Ability to be replicated at other campuses
NOMINATION INFORMATION

A summary of the program, addressing:

  • Title and description of the program (including intended programmatic outcomes)
  • Program budget and identified funding sources
  • Evidence of achievement of goals through program evaluations
  • Supporting documentation of program. This could include photos, links to videos, marketing samples, etc. that directly support the program

NOTE: Please scan all additional materials into one (1) pdf document to submit.

Staff-Driven Program of the Year Award
The ACUI Region IV Staff-Driven Program of the Year Award was established to recognize the impact of programming on student learning and to celebrate the achievements of staff charged with programming on their campus. This award is given to a program that is created and implemented by professional staff and that represents standards of excellence and innovation in campus programming.

 

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Eligibility

Any individual, campus organization, or institution that is an ACUI member is eligible to apply for this award. Nominated program must meet the following minimum standards:

  • Have been created and implemented by professional staff
  • Have occurred on the campus of an ACUI member institution
  • Have taken place since July 2016
     
Criteria

The review process includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the criteria listed below. Due to the wide variety of programs that can be considered, a program does not need to meet every criterion.

  • Demonstrated excellence in campus programming
  • Innovation and uniqueness
  • Achievement of stated program outcomes
  • Demonstrated collaboration between union professionals and colleagues from  outside the union, to include other campus departments, divisions and associations
  • Ability to be replicated at other campuses

 

NOMINATION INFORMATION

A nomination letter summarizing the program, addressing:

  • Title and description of the program (including intended programmatic outcomes)
  • Program budget and identified funding sources
  • Evidence of achievement of goals through program evaluations
  • Any Supporting documentation of program. This could include photos, links to videos, marketing samples, etc. that directly support the program

 

NOTE: Please scan all additional information into one (1) pdf document to submit.

Excellence in Innovations for Sustainability Award
This award recognizes Region IV members who are solving environmental challenges by using innovative and environmentally sustainable practices or creative partnerships. The award is designed to encourage and reward innovation involved in the creation and application of sustainability outcomes, which may include the discovery of new knowledge, a new product, or service. The innovation should take the form of a significant and novel sustainability advantage, which has the potential to deliver major benefits to the community, such as educational, environmental, health, industrial, technological, and social benefits.

 

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Eligibility

Any individual, institution, organization, or company that is an ACUI member is eligible to apply for this award. For collaborative initiatives or partnerships, at least half of the applicants (and all institutions) must be ACUI members. Eligible projects must:

  • Have been initiated or (substantially adjusted) sometime after August 2017
  • Be submitted by an applicant who is in good standing with ACUI
  • Be submitted by an applicant who agrees to allow a summary of their accomplishments to be published
Criteria

The review process includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the criteria listed below. Due to the wide variety of projects that can be considered, a project does not need to meet each and every criterion.

  • Does the project demonstrate the use of practices that exemplify outstanding creativity or introduce new approaches?
  • Does the applicant clearly demonstrate leadership in the field and practices beyond what is standard?
  • Is the project environmentally sound and/or economically feasible? Does it result in a significant and measurable environmental benefit?
  • Does the stewardship project improve, protect, or make a significant contribution to the sustainable use of natural resources or provide a better quality of life in balance with the natural environment? For example, does a project protect water and/or air quality; reduce green house gases; protect or enhance scenic, historic, or cultural resources; protect sensitive habitats; or help maintain resource-based business?
  • How is the project novel? What new techniques or benefits does it offer?
  • Does the project clearly demonstrate the applicant’s commitment to environmental excellence and leadership in protecting the environment or providing stewardship of natural resources and ecosystems?
  • Does the project lend itself to replication by others performing similar work?
NOMINATION INFORMATION

A nomination letter summarizing the project, addressing:

  • Why it was undertaken
  • What stakeholders were involved and who should be credited with the project
  • Any costs related to the project and any creative financing techniques
  • Why it is innovative
  • Tangible benefits of the project
  • How the project improved the quality, quantity, sustainability or stewardship of natural resources
  • Include photos, maps, diagrams, links to videos, press clips, letters, etc. that directly support the project

Please scan all materials into one (1) pdf document to submit.