Purpose

The Excellence in Student Community Engagement Award recognizes an individual student or group of students for an exemplary student-led community-engaged program or project. 

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Eligibility

Open to all undergraduate, graduate, or professional students from any higher education institutions (2- and 4-year, public,or private).

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Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on documented evidence of the following criteria: 

• Student-led program is well defined, including target community that it serves, history of the program, goals, and objectives.
• Role of key community partners is defined, including the community partner’s role in the co-design, implementation, management, and evaluation of the program or project.
• Evidence of how the program is meeting an expressed need in the community, including how the need was identified.
• Discussion of how the program or project aligns with the student’s or student group’s current or future interests and goals.

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Submission Packet

The submission should include documentation :

• Program Description (500 words): Describe the student-led program including target community that it serves, history of the program, goals, and objectives. (500 words)
• Participating Partners (400 words): Identify the key community partners, including their role in the co-design, implementation, management, and evaluation of the program or project.
• Program Relevance (400 words): Provide evidence that the program is meeting an expressed need in the community.
• Student Interest (400 words): Describe how the program or project aligns with the students’ current or future interests and goals.

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Submission Deadline and Recognition Process

Nominations for 2024 recognitions are due by March 29, 2024, and are to be submitted electronically via the ESC online portal.

Materials are reviewed by a selection committee identified by the ESC Awards Committee Chair. The ESC Awards Committee and Board receive and approve committee recommendations. All nominees will be notified of their status in May 2024.

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Annual Award

$1,000; plaque; one conference registration fee waived