Region IV Awards & Scholarships

Region IV Awards

The application deadline for the awards has passed and will reopen in advance of the 2024 Regional Conference.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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?

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.

Nominees 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.

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.

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 INFORMATION

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.

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.

NOMINATION INFORMATION

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.

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.

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 INFORMATION

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.

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.

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

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 materials into one (1) pdf document to submit.

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

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.

Region IV Scholarships

Region IV offers scholarships that help advance professionals and students through participation in educational events. Region VI is not currently accepting applications for any scholarships.

Every year, Region IV selects a number of students, whether undergraduate or graduate, for a scholarship to attend the Institute for Leadership Education and Development (I-LEAD®), ACUI’s premier student program. Applicants are required to submit an essay and at least one letter of support. Additionally, the applicant must acknowledge that fees not covered by program registration (travel/transportation) are at cost to the host institution or individual.

The money will reimburse your registration fees and provide support for travel and hotel cost. More information coming soon about applications and deadlines.