Collaborative Program of the Year

Nominations are now open! Submit by November 20!

The Collaborative Program of the Year is awarded to creative programs which exemplify the positive outcomes of a collaboration within or between institutions. The award advances the value and credibility of the college union on campus, while improving communication, leadership, and campus partnerships.

2025 Recipient: UnWind Your Mind, University of Massachusetts–Lowell  

The UnWind Your Mind Campaign is a wellness initiative that supports students in unplugging and disconnecting from devices by placing phone boxes at student events and in the dining halls. This campaign involved partnering with six different departments. As a result of the campaign, more than 100 students have chosen to check-in their phone at various connection events, and students have shared that it helped them meet more people and focus on the other students that are at each event. 

Nominations are now open through November 20!

Nominate Now

Submission materials must include the following:

  1. Name, institution, and contact information of the primary contact for the program.
  2. Title of the program.
  3. A summary, up to two pages, of the program, addressing:
    • Description of the program, including goals and intended outcomes.
    • Description and inclusion of the evaluation methods in place for the program, including brief rationale for choosing stated methods.
    • Evidence that the program meets the criteria identified for this specific award.
  4. And one compiled packet of additional supporting documentation for the program, which could include photos, marketing samples, course materials, budget information, testimonials, etc. No page limit exists, but only the first 15 pages will be considered by the review committee.

The review process includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of these criteria:

  • Demonstrate excellence in campus programming.
  • Be a true collaboration between multiple organizations, with planning, implementation, and evaluation work divided among all partners.
  • Demonstrate the use of practices that exemplify outstanding creativity or introduce new approaches beyond what is standard.
  • Achieve its stated intended outcomes.

Due to the wide variety of programs that can be considered, a program does not need to meet every criterion.

All ACUI member institutions are eligible to apply for this award. For collaborative initiatives or partnerships, all institutions must be ACUI members. Eligible programs must:

  • Have taken place since the beginning of the previous academic year.
  • Serve as a model to other campuses for replication.
  • Achieve its stated program outcomes and objectives, with evaluation tools in place.
  • Agree to allow a summary of their accomplishments to be published.

Electronic notification will be sent to confirm submissions have been received. A confidential Campus Awards Committee, appointed annually by the ACUI president, will review materials to make the selection. One recipient will be chosen, unless otherwise noted for the specific award. One physical award will be given to the recipient, who will be recognized during the awards ceremony at the annual conference and in subsequent publications.

  • 2024: #IWillListen Mental Health Awareness Week, Morgan State University
  • 2023: Career Clothing Giveaway, University of Akron
  • 2022: Islander Beach Bash at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
  • 2021: QuadFox 5k – University of Rochester
  • 2020: Juneteeth Celebration – University of Texas–San Antonio
  • 2019: What it Means to be a Redbird – Illinois State University
  • 2018: Family Graduation Celebration – Texas Woman’s University
  • 2017: MyUH, MyHouston – University of Houston
  • 2016: Experience Tallahassee Festival – Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College
  • 2015: The Bro Code – University of South Alabama
  • 2014: Major Declaration Celebration – University of Rochester
  • 2013: Packapalooza – North Carolina State University
  • 2012: ACT (Achieving Community Together) Campaign – Texas State University
  • 2011: CONNECT: High-Risk Drinking Prevention Program – The College at Brockport
  • 2010: Stand Up for One Another – SUNY–Geneseo
  • 2009: Study Union – University of Central Florida
  • 2008: HumorFest – East Carolina University