Steal this Idea is ACUI’s annual marketing and graphic design competition. Professionals and students from around the world compete for top honors while inspiring colleagues through their innovative marketing solutions and design.
2025 best in show: University of Wisconsin–Madison; Sunburst Sparklers (Promotional campaign)
“In an effort to continue expanding our Wisconsin Union branded beverage selection, we created a line of caffeinated sparkling waters. Our goal was to provide students and others with an energy drink option that is locally made and natural. Working with a local craft brewery, Karbon4, we developed 4 unique flavors: Cherry Sublime, Flamango Tango, Poppin’ Peach Punch, and Berry Burst, each developed and tested over the course of several months to find the perfect flavor combinations. So far, these beverages have been very popular with students, and we are even expanding the flavor selection with two new flavors coming in the near future.”
Submission materials include a description of the project and the opportunity to upload examples of the work. Each entry must be listed in a designated category; entries can only be submitted into one category. A campus may submit as many entries into a given category as desired. The submission deadline is January 9!
Categories
- Brochures
- Calendars/schedules
- Cards/invitations
- Digital campaign
- Interior/wall art
- Logo/brand identity
- Miscellaneous
- Multi-page publications
- Posters
- Promotional campaigns
- Promotional products
- Signs/banners
- Social media campaign
- T-shirts
- Video and animation
- Website
An entry fee is required for all entries and must be paid prior to judging. The fee will be $60 for the first entry from an institution, then $50 for each additional entry.
Steal this Idea is open to any professional or student working within college unions and student activities at an ACUI member institution. Submitted entries must have been created within the calendar year.
ACUI selects judges from across the United States to determine the first place through honorable mention in each category. Criteria includes concept, design, editorial content, effectiveness, and originality. Best in Show is chosen from the first place winners in all categories. Winning entries are featured in The Bulletin and published online. Best in Show is announced during The Honors at the Annual Conference.
Thank you to ALL the participants of the 2025 ACUI Steal this Idea competition for your incredible creativity—with well over 300 submissions across all categories, the judges faced a tough challenge in selecting this year’s winners!
2025 Steal this Idea Winners
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: University of Houston; Recovery RoadMap Brochure; Miguel Gutierrez
- Second Place: California State University, Sacramento; Visiting Artists; Juancarlos Sanchez
STUDENT
- First Place: University of California, San Diego; First Friday – King Triton and Friends Game Card; Mellicent “Mellie” Cabanes
- Second Place: California State University, Los Angeles; Games Room Brochure; Steven Phan
- Third Place: California State University, Sacramento; Visiting Artists (Fall 2024); Phong Tran
- Honorable Mention: Indiana University Indianapolis; Strategic Priorities Booklet; Mary Raikos
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: California State University, Sacramento; Intramurals Flyers; Dryden Nagtalon
- Second Place: University of Illinois Chicago; Student Activities Board Fall Calendar; Bansri Thakkar, UIC Creative & Digital Services
- Third Place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte; CAB Calendars; Denis Vargas
- Honorable Mention: Oklahoma State University; Student Union Activities Board Calendar Graphics; Kailey Bookout
STUDENT
- First Place: University of North Texas; UPC 2024 Spring Calendar; Jazmine Garcia, Makayla Sanchez, Felicia Tshimanga, Julian Quiroz
- Second Place: University of West Florida; Campus Activity Board Fall 2024 Schedule Materials; Lalita Estrada, Olivia Ashcraft
- Third Place: Marquette University; January Calendar; RJ Siano
- Honorable Mention: California State University, Fullerton; Brush and Bliss; JoAnn Do-On
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: California State University, Northridge; Flip Club; James Matzen, Analisa Venolia, Malahat Zhobin
- Second Place: University of Iowa; President’s Holiday Card; Erin Fitzgerald, Kate Doolittle, Teagan Perrin, Ben Lewis
- Third Place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life — National Panhellenic Council Postcard; Benjamin Moten
STUDENT
- First Place: California State University, Northridge; Aroma Blending; Lindsey Ramirez, Teagan Davidge, Gabbie Puzon
- Second Place: Oklahoma State University; CowboyCon Invite; Victoria Ling
- Third Place: California State University, Sacramento; Hayez Nooner; Mariia Vysotska
- Honorable Mention: California State University, Los Angeles; Pride Grad Program Card; Brenda Aguirre
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte; CAPS — The Pregame; Benjamin Moten
- Second Place: Oklahoma State University; University Store 7 Days of Holiday Deals; Megan Germundson
STUDENT
- First Place: Rochester Institute of Technology; RIT CAB: FreezeFest 2024 Digital Campaign; Tom Catalano, Tia Wilson, Alyssa Ly, Yichen Wu, Troy Ramiscal, Alexis Mildren, Figo Wang
- Second Place: San Jose State University; Level Up at A.S. Open House; Thanh Van Doan
- Third Place: Northwestern University; Purple Pantry Digital Campaign; Amira Grace
- Honorable Mention: University of Vermont; Fright Week; Cat Spagnola
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: Case Western Reserve University; Eldred Hall Graphic Wall; Kristin Urig, JohnPatrick O’Hagan, Samantha Grusell
- Second Place: California State University, Fullerton; Titan Outdoor Adventure Wall Wrap; Mike Greenlee
- Third Place: University of Iowa; Food Pantry and Clothing Closet at Iowa Space Design; Erin Fitzgerald, Meghan Kincade, Teagan Perrin
- Honorable Mention: Dublin City University; The Quiet Space | An Spás Ciúin; Megan O’Kane, Ciara Hampsey, Podge Sheehan, Jamie Mangan
STUDENT
- First Place: University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point; DUC Iris Window; April Greider
- Second Place: University of Wisconsin–Stout; Native American Tribal Panels; Kiara Malloy-Salgado
- Third Place: California State University, Los Angeles; We Are LA City Map; Steven Phan
- Honorable Mention: University of Houston; Games Room Ping Pong Wall Graphics; Madison Galvez
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: University of Iowa; Old Gold Creamery Logo; Caitlin Dyer
- Second Place: University of Iowa; MISSE Brand; José Recendez, Erin Fitzgerald, Gracie Schneider
- Third Place: University of Iowa; Hawkeye Community Rowing Logo; Joshua Brdicko
- Honorable Mention: University of California, San Diego; Mystery Shopper Program; Micaela Stone, Armando Abundis, Amanda Marples, Michelle Escudero, Amber Chia, Imogen Yang
STUDENT
- First Place: University of North Texas; UNT Union Arts Center; Lee McClain
- Second Place: California State University, Fullerton; Camp Titan Logo; Liza Orlina
- Third Place: Rochester Institute of Technology; RIT CAB: Eclipse Fest; Remy Wilkins
- Honorable Mention: University of North Texas; UNT Boo Bash Logo; Vincent Boyd
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: Minnesota State University, Mankato; “Sittin’ with Stomper” Bronze Statue; Commissioned by the Centennial Student Union, Mark Constantine, Lenny Koupal, Brodin Studios, Nick Christensen
- Second Place: University of Iowa; Harold Bradley Exhibit Design; Meghan Kincade, Erin Fitzgerald, Teagan Perrin
- Third Place: Oklahoma State University; Central Market Place Grand Opening; Amanda Hamlett
- Honorable Mention: Northwestern University; SOA Passport Program: Bringing the Chicago Experience to Northwestern Students; Ray Elliott
STUDENT
- First Place: Rochester Institute of Technology; FreezeFest 2024 Ice Sculpture; Tom Catalano
- Second Place: Colorado State University; Aggie Appetite Menu; Lauren Harris, Brycen Van Tassel
- Third Place: California State University, Sacramento; Sticker of the Month; Melody Lugo
- Honorable Mention: Oregon State University; OSU Memorial Union Activities Team Sticker Project; Izzi Fashing
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: San Jose State University; Unyielding Momentum: Celebrating Successes, Continuing the Fight; Annika Magbanua, Thanh Van Doan, Jocelynne Malta-Diaz, Roby Santos, Dane Paul Andres
- Second Place: Coastal Carolina University; University Belonging and Student Affairs Impact Report; Joshua Quinn
- Third Place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Charlotte SGA Alumni Newsletter Spring 2024; Denis Vargas
- Honorable Mention: Colorado State University; President’s Leadership Program Handbook; Candice Peters
STUDENT
- First Place: California State University, Los Angeles; Apida Grad Program Booklet; P Dacayan
- Second Place: California State University, Los Angeles; Nuestra Grad Program Booklet; Hector Almaraz
- Third Place: Rochester Institute of Technology; RIT CAB: 2023-24 Year in Review; Troy Ramiscal, Alyssa Ly
- Honorable Mention: University of Wisconsin–Whitewater; UC Annual Report; Kaelen Smith
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: California State University, Sacramento; Zumba Halloween Bash; Juancarlos Sanchez
- Second Place: San Jose State University; Spartan Runway; Dane Paul Andres
- Third Place: University of Utah; Here & Queer: The Pride Renaissance; Ryann Combe, Téa Schmid, Anna Winslow
- Honorable Mention: University of Houston; CougarCon 2024 Poster; Miguel Gutierrez
STUDENT
- First Place: California State University, Fullerton; Tuffy’s Marketplace; Alice Le
- Second Place: San Jose State University; Festival de la Independencia; Jocelynne Malta-Diaz
- Third Place: California State University, Sacramento; LabRats Nooner; Melody Lugo
- Honorable Mention: California State University, Northridge; Murder Mystery; Sophia Carlberg, Analisa Venolia, Cesar Jimenez
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: University of Wisconsin–Madison; Sunburst Sparklers; Kay Sakiya, Max Homstad
- Second Place: University of North Texas; UNT Union 75th Anniversary; Meghan Siens, Julian Quiroz
- Third Place: Dublin City University; Our Election Era. Making elections an experience!; Megan O’Kane, Liam O’Keeffe
- Honorable Mention: California State University, Northridge; Set the Table, Build the Future; James Matzen
STUDENT
- First Place: California State University, Fullerton; ASI Spring Concert; Felipe Reblora, Ashley Mayes, Alan Quin, Ava Kendrena, Bella Kendrena, Matthew Manolo, Colin Vail, Hayley Garcia, Mauricio Nunez, Sophie Fleming
- Second Place: University of Minnesota Twin Cities; Spring Jam 2024; Harvey Bethel, Kyle Xiong
- Third Place: Indiana University Bloomington; Plan A Team; Naomi Grossman
- Honorable Mention: University of California, San Diego; University Centers – Eat. Stamp. Win.; Vanessa Ramirez Elizade, Kathlyn Nguyen
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: University of Wisconsin–Madison; Chairling Plushie; Emily Swanson, Maddie Carr, Tamsin Ford
- Second Place: University of California, San Diego; First Friday – King Triton and Friends; Micaela Stone, Armando Abundis, Mellicent “Mellie” Cabanes
- Third Place: University of Iowa; Herky on Parade Sculpture; Erin Fitzgerald, Meghan Kincade
- Honorable Mention: Dublin City University; Safer Nights Out; Megan O’Kane, Jamie Mangan
STUDENT
- First Place: University of Maryland; Asian, Pacific Islander, & Desi American Heritage Month: To The Table; Dora Hu (student designer care of Eva Tennant), Justine Suegay, Marjorie Justine Cruz Antonio
- Second Place: University of California, San Diego; Triton Day Enamel Pin; Michelle Escudero
- Third Place: California State University, Fullerton; All Day ASI; Sydney Hom, Tiffany Le
- Honorable Mention: San Jose State University; I Heart SU Stickers; Kristen Bongco
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: California State University, Los Angeles; U-SU Welcome Banners; Robert Gonzales
- Second Place: University of California, San Diego; Student Union Perimeter Lamppost Banners; Micaela Stone, Armando Abundis, Amanda Marples, Cristy Kim, Mellicent “Mellie” Cabanes, Shruthi Venkatesh, Regine Delosantos, Long Truong, Joshua Arguelles
- Third Place: Oklahoma State University; Larry & Kay’s Dairy Bar; Amanda Hamlett
- Honorable Mention: University of Illinois Chicago; K-Pop Anime Convention; Saul Rivera
STUDENT
- First Place: California State University, Los Angeles; We Are LA Voting Wings; Kaiying (Teresa) Yang
- Second Place: University of Vermont; Winter Week of Welcome; Zoe Lesneski
- Third Place: Northwestern University; At Home In Evanston Banner; Amira Grace
- Honorable Mention: Colorado State University; Birthday Signage; Natalie Cattany
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: University of Wisconsin–Madison; Chairling Plushie Social Campaign; Emily Swanson, Tamsin Ford
- Second Place: Oklahoma State University; We are Campus Life Campaign; Kailey Bookout
- Third Place: California State University, Sacramento; For the People Gallery Story Graphics; Juancarlos Sanchez
- Honorable Mention: Indiana University Bloomington; Student Life Lessons; Naomi Grossman, Sydney Randall, Lauren Colbert-Davis
STUDENT
- First Place: University of Wisconsin–Stout; Super Graphic; Kiara Malloy-Salgado, Braeden Lange
- Second Place: California State University, Fullerton; Spring Concert Social Media Promo Campaign; Ashley Mayes, Ava Kendrena, Bella Kendrena, Alan Quin, Matthew Manalo, Mauricio Nunez, Hayley Garcia
- Third Place: University of Wisconsin–Whitewater; Student Employee Appreciation Week; UC-wide effort
- Honorable Mention: University of Alabama Birmingham; UAB Hill Student Center Blazer Balance Series; Rinn Mitchell, Darien Garrison
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: Oklahoma State University; Fall Family Weekend T-shirt; Kailey Bookout
- Second Place: California State University, Sacramento; Sac State 5K Fun Run; Dryden Nagtalon
- Third Place: University of West Florida; Dean’s Challenge Ping Pong Tournament T-shirt; Olivia Ashcraft, Shelley Henseler-Lewis
- Honorable Mention: University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Niner Pride; Denis Vargas
STUDENT
- First Place: San Jose State University; Infernal Spartans; Annika Magbanua
- Second Place: University of Houston; Juneteenth; Naisha Khimani
- Third Place: California State University, Northridge; Ask Me About Winning – Intramural Sports Tee; Tanya Bernardino, Cesar Jimenez
- Honorable Mention: Marquette University; MU Radio Shirt; Shannyn Donohue
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: Oklahoma State University; Homecoming 2024 Trailer; Elias Braver
- Second Place: University of Wisconsin–Madison; Theater Season Announcement Video; Kay Sakiya, Tamsin Ford
- Third Place: University of Wisconsin–Madison; Winter Carnival Promotional Reel; Olivia Bratzke, Kay Sakia
- Honorable Mention: Indiana University Bloomington; Hoosiers for Harm Reduction; Jacob Erb, Cheryl Paul, Sarah Robertson
STUDENT
- First Place: California State University, Fullerton; Titan Outdoors Staff gets Ready for Your Next Adventure!; Matthew Manalo, Colin Vail
- Second Place: Rochester Institute of Technology; RIT CAB: 2024 CAB Concert Recap; Troy Ramiscal, Alexis Mildren, Figo Wang, Jack Connolly, Sam Su
- Third Place: Indiana University Indianapolis; Regatta Trailer; Canaan Sellers
- Honorable Mention: Colorado State University; Happy Birthday Video Animation; Josh Lewis Martin
PROFESSIONAL
- First Place: Colorado State University; Lory Student Center Catering Website; Leif Blessing, Ryan Haynes
- Second Place: University of California, Irvine; News at the Speed of AI: A Private GPT Trained on In-House Style; Brian Petyo
- Third Place: California State University, Los Angeles; New Benchmarks for the U-SU Website: Strides in Web Design, Accessibility, and Performance; John Yasis, James San, Steven Phan, Tammy Xaypraseuth
- Honorable Mention: Northwestern University; NUhelp Website Redesign: Enhancing Access to Wellness, Safety, and Crisis Resources; Danika Kmetz, Mona Dugo, Alexandria Dravillas, Ray Elliott
Student
- First Place: Oregon State University; OSU Memorial Union Website Redesign; Travis Gilmour
- Second Place: Rochester Institute of Technology; RIT CAB: FreezeFest 2024 Website; Tom Catalano, Alyssa Ly, Tia Wilson, Remy Wilkins, Juliana Falcon, Troy Ramiscal