The Student-Driven Program of the Year celebrates the achievements of students who plan and implement an innovative program on their campus. This award promotes professional development, collaboration, and leadership for those students making a difference in advancing campus community through programming excellence.

2024 Recipient: Paint the Town Garnet and Black Block Party,
University of South Carolina

This block party invites students, alumni, and community members to gather in the name of school spirit prior to the Homecoming game. The students of the 2023 Homecoming Commission worked hard to identify areas of improvement from the previous year to bolster attendance and community participation. As a result of their in-person outreach, advanced advertising, collaboration with athletics, and social media campaign, event organizers saw an increase of approximately 800 attendees. In addition to in-person engagement at the event, there was an increase in local merchant engagement with 78 businesses engaging in some way, by either requesting window paintings, offering discounts, or hanging flyers to promote the event. 

ACUI is accepting nominations through November 20.

Nominate Now

ACUI is accepting nominations 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.
  • 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.

  • 2023: Zach’s Bingo, University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh 
  • 2022: Cultural Explosion at the University of Houston
  • 2021: Winter Wonderland – University of Houston
  • 2020: Sustainable Office Program – California State University–Northridge
  • 2019: Chi Omega Songfest – University of South Alabama
  • 2018: On the Road for Change – James Madison University
  • 2017: Multicultural Night – Portland Community College
  • 2016: Mega-Musical Chairs – University of South Alabama
  • 2015: #TUnity Campaign – Temple University
  • 2014: Election Watch Party – University of Kansas
  • 2013: SIGNS & RHYMES: Intersections of Deaf & Hip-Hop Cultures – New York University
  • 2012: EagleCHECK – The College at Brockport
  • 2011: Vagina Memoirs – Western Washington University
  • 2010: Go Blue Week – University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
  • 2009: ArtAwake – University of Rochester
  • 2008: City Cycles – University of Rochester