Region II Awards
Region II offers awards that recognize the achievements of staff, students, and institutional programs. The application will open later this year. Check back more for updates!
The Role of the College Union Award, established in 2004 by Region 11, was renamed the Bernard Pitts Role of the College Union Award in 2011 and adopted by Region II in 2014. The award honors Bernard Pitts, former director of the Kansas State University Student Union and recipient of the prestigious Butts-Whiting Award. Pitts also served as ACUI President from 1996–97.
This award recognizes a Region II institution that has planned, implemented, and evaluated an outstanding program or service that embodies ACUI’s Role of the College Union statement.
Nomination Information
The following is required for nomination:
- Two letters of support from (1) a full-time staff member of the program’s institution and from (2) a student leader of the program that provides supporting evidence of development from community members, explains the impact of the program on campus, and the outcomes of the program evaluation.
- Optional: An additional letter of support from an ACUI colleague of the nominee who has observed the program.
Past Recipients
- 2024: LBJSC Takeover, Texas State University
- 2022: The Union Experience, University of Central Missouri
- 2018: Get HIRED: Advocacy, Accessibility, and Job Search, University of Houston
- 2017: Roadrunner Pantry, University of Texas–San Antonio
- 2016: Union Day, University of Arkansas–Fayetteville
- 2015: Freshmen Leaders in Progress (FL!P), University of Texas–Austin
- 2014: The DUC Presents, Washington University in St. Louis
The Rising Star Awards, established by Region II in 2014, seek to recognize and appreciate the contributions of undergraduate/graduate staff and volunteers. The award recognizes two student union or student activities students—one undergraduate and one graduate—at a Region II member institution who have made significant contributions through employment, volunteering, programming, and/or other union-related activities. Eligible recipients should be enrolled in an undergraduate/graduate program.
Nomination Information
The following is required for nomination:
- Nominee’s resume including educational background/training, work experience, evidence of institutional involvement, evidence of ACUI involvement, and any honors received as a professional.
- One letter of support from a full-time staff member of the nominee’s institution.
- Optional: An additional letter of support from a student leader of the nominee’s supervision or an additional letter of support from an ACUI colleague of the nominee who has observed their service.
Past Recipients
- 2024 Undergraduate: Derek Dotson, University of North Texas
- 2023 Undergraduate: Thanh Tan Nguyen, University of Kansas
- 2022 Undergraduate: Gabrielle Gies, University of Arkansas–Fayetteville
- 2022 Graduate: Abigail Garcia, University of Houston
- 2021 Graduate: Myah Duncan, University of Central Missouri
- 2020 Undergraduate: Ashton Thompson, University of Arkansas–Fayetteville
- 2020 Graduate: Sophia Villagran, University of Texas–San Antonio
- 2019 Undergraduate: Jaylin Glover, University of Texas–San Antonio
- 2019 Graduate: Neil Bourgeois, Missouri State University
- 2018: Alyssa Arceneaux, Southeastern Louisiana University
- 2017: Elvis Dang, Texas A&M University–Commerce
- 2016: Michael Mendoza, University of Houston
- 2015: John Buckley, Kansas State University
Shirley Bird Perry Distinguished Service Award o The Shirley Bird Perry Distinguished Service Award, established by Region 12 in 1999 and adopted by Region II in 2014, honors one of the most influential leaders in Region 12 for more than four decades. After being named the “Most Outstanding Woman Student” as a senior at the University of Texas–Austin, Perry began her professional career as a program director and then as director of the Texas Union. During her union career, she was the first woman to be elected to the ACUI Executive Committee, serving as vice president for conference program from 1968–70. She was also the first woman to serve as president of the organization in 1972–73. She was the first woman to receive the Association’s highest recognition, the Butts-Whiting Award, in 1976. She worked as coordinator of educational programs and services at the ACUI Central Office from 1976–79. Perry returned to an administrative position at the University of Texas–Austin in 1979 and was a vice chancellor for the University of Texas System when she passed away in May 2011.
The Shirley Bird Perry Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor presented by Region II. The award is designed to recognize a member of the region who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of ACUI. Persons nominated should be singled out for their quality work and sustained contribution to ACUI, rather than for a single action. Eligible recipients are employed full-time, or recently retired, from a Region II institution, have more than 10 years of experience in the field, and a minimum of six years of experience in Region II (former Region 11 or 12).
Nomination requirements
The following is required for nomination:
- Nominee’s resume including educational background/training, work experience, evidence of institutional involvement, evidence of ACUI involvement, and any honors received as a professional.
- Two letters of support from (1) a full-time staff member of the nominee’s institution and from (2) an ACUI colleague of the nominee who has observed their service.
- Optional: An additional letter of support from a student leader of the nominee’s supervision.
Past Recipients
- 2024: Eve Esch, University of Houston
- 2022: Laura Bates, Truman State University
- 2020: Lisbeth “Beth” Bailey, Kansas State University
- 2019: Dr. Wendy Denman, University of North Texas
- 2017: Deb Hobson, University of Central Missouri
- 2015: Dr. Thomas Lane, Missouri State University
The Shirley Plakidas New Professional Award, established by Region 12 in 1999 and adopted by Region II in 2014, honors one of the region’s most influential leaders for more than three decades. Her career began as an assistant program manager at the Nebraska Union in 1967, followed by a long career at Louisiana State University, where she served as director of the LSU Union. Plakidas was active in Region 12 with conference planning, keynote addresses and seminars, and numerous leadership roles. She was also active on the international level of ACUI as a speaker, author, and coordinator of professional seminars, conferences, publications, and videos. Plakidas served as ACUI president in 1995–96 and received the prestigious Butts-Whiting Award in 1999.
The Shirley Plakidas New Professional Award is designed to recognize a student union or student activities professional of a Region II member institution who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of ACUI during their first five years of service in the region. Persons nominated should be singled out for their quality work and contribution to ACUI. Eligible recipients are employed full-time at a Region II institution and have been in Region II (or former Region 11 or 12) for at least two years, but not more than five years.
Nomination requirements
The following is required for nomination:
- Nominee’s resume including educational background/training, work experience, evidence of institutional involvement, evidence of ACUI involvement, and any honors received as a professional.
- One letter of support from a full-time staff member of the nominee’s institution.
- Optional: An additional letter of support from a student leader of the nominee’s supervision or an additional letter of support from an ACUI colleague of the nominee who has observed their service.
Past Recipients
- 2024: Mikey Bullock, Sam Houston State University
- 2022: Caleb Eubanks, University of Central Missouri
- 2020: Katherine Romero, Texas State University
- 2019: Nick Elliott, Southeastern Louisiana University
- 2017: Shane Stinson, University of Columbia
- 2016: Victoria Culver Rice, Missouri State University
- 2015: Lauren Sposato, University of Houston
The William H. Smith Outstanding Professional Award, established by Region 11 in 2004 and adopted by Region II in 2014, honors one of ACUI’s most influential regional leaders. Smith spent 46 years as a staff member in a college union on the campuses of West Virginia University, Kansas State University, and the University of South Dakota. He spent 30 of those years serving as director of the Campus Activities Center and the Rhatigan Student Center at Wichita State University. Smith also served as regional director for Region 11 from 1991–94. He attended 44 Annual Conference and 47 consecutive ACUI Regional Conferences.
The William H. Smith Outstanding Professional Award is designed to honor and recognize student union or student activities professionals of Region II member institutions who have made exceptional contributions and demonstrated a significant commitment to the student union/student activities profession on their campuses and within ACUI. Eligible recipients are employed full-time at a Region II institution, have between five and 10 years of experience in the field, and participate in ACUI on a regional and/or international level.
Nomination requirements
The following is required for nomination:
- Nominee’s resume including educational background/training, work experience, evidence of institutional involvement, evidence of ACUI involvement, and any honors received as a professional.
- Two letters of support from (1) a full-time staff member of the nominee’s institution and from (2) an ACUI colleague of the nominee who has observed their service.
- Optional: An additional letter of support from a student leader of the nominee’s supervision.
Past Recipients
- 2024: Kat Masters, Texas State University
- 2023: Andrea Marquez, University of North Texas
- 2022: Dr. Katheryn (Kat) Paynter, Texas A&M University Corpus-Christi
- 2020: Emilie Hook, University of Arkansas–Fayetteville
- 2019: Molly Orr, University of North Texas
- 2018: Rob Stagni, University of Arkansas–Fayetteville
- 2017: Lisa Kring, University of Kansas
- 2016: Audrey Taggart-Kagdis, Kansas State University
- 2015: Zane Reif, University of North Texas
Region II Scholarships
Region II offers scholarships that help advance professionals and students through participation in educational events. Region II is currently accepting applications for the following scholarships and will accept them on a rolling basis.
Region II supports the attendance of ACUI members to ACUI-affiliated programs such as seminars and institutes. Scholarships will cover registration only; all travel and lodging will be at the expense of the scholarship winner/institution. The following programs are suggested:
- ACUI Annual Conference
- Facilities and Building Management Seminar
- IPDS: New Professionals Seminar
- Active Dialogue Institute
- I-LEAD: Institute for Leadership Education and Development
- Collegiate Marketing Institute
And more! All educational programs can be found on the ACUI calendar here.
Region II is especially proud to offer at least one scholarship covering the registration fee for our Regional Conference. Please note, the scholarship will only cover registration; all travel and lodging costs will be at the expense of the scholarship winner/institution. This scholarship is available to both professional staff and students.