2022 Central Region Awards

• Program of the Year
• Think your program has what it takes to be the Program of the Year?
• Outstanding Commitment to Diversity
• NACA is committed to diversity and inclusion efforts in programming. This award recognizes a campus program that exhibits the greatest commitment to increasing diversity awareness and education.
• Outstanding Program Series
• Awarded to the best overall series of three (3) or more related programs.
• Best Collaborative Program
• Tell us how you worked well with others. This award will go to the best program or event hosted in collaboration with at least one other campus department or organization.
  
• Best Community Program
  
• Awarded to the program that best incorporates the local, off-campus community as a benefactor, sponsor, or collaborator.
• Best Sustainable Program
• Awarded to the program that does the best job of going green and promoting sustainability. 

The NACA® Central Region has established awards to recognize individuals for their achievements and service to their institutions and to the field of campus activities. All the award categories are on the same form. If you are nominating for multiple awards, you must submit a separate application for each award. Each institution may only submit one nomination per award category.

2022 NACA® Central Individual Awards

The Markley Award

The Markley Award is given to one member of NACA® Central who most contributes to the growth and development of campus activities and/or the entertainment industry within the region.

Criteria:

• Has a minimum of three years of full-time professional employment in the field of student development, student activities or the entertainment industry
• Demonstrates a strong involvement in and contribution to the NACA® Central Region ● Has continued potential in the field of student activities
• Involvement and contribution in the field of student activities and/or the entertainment industry ● Has been involved in other regional or national organizations
• Is regarded as a positive role model for students, professional staff and associates

Nomination Materials: Nomination Statement that briefly describes how the individual meets the criteria & 1-2 letters of support (at least one letter must be from a professional staff member)

NACA® Central Outstanding New Professional Award

One of the goals of the Regional Leadership Team is to welcome new members into the NACA® Central Region, and to encourage their involvement by recognizing their contributions. The Outstanding New Professional Award recognizes a new professional's continuing commitment to maintaining the growth and vitality of the region and profession. It is to be given when deemed appropriate, to a full-time professional staff member who has worked in the campus activities field 5 years or less.
Criteria:

• Has been in the campus activities profession full-time less than five years
• Is a staff member at an NACA member school and has held a position at an NACA member school in the Central Region for at least one year
• Made significant contributions to their campus, to NACA regional or national activities, the profession, and their community

Nomination Materials: Nomination Statement that briefly describes how the individual meets the criteria & 1-2 letters of support (at least one letter must be from a professional staff member)

NACA® Central Outstanding Student Leader Award

As the largest contingent of programmers, students are vital to the success of any well-rounded campus activities program. With that in mind, NACA® Central honors one outstanding student leader for their service to their campus and to NACA.

Criteria:

• Is a currently enrolled student at an NACA member school in the Central Region ● Provides outstanding service to a programming organization on their campus ● Provides innovative or creative efforts with their institutions
• Been active in NACA regional or national activities
• Been actively involved in other campus and/or community organizations

Nomination Materials: Nomination Statement that briefly describes how the individual meets the criteria & 1-2 letters of support

NACA® Central Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award

The Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award will honor a graduate student who demonstrates commitment to both their current position and graduate education. The award will recognize a graduate student currently advising in the field of campus activities at a NACA member institution.
Criteria:

• Currently holds a graduate assistant position at an NACA member school in the Central Region ● Provides outstanding service to their institution
• Shows promise as a future contributor to the campus activities profession
• Has been creative and innovative in their efforts at their institution

Nomination Materials: Nomination Statement that briefly describes how the individual meets the criteria & 1-2 letters of support.

NACA® Central Outstanding Advisor of the Year Award

The Outstanding Professional Award will be presented to a professional staff member from a NACA member institution.

Criteria:

• Has completed three years of full-time staff experience within the field of campus activities and is currently employed at an NACA member school in the Central Region
• Provides outstanding service to the their institution
• Is significantly involved with their campus and/or community
• Provides creative and innovative efforts to their institution
• Has been involved with NACA but not necessarily in an official position

Nomination Materials: Nomination Statement that briefly describes how the individual meets the criteria & 1-2 letters of support.

Outstanding Associate Member

This award is designed to recognize an outstanding associate member. Students and/or staff will nominate an association member who meet or exceeds the criteria for this award. An associate member nominated for this award may be a regional or national member of NACA® who is an artist, agent representative of an agency providing services to schools in the region. 

Criteria:

• Level of interaction with students
• Quality of programs provided
• Level of ethics and professionalism
• Positive attitude and helpfulness
• Promotional efforts
• Reliability
• Promoting the goals of NACA® and the Campus Activities Marketplace.

Nomination Materials: Nomination Statement that briefly describes how the individual meets the criteria & 1-2 letters of support.

Outstanding Student Government Advisor

Eligibility: Professional staff school member. The nominee must be employed by a current NACA® member institution and currently serve as an advisor to student government (for at least nine months).

Any NACA® student or staff member may submit nominations.

Criteria: The Awards Committee will select, by majority vote, one individual who: 

• Is recognized as someone who has worked closely with student governments
• Displays genuine support and regard for students and their issues
• Is viewed by colleagues as an educator
• Has had an extraordinary impact on students' lives and has earned their respect.

Nomination Materials: Nomination Statement that briefly describes how the individual meets the criteria & 2-3 letters of support (one letter of support must be from a student leader & the other a professional staff member).

Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award

The Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award-Individual was established to recognize individuals at NACA® member institutions that positively contribute to the development of programs and services promoting cultural diversity, understanding and/or awareness. These programs could be based at member institutions or within NACA.

Eligibility: Current full-time professional staff member at an NACA® member institution. Individuals can be nominated by others or can nominate themselves.

Criteria: This award will be presented to up to two individuals annually. Successful candidates would demonstrate at least two of the following diversity goals:

• Foster meaningful relationships between diverse student populations
• Challenge stereotypical perceptions of diverse populations
• Help students learn to communicate effectively with people of varied backgrounds ● Generate awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures

Additionally, the following criteria will also be considered for each candidate:

• Must have a record for enhancing awareness and understanding of diverse cultures among the general campus community or NACA® community
• Demonstrated quality and originality of programs and services developed and/or implemented ● Success in contributions and service to diverse populations

Nomination Materials: Nomination Statement that briefly describes how the individual meets the criteria & 2-3 letters of support (one letter of support must be from a student leader & the other a professional staff member).