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Center for Civic Engagement

Civic Engagement Award Eligibility and Guidelines

Civic Engagement Award Nomination Guidelines

Eligibility information for each award category is below. Groups and individuals may be nominated by someone else, or are welcome to self-nominate. All nominations must include the following:

  • Contact information for the nominee. For a group nomination, please select a primary contact and enter all other group members’ information as indicated on the nomination form.
  • A statement describing how the nominee contributes to civic engagement at Illinois State University and/or in the broader community. Statement writers are encouraged, but not required, to align the discussion of their contributions to one or more types of civic engagement as described on the Center for Civic Engagement’s website.
  • One or two letters of impact from students, community partners, or colleagues.

Nominations may also include up to five supporting documents, such as brochures, reports, news coverage, photos, or student work.

RSO Award

This award recognizes a Registered Student Organization (RSO) that has been significantly involved in civic engagement activities at Illinois State University and/or in the broader community. These RSOs prepare their members to be informed and engaged global community members who will promote and further the goals of society.

  • Nominee must be a currently registered student organization.
  • The award will be given for civic engagement activities that have occurred or are going to occur during the 2023–2024 academic year.

Unit Award

This award recognizes a campus unit/department that has developed a civic engagement initiative or activity at Illinois State University and/or in the broader community. This recognition honors the department’s commitment to advancing the core value of civic engagement and contribution to the public good.

  • Nominees can be an academic department or a unit within Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Athletics, University Advancement, or Finance and Planning.
  • The award will be given for civic engagement activities that have occurred or are going to occur during the 2023–2024 academic year.

Interdisciplinary Award

This award recognizes a group, team, or initiative that is a multi-department effort that has developed a civic engagement initiative or activity at Illinois State University or in the community. This recognition acknowledges that civic engagement has no boundaries and that collaboration is often required.

  • Nominees can be any combination of an academic department or a unit within Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Athletics, University Advancement, or Finance and Planning; RSOs; individuals; or community organizations.
  • The award will be given for civic engagement activities that have occurred or are going to occur during the 2023–2024 academic year.

Centering EDI Award

This award recognizes an individual or group who has developed a civic engagement initiative or activity at Illinois State University or in the community that centers equity, diversity, and inclusion. This recognition acknowledges an initiative or activity that exemplifies the Center for Civic Engagement’s vision of a more just and equitable world cultivated through the co-creation of knowledge, mutually beneficial partnerships, and collective action.

  • Nominees can be an individual or group.
  • The award will be given for civic engagement activities that have occurred or are going to occur during the 2023–2024 academic year.

Faculty Award

This award recognizes a faculty member who has contributed significantly to incorporating civic engagement into their teaching, scholarly and creative productivity, and/or professional and community service while at Illinois State University. This recognition honors the faculty member's commitment to the public good and advancement of civic engagement within their discipline.

  • Nominee must be a full-time equivalent faculty member.
  • The award will recognize a long-term commitment to civic engagement.

Staff Award

This award recognizes a staff member who is significantly involved in civic engagement activities at Illinois State University and/or in the broader community. This recognition honors staff members who contribute to the public good and embody the core value of civic engagement personally and/or professionally.

  • Nominees can be an Administrative Professional or Civil Service staff member within an academic department, unit within Student Affairs, Athletics, University Advancement, Finance and Planning, or the Office of the President.
  • The award will recognize a long-term commitment to civic engagement.

Student Award

This award recognizes a student who is significantly involved in civic engagement activities at Illinois State University and/or in the broader community. These students embody informed and engaged global community members.

  • Nominee must be a current student or not graduated more than one year prior to the award recognition.
  • The award will be given for civic engagement activities that have occurred or are going to occur during the 2023–2024 academic year.

Community Partner Award

This award recognizes a community organization that is significantly involved with Illinois State University. This recognition honors organizations and individuals who contribute to student learning and support student engagement with the community in a curricular or co-curricular setting.

  • Nominees can be a community-based organization or governmental agency in Illinois.
  • The award will recognize a commitment to partnering with Illinois State University.