Presidents' Awards for Civic Engagement

Each year, all members of the Gustavus Community are invited to submit nominations for the annual Presidents’ Awards for Civic Engagement. The President’s Awards provide an opportunity for presidents who are members of Minnesota Campus Compact to give statewide recognition to effective leaders in the development of campus-community partnerships. Each president from a Minnesota Campus Compact member institution may recognize one honoree in each of the categories listed below.

Nominations are now open and due February 20, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. More info about the categories can be found at IA/MN Campus Compact Awards Overview. Nomination forrm is at the bottom of this page. 

Category 1: Student Leadership Award

This award is for an individual student or a student organization that models a deep commitment to civic responsibility and leadership, evidenced by initiative, innovative and collaborative approaches to addressing public issues, effective community building, and integration of civic engagement into the college experience.

Previous Award Winners

  • 2023 - Ashley Sosa
  • 2022 - Guste Buddies Coordinators
  • 2021 - Holly Fitterer
  • 2020 - Monali Bhakta
  • 2019 - Brian Mayen
  • 2018 - Big Partner/Little Partner
  • 2017 - Bjorn Kjelstad
  • 2016 - Hayley Nemmers & Abby Nistler
  • 2015 - Nicole Eknitphong
  • 2014 - Anna McDevitt
  • 2013 - Katelyn Warburton
  • 2012 - Ben Batz
  • 2011 - Service Leadership Cohort

Category 2: Civic Engagement Steward Award

This award is for a member of the faculty, administration, or staff or for a group (e.g., advisory committee, task force, project team) that has significantly advanced their campus’ distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting others’ civic engagement, and working to institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement.

Previous Award Winners

  • 2023 - Kathy Lund Dean
  • 2022 - Heather Dale & Barb Larson Taylor, COVID Leadership Team
  • 2021 - Dr. Maddalena Marinari, History, Peace Studies, Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies
  • 2020 - Dr. Pamela Conners, Communication Studies
  • 2019 - Dr. Martin Lang, Communication Studies
  • 2018 - Dr. Leila Brammer, Communication Studies
  • 2017 - Dr. Rebecca Fremo, English
  • 2016 - Dr. Angelique Dwyer, Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
  • 2015 - Dr. Sarah Wolter, Communication Studies
  • 2014 - Lynnea Myers, Nursing
  • 2013 - Dr. Elizabeth Baer, English
  • 2012 - Dr. Marie Walker, Psychological Science
  • 2011 - Dr. Kyle E. Chambers, Psychological Science

Category 3: Community Partner Award

This award is for a community-based organization that has enhanced the quality of life in the community in meaningful and measurable ways and has engaged in the development of sustained, reciprocal partnerships with the college, thus enriching educational as well as community outcomes.

Previous Award Winners

  • 2023 - Joey Schugel, St. Peter Recreation Department
  • 2022 - Jody Fischenich, Nicollet County Public Health
  • 2021 - Mankato Clinic, Linda Annis & April Oachs
  • 2018 - Horn of Africa Aid and Rehabilitation Action Network
  • 2017 - Center for Rural Policy Development
  • 2016 - Jane Timmerman '75, City of Saint Peter
  • 2015 - Dr. Paul Peterson on behalf of Saint Peter Public Schools
  • 2014 - Peter Olson on behalf of Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota
  • 2013 - Mayo Health System
  • 2012 - Ben Leonard, Nicollet County Historical Society
  • 2011 - Partnership Council

Each campus is also invited to select an awardee in each of these following categories:

Selective: Alumni Leadership Award

  • 2020 - Representative Samantha Vang '16

Selective: Community Collaboration Award

Selective: Emerging Innovation Award


Nominations are due February 20, 2024. Please check back to complete the nomination form.

Award winners will receive a certificate and recognition at the annual Campus Compact meeting in the Twin Cities and online a brief profile provided will be posted on MNCC’s website. 

Please contact Amy in the Community Engagement Center if you have specific questions.

Thank you for your interest and support in the Minnesota Campus Compact President’s Awards for Civic Engagement.