Awards

ACUHO-I celebrates the individuals and institutions that epitomize the spirit, mission, and service of the Association and the profession. Viewing the past recipients of these awards reveals the rich history of campus housing and residence life and how these individuals have championed integrity, diversity, leadership, and innovation.

The award nomination and consideration process typically occurs in the second half of the year, and most recipients are announced in March. Review the nomination process and the selection criteria. All nominees must be current ACUHO-I members in good standing and may not be sitting members of the Awards and Recognition Committee, the ACUHO-I Executive Board, or ACUHO-I Foundation leadership.

Nominate a Colleague

• Review the award selection criteria below.
• Complete an online form proving details about the nominee.
• ACUHO-I will follow up with eligible nominees to confirm their interest in proceeding with the selection process and collect additional information. Each award candidate must have one recommender submit a candidate support form to be completed by an individual of their choice (supervisor, colleague, mentor) by December 4, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. ET(US).

Apply for an Award

• Review the award selection criteria below.
• Complete an online application
• Each award candidate must have one recommender submit a candidate support form to be completed by an individual of their choice (supervisor, colleague, mentor).

The ACUHO-I Award

The ACUHO-I Award recognizes the career of the most exemplary campus housing professionals. The highest award that ACUHO-I confers is presented only after a person has retired or left the housing and food service field and recognizes distinguished service to ACUHO-I and the campus housing profession. The nomination process is closed, and past ACUHO-I presidents select recipients. 

Presidential Service Award

This award, selected solely at the discretion of the ACUHO-I president and presented each year at the annual conference to one individual and one organization, recognizes those who have made a lasting impact on ACUHO-I and the campus housing profession.

James C. Grimm Leadership and Service Award

This award recognizes individuals who have served ACUHO-I and advanced the association’s goals throughout their careers with exceptional dedication, outstanding leadership, and devoted service. 

Roelf Visser Global Initiatives Award

Recognizes ACUHO-I members who embody the attributes, spirit, and standards of commitment set forth by Roelf Visser, an instrumental part of forming the ACUHO-I Southern Africa Chapter. Recipients have shown their commitment that ACUHO-I’s influence would reach not just across the country but across the continent and the world. 

Selection Criteria

• Be a member of ACUHO-I in active or emeritus status
• Have demonstrated service to ACUHO-I drawn from the following criteria:
  • Served as an active contributor in advancing the internationalization of ACUHO-I.
  • Presented programming addressing international housing issues at ACUHO-I conferences, other conferences within their home country, or other appropriate venues.
  • Served as an advocate and educator for internationalization.
  • Served as an active role model and mentor of ACUHO-I members from outside the United States.
• Have demonstrated service to the profession drawn from the following criteria:
  • Contributions to the housing departments at the institutions in which they have served.
  • Presentations at local, regional, national, or international conferences.
  • Published articles that promote and address a global understanding of housing issues.
  • Service to ACUHO-I or regional associations, including committees and elected leadership.
• Additional criteria for consideration:
  • Served as an active member of the ACUHO-I Global Initiatives Network or predecessor committees.
  • Completion of projects or policy statements that address Global Housing Issues.
  • Participated in an ACUHO-I study tour, in the United States or internationally as a host or organizer.
• Preference will be given to non-U.S. members. U.S. members who have made significant contributions to the internationalization of ACUHO-I may also be considered.

Carmen L. Vance Herstory Award

Champions the extraordinary women in the campus housing profession who exemplify leadership, commitment to service, and courage on campus, for the Association, and the field as a whole. This award is presented to honor an outstanding female professional who has served the housing profession and assisted in supporting and creating opportunities for other female leaders.

Selection Criteria

• Be a member of ACUHO-I in active or emeritus status
• Have demonstrated service to ACUHO-I drawn from the following criteria:
  • Contributions to the advancement of women in leadership in ACUHO-I.
  • Contributions to the advancement of women in leadership in the broader profession.
  • Have demonstrated service to the profession drawn from the following criteria:
  • Active participation at their home institutions as an advocate for women.
  • Presentations at local, regional, national, and/or international conferences.
  • Published scholarship in relation to the housing profession, women in leadership, or related topics.
  • Serving as an active role model for women in the housing profession.
  • Service to ACUHO-I or regional associations, including committees and elected leadership.
• Additional criteria for consideration:
  • Previous service or involvement in the Women in Housing Network.
  • Served as a faculty member at an ACUHO-I-sponsored institute.
  • Completion of projects or policy statements that address women’s issues.

James A. Hurd Award

Honors the outstanding contributions of a professional of color who embodies the attributes, spirit, and standards of commitment set forth by the award’s namesake, the first African-American president of ACUHO-I.

Selection Criteria

• Be a member of ACUHO-I in active or emeritus status
• Have demonstrated service to ACUHO-I drawn from the following criteria:
  • Service to ACUHO-I and/or regional associations, including committees and elected leadership.
  • Service as an active role model for professionals of color in the housing profession.
  • Have demonstrated service to the profession drawn from the following criteria:
  • Active participation at their home institutions as an advocate for professionals of color.
  • Presentations at local, regional, national, and/or international conferences.
  • Published scholarship in relation to the housing profession, identity, or related issues.
• Additional criteria for consideration:
  • Contributions to the advancement of people of color in leadership in ACUHO-I.
  • Previous service or involvement in the Professionals of Color Network.
  • Served as a faculty member at an ACUHO-I institute.
  • Completion of projects or policy statements that address issues for professionals of color.

Judy Spain Award

Recognizes an individual who has contributed to the LGBTQ community through activities and interventions that promote positive growth, development, and education. In her career, Judy Spain was a mentor to many staff and students, as well as an inspiration to LGBTQ individuals and their allies.

Selection Criteria

• Be a member of ACUHO-I in active or emeritus status
• Have demonstrated service to ACUHO-I drawn from the following criteria:
  • Service to ACUHO-I and/or regional associations, including committees and elected leadership.
  • Service as an active role model for LGBTQ individuals in the housing profession.
  • Have demonstrated service to the profession drawn from the following criteria:
  • Actively participated at their home institutions as an advocate for LGBTQ individuals.
  • Presentations at local, regional, national, and/or international conferences.
  • Published scholarship in relation to the housing profession and LGBT issues.
• Additional criteria for consideration:
  • Contributions to the advancement of LGBTQ individuals.
  • Previous service or involvement in the ACUHO-I LGBTQIA+ Network.
  • Served as a faculty member at an ACUHO-I-sponsored Institute.
  • Completion of projects or policy statements that address LGBTQ issues.

Research and Publication Award

Granted to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the body of research and publications related to the housing profession.

Selection Criteria

• Be a member of ACUHO-I in active or emeritus status.
• Complete list of publications.
• Have demonstrated service to the profession drawn from the following criteria:
• Research must be directly related to the campus housing profession.
• Individual has made a significant contribution to the body of knowledge related to campus housing.
• Additional criteria for consideration
  • Preference will be given to research that addresses the ACUHO-I research agenda.

Dissertation of the Year Award

Honors exceptional work by doctoral students and encourages the highest levels of scholarship, research, and writing to contribute to the campus housing profession.

Selection Criteria

• Be a member of ACUHO-I in active or emeritus status.
• The dissertation must have been submitted in its final form to the graduate school for a degree to be awarded by December of the prior year.
• The degree must have been awarded during the timeframe between award cycles.
• The title of the dissertation, degree-granting institution, date of degree conferral, and abstract must be included in the award nomination. Note that a full copy of the dissertation may be requested after the awards application has closed.
• Have demonstrated service to the profession drawn from the following criteria:
• The dissertation must pertain directly to the college housing profession.
• The dissertation must have been completed at an ACUHO-I member institution.
• Preference will be given to research that addresses the ACUHO-I research agenda.

Robert P. Cooke Talking Stick Article of the Year Award

Granted based on the quality of writing; organization of the article; use of supporting documentation, where appropriate; capacity of the article to provoke thought; usability of the article to student housing programs or staff; and contribution to the campus housing field. This award is determined by the members of the Talking Stick Advisory Panel and is limited to articles published within the current year.

Betty L. Harrah Journal Manuscript of the Year Award 

Presented based on the manuscript’s writing quality, organization, research methodology, significance to the housing field, educational value, creativity or originality of the approach, applicability or usability of the article to housing programs, and its overall contribution to the field. This award is determined by the ACUHO-I Journal of College & University Student Housing editorial board and is limited to manuscripts published within the current year. Manuscripts included in the theme issue are not considered. 

Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Recognizes an exceptional graduate assistant working in the campus housing profession. The recipient must be enrolled as a full-time master’s or doctoral student.

Selection Criteria

• Be a member of ACUHO-I in active or emeritus status.
• Be a full-time master’s or doctoral student and have been enrolled in graduate school during the prior academic year.
• Have demonstrated service to ACUHO-I drawn from the following criteria:
• Demonstrated a passion for the student housing profession.
• Interest in advancing the profession through their professional work.
• Impact on their home institution through service and leadership.
• Have demonstrated service to the profession drawn from the following criteria
• Contributions to the housing departments at the institutions in which they have served.
• Presentations at local, regional, national, and/or international conferences.
• Published scholarship in relation to the housing profession and related fields.
• Service to ACUHO-I or regional associations, including committees and elected leadership.
• Additional criteria for consideration:
• Contributions to the area of academic study, regardless of their program of study. (i.e. internships, lab or practicum experience, thesis, dissertation, projects, publications, etc.).
• Individuals with demonstrated experience in fostering inclusiveness and an appreciation of differences.
• Participation in the ACUHO-I Housing Internship program.
• Practical application or advancement of ACUHO-I Body of Knowledge principles.

Outstanding New Professional Student Award

Honors an emerging professional within the campus housing field who has served no more than three years in a full-time position.

Selection Criteria

• Be a member of ACUHO-I in active or emeritus status
• Have demonstrated service to ACUHO-I drawn from the following criteria:
• Demonstrated passion for the student housing profession.
• Interest in advancing the profession through their professional work.
• Impact on their home institution through service and leadership.
• Performed all aspects of their professional responsibilities in an exemplary manner.
• Have served no more than three years in a full-time position in student affairs.
• Have demonstrated service to the profession drawn from the following criteria:
• Contributions to the housing departments in which they have served.
• Presentations at local, regional, national, and/or international conferences.
• Published scholarship in relation to the housing profession and related fields.
• Service to ACUHO-I and/or regional associations, including committees and elected leadership.
• Additional criteria for consideration:
  • Presentations at local, regional, national, and/or international conferences.
  • Published scholarship in relation to the housing profession and related fields.
  • Demonstrated experience in fostering inclusiveness and an appreciation of differences.
  • Acknowledgment of practical application and/or advancement of ACUHO-I Body of Knowledge principles.

Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Award

Recognizes a leader who has served five years or more in the student housing profession and who has made significant contributions to the field, the Association, and their home institution.

Selection Criteria

• Be a member of ACUHO-I in active or emeritus status
• Have five or more years of service in the campus housing profession.
• Have demonstrated service to ACUHO-I drawn from the following criteria:
• Demonstrated passion for the student housing profession.
• Served in progressive roles within the field of student housing and been responsible for direction, oversight, and supervision of staff.
• Interest in advancing the profession through their professional work.
• Impact on their home institution through service and leadership.
• Performed all aspects of professional responsibilities in an exemplary manner.
• Have demonstrated service to the profession drawn from the following criteria:
• Volunteer service to professional associations via leadership roles at the state, regional, national, or international level.
• Presentations at local, regional, national, or conferences.
• Published scholarship in relation to the housing profession and related fields.
• Service to ACUHO-I or regional associations, including committees and elected leadership.
• Additional criteria for consideration:
  • Record of innovation that affects their home campus environment in one or more functional areas of student affairs.
  • Demonstrated experience in fostering inclusiveness and an appreciation of differences.
  • Acknowledgment of practical application or advancement of ACUHO-I Body of Knowledge principles.

Outstanding Corporate Friend Award

Recognizes corporate individuals who contribute to our association and our profession. Recipients must be a current industry partner with a minimum of three years of involvement with ACUHO-I. They must consistently demonstrate a sincere interest and participation in ACUHO-I, its mission, programs, and educational mission. This award is determined by ACUHO-I Foundation leadership.

S. Earl Thompson Award

Honors an individual who, though they may not be directly related to ACUHO-I, has nonetheless made a significant contribution to the campus housing field through their efforts. This award is determined by ACUHO-I Foundation leadership.