The ACUHO-I Marketing Awards recognize the creative and vital work that promotes, supports, and enhances college and university housing and dining programs. Established in 2016, the awards celebrate the accomplishments, innovation, and creativity of ACUHO-I members and their departments while showcasing the impact of strategic communication across the campus housing profession.
From recruitment campaigns and move-in communications to social media strategies, websites, videos, branding initiatives, and student-created projects, the Marketing Awards highlight the many ways housing and dining professionals connect with students, families, and campus communities. The program recognizes excellence across a broad range of marketing and communication efforts that help tell the story of campus living and create a meaningful residential experience.
Open to all ACUHO-I members, the awards showcase outstanding work in digital, print, social media, video, environmental, and experiential marketing. Whether you are a communications specialist, residence life professional, housing operations staff member, dining services team member, conference services professional, or student employee, your work helps shape the student experience and deserves recognition.
We are excited to share the full list of winners for 2026 below!
Best of Show/Overall Campaign – Kent State University
Title: Stop the Cycle: Laundry PSA
Overall Campaign – 1st Place: North Dakota State University
Title: Housing Renewal
Overall Campaign – Runner-Up: North Carolina State University
Title: Student Staff Recruitment
Social Media -1st Place: Florida International University
Title: We Are Looking for New Resident Assistants
Social Media – Runner-Up: Michigan State University
Title: Welcome Week
Logo/Mark/Icon – 1st Place: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Title: Home of the Heels 2026 Illustration
Logo/Mark/Icon – Runner-Up: University at Buffalo
Title: Campus Living Community Icons
Interactive Digital Marketing – 1st Place: University of Georgia
Title: Roommates of the Year Competition
Interactive Marketing – Runner-Up: Youngstown State University
Website – 1st Place: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Title: Living-Learning Community Webpages
Website – Runner-Up: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Title: Carolina Housing Website Redesign
Specialty/Promotional Item – 1st Place: Louisiana State University
Title: LSU Move-In Luggage Tag Direct Mailer
Specialty/Promotional Item – Runner-Up: University of Cincinnati
Handout (printed) – 1st Place: Bowling Green State University
Title: BGSU Housing Application Mailer
Handout (printed) – Runner-Up: Michigan State University
Title: Living on Campus Mailer
Email Marketing – 1st Place: Ohio University
Title: Room Selection Newsletters
Email Marketing – Runner-Up: University of Washington
Title: U of Washington – Email Marketing – Husky Home email newsletters
Poster – 1st Place: UNCG
Title: Throwback Throwdown Flier
Poster – Runner-Up: Kennesaw State University
Title: #VIBECHECK
Brochure/Booklet – 1st Place: North Dakota State University
Title: Residence Life & Dining Experience Booklet
Brochure/Booklet – Runner-Up: Ohio University
Title: Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO) Welcome Guide
Large-Format Printed Piece: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Title: Dining Services Food Truck Wrap
Large-Format Printed Piece – Runner-Up: Texas State University
Title: Housing and Residential Life Lobby Floor Plans
Specialty/Other – 1st Place: Louisiana State University
Title: One Crank, One Conversation, One Home
Speciality/Other – Runner-Up: University at Buffalo
Title: Accepted Student Stewardship Mailer
Video – 1st Place: Kent State University
Title: Stop the Cycle: Laundry PSA
Video – Runner-Up: Florida International University
Title: How to Apply for FIU Housing a Step-by-Step Tutorial
Student Work – 1st Place: San Diego State University
Title: Move-In Pin
Student Work – Runner-Up: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Title: 2025-26 Dining Special Events
Tour Room – 1st Place: Kent State University
Title: Model Room Revamp
Tour Room – Runner-Up: Louisiana State University
Title: Showcase of the Old Presidents House Tour Center
Move-In – 1st Place: Kennesaw State University
Title: Move-In 2025: Live Loud!
Move-In – Runner-Up: University of Houston
