The Maryland College Personnel Association (MCPA) invites nominations for its recognition awards. The eight awards recognize the service and contributions of professionals and student leaders across the state. Encourage others to aim high by recognizing those who are already doing their finest! We’re seeking award nominations to acknowledge the best of the best in the state.

Award nominations for the 2022 cycle will be due November 11, 2022.

To submit a nomination, please click here.

To volunteer as an awards reviewer, please click here.

Innovative Program Award 
This award is presented for an outstanding college-student focused program in Maryland higher education. The program should demonstrate innovative, best practices and produce quality results in student learning, development, engagement, satisfaction, and/or organizational performance. Programs receiving this award should serve as role models for student affairs practices in Maryland.

Outstanding Student Leader Award
This award is presented to a current undergraduate student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership on campus. This award recognizes creativity, integrity, innovative thought, and an ability to collaborate with other student leaders, faculty, and staff through programming or governance in an effort to improve the social, psychological, and/or academic well-being of the campus community

Outstanding Emerging Professional Award
This award will be presented to a college student educator who has demonstrated commitment to the field of higher education and has made noticeable contributions through their studies, work, and/or accomplishments. This award recognizes a member of the field in graduate study and/or a new professional with less than four years experience.

Outstanding Support Staff Professional Award
This award is presented to a professional in an administrative role who supports the work of college student educators. This award acknowledges a professional who goes above and beyond expectations to support students and higher education professionals.

Dedication to Diversity Award
This award is presented to a faculty member, graduate student, administrator, staff member or student demonstrating a commitment to cultural awareness and encouraging a multicultural approach with its staff, students, programming and/or community. The honoree must be in the forefront in promoting diversity in the student affairs arena and must have taken steps to break down walls of misunderstanding and ignorance.

Dedication to Professional Service
This award is presented to a college student educator in recognition of their significant contributions and service in higher education. This professional has made considerable efforts to impact change in student affairs practices in the state of Maryland through their work, mentorship, scholarship, research, consultation, presentations, and/or other involvements and participation. This award recognizes both a seasoned member and a newer member in the field, thus nominations should be submitted for one of the following categories:
Category 1: 5-9 years of experience in higher education 
 Category 2: 10+ years of experience in higher education

Dedication to the Association
This award is given in recognition of an outstanding member of MCPA. The award is presented to the active MCPA member who has distinguished himself or herself by loyalty and dedication to the association affairs. This award would be the only award that current MCPA executive members would be eligible to receive. Any MCPA member is eligible for the award.