Congratulations to UVU’s Center for Social Impact (CSI)! Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) awarded CSI the 2021-2022 NASPA Excellence Awards in the Civic Learning/Democratic/ Engagement /Community Service/ Service-Learning category. NAPSA selected CSI as a Gold Award winner in several categories and the Silver Grand Award winner. 

The Center for Social Impact is now designated as first in the nation for all programs and centers related to civic learning, engagement, and service learning. It is in the top three for all programs focused on student success and student affairs in the nation.

CSI’s work was peer-reviewed and evaluated on several criteria, such as the impact on student learning or success; the addressing of issues relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion; meeting students’ needs and critical campus issues based on data; collaboration with other departments; and sustainability of programming.

“Our Impact Fellows receive vital mentorship and resume-building opportunities in addition to scholarships,” said Cassie Bingham, Program Director of Impact Program Design. “Our Design for Impact participants can receive funding for their social impact ideas and interventions. Our Alternative Breaks trips provide opportunities to students to speak directly to community stakeholders with lived experience when it comes to urgent social issues. I hope more and more students, faculty, and staff become aware of the amazing opportunities we provide.”

CSI Director Summer Valente will accept the award for the team at the 2022 NASPA Annual Conference in Baltimore on March 22. Valente will also be honored by NASPA as a leader transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services, and effective administration. 

UVU Dean of Students Alexis Palmer said Summer’s leadership is a significant reason the CSI received such a competitive and prestigious award. 

“We’re thrilled that our strategic approach to this field is being recognized on a national level,” Valente said. “We have put a lot of effort into developing really accessible frameworks and methodologies that students can immediately apply to their personal or professional social impact goals. Our UVU students have responded so positively to the ways we work toward developing active citizens, and we hope with this recognition, even more students across the country could have similar experiences.”

Congratulations to Summer Valente, Amber Hendrickson, Cassie Bingham, Tino Diaz, Lori Phipps, Kinsey Oldroyd, Justin Marks, Jon Westover, Leandra Hernandez, and the many students who comprise the Center for Social Impact team.

Visit the Center for Social Impact website to learn more.