SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – March 12, 2014 - The University Economic Development Association (UEDA) is currently seeking nominations for its annual Awards of Excellence program, which recognizes cutting edge university-based economic development initiatives from across the country. The Awards of Excellence Program recognizes higher education institutions and their partners who are transforming their campuses into engines of economic prosperity through creative initiatives in five categories:
- Community Connected Campus: initiatives that promote the physical development of quality connected campuses and their surrounding communities;
- Research and Analysis: initiatives that enhance the capacity of colleges and universities to provide new forms of research and tools for community, economic and workforce development practitioners;
- Leadership and Collaboration: initiatives that support the development of collaborative economic development strategies and the leaders required to implement them;
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship: initiatives designed to support startups, high-growth companies and clusters within a region; and
- Talent Development: initiatives that promote the development of 21st-century skills.
“Our UEDA 2013 Award has led to affirmation of North Carolina’s role as a collaborative, forward-thinking state that brings together universities and economic development agencies to work towards a common goal,” shared Dr. Sharlini Sankaran, Executive Director of REACH NC. “The Award has led to greater publicity, awareness, and status for REACH NC – as a direct result of this award and the connections made at the UEDA conference, we have been speaking with several other states about replicating a similar model. The award has also caught the attention of local officials who want to know how to maximize usage of REACH NC to attract talent and industry especially to rural areas of the state.”
A committee of peers from across the country will judge the nominations throughout the month of June on the criteria of originality, sustainability, replicability, and scalability. The highest scoring applications will be selected as finalists and will be invited to present at the UEDA Annual Summit in Santa Fe, NM being held September 28 - October 1, 2014. Summit attendees will vote and select the category winners, who will be recognized during the Awards of Excellence Banquet during the Summit.
“The UEDA Awards of Excellence Program recognizes 'best practices' in university-based economic development” said Mary Frances Postupack, President of UEDA. “The winner and finalists represent outstanding high-impact projects and initiatives by UEDA member colleges and universities that are transforming communities across the country.”
Deadline for nominations is May 31, 2014. A webinar will be held on April 10, 2014 at 2:00 PM EDT to further explain the awards process. Complete details about the UEDA Awards of Excellence program, as well as webinar registration information and the award nomination form, can be found at: http://awards.universityeda.org. For further information about the 2014 Annual Summit, please visit http://UEDAAnnualSummit.org.
