Students Serving Washington Awards to Honor the Community Impact, Social Entrepreneurship of State’s College Students

September 8, 2015

Washington Campus Compact, hosted at Western Washington University, has announced the launch of the Students Serving Washington Awards (SSWA), a pilot project designed to recognize college student service leaders and inspire the next generation of civically minded social entrepreneurs.

The project is part of a statewide initiative to demonstrate the numerous positive impacts students and higher education institutions have in communities across the state.

“The Students Serving Washington Awards will showcase the amazing contributions college students are making in communities,” said Jennifer Hine, executive director of Washington Campus Compact. “Students will be challenged to think entrepreneurially and apply their education, innovation, and service leadership to solve real problems in our state. Their efforts will not only help our communities, but help them develop valuable workforce and civic leadership skills.”

The Students Serving Washington Awards features three award categories:

  • The Social Entrepreneur Award invites students to provide an entrepreneurial solution to a challenge question in one of six critical issue areas. The top solutions developed by student teams will receive a $10,000 seed grant to help launch their innovative idea;
  • The Outstanding Service Award will recognize students participating in current service projects. Winners will receive $7,500 divided equally three ways between the student applicant(s), their host higher education institution, and their community partner; and
  • The Presidents’ Award will be given to two students from each Washington Campus Compact member institution who have applied for either the Social Entrepreneur Award or Outstanding Service Award and selected by their institution’s president for distinguished service to their campus and surrounding community. Winners will receive recognition and a scholarship to be announced prior to the SSWA ceremony in April 2016.

Students applying for the awards will submit project narratives, photos, and videos, as well as promote projects through social media. In the coming weeks, members of the public will be able to search for student projects on the SSWA website to view applicant submissions. The public is encouraged to participate in the selection process by voting for a “fan favorite” on the SSWA site. The application process will culminate in an awards ceremony to be held in April 2016. Details about the awards ceremony will be forthcoming.

Applications are being accepted now through March 1, 2016. Applicants must be at least part-time, currently enrolled students at Washington Campus Compact member institutions.  For more information or to apply, please visit www.studentserviceawards.org.

Washington Campus Compact (WACC), hosted at Western Washington University, is a coalition of higher education institutions committed to advancing the public purpose of colleges and universities, educating students for civic and social responsibility, and creating vital and sustainable communities across the state. Throughout its history, Washington Campus Compact has been successful in leveraging millions of dollars in local, state, federal, and foundational support for programs, initiatives, and scholarships at member institutions. For more information, please visit www.wacampuscompact.org.