Three individuals and three organizations nominated by the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University have received 2021 Presidents’ Awards from Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact.

CSB senior Drew Wilds and SJU senior Elliot Edeburn received Presidents’ Student Leadership Awards.

Faculty member Emily Heying (nominated by CSB) and the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement (nominated by SJU) received Presidents’ Civic Engagement Awards.

And, Genesys Works (nominated by CSB) and Around Cloud Tutors (nominated by SJU) received Presidents’ Community Partner Awards.

The awards honor almost 90 individuals and organizations whose accomplishments exemplify and celebrate the public purpose at the heart of higher education. All of the award winners were nominated by 27 member colleges of Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact.

“The COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 election, climate change and the ongoing national reckoning for racial justice have renewed purpose and solidified commitments to civic and community engagement across the Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact network,” according to a release from the organization. “The exemplary work and leadership of this year's cohort of awardees demonstrates how our member campuses have risen to the challenge and met the current moment.”

The awards were given in the following categories. The following descriptions were provided by Campus Compact:

2021 Presidents’ Student Leadership Awards

This award recognizes an individual student or a student organization that models a deep commitment to civic responsibility and leadership, evidenced by initiative, innovative and collaborative approaches to addressing public issues, effective community building, and integration of civic engagement into the college experience.

Drew Wilds, CSB - During her time at Saint Ben’s, Wilds – a peace studies and political science double-major from Eden Prairie, Minnesota - has led voter service and Census education in the community. Through a position with the campus’s Institute for Women’s Leadership, she coordinated programming on reproductive health. As a Bonner Leader, she advocated for student work study jobs that meet community needs.

Elliot Edeburn, SJU – Edeburn, a Hispanic studies and political science double-major from Sartell, Minnesota hosts a podcast focused on civic engagement topics, planned and facilitated a conversation and signature events for Community Engagement Day, joined Get Out the Vote Efforts to increase civic engagement on campus and served as an orientation leader in 2018 and 2020.

2021 Presidents’ Civic Engagement Awards

This award recognizes a member of the faculty, administration or staff or for a group (advisory committee, task force, project team) that has significantly advanced their campus’ distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting others’ civic and community engagement, and working to institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement.

CSB winner: Emily Heying, associate professor of nutrition - Heying’s research focuses on the prevalence and risk factors of food insecurity among CSB/SJU students, and her findings help the campuses create better systems to support students. She is currently developing a co-taught course focusing on Native American health disparities and food sovereignty, using a community engaged learning approach.

SJU winner: Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement - The McCarthy Center empowers civic education and action through discussions and experiential learning events in order to promote the common good, the value of politics, the shared identity as citizens and engagement in public work. They engage hundreds of students annually and many, many more participate in programming available broadly to the campuses and to the public. Many continue public service and engagement after graduation.

2021 Presidents’ Community Partner Award

This award recognizes a community-based partner or organization that has enhanced the quality of life in the community in meaningful and measurable ways and has engaged in the development of sustained, reciprocal partnerships with the college or university, thus enriching educational as well as community outcomes.

CSB winner: Genesys Works - Genesys Works supports high school students from underrepresented communities through paid, year-long internships in business technology and continued engagement with college and career success. Genesys Works partnered with CSB students to create resources for college students sharing best practices for virtual learning, a necessary skill during COVID-19.

SJU winner: Around Cloud Tutors - Around Cloud Tutors is a free, online tutoring service for all K-12 students in the greater St. Cloud, Minnesota area. It is an initiative of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation in partnership with the United Way, the Boys and Girls Club, CSB/SJU, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud Technical and Community College and AmeriCorps Seniors. One-on-one sessions cover reading, math, social studies, English, language arts and Spanish.

Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact is a network of 59 member colleges and universities committed to strengthening the capacity for civic engagement and campus-community partnership in the service of fulfilling the public purposes at the heart of higher education.