The University of Iowa’s Just Living Student Ambassadors group is one of five statewide winners of the 2016 Engaged Campus Awards. The Iowa Campus Compact (IACC) selected the winners from a record number of nominations: 39 in total, from 14 colleges and universities across Iowa.

These awards recognize individuals and groups affiliated with Iowa colleges and universities that work to deepen and strengthen campus civic and community engagement.

The Just Living Theme Semester focused on engaging the campus and community in social justice conversations. The ambassadors collaborated with campus and community partners to create initiatives addressing disability awareness and sexual assault awareness and prevention.

The Iowa Memorial Union will host an awards luncheon May 31 celebrating a shared commitment to higher education civic engagement.

The IACC is accepting votes for the Network Choice Award, which will determine the second winner of the Student Leadership Award.

2016 Engaged Campus Award Winners

• Student Leadership: Just Living Student Ambassadors, University of Iowa
• Civic Mission Leadership: Keith Yanner, professor of political science, Central College
• Community Partnership: Adib Kassas, Children of Abraham, Loras College community partner
• Emerging Innovation: Erin VanLaningham, director, Honors Program and associate professor of English, Loras College
• Iowa College AmeriCorps Program Member of the Year: Jacob Buster, Cornell College

Other UI programs also received honorable mentions:

• Columbus Junction Campus-Community Partnership, Patricia Zebrowski and Linda Luoko
• Incarcerated in Iowa, Kathrina Litchfield and Gemma Goodale-Sussen