Civic Engagement Professional of the Year

The Civic Engagement Professional of the Year Award (CEPY) recognizes a staff person at a member campus who has worked to institutionalize service, fostered a vision of service, supported faculty and students, and formed innovative campus-community partnerships. The award is presented during the PACE Conference. Nominations typically open in mid-September and close the first week in December. 

Nominations are open for the 2025 Community Engagement Professional of the Year (CEPY) Award. The award will be presented during the PACE Conference on February 12, 2025. 

Nomination deadline: December 11, 2024

Past Recipients

2023 – Dr. Jaime Russell, UNC Wilmington

2022 – Kathy Sikes, Duke University

2021 – Dr. Marianne Magjuka, Wake Forest University

2020 – Dr. Lori Kniffin, UNC Greensboro

2019 – Sean Langley, UNC Charlotte

2018 – Charlotte Williams, Lenoir-Rhyne University (Sustainer Award) and Dr. Tamara Johnson, UNC Charlotte (Emerging Leader)

2017 – Dr. Smith Jackson, Elon University

2016 – Cathy Kramer, Warren Wilson College (Sustainer) and Kelly Misiak, Pfeiffer University (Emerging Leader)

2015 – Dena Shonts, Central Piedmont Community College (Sustainer) and Dr. Lane Perry, Western Carolina University (Emerging Leader)

2014 – Dr Emily Janke, UNC Greensboro (Sustainer) and Rev. Dr. Joe Blosser, High Point University (Emerging Leader)

2013 – Elaine Madison, Duke University

2012 – Aubrey Swett, UNC Pembroke

2011 – Mary Morrison, Elon University

2010 – Jenny Huq, UNC-Chapel Hill

2009 – Julie Lawson, Peace College (Emerging Leader); Dr. Stacey Riemer, Davidson College (Sustainer); and Dr. Susan Harden, UNC Charlotte (Innovator)

2008 – James Shields, Guilford College

2007 – Jenny Koehn, Appalachian State University

2006 – Jason Denius, East Carolina University