Creative of the Year

The inaugural Creative of the Year Award recognizes a marketing, public relations or communications professional at a community or technical college whose innovative work has elevated their institution's brand and strengthened audience engagement. Nominated members should demonstrate outstanding creativity, vision and measurable impact, with emphasis on accomplishments from the past year.

The Creative of the Year Award will be presented annually in each of NCMPR’s seven districts, and district winners are then considered for the national award. The district Creative of the Year Award winner will receive a full conference stipend for their registration to attend the 2027 national conference in Chicago.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Eligibility

  • A nominee must be a designated member of NCMPR in good standing at the time of nomination and must have worked full time in any aspect of marketing and communications for at least two years at a community or technical college or system office.

  • A previous recipient of the district Creative of the Year Award may be nominated again if at least five years have passed since receiving the district award and the individual has not received the national Creative of the Year Award. A new nomination packet must be completed. 

  • Individuals currently serving on NCMPR's board of directors are not eligible for consideration for this award.

Nomination Procedures

  • Those nominating individuals for the Creative of the Year Award must be a designated member of NCMPR or affiliated with a member college. A member college may submit only one nomination each year.

  • Self-nominations may be submitted for the Creative of the Year Award and require an additional letter of support from the nominee's direct supervisor. This letter must accompany the completed nomination packet.

  • Submit the online nomination form by Aug. 15, 2026.

Questions?

District 1:
Alicia Renehan, District 1 Director
Anne Arundel Community College, MD
410-777-1636 |[javascript protected email address]

District 2: 
Erica Marye, District 2 Director
Kentucky Community & Technical College System
859-256-3286 | [javascript protected email address]

District 3: 
Victoria Monterio, District 3 Director
Cuyahoga Community College, OH
216-987-4826 | [javascript protected email address] 

District 4:
Andrew Valdez, District 4 Director
Alamo Colleges District, TX
210-485-0062 | [javascript protected email address]

District 5:
Kathy Rumpza, District 5 Interim Director
Minneapolis College
612-659-6222 | [javascript protected email address]

District 6:
Mandy Heil, District 6 Director
Arizona Western College
928-314-9594 | [javascript protected email address]

District 7:
Kati Sagawa, District 7 Director
South Puget Sound Community College, WA
360-596-5304 | [javascript protected email address]