Rising Star of the Year

The Rising Star Award recognizes an up-and-coming communication professional at a community or technical college. This individual has demonstrated special creativity or ability in college communications and shows evidence of a promising future in this field of work. Emphasis is placed on accomplishments within the past year.

The Rising Star Award is presented annually in each of NCMPR’s seven districts, and district winners are then considered for the national award. The district Rising Star 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 member of NCMPR in good standing at the time of nomination and must have worked full time in any aspect of community college marketing and communications for at least one year and not more than five years.

  • A previous recipient of the district Rising Star of the Year Award may not be nominated again for the award.

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

Nomination Procedures

  • Those nominating individuals for the Rising Star of the Year Award must be a 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 Rising Star 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.

Rising-Star-icon

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]