The International Town & Gown Association is thrilled to announce the 2025 ITGA Awards that recognize exemplary leadership, innovation, dedication, and excellence in town-gown relations. Whether you're nominating yourself or a colleague, this is a unique opportunity to highlight outstanding contributions within the ITGA community. Please note that in order to submit a nomination, you will need to sign into a Google account.
Deadline to Submit Nominations: Wednesday, May 15
Please note: Recipient must register for and attend the annual ITGA conference. If someone is selected for the award but cannot register and attend the annual conference, they may be considered for nomination the following year.
Let’s celebrate the incredible work being done across campuses and communities—submit your nomination today! For questions, contact
Presidential Excellence Award
In 2013, the Presidential Excellence Award was created as a way to highlight ITGA members who demonstrate exceptional performance in one of the following areas: Building Community, Relationships, Well-being, Resiliency or Educational Achievement in town-gown communities or for the ITGA. The ITGA Presidential Excellence Award is presented annually at the ITGA Conference.
Recipient must register for and attend the annual ITGA conference. If someone is selected for the award but cannot register and attend the annual conference, they may be considered for nomination the following year.
Criteria:
- Evidence of initiatives, policies or programs that strengthen collaboration between municipalities and higher education institutions and that have a significant impact on the community. Award can be given to an individual, group, institution or collaborative program.
Nomination Process:
- Submissions for the Presidential Excellence Award should be limited to a narrative of no more than three pages, including any supplemental documentation.
Emerging Professional Award
This award is presented to an individual with five years or less of full-time professional experience in municipal management or higher education work who has demonstrated early career leadership in town/gown relations. Evidence of significant contribution to town-gown work should be demonstrated in at least one of the following areas: (a) administrative service (b) innovative practice(s) or scholarship; (c) leadership.
Recipient must register for and attend the annual ITGA conference. If someone is selected for the award but cannot register and attend the annual conference, they may be considered for nomination the following year.
Self-nominations are also accepted.
Criteria:
Exhibits the ability to build partnerships, solve challenges, and create positive change within their professional capacity; Shown exceptional leadership in fostering collaboration between higher education institutions and local communities.
To nominate a colleague for the Emerging Professional level, please submit:
- The nominee’s current resume
- At least one nomination letter explaining how the person meets the above-mentioned criteria.
Exemplary Service Award
The Exemplary Service Award recipient exemplifies the individual’s commitment to service through significant, continued, and unselfish service/leadership activities that have benefited the nominee’s town-gown community, the profession, ITGA, and the profession’s practice on the state and national level.
Recipients must register for and attend the annual ITGA conference and be an active ITGA member. If someone is selected for the award but cannot register and attend the annual conference, they may be considered for nomination the following year.
Criteria:
- Minimum of 10 years of work in municipal or higher education town-gown management.
- Evidence of significant contribution(s) to their shared community, the student experience, their campus and community, and/or their colleagues.
- Demonstrated commitment to ITGA.
To nominate a colleague for the Emerging Professional level, please submit:
- Letter of nomination that articulates how the individual meets the criteria for the award and includes the nominee’s name, email address, telephone number, relationship to nominator. (Limit 2 pages)
- Nominee’s current resume or vita.
- Two letters of support, preferably one from the municipality and one from the university/college.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The ITGA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have a minimum of twenty years of extraordinary involvement and service in town-gown relations, city service and/or higher education over an extended period with recognized level of exemplary leadership in town-gown relations. This award is typically presented at or near the recipient’s retirement from higher education or municipal/community leadership.
Recipients must register for and attend the annual ITGA conference. If someone is selected for the award but cannot register and attend the annual conference, they may be considered for nomination the following year.
Criteria:
- Evidence of extraordinary involvement and service to the field.
- Evidence of significant exemplary leadership in the field.
- Evidence of sustained contribution to the field
To nominate a colleague for the Lifetime Achievement Award, please submit:
- Letter of nomination that articulates how the individual meets the criteria for the award and includes the nominee’s name, email address, and telephone number.
- A minimum of three supporting letters from other leaders in the field.
- The nominee’s curriculum vita/resume.
Community Partner Award
The Community Partner Award recognizes an outstanding community partner who has demonstrated exceptional commitment, innovation, and impact in fostering strong town-gown relations. This award honors an individual, organization, or institution that has significantly contributed to strengthening partnerships between higher education institutions and their surrounding communities, leading to meaningful and sustainable positive change.
Recipients must register for and attend the annual ITGA conference. If someone is selected for the award but cannot register and attend the annual conference, they may be considered for nomination the following year.
Criteria (nomination should demonstrate at least 2 (two) of the below bullets:
- Demonstrated Impact: Evidence of measurable and lasting positive outcomes resulting from the nominee's town-gown initiatives.
- Collaboration & Partnership: Strong and effective partnerships between the community and higher education institutions that enhance mutual goals.
- Innovation & Best Practices: Implementation of creative strategies or best practices that address town-gown challenges and opportunities.
- Community Engagement & Inclusion: Commitment to inclusive and equitable engagement that fosters a sense of shared ownership and mutual respect.
- Sustainability & Long-Term Commitment: Efforts that are sustainable, scalable, and serve as a model for other communities.
- Advocacy & Leadership: Dedication to advocating for policies, programs, or initiatives that improve town-gown relationships on a local, regional, or national level.
To nominate a colleague or organization for the Community Partner Award, please submit:
- Submissions for the Community Partner Award should be limited to a narrative of no more than three pages, including any supplemental documentation.