Skip to main content

CASE

CASE

Main Menu

  • Conferences & Training
  • Resources & Articles
  • Trending
  • Awards
  • Connect
  • Careers
  • About
  • Districts
    • Membership
    • Log in
    • Search
    • Shopping Cart

    Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Awards
    COE Awards Header image

    Circle of Excellence Awards

    Circle of Excellence Awards
    • Start or Continue a Nomination
    • About the Awards
    • Award Areas and Categories
    • Award Recipients
    • Volunteer Judges
    • CASE Platinum Awards
    • Robert Sibley Magazine of the Year Award
    • Past Winners

    Each year the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards recognize hundreds of institutions whose talented staff members advanced their institutions last year through innovative, inspiring and creative ideas.

    The awards acknowledge superior accomplishments that have lasting impact, demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and deliver exceptional results. Some winners are showcased on the CASE website, in Currents magazine, and at various CASE conferences.

    The 2021 Circle of Excellence Awards is open for nominations until March 10.
    Start a Nomination
    New for 2021:
    • Updated category descriptions and simpler instructions.
    • No more mail-in categories; all nomination materials are submitted online.
    • One-time "Pivot" categories for special initiatives relating to COVID-19.
    • Expanded marketing categories.
    • New special event categories for online events.
    • More video categories.
    • Online collaboration tool so multiple colleagues can contribute information to your entries.

    Jan. 13, 2021: Nominations open.

    Feb. 24, 2021 (11:59 p.m. in your time zone): Early bird deadline (save USD$25 per entry)

    March 10, 2021 (11:59 p.m. in your time zone): Final deadline

    All entries must be complete and paid by the deadlines in order to be considered. No extensions will be allowed.

     

    1. Choose a Category
      There are 100 categories organized into 15 award areas. Many entries meet criteria for more than one category, and you can enter as many categories as you wish.
    2. Update Your CASE Profile
      Make sure your title, institution and address are correct. Click on My Account in the upper-right corner of case.org to make any changes you would like. For assistance updating your profile, contact CASE Member Support.

    3. Prepare your Nomination Materials
      Nearly every category has the same standard entry questions:
      -- Provide a concise summary of your entry (250 words maximum)
      -- Methodology and Strategy: How did you accomplish your goals? Provide a list of no more than 10 key activities and/or decisions that were central to your success.
      -- Resources: Describe and detail how your resources were used (budget and staff)
      -- Outcomes: Describe your goals/objectives and how they were measured/met.
      -- What makes your entry distinctive?
      (A few categories have additional questions specific to that award area.)

    4. Submit your Nomination
      Using our online portal, entering and updating your information is easy. Use this link to get started or return to your nominations.

      The portal accepts most file types and files up to 500MB. (For larger files such as videos, please provide a hyperlink.)

      New for 2021: You can grant others access to your nominations in order to make it easier to collaborate on submissions. Select "Manage Collaborators" in the upper-right corner of a nomination you have started.

      Prepare all of your entries and add them to your cart until you are ready to pay.

    5. Pay for your Nomination
      Once you are satisfied that your entry materials are complete, follow the prompts to check out and pay for your entry. All payments must be made online via credit card. CASE does not issue invoices or accept purchase orders.

    6. Print a receipt
      Go to "My Account" at www.case.org.
      Select "Purchase History" in the left navigation.
      Click on the blue "order number" to see a detailed receipt you can print.
       

      Important notes:
    • Once you have paid for your entry, you can not make any changes to the nomination.
    • It will take approximately 60 minutes after you make your payment for it to be recognized in the system.

    Save money by entering early!

    • All fees must be paid online via credit card. CASE does not accept purchase orders or payments via check.
    • In order to receive the Early Bird rate, entries must be complete and paid by Feb. 24, 2021. Otherwise, regular rates will apply.
    • Entries that have not been paid by the close the nomination period will not be judged.
    • Once an entry has been submitted and paid, no refunds will be issued.

    Cost per entry:

    • $105 USD Early Bird rate for entries submitted on or before Feb. 24, 2021.
    • $130 USD regular rate for entries submitted on or before March 10, 2021.

    Other denominations:

    Early Bird

    AUD: $145
    CAD: $140
    EUR: $90
    GBP: $80
    MXN: $2120
    SGD: $145
    USA: $105

    Regular Rate

    AUD: $180
    CAD: $170
    EUR: $110
    GBP: $100
    MXN: $2620
    SGD: $180
    USA: $130

    Who can enter

    • Any CASE member institution is welcome to submit entries to the Circle of Excellence Awards.
    • Nominators must be employed at and on the CASE roster at a CASE member institution.
    • External vendors and third parties, including CASE Educational Partners, may not submit entries on behalf of institutions with which they have worked.

    Entry criteria

    • Unless otherwise noted, entries should be original work that was produced or completed during the 2020 calendar year. In the case of publications such as magazines, the date on the cover/masthead will be used to determine eligibility.
    • Although use of external vendors, consultants and freelancers is allowed, the work should primarily be that of staff at CASE member institutions. 

    Entry fees and payment

    • All fees must be paid online via credit card. CASE does not accept purchase orders or payment via check.
    • Entries that have not been paid by the close the nomination period will not be judged.
    • Once an entry has been submitted and paid, no refunds will be issued.

    Permissions

    By entering the Circle of Excellence, the nominator and affiliated institution give CASE permission to:

    • Share relevant contact information with volunteer judges.
    • Use any of the materials submitted with the nomination for promotional purposes, including the CASE website, print and promotional publications, and electronic communications.

    Entry and category rules

    • Once an entry has been submitted and paid, it is considered final.
    • The same entry may be submitted to any categories for which it meets the criteria.
    • Institutions may submit more than one entry to the same category.
    • Entries that were previously submitted to a CASE District awards competition may also be entered in the Circle of Excellence Awards.
    • Entries and related materials become the property of CASE and will not be returned.
    • CASE and the judge coordinators reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not meet entry criteria.
    • CASE and the judge coordinators reserve the right to move an entry into a more appropriate category, without notice to the nominator.

     

    You can reach the CASE Awards team at awards@case.org.

    Please include in your correspondence the name of the award (such as Circle of Excellence), and category name, if applicable.

     

    COE 2020 Award Infographic

    Circle of Excellence Awards Winners

    Advancement Services
    Alumni Relations
    Design
    Digital Communications
    Diversity and Talent Management
    Fundraising
    General Advancement
    Magazines
    Marketing
    Photography
    Publications
    Special Events
    Communications
    Video
    Writing
    Student Advancement
    Featured Award Winners
    Search all winners
    2020

    California Magazine

    University of California, Berkeley
    Circle of Excellence » Magazines » Alumni/General Interest 4x per year or more
    Read more
    California Magazine
    Grand Gold
    2020

    Campbell Magazine

    Campbell University
    Circle of Excellence » Magazines » Magazines on a Shoestring
    Read more
    Campbell Magazine
    Grand Gold
    2020

    SPH This Year

    Boston University
    Circle of Excellence » Design » Multi-Page Publications
    Read more
    SPH This Year
    Grand Gold
    2020

    Crimson & Gold Trail

    University of Denver
    Circle of Excellence » Alumni Relations » Marketing and Promotion
    Read more
    Crimson & Gold Trail
    Grand Gold
    2020

    Setting the Stage for Fundraising Through Social Media

    American School of Guatemala
    Circle of Excellence » Digital Communications » Social Media - Fundraising
    Read more
    Setting the Stage for Fundraising Through Social Media
    Grand Gold
    2019

    Education at the Speed of Industry

    Central Arizona College
    Circle of Excellence » General Advancement » Community College Public-Private Partnership
    Read more
    Education at the Speed of Industry
    Gold
    2019

    IMPACT

    Elgin Community College
    Circle of Excellence » Magazines » Community College Magazines
    Read more
    IMPACT
    Gold
    2019

    The Williston Northampton School Bulletin, Spring and Fall 2018

    The Williston Northampton School
    Circle of Excellence » Magazines » Independent School Magazines
    Read more
    The Williston Northampton School Bulletin, spring and fall 2018
    Gold
    2019

    Viewpoint Magazine

    Viewpoint School
    Circle of Excellence » Magazines » Independent School Magazines
    Read more
    Viewpoint magazine
    Gold
    2019

    Immerse. Serve. Soar

    Singapore American School
    Circle of Excellence » Photography » Series of Related Photographs
    Read more
    Immerse. Serve. Soar
    Gold
    2019

    2018 Bond University Indigenous Gala & Art Auction

    Bond University
    Circle of Excellence » Special Events » Single-Day Events
    Read more
    2018 Bond University Annual Indigenous Gala & Art Auction
    Gold
    2019

    2017 Discovery Innovation Awards

    Stanford University
    Circle of Excellence » Special Events » Single-Day Events
    Read more
    2017 Discovery Innovation Awards
    Bronze
    2019

    Wider Horizons

    Lethbridge College
    Circle of Excellence » Magazines » Community College Magazines
    Read more
    Wider Horizons
    Grand Gold
    See a list of 2020 Circle of Excellence Award recipients.
    2020 WINNERS

    CASE

    CASE
    • Contact
    • CASE Communities
    • Member Login
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Statement
    • Staff Intranet
    Connect with CASE
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    CASE Member Support
    +1-202-328-CASE [2273]
    support.case.org

    CASE

    CASE
    Close

    Search

    Popular Searches
    Book Advancement events Articles Fundraising Resources AMAtlas Resources Awards CASE Library