VCE Program Excellence Awards

 This award recognizes efforts by Extension individuals or teams designed to enable groups of people who share a common interest to increase control over the factors and decisions that shape their future. In particular, we are looking for Educator facilitated efforts that have occurred in non-traditional programming areas and with “communities” that are not typical Extension audiences.

 This award recognizes the educational programs that exemplify teamwork and cross-program area cooperation within or across units. At least two Extension program areas (FCS, 4H, ANR, and CV) must be involved. Roles and responsibilities of each program area must be clearly explained. Community partnerships are encouraged but this award specifically targets the Extension team approach. If possible, include specific efforts to reach identified underserved audiences.

 This award recognizes a new program or a significant adaptation of an existing program. The new initiative must address a specific need or issue that exists in any component of the programming process (i.e., situation analysis, program design and implementation, stakeholder involvement, program evaluation, or reporting). The new initiative must have been completed in order to be considered for the award. If possible, include specific efforts to reach identified underserved audiences.

 This award is presented to a successful, wide scale marketing effort directly related to an educational program or unit. Program marketing entries must not focus on infrastructure or activities. A minimum of four marketing methods (newsletter, flier, newspaper article, radio, website, display, etc.) must be used, with specific efforts to reach identified underserved audiences. Submit examples of marketing materials and/or pictures with district nominations as well as to the State level for the winning district entry.

 Program Evaluation gauges change in participant knowledge or behavior, identifies the need for program improvement, or determines additional areas of client interest. This award category recognizes outstanding evaluation effort directly related to assessing intended program outcomes. Indicate how results were shared with stakeholders. Multiple and appropriate evaluation methods should be used.

This award recognizes outstanding impact in participant learning, or action, and/or environmental, economic, or social conditions from an educational programming effort. Indicate methods used to determine impact.

This award is designed to recognize individual or unit efforts to effectively report the outcomes of Extension programming. Programs worth reporting on to stakeholders are those that are relevant, effective and impactful and these messages should be in the forefront. Program reporting methods may be through traditional face-to-face interactions, or through the use of newer technologies that share program outcomes in fresh and exciting ways. You may submit up to two examples of program reporting materials as part of your entry.

This award is designed to encourage and reward faculty for taking appropriate programmatic risks. Like the New Initiatives category, Programmatic Courage relates to a new program or a significant adaptation of an existing program. However, the principle difference between the Programmatic Courage and New Initiatives categories is that, to qualify for the Programmatic Courage award, the programming effort must have not met intended outcomes or otherwise been unsuccessful in the eyes of the developer. Thus, the purpose of this category is to reward courage for trying new programs and approaches, even if the outcome is not guaranteed and the potential for failure is high.