Chris Rau Receives Campus Compact Award

The 2021 Iowa and Minnesota Campus Compact (IAMNCC) awards honor almost 90 individuals and organizations whose accomplishments exemplify and celebrate the public purpose at the heart of higher education, nominated by 28 of IAMNCC’s member campuses.

Presidents’ Awards recognize outstanding contributions in civic and community engagement by students, faculty, staff, collaborative teams and community organizations on individual member campuses. IAMNCC has named Vice President of Finance and Operations Chris Rau as a 2021 Presidents’ Civic Engagement Leadership Award winner.  

The COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Election, climate change and the ongoing national reckoning for racial justice have renewed purpose and solidified commitments to civic and community engagement across the IAMNCC network. According to IAMNCC, “the exemplary work and leadership of this year’s cohort of awardees demonstrates how member campuses have risen to the challenge and met the current moment.” 

The Presidents’ Civic Engagement Leadership Award recognizes a member of the faculty, administration or staff that has significantly advanced their campus’ distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting others’ civic and community engagement and working to institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement.

According to the IAMNCC nomination, “Chris took on added responsibility during COVID-19 and served as the College’s COVID-19 Operations Leader. Through Chris’s efforts he provided opportunities for our students and employees to continue to prosper through the difficulty of the pandemic. Chris was able to provide leadership in several operational and basic life needs for our students that contributed to their well-being. Chris leveraged his connections with campus community resources and partners to facilitate a thriving learning environment, despite the continued distractions of the pandemic.”