About Star Campus

The Star Campus program was an initiative first created by the cabinet of 2009-2010 with the intent to reward the most active campuses of LeadMN. The idea was that Student Senates who are fulfilling their commitment to students on their campuses and LeadMN would become a “Star Campus,” serving as an example for campus governments striving to better serve their constituencies. Every Student Senate represented by LeadMN is eligible to participate in the Star Campus program. 

Star Campus honors the hard work and passion of student senators. Campuses that fulfill criteria outlined by LeadMN are designated as a Star Campus and receive prizes, rewarding them for their efforts. Find prize information below or in the Star Campus Guide 

After years of recovering from a global pandemic and significant staff changes at LeadMN, the organization decided to revitalize the program while aiming to make it more equitable to campuses across the state. This included input from LeadMN’s Student Cabinet and Student Advocates as well as Campus Advisors and Student Senates.

This year, in 2024- 2025,  we are relaunching the program in a limited capacity to adjust for the shortened timeline of completion. Below, find more information about the submission process, program status updates, criteria, award details and more or check out our downloadable Star Campus Guide. 

Criteria

1. Submit at least one student story to LeadMN relating to a higher education issue. This can be an issue that’s important to your campus or region or an issue related to student needs/ interests.  You can submit your story in a short  250 – 400 word paragraph with a photo or you can submit a video story. Use this story telling form if you don’t know where to start or this form if you know your story. If you have questions about how to craft your student story, reach out to LeadMN PRC at . (10 points)

2. Organize and host a Voter Engagement Event on your campus (can be on National Voter Registration Day, Class Rap or Voter Education Week, or other voter-centered event). Must be non-partisan. Can be either virtual or in person. Must submit event promotion material and an overview of the event to LeadMN.
   *LeadMN can provide trainings, materials, or help lead your event
   *can be applied retroactively to fall events for 2024-2025 (20 points)
3. Campus submits at least one 300-word nomination in at least two of the three categories for our LeadMN Annual Awards. Award categories include: Student Leader of the Year, Governing Council Member of the Year, Advisor of the Year. Award nominations will open in mid-January and close mid-March. (5 points)
4. Attend the student senate meeting of another campus OR partner with another student senate in an event or activity outside of LeadMN conferences. Can be in-person or virtually. Must submit a picture of the group (online or in-person). Each partnering senate must submit a 100-word description of the event or activity or submit your meeting minutes. (15 points)
5. Host a supply drive on your campus (eg  food, clothing, textbooks, tools). Must submit event promotion materials and submit a report of the results to LeadMN. Reports must generally include an approximate number of materials collected and given away; people attended; supplies given; plan for remaining materials. (25 points)

Campuses can complete as many of these criterion as they want. Campuses will qualify for the Star Campus designation upon reaching a total of 40 points by March 28th, 2025, but are encouraged to submit as soon as possible. 

Contact LeadMN Communications Manager at for any questions on submission requirements or scoring. 

Submission Guidelines

This year, campuses can achieve Star Campus designation by fulfilling five criteria, each with an assigned point value indicated alongside it. To be recognized as a Star Campus, a total of 40 out of 75 possible points must be earned. LeadMN will announce Star Campuses at the Spring General Assembly on April 12th.

Student Senates can use our online submission form to participate. A separate form must be submitted for each criterion being fulfilled. For some criteria, supporting files must be uploaded as proof of completion; for others, no file upload is necessary—just complete and submit the form. For assistance or questions, email   or prc@leadmn. You will receive a confirmation email once you have submitted. 

Please note that points will only be awarded for a criterion if the online form is submitted. This applies to all criteria, regardless of whether a file upload is required. Submissions open on January 5, 2025, and close on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 12:00 PM.

Awards

The following awards will be distributed to Star Campuses in-person at our Spring General Assembly or by mail to Campus Advisors for those who cannot attend in person. Each year, campuses will receive a certificate of achievement and LinkedIn Badges. 

Awards are given based on the number of consecutive years a campus has won. While awards were historically distributed based on cumulative years won, we recognized that with the turnover of 2-year colleges, schools are being rewarded based on those who came many years before them. Consecutive years allows Student Senates and Advisors to pass Star Campus knowledge to incoming students.

year 1: student senate door plate

Branded with your campus’ logo! These 5 x 5 door plates can be adhered to your Student Senate office door with command strips or other gentle adhesive.

years 2 – 4: $50 gift card

A $50 VISA gift card you can spend on something your Student Senate or campus needs whether that’s covering transportation fees, food for an event, or campus project.

year 5: Blue star campus wall plaque

This 5 x7 mirror plaque can be hung on the wall of your Student Senate office, Student Life Office, or wherever you want to show off your accomplishment! 
Every 5 years, campuses will be eligible to win another plaque, colors vary (5 years = blue, 10 years = silver, 15. years = bronze, 20 years = gold)

year 6: student senate branded merchandise

Specially designed merch for your Student Senate! Choose your merch (t-shirts, hats, hoodies) up to a $300 value. Give us input on the design, or design it yourself and we’ll get it ordered.