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. See the prize guide for more details (coming soon!). 

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. The effort to revitalize the program 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 (to come).

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. 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 Registration 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 five of the nine categories for our LeadMN Annual Awards. Award categories include: Student Leader of the Year, Governing Council Member of the Year, Advisor of the Year. (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 criteria as they want. Campuses will qualify for the Star Campus designation upon reaching a total of 40 points by April 5th, 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, there are 5 criteria campuses can fulfill to become a Star Campus. Criteria have an assigned points system, which is noted next to each. Campuses must earn 40 out of 75 points to be designated as a Star Campus. LeadMN will announce Star Campuses at our Spring General Assembly.

Student Senates can use our online submission form. Please submit the form separately for each criteria you wish to fulfill. For some of the criteria you will need to upload files to show you’ve completed the requirements; for others, no file upload is needed, just submit via the form.  Email or prc@leadmn with any questions or if you need assistance with submissions. You will receive a confirmation email once you have submitted. 

Please note,  the only way your campus will be awarded points for any criteria category is by submitting the online form – please submit the form separately for each criteria regardless of whether a file submission is required or not.