Nine UC campuses and the Office of the President were honored with 2024 Circle of Excellence Awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
These prestigious international awards recognize exceptional achievement in advancement services, alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing. These are the creative, inspiring projects that impact institutions and their communities—and transform lives around the globe.
Congratulations to all the colleagues who worked on these award-winning projects!
Explore each winning entry by selecting the links below.
UC Berkeley
The cover of the Gold award-winning Berkeley Haas 125th Anniversary Issue. “This forward-looking history is an ambitious challenge that Berkeley Haas pulled off beautifully,” noted the judges.
- Gold, Single Topic/Special Editions — Berkeley Haas 125th Anniversary Issue
- Silver, Writing: Column or Opinion Piece — Editor’s Note: Optimism Issue
- Silver, Magazines, Alumni/General Interest — Berkeley Haas Magazine
UC Davis
- Gold, Communications Initiatives (More Than 25 Staff) — IDEA$ at Work: Engaging Employees to Help Solve Budget Challenges
- Gold, Donor Relations & Stewardship Initiatives — Annual Stewardship – You’re the Gift That Keeps on Giving
- Gold, Special Events: In-Person (Single-Day) — Davis Day of Reflection – Healing Together
- Gold, Videos: Fundraising and Stewardship (Long) — The Art of UC Davis: Donor Stewardship Video
- Gold, Videos: Student Audience (Long) — A Day in the Life of Marine Science Student Researchers
- Silver, Advancement Services Initiatives (More Than 25 Staff) — Aggie Accord: An App for Gift Agreements at UC Davis
- Silver, Leadership: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives — Accessibility and Inclusivity Guide for UC Davis Communicators
- Silver, Podcasts (Occasional) — Pod of Orcas
- Bronze, Leadership: Talent Management Initiatives — The Learning DO–Development Officer Boot Camp
- Bronze, Special Events: In-Person (Multi-Day) — Parent & Family Weekend 2023
- Bronze, Videos: Fundraising (Flash Campaign/Giving Day) — Last Chance to Give Video: Cori and UC Davis
UC Irvine
- Grand Gold, Special Events: In-Person (Single-Day) — Día de los Muertos
- Bronze, Videos: Fundraising (Flash Campaign/Giving Day) — UCI Giving Day 2023 Video
UCLA
The cover of the Gold award-winning UCLA Magazine Fall 2023 Issue. In their feedback, judges shared, “We enjoyed the layout, colors and images used throughout. Additionally, we liked the risks the editors took throughout the issue, especially the new Bruinology section.”
- Gold, Alumni/General Interest: Any Institution Type (Printed Once a Year) — UCLA Magazine Fall 2023 Issue
- Gold, Alumni Relations Initiatives (More Than 25 Staff) — Bruin Business 100
- Bronze, Videos on a Shoestring (Promotional) — Silly Questions, Smart Bruins: Barbie
- Bronze, Storytelling — Project Jacaranda: Announcing Chancellor Gene Block’s Decision to Step Down
UC Riverside
- Silver, Marketing: Micro-sites (Other) — Engaging Alumni Through an Updated Website Experience
UC San Diego
- Gold, Videos: Commercials (Gold) — UC San Diego Brand Anthem Video
- Silver, Individual Photographs — Scrippshenge
- Bronze, Fundraising: Case Statements / General Cultivation Publications — UC San Diego Community Stations Case for Support
- Bronze, Individual Photographs (Bronze) — Pretty in Pink
- Bronze, Video: Promotional (Long) — Eleanor Antin: A Fearless Force of Art
UCSF
Shawn Hervey-Jumper, M.D., is the subject of the award-winning UCSF article, “The Radical Compassion of Awake Brain Surgery,” by Ariel Bleicher. In their feedback, judges shared, “The writing is so effective, it’s like watching the surgery unfold in real-time. The author’s mastery of language creates a captivating experience, making it a truly engaging read.”
- Gold, Online Magazines — UCSF Magazine website
- Silver, Magazines & Periodicals — UCSF Magazine Design
- Silver, Writing: Research, Medicine, and Science News — The Radical Compassion of Awake Brain Surgery
- Bronze, Covers — UCSF Magazine, Summer 2023 Cover: “Inside the Distressed Teen Brain”
- Bronze, Videos: News and Research — Awake Brain Surgery at UCSF
UC Santa Barbara
- Gold, Fundraising: Annual Reports and Fund Reports — UC Santa Barbara Annual Report of Private Philanthropy, FY 2023
- Gold, Writing: Research, Medicine, and Science News — Dune Restoration
- Silver, Videos: Student Audience (Long) — Four Years Later
UC Santa Cruz
- Bronze, Videos: Promotional (Long) — UCSC Alumni Achievement Award Video: bell hooks
UC Office of the President
- Gold, Videos: News and Research — Saving Whales – Breakthrough Tech Stops Deadly Ship Collisions
- Silver, Targeted Constituency Engagement — Protecting Federal Financial Aid and Student Support Programs
- Silver, Special Events: Online (Series) — Leading Toward Equity speaker series