2026 Advertising & Business Individual Awards
ACP awards recognize advertising, business excellence
March 7, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO (CA) — The nation’s top collegiate print, digital, video and audio advertisements were among the 2026 Advertising & Business Individual Awards presented at the ACP Spring National College Media Conference.
This marks the second time the Advertising & Business Individual Awards have been announced at the spring conference. The Student Media Business Pacemaker was presented at the conference as well.
“The spring conference is the perfect time and place to recognize our advertising and business staffs for their spectacular work,” Associate Director Gary Lundgren said.
2026 Spring Convention Awards
Spring 2026 Pacemakers
Online
Student Media Business
Yearbook
San Francisco Best of Show
Individual Recognition
Staff Recognition
Advertising and Business Individual Awards
Pacemaker finalists
Online
Student Media Business
Yearbook
Print Advertisement
First place
Noah Westergaard
Ponder
Black Hills State University (SD)
Iconic Glow
Second place
Nash Fulgham
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Thursday Sushi Night
Third place
David Olsen
The Daily Gamecock
University of South Carolina
Campus Recreation
Fourth place
Brooke McKay
Main Hill Media
University of Arkansas
So Dairy
Fifth place
Rachel Silhan
Collegian Media Group
Kansas State University
Aggieville Updates
Honorable Mention
Amanda Wahl
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
On Air or In Print, We’ve Got You covered
Kaitlyn Clark
Havik
Las Positas College (CA)
Get Published!
Neph DeMott
The Clarion
Madison Area Technical College (WI)
Scary Story & Art Contest
Cadance Ruth
The Standard
Missouri State University
Voted Best Happy Hour
Carson Rodgers
The University Star
Texas State University
Call for Volunteers
Digital Advertisement
First place
Kristen Duff, Ella Oakley
WKU Student Publications
Western Kentucky University
SPONSORED CONTENT: WKU Tutoring Service
Second place
Brooke McKay
Main Hill Media
University of Arkansas
Valentine’s Day Treats
Third place
Alex Nishida
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Nicola
Fourth place
Luis Montero, Halee Provost
StoryBytes
Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
Meet the StoryBytes team
Fifth place
Abby Short
The Daily Gamecock
University of South Carolina
Become a Member
Honorable Mention
Rachel Silhan
Collegian Media Group
Kansas State University
Game Day
Luis Montero, Halee Provost
StoryBytes
Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
StoryBytes
Media Garage Challenge
Betsy Burrow, Kilian Pankowski
Pepperdine Graphic Media
Pepperdine University
Condo for Rent
Dru Haney, Gabriel Paredes
The Michigan Daily
University of Michigan
Count on Use to Meet Your Moving Needs
Ethan Sysavath
The Shorthorn
University of Texas at Arlington
UTA’s #1 Taco Spot
Video Advertisement
First place
Charles Ridgway
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Brews & Brawls
Second place
Avery Branscum
Main Hill Media
University of Arkansas
Land of Opportunity
Third place
Staff
SGTV
University of South Carolina
MediaFest2025
Fourth place
Mickie Dausey
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Soaring Eagle Waterpark
Fifth place
Lauren Howe
WKU Student Publications
Western Kentucky University
Potter College of Arts & Letters
Honorable Mention
Felix Broach
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
KCPR Pledge Drive
Staff
Daily Titan
California State University, Fullerton
Kawaii Boba Tea House
Staff
SGTV
University of South Carolina
College of Education
Cydnee Lacy, Julian Lopez, Rhea Rajan
The Shorthorn
University of Texas at Arlington
Best of 2026
Madeline Powell
WKU Student Publications
Western Kentucky University
College of Heath and Human Services
Audio Advertisement
First place
Brandi Villarreal
Foghorn News
Del Mar College PSA: Talk to your doctor about postpartum depression
Second place
Colin Browning, Grace DiMattia
The Los Angeles Loyolan
Loyola Marymount University
Laughing Matter
Third place
Vidal Ruiz, Nygel Hudson Williams
Foghorn News
Del Mar College
PSA: Your mental health is important
Fourth place
Jeremy Okmin
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Libertine Brewing
Fifth place
Jeremy Okmin
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Morro Bay
Newspaper Special Section
First place
Staff
The Standard
Missouri State University
Back to Campus Guide
Second place
Keelin Davis, Olivia Games, Nicole Johnson, Harrison Rogers
WKU Student Publications
Western Kentucky University
A Table for Y’all
Third place
Staff
The Shorthorn
University of Texas at Arlington
Housing Guide 2025
Fourth place
Sydnie Bierma, Alex Nishida
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
SLO Living
Fifth place
Paige Jaczkowski
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Best of Central Michigan
Honorable Mention
Elliot Byrne, Annie Bostwick, Torin Chevalier, Camcole Pereira, Ava Stephanian
Emerald Media Group
University of Oregon
Holiday Gift Guide
Staff
The Daily Gamecock
University of South Carolina
BOC U
Second place
Alex Nishida
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Third place
Staff
WKU Student Publications
Western Kentucky University
Fourth place
Paige Jaczkowski, Zoey Lawrence, Brittany Stevens, Ben Westerhof
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Fifth place
Staff
Daily Titan
California State University, Fullerton
Honorable Mention
Halee Provost
StoryBytes
Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
Betsy Burrow, Jonathan Jimenez
Pepperdine Graphic Media
Pepperdine University
Macy Penick, Parker Post
Main Hill Media
University of Arkansas
Ryan Ehrhart
Emerald Media Group
University of Oregon
Daniel Phillips, Ethan Sysavath
The Shorthorn
University of Texas at Arlington
Audience Engagement Event
First place
Mickie Dausey, Olivia Garcia, Mckenzie Nowak
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Housing Fair
Second place
Adrianne Brabant, Sophia Ermisch, Mairi O’ Toole
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
KCPR Pledge Drive
Third place
Staff
WKU Student Publications
Western Kentucky University
Best of the Hill
Fourth place
Staff
The Los Angeles Loyolan
Loyola Marymount University
Best Fest 2025 + Pep Rally
Fifth place
Skyla Drummond, Ally Levings
Main Hill Media
University of Arkansas
Headshots and Résumé Building
Honorable Mention
Maria Victoria Almarza, Victoria Cuellar, Halee Provost
StoryBytes
Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
Dave & Buster’s Game Night
Staff
Ponder
Black HIlls State University
Ponder Launch Party
Kelsey Chellberg, Kamryn Fleischer, Erin Reil, Natalee Sandstrom, Rachel Silhan
Collegian Media Group
Kansas State University
Manhappenin Release Party
Keely Flores
The University Star
Texas State University
Star Stories: True Stories of Life at TXST
Staff
The Shorthorn
University of Texas at Arlington
Housing Fair
Social Media Campaign
First place
Paige Jaczkowski
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Best of Central Michigan
Second place
Anthony Clauson, Emmy Libke, Jacob Sebastian
WKU Student Publications
Western Kentucky University
WKU’s 3 newest dorms close
Third place
Ellis Anne Card, Melissa Chible, Riley Craig, Afton Massey, Liana Mendoza
Main Hill Media
University of Arkansas
Behind Main Hill Media
Fourth place
Zoe Laureta, Gabrielle Ottaviano
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
SLO Living
Fifth place
Luis Montero, Halee Provost
StoryBytes
Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
Promoting StoryByte’s Content
Honorable Mention
Natalee Sandstrom, Rachel Silhan
Collegian Media Group
Kansas State University
Best of Manhattan
Best Advertising Graphic Designer
First place
Zoey Lawrence
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Second place
Brooke McKay
Main Hill Media
University of Arkansas
Third place
Alex Nishida
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Fourth place
Abigail Raike
Emerald Media Group
University of Oregon
Fifth place
Ethan Sysavath
The Shorthorn
University of Texas at Arlington
Best Advertising Graphic Designer
First place
Angie Ho
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Second place
Mickie Dausey
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Third place
Hailey Do
The Shorthorn
University of Texas at Arlington
Fourth place
Anna Fielder
Main Hill Media
University of Arkansas