University Programs, a student-run organization that plans and implements programs for students, was awarded the Southeast Programming Award of the Year at the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities conference March 19-24.

University Programs also won second place in the national graphic design competition and had two students give presentations to conference administrators about University Programs and The University of Alabama.

Averie Armstead, a senior majoring in public relations, said University Programs recently rebranded its office and image.

“Considering that, it’s exciting that we are already getting national recognition from the people who do this on a regular basis,” Armstead said.

Armstead said it was nice to see their hard work pay off after many late nights and early mornings of planning. She said they have 12 programmers that have to plan for more than 30,000 students, while trying to make sure every student is represented.

“The sky is the limit. We are continuing to develop and have more student development than ever,” Armstead said. “We have seen the impact and are building relationships across campus.”

Madolyn Price, a graduate student in public administration, said University Program’s iPad cover won second place in the promotional giveaway items category. Price gave a presentation on marketing events and said they had opportunities to hear multiple speakers and students from other campuses.

“Being on a large campus, we have a lot of stipulations to think about when we plan,” Price said. “We have to compare and contrast a lot of ideas and how we can tailor them to our campus.”

Price also said the students who attended met a lot of vendors and artists from all over the nation that want to come to campus and even started the process of making that happen.

“The conference really rejuvenated our office and gave us a lot of new ideas,” Price said.

Natalee Briscoe, a junior majoring in public relations, said University Programs director Latoya Scott gave them an inspiring message before attending the conference.

“She told us, ‘We get to go present ourselves and our work. It’s not about us as individuals; it’s about all of us as a team,’” Briscoe said.

Briscoe said University Programs is a demanding but enjoyable job that helps molds you into who you want to be professionally, while allowing you to be part of a team.

“We are coworkers as well as students,” Briscoe said. “When we step into our office, we are professionals.”

University Programs hosts a wide variety of events throughout each year, from movie series and international cultural experiences, to conversations about hot topics, like gun control. They recently hosted a lecture by CNN’s Don Lemon for Capstone Conversations. Along with events, University Programs also offers practicum experience for advertising and public relations students through the APR 381 course and helps teach RHM 385, an event planning course.