Welcome to NCMPR's 2025 Paragon Awards

NCMPR’s Paragon Awards recognize outstanding achievement in communication, events, campaigns and creative work. It’s the only national competition of its kind for marcom and PR pros at community and technical colleges exclusively.

ENTRY DEADLINES

Dec. 2 (extended from Nov. 26): Early bird
Dec. 11: Regular
All entries are digital and must be upload by 11:59 p.m. on those due dates.

ENTRY FEES

NCMPR members

Early bird: $50 per entry
To guarantee the early-bird rate, payment must be processed on or before Dec. 2 (extended from Nov. 26).

Regular: $65
For entries submitted after Dec. 2 (extended from Nov. 26).

Non-members
$100 per entry

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

• Medallion Award entries and winners are not automatically entered in the Paragon Awards, and Paragon entries require separate entry forms and fees. However, if you submitted entries in this year’s Medallion competition, you can transfer your entry to the Paragons by selecting the appropriate category. Medallion entries to transfer to the Paragons.
• If you have not submitted entries for Medallion Awards or Paragon Awards using the Open Water platform, you will need to create an account. NCMPR's member portal is not tied to the Open Water platform. 
• The creative concept for an entry must have originated from a community or technical college or district or state governing organization for two-year colleges. Project execution may be the result of collaboration with an outside agency. Entries may not be submitted through an ad agency; submissions must be through a college, district or state governing association only.
• Entries must be new designs or publications in the entry year; those that represent previously submitted work with minor modifications will be disqualified. The entry year is July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
• Entries must be original, creative work without the use of templates that can be customized for individual college use. 
• A contestant may submit as many entries in each category as desired. The same entry may not be submitted in two separate categories unless otherwise noted. If you have entered more than one entry into a category, only one entry can place for an award.
• Please note: NCMPR screens each entry and reserves the right to make adjustments determined to be in the best interest of submissions and in accordance with the contest rules, such as ensuring an entry is entered in the most appropriate category. If a category has two or fewer entries, it is at the discretion of the national office to move the entry where the entry might best compete. Please be sure your entries meet all category requirements. Entries that do not meet requirements may be disqualified. Fees will not be refunded.

JUDGING AND AWARDS

Industry experts in areas including marketing, public relations and communications judge the Paragon Awards. Judges are not in community or technical colleges.

Gold, silver and bronze awards will be given in each category. No ties are awarded. Award winners will receive a Paragon Award inscribed with the school’s name and category. Colleges will not receive awards until entry fees are paid in full. Additional copies of awards may be available for purchase separately after the national conference.

Winners will be announced at the 2026 national conference March 18-20, in Washington, D.C. The winners will be notified in early January if they have won an award.

QUESTIONS?

Contact the national office at (505) 349-0500.

If you are not a member of NCMPR or do not find your college in the drop-down list, contact the national office at (505) 349-0500.