MSU’s University Activities’ Board (UAB) received the 2025 Outstanding Collaborative Program Award from the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) at the Region VI Conference in November.
UAB earned the nod for their annual production of its Holiday Harmony Bash, an event held every December where attendees explore a mix of traditions from holiday celebrations across the globe. The event features fun activities and themed crafts along with tasty food and drinks from a variety of cultures.
The award recognizes a program or initiative that successfully united a diverse range of campus partners to design and implement an experience fostering community building. The organization looks for programming that demonstrates exceptional collaboration among student organizations, campus departments and community partners to strengthen connections and promote inclusivity across the campus community.
The ACUI believes the program has become a shining example of how collaboration can create impactful and inclusive experiences.
Per the ACUI: “What began as an innovative idea has grown into a unique campus tradition that celebrates diversity, connection and togetherness. Michigan State's Holiday Harmony Bash stands as a model of what can be achieved when passion and partnership come together with purpose.”
Partners for last year’s event included the MOSAIC Center for Education and Outreach, the Alliance of Queer and Ally Students, the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU), the James Madison College W.E.B. Dubois Society, Comunidad Latinoamericana, the Jewish Student Union, Black Celebratory, and organizations from Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Social work senior and an outreach and inclusion coordinator for UAB, Torrie Boykins, created and initially planned the event now going on its third year this December. As a newer event to campus, she’s proud that attendance is steadily increasing, with over 260 students attending last year.
“To impact so many students makes it all worth it. I’m proud students are really taking to it and hope they appreciate being exposed to so many different traditions than our own,” says Boykins. “I’m hoping the event surpasses 300 student this year.”
Boykins works collaboratively with each group to confirm event dates, arrival and program logistics. Additionally, the collaborations include sharing monetary support and providing marketing materials to reach as wide a student audience as possible.
UAB hopes to see this event continue into the future, using this strong foundation and working with additional campus partners to keep making it bigger and better. Yet, the spirit will remain — ensuring student attendees leave the event making connections with a multitude of fellow Spartans they may not have interacted with before.