Seven University at Buffalo marketing and communications teams received 17 honors in the 2026 State University of New York Council for University Advancement (SUNYCUAD) Awards for Excellence program, announced during the organization's annual conference June 3–5 in Albany.

"These awards reflect the creativity, strategic thinking and dedication of communications, marketing and advancement professionals across the university," says John Della Contrada, vice president for communications. "Their work helps advance UB's mission, strengthens our reputation and demonstrates the impact that effective communications, marketing and engagement can have in supporting institutional priorities. Congratulations to all of the individuals and teams recognized for their outstanding work."

The program recognizes outstanding work by marketing, communications, advancement and engagement professionals across the SUNY system. The awards honor projects that demonstrate strong planning, well-defined goals, creative execution and measurable results.

UB teams were recognized across strategy, design, video and website categories, including nine Best of Category awards and eight Judges’ Citations. Honored projects included admissions marketing campaigns, alumni engagement initiatives, fundraising and stewardship efforts, social media campaigns, publications, website redesigns and video storytelling.

Best of Category award recipients included:

Enrollment Management: Undergraduate Admitted Student Mailer (Single-Page Publication Design). 

Enrollment Management: Undergraduate Admissions Website (Microsites).  

Enrollment Marketing: Undergraduate Admissions Yield Campaign (Marketing). 

School of Dental Medicine: Countdown to CODA: Strategically Preparing for Our Accreditation Site Visit (Communications). 

Student Life: April Fool’s Day Campaign – “Victory” (Social Media). 

Student Life: Horns Up for Hope (Alumni Relations). 

Student Life: Student Life Divisional Highlights and Campus Living Community Icons (Design). 

Undergraduate Education: Early Bird Registration Campaign (Undergraduate Education). 

University Advancement: A Trailblazing Blueprint for Transformational Philanthropy (Fundraising Campaigns).

The following teams received Judges’ Citations: 

Graduate School of Education: From Awareness to Application: Strengthening the Teacher Pipeline (Marketing). 

Graduate School of Education: Graduate School of Education Website Redesign (Institutional Websites). 

Graduate School of Education: Move to Foster: A Phased Social Media Campaign (Social Media). 

School of Management: Spotlighting Business Research on Social (Social Media). 

Student Life: Home Away Giveaways Website (Institutional Websites). 

Student Life: Strength in Service, Strength on Campus – Veterans Campaign (Marketing).

Student Life: That UB Life Extra (Over 5-minute Video). 

University Advancement: Boldly Buffalo Campaign Stewardship Boxes (Donor Relations and Stewardship). 

A complete list of 2026 SUNYCUAD Award for Excellence recipients can be found on the SUNYCUAD website.