Award for Excellence in Facilities Management

APPA's highest institutional honour, recognising comprehensive excellence across the whole facilities enterprise. The designation is valid for five years.

• 2025Emory University, Nova Southeastern University, University of Florida
• 2023University of Arizona, University of Houston
• 2021California State University-San Marcos, University of Chicago
• 2019 Brigham Young University; Brigham Young University, Idaho, Soka University of America, University of Kansas Medical Center
• 2018Georgia Institute of Technology, Montclair State University, Pima County Community College District, University of Arizona
• 2017Universidad Panamericana Mexico, University of Colorado Anschutz, Medical Campus
• 2016 New Mexico State University, The Ohio State University, University of Texas at San Antonio
• 2015 Weber University
• 2014 Philadelphia University, Soka University of America, University of Michigan, University of New Mexico, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• 2013 Texas Tech University, University of Arizona
• 2012 Harrisburg Area Community College, Pima Community College, University of Colorado Boulder
• 2010Arkansas State University, University of Nevada Las Vegas
• 2009Philadelphia University, University of North Florida, University of West Georgia
• 2007California State University, San Bernardino; Harrisburg Area Community College; North Carolina State University; University of Central Oklahoma; Utah State University
• 2006Smithsonian Institution; University of Alabama, Birmingham; University of Michigan
• 2005University of Florida
• 2004Emory University, University of Memphis
• 2003Iowa State University; University of Maryland, Baltimore
• 2001 Texas Tech University, University of Cincinnati (OH), University of Miami (FL)
• 2000 Duke University (NC), University of Southern California
• 1999 East Carolina University (NC), Georgia State University, Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 1997University of Arkansas
• 1996Miami University (OH), University of Toledo (OH)
• 1995Griffith University (Australia), University of Oklahoma, University of Michigan-Housing Division
• 1994 James Madison University (VA)
• 1993Saint Mary’s University (TX), University of Virginia, University of Michigan-Housing Division
  (Categories: Campus Condition & Appearance, Energy Conservation Programs)
• 1991 Fayetteville State University (NC), Small Campus International Winner; University of California/Berkeley, Large Campus International WinnerRegional Winners:
  Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology (Ontario), Large Campus Category; Northern Arizona University, Large Campus Category; South Mountain Community College (AZ), Small Campus Category; University of North Dakota, Large Campus Category; University of Tulsa (OK), Small Campus Category; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Large Campus Category
• 1990 United States Military Academy (NY), Small Campus International Winner; Texas Tech University, Large Campus International WinnerRegional Winners:
  New Mexico Military Institute, Small Campus Category; Rutgers University (NJ), Large Campus Category; Southern College of Technology (GA), Small Campus Category; University of California/Riverside, Large Campus Category; University of Puget Sound (WA), Small Campus Category; University of Tulsa (OK), Small Campus Category; University of Utah, Large Campus Category; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Large Campus Category
• 1989Waukesha County Technical College (WI), Small Campus International Winner; Vanderbilt University (TN), Large Campus International WinnerRegional Winners:
  California State University/Sacramento, Large Campus Category; The Colorado College, Small Campus
  Category; Fitchburg State College (MA), Small Campus Category; Mercer University/Atlanta (GA), Small
  Campus Category; The Ohio State University, Large Campus Category; Saint Mary’s University (TX), Small
  Campus Category; Texas Tech University, Large Campus Category; University of California/San Francisco,
  Small Campus Category; University of Colorado, Large Campus Category; University of Vermont, Large Campus Category
• 1988 Medical College of Georgia, Small Campus International Winner; Brigham Young University (UT), Large Campus International WinnerRegional Winners:
  The Colorado College, Small Campus Category; Georgia State University, Large Campus Category; Michigan State University, Large Campus Category; Rochester Institute of Technology (NY), Large Campus Category; Saint Mary’s University (TX), Small Campus Category; University of Idaho, Large Campus Category; University of Maryland/Baltimore, Small Campus Category; University of Oklahoma, Large Campus Category

Effective and Innovative Practices Award

Recognising programs and processes that enhance service delivery, lower costs, increase productivity, improve customer service, or otherwise benefit the institution.

• 2026Auburn University
• 2025Princeton University
• 2024University of Connecticut (Building Your Workforce from Within: Future Workforce for UConn Facilities Operations), University of Wisconsin (Helium Shortage 4.0)
• 2023California State University (Women in Facilities program), University of Alabama (Custodial Summer Housing Operations Process Improvement Initiative)
• 2021California State University East Bay (Facilities Development and
  Operations [FD&O] Partners/Ambassadors)
• 2020Oklahoma State University (Culture of Collaboration for Student Success), University of Nebraska at Kearney (3D Printing: Rethinking Inventory Management), University of Massachusetts Lowell (U Mass Lowell’s Campus Viewer), University of Virginia (Recognizing UVA’s Silent 'Ambassador'), Purdue University (Light Level Meter)
• 2019California State University, San Marcos; Illinois State University; University of Alabama; University of California, Davis; University of California, San Francisco
• 2018 Brown University (Preventive Maintenance Program Journey), Georgia Institute of Technology (Smart Restroom Technology), University of Iowa (Fault Detection and
  Diagnostics Program), The Ohio State University (Employee Video Archive), Santa Clara University (Asbestos Documentation)
• 2017 University of British Columbia (UBC Wifi), Penn State University (APPA
  Credentialing Cohort Program), The University of Texas at San Antonio (The Development and Use of Portable Variable Frequency Drives [VFDs]), Grand Valley State University (Electric Solar Panel Array Garden), Oklahoma State University (The Next Level Project)
• 2016 Emory University (The WaterHub at Emory University), Michigan State
  University (Infrastructure Planning and Facilities Emergency Response and
  Business Continuity Program), University of Alabama (The University
  of Alabama Pest Management Operations), University of Colorado
  Boulder (University of Colorado Boulder Facilities Management Mentor
  Program), University of Texas Austin (Implementing an Interactive Campus-Wide Office Cleaning Schedule)
• 2015 Western Michigan University (Building Information Modeling for Skilled
  Trades), University of California San Francisco (Promoting Water Conservation in Research Laboratories), University of Texas Austin (Surplus Property Retail Store or S.M.A.R.T. Store — Surplus Management Asset Recovery Team Store), University of Colorado Boulder (Labor, Trades, and Crafts Trainee Program)
• 2014 California State University San Bernardino (Most-Open Valve Heating
  & Cooling Strategy in Design and Practice Attachment 2), Saint Louis University (Strategic Planning and Culture Change Practice, Improving Waste Management,
  and In-House Construction Program), University of Pennsylvania (Innovation
  using Lean Processes at the University of Pennsylvania’s O&M Department), University of California Berkeley (Providing Financial Incentives to Promote Energy Conservation by Building Occupants), Xavier University of Louisiana (Pervious Pavement and Solar PV Panel Parking Lots: Storm Water Management and an Alternative Energy Resource)
• 2013Carleton University (Rating The Sustainability Of Campus Facilities Management: A Foundation For Action Using ESAT), North Carolina State University (NC State Facilities Management Feedback & Coaching Initiative), Seattle University (Professionals Without Borders (PWOB)), Stanford University (Stanford Energy System Innovations (SESI)), University of California/Irvine (UC Irvine Field Laboratory For Energy Studies)
• 2012 Purdue University (Warehouse and Surplus Sustainability Program), University of Iowa (The University of Iowa Energy Control Center), University of North Carolina at
  Charlotte (Removing/Reducing the Size of the Bin has Created Less Trash, More
  Recycling, Efficient Housekeeping and a “Greener” UNC Charlotte Campus), University of Texas at Austin (Warm Up Program for Custodial Services), Western Michigan University (Steam Trap Management Program)
• 2011 Georgia Institute of Technology (SMART Measurement & Verification Process), Medaille College (The Medaille 100), Purdue University (Brine/Beet Juice Application System and Brine/Beet Juice Application System II), San Diego Community College District (Lean Enterprise Processes in Facilities Management), University of California Irvine (Smart Labs Program)
• 2010California State University Northridge (Student Design Team Program), Purdue University (Building Services Sustainability Program), University of Iowa (University of Iowa Energy Hawks), University of North Carolina Charlotte (Take It or Leave It Tour), University of Southern California (Maintenance Parts and Materials Process Reengineering Case Study)
• 2009 University of North Texas (Guarantee Contract Pricing), University of Texas Austin (Employee Recognition SITES Award), Weber State University (Safety Training
  Game), Western Michigan University (Western Michigan University), Valparaiso University (Natural Gas and Med Voltage Distribution Systems)
• 2008 Montana State University (Facilities Condition Index), San Francisco State
  University (Accessible Landscape), Union College (Excellence Program), University of Missouri (Inspection by Trades Program), West Virginia University (WVU Environmental Conservation Awareness, Now (WE CAN))
• 2007Arizona State University (Goals Tracking Application), Grand Valley State University (Quality Improvement Initiative), University of California Davis (Olive
  Oil), University of Iowa (Route 66 Safety Program), University of North Carolina Charlotte (Construction and Demolition Waste Management Program)
• 2006 Brown University (Safety Fair), Bryn Mawr College (An Innovative and
  Collaborative Approach to Storm Water Management), California State University San
  Bernardino (Comprehensive Energy Services Master Enabling Agreement), Georgia Institute of Technology (Building Services Customer Achievement Program Award), University of British Columbia (InVessel Composting Facility and Organics Collection Program)
• 2005 University of British Columbia UBC (Campus Sustainability Office Sustainability Coordinator Program), University of Hartford (Resident Facility Assistant), University of Iowa (Biomass Fuel Project), University of Miami (How the University of Miami’s Facilities Administration Department Uses Customized Financial Reports to Manage Costs), University of Victoria (Water Reuse Initiative)
• 2004Brigham Young University (Capital Needs Analysis), Dallas Theological Seminary (An Army of One: Multi-Department Development of Custodial Services Training Video), Illinois State University (A Town and Gown Effort That Turns Bulk, Wood Waste Into Savings), Penn State University (Trash to Treasure), Queensland University of Technology (Facilities Condition Audit)

Sustainability Innovation Award

Recognising unique and innovative sustainable practices that support both environmental stewardship and student success.

• 2026University of California, San Francisco, Georgia Institute of Technology
• 2025Nova Southeastern University
• 2024California State University, Sacramento (Hornet Reuse)
• 2023University of California Davis (Small Workplace Automation & Remote Monitoring Program (SWARM))
• 2022Portland State University (Green Revolving Fund), Wayne State University (Compost Pilot)
• 2021 University of New Hampshire (Northwest Heat Plant)
• 2020 Auburn University, Brown University, Louisiana State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of North Dakota
• 2019 College of Lake County, Stanford University Residential and Dining, University of California Davis, University of Texas Dallas, Virginia Tech
• 2018 Central Michigan University, James Madison University, San Jose State University, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary
• 2017 Arizona State University, Ohio State University, San Mateo County Community College District, University of British Columbia, University of Washington Bothell
• 2016 Colorado State University, Elon University, George Washington University, Ohio University, Portland Community College, Spelman College, University of Michigan, University of Virginia
• 2015 San Diego Community College District, Slippery Rock University
• 2014 Black Hills State University, North Carolina State University, Penn State University, San Mateo County Community College District, University of California Los Angeles, University of Rochester
• 2013 Duke University, Oberlin College, Philadelphia University, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Iowa
• 2012 American University, Emory University, University of British Columbia, University of California Irvine, University of Prince Edward Island