Student Hawk Pitch

Student Hawk Pitch

A young woman in a yellow "HAWKS" t-shirt sits comfortably outdoors, with light bulb illustrations surrounding her, representing ideas or inspiration.Your College. Your Ideas. Your Voice.

Help shape the future of Âé¶¹Ö±²¥. Submit your idea to Hawk Pitch!

  • Do you have a great idea to improve the college or the student experience?
  • Is there something missing that would support your education?
  • Have you thought of ways to reduce stress and increase motivation?



Fall Pitches Due Nov. 8, by midnight.

 

Overview and Guidelines

  • Have questions about your pitch? Register to speak to the Innovation team on the first Wednesday of the month at noon (12 - 1 p.m.). To register, email: innovation@csmd.edu. 
  • If you aren't able to meet at that time, send an email to: innovation@csmd.edu 

Competition Rules

  • Eligibility: Only registered students are eligible to participate. 
  • Submission Limit: Students are allowed to submit multiple pitches for consideration. 
  • Award Limitation: Regardless of the number of submissions, each finalist is eligible to place only once among the top three positions (first, second, or third). If multiple pitches from the same finalist qualify for top rankings, only the highest-ranking pitch will be considered for award. 
  • Judging Criteria: All submissions will be evaluated independently based on innovation, alignment with strategic plan, feasibility, impact, and presentation quality. 

Guidelines

  • Both video pitch and worksheet are required for completed submission.
    • Record your video pitch (no more than three minutes). The accepted video formats are MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV.  Tik Tok videos are not eligible. 
    • Complete the where you also upload your video.
  • Please, no profanity and no visual or audible distractions.
  • Individuals or groups may participate—maximum group size three.
  • We encourage your team to attend an info or coaching session.
  • Include your name and year in your video.

  • Pitches DUE - Nov. 8, Sunday, by midnight
  • Announcements - Dec. 11

  •  Awarded to first, second and third place -- winners announced at the Dec. 11 event.  

  • Your set-up should be in a well-lit area with the light source somewhere behind the recording device. If the light source is behind you, it will cause a silhouette effect.
  • Use a tripod or set your mobile device on something steady.
  • Record video on mobile device horizontally, not vertically.
  • If possible, record video with a resolution of at least 1920 x 1080.
  • Video editing (if necessary)—use apps like iMovie and CapCut.

Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ will work with the first-place winner to make sure their idea comes to fruition. 

  • The College Innovation Alliance (C.I.A.) will identify the impacted departments and contact them prior to the voting period. 
  • Funding for the project will come from the Innovation Fund.
  • The first-place recipient is invited to participate on the planning team if their time allows, but they are in no way required to do so. 
  • Funding will only be provided once and does not carry over to a new fiscal year. 

 

Student Hawk Pitch Winners

Spring 2026, First Place
Hawk Pitch: Hawk's Nesting Nook
By: Natalie VanDevander
Spring 2026, Second Place
Hawk Pitch: Hawk Cast: Student - and Faculty - Led Podcast
By: Lila Haines
Spring 2026, Third Place
Hawk Pitch: CROO, the Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ Research Outreach Organization
By: Timothy Martinez
Fall 2025, Second Place
Hawk Pitch: Paper Jam
By: Inga Samuel
Fall 2025, Third Place
Hawk Pitch: Hawk Swap
By: Mercury Cole
Spring 2025, First Place
Hawk Pitch: Hawks 'First to Soar' Peer Mentorship Program
By: Keziah MacKall
Spring 2025, Second Place
Hawk Pitch: 'Night of the [BLANK]' Series
By: Diante Keita
Spring 2025, Third Place
Hawk Pitch: DMProvement To Possibility
By: Israel Cheatham
2024, First Place
Hawk Pitch: Soaring Together: Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ Alumni Directory
By: DaShawn Rustin
2024, Second Place
Hawk Pitch: Little Free Textbook
By: Natalie Filbey
2024, Third Place
Hawk Pitch: Hawk Tales: Library Expansion
By: Sarah Sbordone
2023, First Place
Hawk Pitch: Hawk Help Through Tutoring
By: Austin Fowler
2023, Second Place
Hawk Pitch: Healthy Snacks at Âé¶¹Ö±²¥
By: Lydia Morris
2023, Third Place
Hawk Pitch: Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ Hawk Media Influencer
By: Merresha Henry

Prizes Generously Sponsored by:

Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ Foundation logo  
Questions and Coaching

First Wednesday of the Month at 12 p.m. Send us an email to sign up: Innovation@csmd.edu