CRASH Project

Stockton University – Runner-Up, focused their CRASH Project on reducing impaired driving among college students through a comprehensive, peer-led prevention campaign. The Wellness Peer Educators engaged students through interactive tabling events, Brain Injury Awareness programming, and campus-wide initiatives like Wellness Day, creating meaningful opportunities for students to reflect on their choices and learn safer alternatives to driving under the influence. By connecting impaired driving to real-life consequences, including traumatic brain injuries, the team delivered impactful, relatable messaging that resonated across campus.

Through partnerships with organizations such as Tobacco Free NJ and the Mental Health Association of New Jersey, as well as the development of bilingual public service announcements reaching communities across Atlantic and Cape May Counties, Stockton expanded their impact beyond campus. By combining interactive education, strategic outreach, and community collaboration, their campaign encouraged responsible decision-making and helped foster a culture of safety both on campus and throughout the surrounding community.

Kean University – As the recipient of the Best Community Engagement & Creativity Award, Kean University focused their CRASH Project on raising awareness about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and promoting helmet use among bicyclists and micromobility users in a high-traffic, urban environment. Through a highly visible, multi-faceted campaign including tabling events, classroom presentations, student-led discussions, and engaging social media outreach, the team created consistent and impactful messaging across campus. Their creative “Cougar Strong Starts with Helmet On” campaign, centered around school pride and identity, made safety messaging both memorable and relatable, while interactive elements like pledge drives and student-designed materials encouraged meaningful participation.

Extending beyond campus, Kean built strong community partnerships with local businesses and emergency response professionals, including collaboration with the Kean University Police Department and the North Brunswick First Aid & Rescue Squad. Their student-produced video PSA featuring real-life voices connected to the university combined storytelling with expert insight to highlight the real consequences of unsafe riding behaviors. By blending creativity, data-driven messaging, and widespread community engagement, Kean University delivered a dynamic campaign that increased awareness, inspired action, and fostered a stronger culture of safety both on and off campus.