AASCU Excellence & Innovation Awards
The Excellence & Innovation Awards provide a means to celebrate and share successes, best practices and innovations at AASCU institutions.
Learn more.AASCU Excellence & Innovation Awards are your chance to share the impact of your work with the higher education community.
Award recipients are celebrated at the AASCU Annual Conference, on the AASCU website, across social media and in other media outlets. Presidents/chancellors from recognized campuses are invited to share highlights of your story during a plenary session at the AASCU Annual Conference. Winners receive a monetary contribution to a designated campus fund or an engraved sculpture.
2024 Timeline
WHEN | WHAT | WHERE |
---|---|---|
Mar. 11– April 16 |
Application Period | opening soon |
May | Recipients Notified | via email |
June 5 | Presentation Opportunity Initiative leader or official designee invited to provide a brief address during the ADP meeting • We the People Award: Excellence in Civic Learning and Community Engagement |
Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Meeting, Detroit |
July 16-19 | Presentation Opportunity Initiative leader or official designee invited to provide a brief address during a plenary session • Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award • International Education Award • Student Success and College Completion Award • We the People Award: Excellence in Civic Learning and Community Engagement |
AASCU Summer Meeting for Academic and Student Affairs Leaders, Denver |
Nov. 16-19 | Presentation Opportunity President/chancellor invited to provide a brief address during a plenary session • All categories |
AASCU Annual Conference for Presidents and Chancellors, Puerto Rico |
Application information
- There is evidence of executive-level support and engagement in ensuring the success of the initiative
- The initiative is connected to the institutional vision, mission, and strategic agenda and supports institutional transformation
- There is evidence that the initiative has led to significant institutional improvements or innovative programming
- The initiative is grounded in research and incorporates best practices from the field
In addition to these general criteria for the awards overall, each award category specifies additional criteria that award applications must address.
AASCU member institutions (including system offices) that have demonstrated significant and intentional support for an initiative in one or more of the award categories may apply. Support may be demonstrated in the form of sustained effort or as support and backing of a single major initiative.
If an institution has won a category in the past two award cycles, they are ineligible to apply for that award category.
- Ex: an institution that won Leadership Development and Diversity in 2022 cannot apply for an award in that category in 2023 or 2024.
- An institution that wants to apply to Leadership Development and Diversity in 2024 must not have won in that category in 2023 or 2022.
- That institution can apply for award(s) in any other category .
Applications for all award categories are due on or before Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Applications must be completed and submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for the award. Applications will be reviewed by AASCU members as outlined under each category description on this page.
Award recipients will be notified in May 2024.
- A dedicated landing page on AASCU.org showcasing the E&I winners
- A feature in the AASCU Advantage newsletter
- Posts on AASCU’s social media
- A contribution toward the scholarship fund of your choosing or an engraved sculpture presented during AASCU’s 2024 Annual Conference
- An opportunity for the president /chancellor to provide a brief address during a plenary session at AASCU’s 2024 Annual Conference (all awards)
- An opportunity for the initiative leader or official designee to provide a brief address during a plenary session at the 2024 Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Meeting (We the People award) or the AASCU 2024 Summer Meeting for Academic and Student Affairs Professionals (Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education, International Education, and Student Success and College Completion Awards)
- A feature in the meeting app for AASCU’s 2024 Annual Conference (all awards)
Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award
The Christa McAuliffe Award has long honored exemplary teacher education programs at AASCU member campuses that can document the success of their graduates in improving P-12 pupil learning outcomes. The award recognizes programs that have been adapted using evidence of P-12 impact in their pre-service and in-service programs.
Applications in this category are reviewed by AASCU’s Committee on Teacher Education, which includes education deans from TECSCU and AACTE.
- The institution must demonstrate sufficient, longitudinal evidence of impact on P-12 learning outcomes, teacher preparedness, equitable outcomes for pre-service or in-service teachers, or diversification of the teacher pipeline through new program design or existing program improvement in pre-service or in-service programs.
- The institution must provide a clear rationale and the evidence used for program design or improvement.
The criteria is designed to ensure that states that have rich data systems do not provide an unfair competitive advantage for their institutions, and that strategies and programs recognized by the award have the broadest possible application.
2024: San José State University (CA)
2022: Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO)
2021: Sam Houston State University (TX)
2019: California State University Bakersfield
2018: Northwest Missouri State University
2017: The University of Toledo (OH)
2016: Ball State University (IN)
2014: California State University, Fresno
2014: Hunter College, City University of New York
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Award
This award recognizes member institutions who demonstrate an outstanding commitment and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion on their campus that led to removing barriers, improving student life, creating an engaged environment on campus for all individuals, and acts as a role model in advancing social justice.
Applications in this category are reviewed by AASCU’s Executive Committee.
- The institution should demonstrate impact of initiatives stemming from inclusive behavioral and practical interventions to achieve an inclusive culture by challenging inequalities, barriers and bias in campus-wide administration, academic programs, and daily social activities.
- The institutions should demonstrate the incorporation of DEI values and behaviors in a way that results in a positive impact on organizational campus culture and the lives of students into the future.
- The institution should demonstrate evidence of effectiveness that validates students and employees/faculty’s sense of belonging, and feel they have a voice in their academic life and in achieving student success goals.
2024: San Diego State University (CA)
2023: California State University, San Bernardino
2022: Western Kentucky University
International Education Award
The International Education Award recognizes outstanding international programs and documents the success of institutions in infusing internationalization into one or more aspects of the university community, including curriculum, student/faculty exchange, study abroad, faculty professional development, international student recruitment, or community outreach.
Applications in this category are reviewed by the Committee on International Education.
- The institution should advance curriculum development, foster international opportunities, and creatively integrate international students into university life
- The institution should offer innovative programs and services to make study abroad accessible to a broader student population. Special emphasis will be given to specific efforts that led to a strong increase in study abroad participation by under-represented students and study in non-traditional sites
- The institution should demonstrate strategic, comprehensive and sustainable international partnership efforts
2024: Prairie View A&M University (TX)
2023: University of South Carolina Beaufort
2021: Salem State University (MA)
2019: Columbus State University (GA)
2018: Savannah State University (GA)
2017: State University of New York at Oswego
2016: California State University, Fullerton
2016: University of Guam
2015: California State University, Fresno
2015: Northwest Missouri State University
2014: Kennesaw State University (GA)
2014: Cloud State University (MN)
Leadership Development and Diversity Award
The Leadership Development and Diversity Award recognizes exemplary leadership development programs designed to enhance the leadership capacity and diversity of the next generation of higher education leaders. The AASCU Leadership Development and Diversity Award also celebrates AASCU’s role as a first-class leadership development partner for its members.
Applications in this category are reviewed by the Committee on Professional Development.
- The institution must demonstrate that the initiative is a part of an integrated approach designed to identify, develop, and promote diverse high-potential talent throughout the university.
- Diversity must be inherent to the initiative design —that is, the program must build capacity around equity minded leadership.
- The leadership development initiative must be connected to institutional priorities. The initiative must have outcome data as evidence.
2024: Western Carolina University (NC)
2023: Utah Valley University
2022: James Madison University (VA)
2021: Lewis-Clark State College (ID)
2019: Oakland University (MI)
2018: Buffalo State College, State University of New York
2017: Sam Houston State University (TX)
2016: Buffalo State College, State University of New York
2016: Morehead State University, Kentucky
2015: California State University, Long Beach
2015: University of West Georgia
2014: California State University, Fresno
Stewards of Place Award
AASCU institutions are often recognized and celebrated as stewards of place – the educational, economic and social hubs of the communities we serve. This award recognizes an institution that embraces eight principles: connection to place, reciprocity, symbiosis and synergy, adaptability diversity of approaches, civic engagement, upward mobility and opportunity, and institutional intentionality.
Applications in this category are reviewed by the Stewards of Place Task Force.
- The institution clearly demonstrates how it embraces the eight principles of stewardship of place to ensure institutional and regional sustainability.
- The institution demonstrates how they are navigating important trends in postsecondary education including equity and upward mobility, resources and resilience and regional prosperity and civic health.
- The institution must provide outcome data as evidence.
2024: University of Wisconsin – Stout
2023: Oakland University (MI)
Formerly called the Regional and Economic Development Award
2022: University of West Alabama Division of Economic and Workforce Development
2021: Stockton University (NJ)
2019: State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill
2018: University of Memphis (TN)
2017: University of Northern Iowa
2016: Farmingdale State College (NY)
2016: Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO)
2015: Northern Arizona University
2015: Washington State University Vancouver
2014: Northern Kentucky University
2014: University of Massachusetts, Boston
Student Success and College Completion Award
The Student Success and College Completion Award honors institutions that achieve significant improvements in student success and college completion. This award focuses on two specific metrics: year-to-year retention and graduation rates. Special consideration will be given to institutions using the Student Achievement Measure (SAM), which uses National Student Clearinghouse data to measure success.
Applications in this category are reviewed by the Committee on Student Success.
- The institution demonstrates a commitment to student success and equitable student outcomes
- The institution must demonstrate remarkable progress and achievement in student retention and graduation
- Progress must serve as a benchmark for institutional success for similar institutions
2024: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
2023: Georgia College & State University
2022: University of Wisconsin-Parkside
2021: California State University San Marcos
2019: Northwest Missouri State University
2018: California State University, Sacramento
2018: University of Central Oklahoma
2017: California State University, Fresno
2017: University of Central Oklahoma
2016: University of Northern Iowa
2015: Cleveland State University (OH)
2015: Western Kentucky University
2014: California State University, Long Beach
2014: Governors State University (IL)
Sustainability and Sustainable Development Awards
The Sustainability and Sustainable Development Awards recognize higher education institutions that demonstrate a clear commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and climate change awareness in their curriculum, on their campuses, or in their communities. The award recognizes colleges and universities implementing innovative sustainability and sustainable development policies, practices, or curricula that seek to engage the campus and broader community in climate and sustainability solutions.
Applications in this category are reviewed by the Committee on Sustainable Development.
- Comprehensive – The institution must demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development efforts through its policies, practices, and/or curriculum
- Innovative – The institution must submit the innovative sustainability effort(s) for a particular project or program for which it wants to be recognized.
2024: Central Washington University
2023: California State University System
2022: University of Washington Bothell
2021: Northern Arizona University
2021: University of Guam
2019: Millersville University (PA)
2019: Southern Oregon University
2018: Grand Valley State University (MI)
2018: State University of New York College at Oneonta
2017: Northwest Missouri State University
2017: State University of New York at Oswego
2016: California State University, Northridge
2016: Stockton University (NJ)
We the People Award: Excellence in Civic Learning and Community Engagement
The We The People Award honors institutions that demonstrate a strategic team commitment to prioritizing, institutionalizing and advancing student civic learning and community engagement in regional, state, and/or national communities.
This category merges AASCU’s American Democracy Project’s We the People Civic Engagement Award with the Excellence & Innovation Award for Civic Learning and Community Engagement.
Applications in this category are reviewed by selected AASCU’s American Democracy Project Steering Committee members.
- The institution exhibits sustained and measured progress toward institutionalizing civic learning and community engagement efforts via strategic, comprehensive, and reciprocal metrics.
- The institution demonstrates that commitment to civic learning exists across the curriculum with engaging pedagogies, meaningful student involvement, and campus processes such as rewarding faculty teaching and scholarship for civic purposes.
- The institution exemplifies innovative initiatives that foster student learning and civic skill building and meaningful partnerships with community members and organizations to build more just and equitable communities.
2024: California State University, Los Angeles
2023: Salisbury University (MD)
2022: Sam Houston State University (TX)
In 2023, the Civic Learning and Community Engagement Award was merged with the We the People Award. Previous winners are:
2022: University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
2019: California State University, Fresno
2018: Western Carolina University (NC)
2017: James Madison University (VA)
2017: Stockton University (NJ)
2017: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Questions about the Excellence & Innovation Awards? Let us know,
2024 applications are closed; check this space in March 2025.
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