What is a Higher Education Award and Who Receives It?

Higher education awards are given to individuals or organizations that have provided dedicated service, consistent promotion, and outstanding leadership to the higher education community nationally or internationally. These awards are presented by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) to recognize those who are transforming liberal education and promoting innovations in learning. The ACE State Network Leadership Award is given to those who have made significant contributions to the advancement of higher education in their state. The Donna Shavlik Award is presented to those who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing women in higher education.

The Reginald Wilson Diversity Leadership Award is given to those who have made significant contributions to the advancement of diversity in higher education. The Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award honors graduate students who show exemplary promise as future leaders in higher education and are committed to academic innovation in the areas of equity, community participation, and teaching and learning. The Fellows Council Mentor Award recognizes the contributions of ACE member presidents and rectors to improve the diversity and capacity of future leaders in American higher education. In 1997, the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) initially classified all tertiary education in its scheme.

This classification system was designed to provide a framework for understanding the different levels of educational attainment across countries. In the United States, higher education is provided by universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, conservatories, institutes of technology, and certain college-level institutions, including vocational schools, universities of applied sciences, trade schools, and other degree-granting professional associations. Access to higher education has been increasing significantly over the years, with more people receiving university-level education than ever before. Higher education awards recognize those who have made significant contributions to the advancement of higher education nationally or internationally.

These awards are presented by the AAC&U to recognize those who are transforming liberal education and promoting innovations in learning.