Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education Award

Supporting the Profession

Application Deadline: October 21, 2022 | Award Type: national

This award is presented to an individual or organization that has provided dedicated service, consistent advocacy, and outstanding leadership to the higher education community on the national or international level. The honoree will have made a meaningful and appreciable contribution to the issues and concerns affecting higher education.

Any NASPA member may nominate an individual for this award. Nominations for this award may be solicited from the NASPA Board of Directors.

Nominations have closed for the 2023 Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education Award.

2023 Current Recipient

2023 | Shaun Harper

University Professor
Provost Professor of Education and Business
Clifford and Betty Allen Chair in Urban Leadership
USC Race and Equity Center Founder and Executive Director

National Outstanding Contribution Criteria

Required

Advocates for student affairs within the higher education context, nationally or internationally

Past Recipients

2021 | Terry Hartle and the American Council on Education Government Relations Team

2021 | Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education Award Recipient

Senior Vice President, Government Relations
American Council on Education

2020 | Insider Higher Ed

2020 Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education Award

Editors, Scott Jaschik and Doug Lederman

2019 | Stephanie J. Waterman, Onondaga, Turtle Clan

Associate Professor of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education
University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

2018 | Dr. Michael Lomax

President and CEO
United Negro College Fund

2017 | Eduardo J. Padrón

President
Miami Dade College

2016 | Sarita E. Brown

President
Excelencia in Education

2015 | Walter Bumphus

President and CEO
American Association of Community Colleges

2014 | Linda Kuk

Associate Professor
Colorado State University

2021 | Terry Hartle and the ACE Government Relations Team
2020 | Inside Higher Ed
2019 | Stephanie J. Waterman, Onondaga, Turtle Clan
2018 | Dr. Michael Lomax
2017 | Eduardo J. Padrón
2016 | Sarita E. Brown
2015 | Walter Bumphus
2014 | Linda Kuk
2014 | Jamie Merisotis
2013| Caryn McTighe Musil
2012 | Shannon Ellis
2012 | Enrique Iglesias Hidalgo
2011 | George R. Boggs
2010 | Patricia Fabiano
2009 | Edward M. Kennedy
2008 | George D. Kuh

2007 | Myles Brand
2006 | C. Peter Magrath
2005 | James A. Anderson
2004 | Gale W. Erlandson
2003 | Sarita E. Brown
2001 | Carlos Cortes
2000 | Margaret J. Barr
1999 | Alexander Astin
1998 | David Pierce
1997 | Edgar F. Beckham
1996 | Donald M. Stewart
1995 | Russell Edgerton
1994 | Johnetta B. Cole
1993 | Arnold L. Mitchem
1992 | Ernest Boyer
1991 | Robert H. Atwell
1990 | Clifton R. Wharton, Jr.
1988 | Richard P. Keeling

1987 | Martha Peterson
1986 | Leonard H.O. Spearman
1985 | A. Dallas Martin, Jr.
1984 | Representative Carl Perkins
1983 | Senator Claiborne Pell
1982 | Father Theodore Hesburgh
1981 | Rosemary Park
1980 | Elizabeth Greenleaf*
1979 | Emily Taylor
1978 | Clark Kerr
1977 | Roger W. Heyns
1976 | Melvene D. Hardee
1974 | The Chronicole of Higher Education
1973 | Walter F. Johnson
1972 | Arthur Wright Chickering; Edith Green
1969 | Robert H. Shaffer