Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education Award

Supporting the Profession

Award Type: national

This award is presented to an individual or organization that has provided ongoing dedicated service, consistent advocacy, and outstanding leadership to the entire 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 over a significant period of time.

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

The 2025 Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education Award is accepting nominations from July 31, 2024 through October 9, 2024.

Award Criteria

Advocates for student affairs within the higher education context, nationally or internationally. Evaluated by years of advocacy and scale of audience (campus, state/regional, national, international).

Has provided sustained service with meaningful impact on higher education. Evaluated by scale of impact (campus, state/regional, national, international).

Stands out amongst peers through their accomplishments and contributions over a significant period of time. All nominees must demonstrate accomplishments without inconsistency and not just recently.

2024 Current Recipient

2024 | Tia Brown McNair

Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Student Success and Executive Director for the TRHT Campus Centers
American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U)

Past Recipients

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

2022 | Freeman Hrabowski

Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education Award

President
University of Maryland, Baltimore County

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

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 Chronicle of Higher Education
1973 | Walter F. Johnson
1972 | Arthur Wright Chickering; Edith Green
1969 | Robert H. Shaffer