NECPA Awards are the highest honor and recognition NECPA provides the profession. They are an opportunity to recognize accomplishments, highlight best practices, and spotlight scholarship. NECPA Awards recognize scholars, practitioners, students, and change agents impacting higher education every day throughout New England. Please note that you do not have to be a current ACPA member to nominate or be nominated for the below awards.
Descriptions for each of the following awards can be found further down the page.
- Champion of Equity and Inclusion
- Graduate Student of the Year
- Emerging Professional of the Year
- Accomplished Leader of the Year
- Pillar of Mentorship
- Innovative Programming of the Year
- Contribution to Knowledge
- Spectacular Service to NECPA
Why Recognize?
Nominating colleagues, students, and mentors for a Chapter Award is a positive way to recognize and thank them for what they have done and continue to do for us as professionals and the field of higher education.
- Say thank you to peers, mentors, colleagues, departments, and institutions
- Amplify the work and efforts of those around us
- Highlight accomplishments, best practices, and change agents
- Support the NECPA and ACPA values and mission
The 2021 Awards Cycle will open in the Fall. Announcements coming to email and social media near you!
To view our past award winners, please visit our Past Award Winners page
Award Descriptions
Champion of Equity and Inclusion
Purpose: NECPA, along with ACPA, recognizes that as an Association and profession, we are all enriched when every member is able to participate and contribute in meaningful ways. The Champion of Equity and Inclusion award honors an individual that has made significant progress in creating a campus climate that is more equitable, inclusive, and just.
Criteria: Candidates should have demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion in the field of higher education. All areas of diversity should be considered, including but not limited to, gender identity, race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, and country of origin. Nominations should highlight specific examples so it is clear to the selection committee how the nominee was effective in creating an equitable and inclusive environment. Preference will be given to those who empower and advocate for multiple marginalized communities, as all forms of oppression are linked.
Graduate Student of the Year
Purpose: The Graduate Student of The Year award recognizes a masters or doctoral student who has demonstrated commitment to the field of higher education through noticeable contributions and innovation in their work in their graduate programs, assistantships, internships, professional positions, and/or professional organizations.
Criteria: Candidates must be currently enrolled in a graduate or doctoral program or have received a degree in the calendar year for which nominations are taking place. Nominations should highlight specific examples of the candidate’s contributions and impact. Preference is given to members of NECPA and/or ACPA.
Emerging Professional of the Year
Purpose: The Emerging Professional of the Year award recognizes a new professional (0-5 years) distinguishing themselves who has demonstrated commitment to the field of higher education through noticeable contributions and innovation in their work at their home institution and/or professional organizations.
Criteria: Candidates should be employed at an institution of higher education within the first five years of professional experience since the completion of a master’s degree. Nominations should highlight specific examples of the candidate’s contributions and impact. Preference is given to members of NECPA and/or ACPA.
Accomplished Leader of the Year
Purpose: The Accomplished Leader of the Year award recognizes a mid-level professional (5+ years) who has demonstrated commitment to the field of higher education through noticeable contributions and innovation in their work at their home institution and/or professional organizations.
Criteria: Candidates should have more than 5 years of professional experience, but should not currently hold a senior-level role. Nominations should highlight specific examples of the candidate’s contributions and impact. Preference is given to members of NECPA and/or ACPA.
Pillar of Mentorship
Purpose: The Pillar of Mentorship award recognizes a senior-level professional who has shown an exceptional commitment to the field of Higher Education. This individual’s service and leadership in the student affairs profession has made significant contributions to colleagues, peers, and students at their home institution and beyond.
Criteria: Candidates should be employed at an institution of higher education with at least ten years of professional experience and currently hold a senior-level role. Nominations should highlight specific examples of the candidate’s contributions and impact. These examples may include but are not limited to: publications, presentations, research, education, and mentorship.
Innovative Programming of the Year
Purpose: The Innovative Programming of the Year award recognizes an innovative and/or outstanding program that was either developed or reimagined within the past two years and has had a significant impact on the program’s community.
Criteria: Nominated programs must have taken place within the past year. Programs will be evaluated on creativity and innovation of program design; alignment with institutional, divisional, departmental, or position goals and outcomes; achievement of outcomes of the program; and institutional collaboration.
Contribution to Knowledge
Purpose: The Contribution to Knowledge award recognizes an individual or group for an outstanding contribution to higher education knowledge creation
Criteria: Candidates for the Contribution to Knowledge award will be evaluated based on an example of scholarly contribution (could include: masters, doctoral, or post-doc level research projects, teaching statements, grant applications, published work, or professional presentations), that demonstrate the nominees’ dedication to impacting and advancing the field of higher education.
Spectacular Service to NECPA
Purpose: The Spectacular Service to NECPA award recognizes a member of NECPA who has served the organization within the past year in an outstanding capacity.
Criteria: Candidates for the Spectacular Service to NECPA award must be current members of NECPA and have made significant contributions to the organization within the past year. Nominations for current board members are not eligible for consideration.
President’s Award
Purpose: The President’s Award is an ad hoc award to recognize an individual or organization who has significantly impacted NECPA.
Criteria: Recipients of the President’s Award have provided significant support or service to the New England College Personnel Association. The timeline for consideration is not limited. Contributions made as an elected or appointed board member, committee chair or member, or as a general member are eligible for consideration.