Professional Development 

Association Awards Program

The University Continuing Education Association Award Program recognizes institutional excellence, individual achievement, and contributions to the Association and to the field of continuing higher education. These awards demonstrate the Association's commitment to principles of good professional practice by recognizing and rewarding:

• extraordinary accomplishments and contributions of individuals and member institutions identified through a peer nomination and selection process, and

• award winners who demonstrate high standards of professional practice and/or personal achievement.

The Association Awards Program is conducted by UCEA's Awards and Honors Committee, and includes recognition of both individual and institutional achievement on an Association-wide basis. The Community of Practice Awards Program recognizes both individual and institutional achievement as it relates to the Association's Communities of Practice, and each Community conducts the awards program for its specific interest areas. All award winners are recognized and celebrated at the Association's 2008 Annual Conference in New Orleans.

View information on the Association's Marketing and Publications Awards (including the Strategic Marketing Awards).

The Frandson Award for Literature in the Field of Continuing Higher Education encourages submissions of books published during 2007 that are important to the theory or practice of continuing higher education in American colleges and universities. Deadline for receipt of submissions is November 26, 2007. For further information, please contact the chair of the Frandson Award Committee, Sarah Steinberg, at steinberg@jhu.edu.

2008 Association Awards

Nominations for each of the following awards should be submitted on the Association Awards Nomination Form, with the appropriate award indicated at the top.

Nominations for the 2008 Association Awards Program must be received by November 30, 2007. Submissions for Memorials and nominations for the Distinguished Service Key and Certificate must be received by February 8, 2008. Nomination materials are best submitted collectively in a single packet, although submission of separate pieces is permitted. The Awards and Honors Committee will submit its recommendations for to the UCEA Board of Directors for approval in January 2008. Award winners will be notified by February 18, 2008, and awards will be presented at the UCEA Annual Conference in New Orleans.

Please send one original and 11 copies of all nominations and supporting materials to UCEA's National Office.

Download the 2008 Association Awards Nominations Form. (PDF file)

Send completed application forms to:

University Continuing Education Association, ATTN: Shirley Waters, One Dupont Circle, Suite 615, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: 202.659.3130, FAX: 202.785.0374. Nominations may also be submitted electronically to: shirley@ucea.edu

Julius M. Nolte Award for Extraordinary Leadership

Description: The Julius M. Nolte Award is the major UCEA recognition award. It is given to an individual in recognition of unusual and extraordinary contributions to the cause of continuing education on the regional, national, and/or international university level.

Criteria and Eligibility

• The nominee need not be affiliated with a UCEA institution.

• The award is not necessarily given each year, but only when a deserving person appears on the scene who has fulfilled noteworthy assignments, written books of great significance to continuing education, or rendered long and distinguished administrative, legislative or judicial services that have advanced the cause of continuing higher education.

• Nominations from the potential recipient's own institution or staff are specifically excluded.

Nomination procedure

1. Complete the nomination form.

2. Include supporting statements and recommendations indicating why the individual deserves nomination for the Nolte Award.

3. Include a current vita of the nominee.

4. Solicit recommendations from colleagues who can attest to the nominee's qualifications.

Walton S. Bittner Service Citation for Outstanding Service in UCEA

Description: The purpose of the Walton S. Bittner Service Citation is to express appreciation to a member for outstanding service to continuing education at his/her institution, and service of major significance to UCEA. The award is not necessarily given each year.

Criteria and Eligibility

• The nominee must be a member of a UCEA institution.

• He/she must have contributed substantially to the development and maintenance of his/her institution and UCEA through services performed over a period of years.

• Nominations from subordinates on behalf of superiors from their own institutions are excluded. Nominations by deans and directors on behalf of members of their staff are welcome and encouraged.

Nomination procedure

1. Complete the nomination form.

2. Include supporting statements and recommendations indicating why the individual deserves nomination for the Bittner Award.

3. Include a current vita of the nominee.

4. Solicit recommendations from colleagues who can attest to the nominee's qualifications.

Adelle F. Robertson Continuing Professional Educator Award

Description: Adelle Robertson served the Association with distinction and dedication, setting an example for those who would follow. The Adelle F. Robertson Professional Continuing Educator Award recognizes professionals who demonstrate similar commitment and promise. The award is not necessarily given each year.

Criteria and Eligibility

• This award recognizes the scholarship, leadership and contributions to the profession of a person who has entered the profession in the past five to ten years.

• The nominee must be a UCEA member.

• Only one nomination from each region will be considered. The nomination must be submitted by the Regional Chair or Chair of the Region's Awards and Honors Committee.

Nomination procedure

1. The nomination form must be completed by the Regional Chair or Chair of the Region's Awards and Honors Committee.

2. Include supporting statements and recommendations indicating why the individual deserves nomination for the Robertson Award.

3. Include a current vita of the nominee.

4. Solicit recommendations from colleagues who can attest to the nominee's qualifications.

UCEA Distinguished Service Key and Certificate for Retiring Continuing Educators

Description: The presentation of a key and certificate is made to retiring continuing educators who have been active in UCEA during their career. Members who fit the criteria are retroactively eligible up to and including one year following retirement. Nominations are invited and must be submitted for approval by the UCEA Executive Committee.

Nomination Procedure

1. Complete the nomination form.

2. Include a current vita of the nominee documenting UCEA service.

(Submission deadline: February 8, 2008)

Memorials For Deceased Continuing Higher Education Professionals

Description: Memorials are made in honor of deceased continuing higher education professionals who gave long and sustained service to UCEA. The Memorials are noted in the Annual Conference Awards and Honors booklet. Continuing higher education units wishing to honor recently deceased colleagues by Memorials must submit the names and biographical information.

Submission Procedure

1. Complete the nomination form.

2. Include appropriate biographical information.

(Submission deadline: February 8, 2008)

Outstanding Continuing Education Student Awards

Description: These two awards honor nontraditional students who are enrolled in either credit or non-credit programs at UCEA member institutions, for achievement of excellence in pursuit of continuing education. The awards are not necessarily given annually.

Presentation of Award: In order for nominated students to be eligible to receive the award, they must be present at the awards ceremony. It is expected that the nominating institution should provide travel expenses for the student, however, UCEA may provide some financial support for conference expenses and travel of the awardee should the institution not be able to provide support.

Criteria and Eligibility

Credit Students

• The nominee must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a UCEA member institution within the past 12 months, or have graduated no more than one year prior to the time the award is granted.

• The nominee must be an adult student who has met the challenge of an unconventional educational background and become an inspiration to others through individual growth accomplished in pursuit of his/her educational goals.

• The nominee shall have effectively managed multiple/significant commitments and responsibilities while engaged in his/her education.

• The nominee must be 25 years of age or older.

Non-credit Students

• The nominee must be enrolled in a non-credit program at a UCEA member institution within the past 12 months.

• The nominee must be an adult student who has achieved excellence in pursuit of his/educational goals.

• The nominee shall have effectively managed multiple/significant commitments and responsibilities while engaged in his/her education.

• The nominee must exemplify the best characteristics and standards of the non-degree student.

Nomination Procedure

Each regional awards committee chair will complete the nomination form for that region's awards candidate, and include the following supporting materials to clearly demonstrate how the student meets the criteria and eligibility for this award

• Two letters of nomination or support from informed individuals; e.g., an academic department chair or faculty member; dean or director of continuing education; president or vice president of the nominee's institution. The letters must address the nominee's accomplishments.

• A written statement from the nominee describing his or her achievements with an emphasis on the challenges met while enrolled as a student.

• Documentation of the student's excellence in achievements, including material such as grade point average, official transcripts, CEUs, student activities, university involvement, community contributions, employment, job performance, and so forth.

• A current vita of the nominee.

UCEA Outstanding Program Awards

Description: These awards honor credit and non-credit continuing education programs (one in each category) at UCEA member institutions for excellence in achieving their educational objectives. The awards are not necessarily given annually.

Criteria and Eligibility

• The nominated program must be a credit or non-credit program offered by a UCEA member institution within the last two years.

• The program must have completed at least one cycle to be considered.

• The program must be original in a substantive ways.

• A description of the program must include a statement explaining how the program objectives were met and a summary of the program evaluations should also be included.

• The program must demonstrate a contribution to the field of continuing education, which can be replicated by other higher education institutions.

• The program must be cost effective in a manner consistent with the stated program objectives.

Nomination Procedure

1. Complete the nomination form and attach a copy to the original and to each of 11 copies of supporting materials which clearly demonstrate how the program meets the criteria and eligibility for this award. All UCEA member institutions, regions, and communities of practice are eligible to nominate programs for these awards.

2. Include appropriate supporting materials which clearly demonstrate how the program met the six (6) criteria listed above.

UCEA Excellence in Teaching Award

Description: The UCEA Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to individuals who have provided outstanding teaching, course development, mentoring of students, and service to continuing education. This award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to credit or noncredit programs and who have provided inspirational teaching to continuing education students.

Eligibility

1. The nominated individual must have been employed by and contributed to the instruction of a continuing education program of a current UCEA member institution.

2. The recipient of this award must be able to be present at the UCEA awards ceremony held at the UCEA Annual Conference in New Orleans. It is expected that the nominating institution will cover travel expenses for the award recipient; however, the registration fee to attend UCEA's Annual Conference will be waived for the award recipient.

Criteria

1. Evidence of commitment to continuing education.

2. Outstanding teaching and mentoring of students - teaching may be defined to include work with students at any level and in a wide variety of settings; teaching effectiveness includes the ability to meet student learning objectives and evidence of a student-centered approach; evidence of superior student mentoring should illustrate the nominee's concern for student development beyond the normal expectations for advising.

3. Innovative course, program, and/or curriculum development -- extent to which courses or programs generated by the individual have been new, creative, or innovative.

4. Exemplary contributions to the institution and the profession.

Nomination Procedure

Nomination must be made by a professional member of UCEA and will include:

1. Narrative statement of not more than three pages, listing specific reasons why the nominee is worthy of this award. Evidence of outstanding achievements may include, but is not necessarily limited to:
   
   • Brief history indicating the nominee's long-term commitment and contribution to the institution's continuing education program
   • Specific courses or programs the nominee has developed, coordinated, and/or taught
   • Audiences served by this individual
   • Effectiveness in teaching and mentoring of students
   • Ability to meet student learning objectives
   • How the work of this individual has brought credit or recognition to the institution, profession, or community
   • Other awards received by this individual, including recognition by the institution

   • Any national, regional, state, or local leadership achievements of the nominee (include offices held, committee assignments, etc.)
     

2. Current vita of nominee

3. Summary of student evaluations

4. Three to five letters of support from informed individuals who can attest to the nominee's accomplishments. (e.g., dean/director of continuing education, program administrators, teaching colleagues, department chair, former students)

UCEA Research and Scholarship Award

Description: This award emphasizes the value of research and the resulting body of literature as an essential characteristic of the profession of continuing higher education. It is also intended to encourage and stimulate the research efforts of UCEA members.

The UCEA Research and Scholarship Award recognizes either 1) significant new research with implications for professional practice in the field of continuing higher education, or 2) an individual UCEA member whose long-term commitment to the conduct of exemplary research has made a significant contribution to the literature and professional practice in the field of continuing higher education. Up to two awards may be given each year.

Eligibility

A nominated research project must have been conducted at a UCEA member institution and completed within the last two years, with findings either published or accepted for publication. A nominated individual researcher must be a member of a UCEA institution. Research may be quantitative, qualitative, or historical.

Criteria

Research Project: The nominated project will excel in the following areas: 1) Research findings have strong potential to improve professional practice in the field of continuing higher education; 2) The research project is informed by and builds upon existing literature; 3) The research project represents the highest qualities of scholarship.

Individual Researcher: The nominee will have excelled in the following areas: 1) Produced extensive writings and generated research findings, consistent with the criteria stated above for a research project. 2) Encouraged and enabled graduate students and professional staff to become actively involved in research for the field; 3) Continuously and proactively sought to encourage the implementation of research findings in the practice of continuing higher education.

Nomination Procedure

Nominations for the Research and Scholarship Award must be submitted by a professional staff member of a UCEA institution. Completed nominations shall include the following:

1. A narrative statement of not more than three pages, detailing specific ways in which the nomination meets the criteria above, including a description of how the research was funded.

2. In the case of a research project, a written summary of the research findings or 12 copies (total) of the resulting publication, if available.

3. Current vita of individual nominee or lead researcher(s) for the research project.

4. Three to five letters of support from informed individuals.

Selection Committee

The selection committee, to be appointed by the Chair of the UCEA Awards and Honors Committee, will include at least two representatives of the Research Community of Practice and at least two members of the UCEA Awards and Honors Committee.