Awards, Honors & Grants

Member commitment has been the key to AACRAO's success as a national higher education association. Participation in the Association's programs enriches the profession and the individual and it is because of the contributions of members through service on committees and special projects that AACRAO has become a strong professional association. Beginning in 1959, AACRAO members have been recognized for their distinguished service to the association and the profession and this acknowledgment continues today.

2009 Award Winners Announced

Call for Awards Nominations!

The AACRAO Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the 2010 awards, which will be presented at the Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Submission deadline is November 30, 2009. Nominations for the SEM Award of Excellence, to be presented at the 2009 Strategic Enrollment Management Conference in Dallas, are also currently being accepted. The deadline for SEM Award of Excellence submissions is July 15, 2009.

• The SEM Award of Excellence (SAE) is a peer-review awards program that recognizes outstanding achievement and visionary leadership in strategic enrollment management.
• The APEX Award, sponsored by SunGard, recognizes individuals for Achieving Professional EXcellence in education administration and outstanding achievement and influence in their field. SunGard Higher Education donates $5,000 in the recipient's name to his or her college or university scholarship fund.
• The Award for Excellence in International Education is bestowed in recognition for the outstanding contributions an individual has given to the profession of international education.
• The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an active or retired AACRAO member for exceptional contributions to the profession in a volunteer capacity at the national level.
• The Elbert W. Ockerman State and Regional Professional Activity Award recognizes up to three outstanding state and regional activities. Each award winner receives a registration fee waiver for the Annual Meeting and a monetary prize of $500 each.
• The Exemplary New Member Award recognizes professionals who have, within the first five years of their membership, made an exceptional or unique contribution that demonstrates promise as a future AACRAO leader.
• The Founders Award for Leadership is presented for vision, leadership, and longevity of service to the profession.
• Honorary Membership is awarded in recognition of a member's active involvement and contribution to AACRAO.
• The Thomas A. Bilger Citation for Service is presented for service to AACRAO and is awarded to a member who has five or more years of service and has provided outstanding contributions to conferences and programs, special projects, task forces, committee assignments, or other positions.

• If you know someone who is retiring from an AACRAO profession, please email jessicam@aacrao.org with the name of your retiring colleague and the following information: title, institution, address, and number of years in the profession. They will be recognized on the Annual Meeting rolling screen and will receive a certificate in the mail.