Individual Awards

Leadership Award

Open to: All members and non-members
Submission period: Closes August 20, 2025

This award is the highest award presented by ACHE and recognizes an individual who has made extraordinary contributions in leadership, theory, and practice in continuing higher education on a national or international level. The focus of this recognition is on contributions of a general nature that extend beyond Association activities.

• The nominee does not need to be an ACHE member.
• ACHE officers and Board members are not eligible for this award.
• Each nomination shall be supported by at least two letters of recommendation from individuals who are in positions to verify the nominee's actions that address the award's criteria.

Submit Nomination for Leadership Award

Meritorious Service Award

Open to: All members
Submission period: Closes August 20, 2025

This award recognizes individuals for their outstanding leadership, performance, and service to continuing higher education at their own institution and within the Association for a minimum of 5 years.

• ACHE officers, staff members, and Board members are not eligible for this award.
• Each nomination shall be supported by at least two letters of recommendation from individuals who are in positions to verify the nominee's actions that address the award's criteria. 

Submit Nomination for Meritorious Service Award

Emeritus Award

Open to: All members
Submission period: Closes August 20, 2025

This award provides recognition to Association members upon their official retirements from their major continuing education roles at their institutions. The Association desires to recognize only those retirees who have displayed significant degree of leadership within the Association for at least 10 years.

• Each nomination shall be supported by at least two letters of recommendation from individuals who are in positions to verify the nominee's actions that address the award's criteria.

Submit Nomination for Emeritus Award

Rising Star Award

Open to: Staff from ACHE member institutions or organizations, or someone with sponsorship from an ACHE institutional or organizational member
Submission period: Closes August 20, 2025

Criteria:

• No more than 5 years experience in continuing education
• Be employed at an ACHE member institution or organization, or have sponsorship from an ACHE institutional or organizational member
• Either developed (or contributed to the development of) or extended an outstanding program or division within a CE unit. Examples:
  - a credit or non-credit program
  - a certificate program
  - extended the audience of a program
  - tapped a new audience
• Or, conducted research or published on a topic that has led to the enhancement or advancement of the field of adult continuing education
• Each nomination shall be supported by at least two letters of recommendation from individuals who are in positions to verify the nominee's actions that address the award's criteria.

Submit Nomination for Rising Star Award