Program Awards

Distinguished Program - Credit & Non-Credit

Open to: Institutional and Organizational members in good standing
Submission period: Closes August 31, 2023

Distinguished Program Awards will be presented each year at the Association's Annual Meeting and Conference. One award each will be presented for an outstanding credit program and an outstanding non-credit program.

Submission Criteria...

For Credit submissions: the program must have been in existence for 2 or more years
For Non-Credit submissions: the program must have been in existence for 1 or more years (Exception: programs or events that are contained within a one year timeframe, such as conferences or a fund-raising event)

The submitted program will be judge on the following criteria:

A. Originality or Innovation - A program should be judged original or innovative in two or more of the following areas:

  • Audience
  • Minority, under-represented, or underserved population
  • Delivery system
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Resources and/or facilities
  • Partnering or in consortial arrangements
  • Topics, content, or program design

B. Success - To be judged a success, a program must fulfill all of the following:

  • Meet established goals and objectives
  • Receive positive response from the target group as demonstrated in evaluations (measurable outcomes)
  • Meet budget requirements defined for its goals and objectives


Applicants are asked to submit a nomination form that includes a 500-word summary of the program/project as fully implemented, and then answers to the following:

  • How was the project original or innovative per the criteria outlined in section 'A,' Originality or Innovation?
  • How does the project meet the criteria in section 'B,' Success?

 Submit Nomination for Distinguished Program Award

Creative Use of Technology

Open to: Institutional and Organizational members in good standing
Submission period: Closes August 31, 2023

This award recognizes ACHE members for their innovative uses of instructional and distance learning technologies in lifelong learning. Both credit and non-credit programs are eligible for nomination, as are uses of learning technology for student services, research, marketing or administrative projects. Up to two awards may be given each year

Submission Criteria...

For Credit submissions: the program must have been in existence for 2 or more years
For Non-Credit submissions: the program must have been in existence for 1 or more years (Exception: programs or events that are contained within a one year timeframe, such as conferences or a fund-raising event)

The winning program or project must be innovative, have a proven success record, demonstrate excellence, and be adaptive to other settings or institutions.

Applicants are asked to submit a nomination form that includes a 500-word summary of the program/project as fully implemented, and then answers to the following:

  • What are your goals and objectives with this project?
  • How was the program innovative?
  • Which technologies do you use and why did you select them?
  • Why was the selection successful?
  • What does your program cost and how was it financed?
  • How have you evaluated the program, and if so, what were the results?
  • What is the most significant lesson learned from this experience?
  • How might other institutions replicate or adapt this program to their needs?

Submit Nomination for Creative Use of Technology Award 

Outstanding Services to Underserved Populations

Open to: Institutional and Organizational members in good standing
Submission period: Closes August 31, 2023

This award recognizes ACHE members for their innovative lifelong learning programs that demonstrate outstanding service to underserved populations. Both credit and non-credit programs are eligible for nomination.

Submission Criteria...

For Credit submissions: the program must have been in existence for 2 or more years
For Non-Credit submissions: the program must have been in existence for 1 or more years (Exception: programs or events that are contained within a one year timeframe, such as conferences or a fund-raising event)

The winning program or project must be innovative, have a proven success record, demonstrate excellence, be adaptive to other settings or institutions, and document service to populations typically underserved by continuing higher education.

Applicants are asked to submit a nomination form that includes a 500-word summary of the program/project as fully implemented, and then answers to the following:

  • What are your goals and objectives with this program or service?
  • Why does this program or service successfully meet the goals of this award?
  • How was the program innovative?
  • What technologies, if any, were employed and how were they used?
  • What does your program cost and how was it financed? What was the cost, if any, to the beneficiaries?
  • Has the program or service been evaluated? What are the evaluation results?
  • What is the most significant lesson learned from this experience?
  • How might other institutions replicate or adapt this program to their needs?


Submit Nomination for Outstanding Services to Underserved Populations Award 

Older Adult Model Program

Open to: Institutional and Organizational members in good standing
Submission period: Closes August 31, 2023

The Older Adult Model Program Award recognizes an ACHE member for a program or activity that provides outstanding learning opportunities and/or service to an older adult population.

Submission Criteria...

For Credit submissions: the program must have been in existence for 2 or more yearsFor Non-Credit submissions: the program must have been in existence for 1 or more years (Exception: programs or events that are contained within a one year timeframe, such as conferences or a fund-raising event)

The winning program or project must be innovative, have a proven success record, demonstrate excellence, and be adaptive to other settings or institutions. Additionally, the program must be ongoing and delivered on a regular basis (i.e. not a single course or activity, such as an Elderhostel event).

Applicants are asked to submit a nomination form that includes a 500-word summary of the program/project as fully implemented, and then answers to the following:

  • What are your goals and objectives with this program or service?
  • Why does this program or service successfully meet the goals of this award?
  • How was the program innovative?
  • What technologies, if any, were employed and how were they used?
  • What does your program cost and how was it financed? What was the cost, if any, to the beneficiaries?
  • Has the program or service been evaluated? What are the evaluation results?
  • What is the most significant lesson learned from this experience?
  • How might other institutions replicate or adapt this program to their needs?


Submit Nomination for the Older Adult Model Program Award