ACE Awards

​​​​​​​​​​ACE strives to honor the work of individuals, institutions, and programs that commit to diversifying the ranks of higher education leadership and generating creative campus innovation. For more information about each award, including nomination deadlines, visit the pages below.

Annual Awards

The Council of Fellows Mentor Award recognizes ACE member presidents’ and chancellors’ contributions to enhancing the diversity and capacity of future leaders of American higher education. Nominations are solicited annually by the Council of Fellows from all former Fellows. The award is presented annually at the Opening Plenary of the ACE Annual Meeting by the chair of the Council of Fellows.

Learn more about the Council of Fellows/Fidelity Investments Mentor Award.

The ACE/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation recognizes colleges or universities which, in a period of great change in higher education,​ have responded to challenges in innovative and creative ways that allow the institution to thrive. The w​​inning institution from each category will receive $10,000.​​​​

Learn more about the ACE/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation.​

The TIAA Institute Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence in Higher Education is named in honor of the late Theodore M. Hesburgh, president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame (IN), esteemed leader in higher education, and former member of the TIAA and CREF Boards of Overseers for 28 years. This award is intended to recognize a current college or university president/chancellor who embodies the spirit of the late Reverend Hesburgh, his commitment to higher education, and his contributions to the greater good.

Learn more about the TIAA Institute Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence in Higher Education.

This award was established by ACE in 1999 to honor the long and outstanding service of Donna Shavlik, past director of ACE’s former Office of Women in Higher Education. The award honors an individual whose leadership demonstrates a sustained commitment to advancing women in higher education through actions or initiatives enhancing women’s leadership and career development, campus climate, and mentoring of women at both the state and national levels.

Learn more about the ACE Donna Shavlik Award.

The ACE State Network Leadership Award for the Advancement of Women in Higher Education recognizes an outstanding and innovative program, sponsored by an ACE State Network or by a college or university that helped advance or support women or women’s issues in higher education.

Learn more about the ACE State Network Leadership Award.

Legacy Awards

Established to honor Reginald Wilson, the founding director of the Office of Minority Concerns, this award honors individuals who have demonstrated leadership and commitment on a national level to the advancement of racial and ethnic minorities and other underrepresented populations in higher education.

Learn more about the Reginald Wilson Diversity Leadership Award.

Formerly the ACE Adult Learner of the Year, the ACE Student of the Year Award recognizes a student who has benefited academically and professionally from making use of ACE’s credit recommendations for workforce or military training. The ACE Student of the Year receives a scholarship to continue his or her education. 

Learn more about the ACE Student of the Year Award.