Colleague’s Choice Innovation Award

Each year, the Western Academic Leadership Forum presents the Colleagues’ Choice Innovation Award. This award recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievements in expanding educational access and driving student success through innovative practices. Specifically, this award honors Forum members who have led new or existing programs, projects, or initiatives that address critical educational challenges and have a positive impact on their campus community.

Nominations for the 2026 Colleagues’ Choice Award are due by November 21, 2025. Please note that self-nominations and team nominations (i.e., more than one nominee representing a particular program, project, or initiative) are accepted.

Submit a nomination here.

The winner(s) will be notified by January 23, 2026, and will be invited to the 2026 Forum Annual Meeting taking place April 1-3, 2026, at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. In addition to one free registration to the annual meeting as well as a travel reimbursement (up to $1,500), the winner(s) will be recognized with a highlight in the annual meeting program and an opportunity to present a session on their work.

Past Winners Include: