The Western Academic Leadership Forum recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievements in expanding educational access and driving student success through innovative practices. 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.
×
Academic Partnerships Annual Meeting
Honoring Our Mission, Shaping Our Future
April 14-16, 2027 | Metropolitan State University | Denver, Colorado
Each year, the Western Academic Leadership Forum and the Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders present two awards at its annual meeting. In addition to one free registration to the annual meeting as well as a travel reimbursement (up to $1,500), winner(s) will be recognized with a highlight in the annual meeting program and an opportunity to speak about their work during the awards reception.
Please note that self-nominations and team nominations (i.e., more than one nominee representing a particular program, project, or initiative) are accepted.
Call for Award Nominations Key Dates
Nomination deadline: Due no later than Friday, November 13, 2026
Winners notified: By Friday, December 11, 2026
Winners announced: April 14-16, 2027 during the Academic Partnerships Annual Meeting
The Bernice Joseph Leadership Award
Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders recognizes Alliance members who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing student access and promoting student success. Nominees for this award have worked to address barriers and implement innovative solutions through new or existing programs, projects, or initiatives on their campus.
Named in honor of Bernice Joseph, who served as the vice chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and was a founding member of the Alliance, was a visionary leader whose boundless energy, commitment to accessible, high-quality education, and collaborative spirit were key to nurturing a culture of innovation and inclusivity. This award honors leaders who carry forward her mission of transforming postsecondary education for the better.
Past Award Winners
The 2024 Colleagues Choice Innovation Award was given to the Montana University System (MUS) for its Montana 10 Student Success Initiative, a comprehensive student success intervention running at eight campuses. Recognizing the unique challenges low-income, rural, and Native students have accessing higher education, Montana 10 provides a set of integrated supports to dramatically increase retention and completion. The award was accepted by Crystine Miller (right), director of student affairs and student engagement at MUS.
See past winners of the Colleagues Choice Innovation Award.
Dr. Gillian McKnight-Tutein (center), vice president for enrollment administration and student success, received the 2022 Bernice Joseph Leadership Award. McKnight-Tutein was presented the award for her Stellar Student experience initiative at the Community College of Denver. The Stellar Student Experience has created a sense of belonging among students, extending available resources to nontraditional students and increasing retention rates and student engagement at the Community College of Denver.
See past winners of the Bernice Joseph Award.