Awards & Honors
Sustaining high-quality, equitable, and inclusive education requires many committed partners. Through prestigious annual awards, AAC&U recognizes those who are transforming liberal education and advancing innovations in learning.
Award recipients are recognized during the opening plenary session of the AAC&U Annual Meeting and featured at special sessions during the meeting.
K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award
The K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award honors graduate students who show exemplary promise as future leaders of higher education and who are committed to academic innovation in the areas of equity, community engagement, and teaching and learning.
Delphi Award
Presented by AAC&U and the USC Pullias Center for Higher Education, the Delphi Award recognizes outstanding efforts to support VITAL faculty (visitors, instructors, teaching assistants, adjuncts, and lecturers) in advancing student success.
Frederic W. Ness Book Award
A mark of distinction for both authors and publishers, the Frederic W. Ness Book Award recognizes outstanding written contributions to the understanding and improvement of liberal education.
President’s Award
The AAC&U President’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Liberal Education honors individuals or organizations for dedicated service, sustained advocacy, and exceptional leadership in advancing liberal education nationally or internationally.
Terrel L. Rhodes Game Changer Award
The Terrel L. Rhodes Game Changer Award recognizes individuals or organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership in transforming general education, pedagogy, and assessment.