2026 AAHHE Awards Call for Nominations
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, May 7, 2025, by 11:59pm ET
AAHHE is proud to sponsor the 2026 AAHHE Awards!
The annual AAHHE Awards honor individuals who, through their expertise, energy, productivity, and contributions, have advocated, supported, and championed post-secondary education or careers in higher education in the Hispanic community.
The 2026 AAHHE Awards Call for Nominations is open for the following award categories:
AAHHE AWARDS
AAHHE is proud to be the sole organization that honors key leaders, scholars, teachers, and artists who have advocated, supported, and championed Latinos in higher education. These awards have been developed to honor individuals who, through their expertise, energy, productivity, and contributions, have improved the conditions of Latino/a/x(s) pursuing a college degree or a career in higher education. The awards are presented annually at the AAHHE National Conference.
The Alfredo G. de los Santos Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes distinguished leadership and long-standing sustained contributions to higher education that transcend the nominees’ respective institutions and have had a notable impact and recognition in the field at the state and/or national levels. Sponsored by The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education.
The Community College Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated excellence in advocacy, teaching, or leadership and has provided significant contributions to the community college enterprise. The Community College Award has previously been sponsored by UPS.
The Doctoral Student Award recognizes current doctoral students who aspire to join the academy and demonstrate their academic accomplishments and servant leadership at their university.
The Early Career Award recognizes faculty or administrators who demonstrate commitment and promise via their actions, research, and service to the Latinx higher education community.
The Mildred García Founders' Award, given in the spirit of the extraordinary leadership, stewardship, and courage evidenced by the founding members of the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education, honors an individual or organization demonstrating an exemplary commitment to advancing access and success of the Latinx population in higher education; evidencing a pioneering spirit in forging transformational avenues and inclusionary opportunities that support and promote Latinx issues; and achieving outstanding accomplishments aligned with AAHHE’s mission.
The Outstanding Support of Hispanic Issues Award recognizes an individual who has a long-standing record of visible and recognized leadership and other significant contributions that illustrate their continued endeavors as supporters and advocates of Hispanic issues in higher education. This individual need not be an educator but one who has made significant contributions to Hispanic higher education as a community leader, civic leader, elected or appointed official, etc.
The Sylvia Hurtado University Faculty Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated excellence in both research and teaching and has provided significant contributions to their respective academic disciplines.
The William Aguilar Cultural Arts Award recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the understanding of the national Latino community and/or culture through the fine, creative, and performing arts.
If you are interested in sponsoring one of the AAHHE Awards, please contact Dr. Lucia Gutiérrez at [email protected].
Nomination Process
The call for nominations for the 2026 AAHHE Awards opens on Monday March 3, 2025. The deadline for submission of nominations via the AAHHE submissions portal is Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Nominees are encouraged to be AAHHE members, but membership is not required to apply. Nominees who have previously received an AAHHE award must wait a minimum of 5 years before being eligible for nomination for another award. Self-nominations are not recommended. Current AAHHE Board of Directors members are ineligible to be nominated to the AAHHE Awards. Nominees will be notified by the end of September 2025.
How to Submit a Nomination
A nomination form must be completed via the AAHHE submissions portal no later than Wednesday, May 7, 2025, by 11:59 pm ET. Please ensure that you have all nomination materials ready as PDF documents before starting the nomination form on the portal. At the end of the nomination form, individuals will be required to upload the following as separate documents:
- Two nomination letters (PDF), with each letter having a maximum length of two pages, and a signature. Each letter must include a signature.
- The nominee’s resume or CV (PDF).
The completion of the nomination form and the submission of nominations document need to be completed sequentially no later than Wednesday, May 7, 2025, by 11:59 pm ET.
Nomination Guidelines for the Nominator
- Eligibility:
Ensure that the nominee meets the eligibility criteria for the specific award. Review the qualifications and ensure the nominee’s accomplishments align with the award’s purpose.
- Nomination Letters:
Submit two nomination letters, each with a maximum of two pages. These letters should clearly outline the nominee’s achievements and why they deserve the award. Specific examples of the nominee’s contributions and impact should be included.
- Deadline:
Ensure all nomination materials are submitted by the specified deadline. Late nominations will not be considered.
- Supporting Documentation:
If required, include any additional supporting documents that strengthen the nominee’s case (e.g., CV, portfolio, publications, etc.).
- Confidentiality:
Respect the confidentiality of the nomination process. Do not share the nominee’s details or the content of the nomination letters outside of the submission process.
- Multiple Nominations:
If nominating a person who has received an award from AAHHE, ensure that there has been a 5-year waiting period before nominating them for another award.
- Avoid Self-Nominations:
Self-nominations are discouraged. Please submit nominations on behalf of others who meet the criteria for the award.
- Contact Information:
Provide accurate contact information for both the nominator and the nominee. Ensure the nominee is aware of their nomination.
Important Dates and Deadlines
The schedule below, in addition to providing important dates and deadlines, provides additional information about the process.
March 3, 2025
2026 AAHHE Awards Call for Nominations opens via AAHHE submissions portal.
May 7, 2025, 11:59pm ET
2026 AAHHE Awards Call for Nominations closes. By this date, the nominee’s nomination letters and resume (or curriculum vitae) have been submitted via the AAHHE submissions portal.
Early October, 2025
Notifications are sent to award winners.
Mid-October, 2025
By this date, a 200-word maximum biography (MSWord) and a professional photo (JPEG) have been submitted for the award winner via the AAHHE submissions portal (link will open at a later date).
February – March 2026
Announcements will be posted on the AAHHE website and press releases will go out to the AAHHE membership at large.
March 2026
Award winners will be recognized at the awards ceremony at the 2026 AAHHE National Conference and are required to be available either in-person or virtually to receive the award.
What recognition will be given to the winners?
Award winners will be presented with an AAHHE Award in March 2026 as they are recognized at the awards ceremony of the 2026 AAHHE National Conference at San Diego State University. Award winners are required to be available either in-person or virtually to receive the award. Awardees unable to attend the awards ceremony will be linked virtually to the conference. If traveling to the 2026 AAHHE National Conference, no compensation will be provided for the registration fee, travel, lodging, etc.
If you have any questions about the competition, please contact [email protected].
Updated 2/20/2025
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