UPCEA takes great pride in honoring exemplary colleagues, students, programs, and research. The Association recognizes institutional excellence, individual achievement, and contributions to the field of online and professional continuing education through its awards program.
Nominations are due August 28, 2026
The Association Awards Program recognizes both individual and institutional achievement across the UPCEA membership. Awards are given for the following:
Julius M. Nolte Award for Extraordinary Leadership
Ray Schroeder Leadership Award for the Advancement of Digital Learning (Recognized at the SOLAR Conference)
Walton S. Bittner Service Citation for Outstanding Service in UPCEA
Dorothy Durkin Award For Strategic Innovation In Marketing and/or Enrollment Management
Phillip E. Frandson Award For Literature [Note: Frandson Award Call for Nominations are opening October 5 and will be due December 4.]
UPCEA Business & Operations Award for Operational Excellence
UPCEA Excellence In Teaching Award
UPCEA International Leadership Award
UPCEA Outstanding Service in Postsecondary Instructional Design (Recognized at the SOLAR Conference)
UPCEA Research and Scholarship Award
Adelle F. Robertson Emerging Professional Continuing Educator Award
UPCEA Outstanding Professional, Continuing, And/Or Online Education Student Award: Credit And Noncredit
UPCEA Global Program Award For International Partners
UPCEA International Program of Excellence or Innovative Practice Award
UPCEA Outstanding Program Awards: Credit and Noncredit
UPCEA Strategic Innovation In Online Education Award
UPCEA Engagement Award
UPCEA Credential Innovation Award
UPCEA Graduate Education Impact Award (NEW)
Before preparing your nomination, please review the following resources:
Eligibility requirements vary by award. Please review the individual award description for specific nominee, membership, and nomination requirements before submitting a nomination.
To submit a nomination, complete the online nomination form, including a 250–500-word Nomination Summary, and upload one combined PDF (maximum: 10 pages) containing all supporting documentation.
Please organize your PDF using the following format:
Cover Page
Include:
Supporting Documentation
Include materials that best demonstrate how the nomination meets the award criteria. Depending on the award category, supporting documentation may include:
Links to websites, videos, or other online resources may be included within the PDF when appropriate.
Note: Due to the volume of nominations received, supporting materials should be concise and focused on demonstrating the significance, innovation, and impact of the nomination.
Nominations are reviewed by volunteer reviewers using the Awards Scoring Rubric.
Reviewers evaluate nominations based on:
We encourage nominators to review the scoring rubric before preparing their submission.
Most award recipients will be recognized at the 2027 UPCEA Annual Conference, being held April 13-15, 2027 in Anaheim, CA.
Recipients of the Ray Schroeder Leadership Award for the Advancement of Digital Learning and the UPCEA Outstanding Service in Postsecondary Instructional Design Award will be recognized at the SOLAR Conference, being held July 20-22, 2027 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Recipients are responsible for conference registration, travel, and lodging expenses.
Jacqueline Romero
Associate Director, Programs, UPCEA
jromero@upcea.edu
Nominations are due August 28, 2026
You can find more information about the UPCEA awards program and peruse the accomplishments of past award recipients on the UPCEA Awards website.
Click here to view the 2026 Association Award Recipients.
Interested in submitting a nomination for a 2027 UPCEA Regional Award? Click here for more information and to submit.