Recognizing Institutional Excellence
Excellence Deserves Recognition
The institutions in the ATD Network are constantly making strides in leadership, equity, and innovation. We’re thrilled to recognize outstanding achievement and distinction in the ATD Network.
What’s New This Year
We’ve reimagined the application process to make it more accessible, rewarding, and focused on your story:
- A significantly larger financial award. The 2026 Leah Meyer Austin Award recipient will receive $100,000 — four times the previous award amount — to advance their student success and equity work.
- We handle the data. No need to compile or submit complex data sets — ATD will will gather, validate, and then share the with you. This year, we will provide you with a data file that includes every eligible institution’s publicly available data. We are sharing this file both to ensure transparency in the process and to give colleges the opportunity to use this information in the application. These data points will inform our new awards and designations framework.
- Colleges may cite additional data from other sources, such as workforce and professional credit data, in their narrative responses to complement and strengthen their data story.
- Simplified application. We’ve shortened and clarified the application so you can concentrate on sharing your institution’s accomplishments.
The same institutional designations you know — now easier to apply for and more impactful than ever!
Important Dates
| September 10, 2025 | Application Open |
| September 10, 2025 | Awards and Designations Webinar |
| September 24, 2025 | Live Office Hours, Session 1 |
| October 8, 2025 | Live Office Hours, Session 2 |
| October 17, 2025 | Application closes |
| January 2026 | Institutions Notified |
ATD Institutional Designations
Leader College
Leader College status recognizes institutions that have completed the Foundations of Transformation and are demonstrating meaningful progress in expanding access and improving early momentum outcomes. These colleges are advancing student success strategies that respond to their local context, with emphasis on students who are missing or left behind. Leader Colleges also contribute to the broader ATD Network by sharing lessons and strategies with peers. Designation is conferred for three years, after which institutions may apply for recertification.
Leader College of Distinction
Leader College of Distinction status recognizes colleges that are sustaining and building upon progress made as a Leader College. These institutions demonstrate improvements in milestone momentum outcomes while continuing strong, sustained performance in access and early momentum. They advance student success strategies with emphasis on students who are missing or left behind and evaluate the impact of those strategies on student and community outcomes. Leader Colleges of Distinction also contribute to the broader ATD Network by sharing insights and practices that strengthen the field. Designation is conferred for three years, after which institutions may apply for recertification.
Leah Meyer Austin Award
The Leah Meyer Austin Award is ATD’s highest recognition, presented annually to one college that exemplifies high levels of performance across ATD’s Community Vibrancy Framework. The award honors institutions that demonstrate a strong impact on postcompletion outcomes and economic mobility. LMA colleges serve as exemplars in their communities and within the ATD Network, advancing student-centered, data-informed strategies that are deeply embedded in college culture and planning. They show strong performance and particular attention to students who are missing or left behind in economic mobility metrics.
Why Awards and Designations Matter
Access to opportunities: Awards and designations enable your college to be considered for targeted grants and initiatives that can accelerate your student success goals.
Recognition of achievement: They celebrate the progress your college has made in student success and institutional transformation.
National visibility: Recognized colleges are showcased at ATD’s annual DREAM conference and other national venues, highlighting your work on a broad stage.
Elevated impact: Recognition amplifies your college’s local impact and highlights your contributions to the ATD Network, positioning you as a leader among peers.
DREAM Scholars
The DREAM Student Scholars program is a year-long experiential learning opportunity for community college students to grow as leaders, culminating in a platform at the annual DREAM conference.
Learn MoreHarvey Lincoln Student Scholars
ATD provides annual need-based scholarships to community college students who have persisted in their studies despite educational, personal, or financial obstacles.
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Stronger Students, Stronger Communities: Supporting Rural Students’ Basic Needs
Join us to hear from institutional leaders who are doing this transformation work on their respective campuses and leave with practical ideas and resources to strengthen support systems and create equitable access to resources that help rural students thrive.
Equity
Leveraging Emerging Technologies for Collaboration and Deeper Engagement
This session explores how institutions can leverage digital tools, including AI, and platforms to foster collaboration among students, faculty, and community partners. Participants will discover strategies for co-creating inclusive, engaging learning environments — both in-person and online — that strengthen relationships, expand access, and enrich the overall educational experience.
DREAM 2026
During this 22nd annual convening in Portland, Oregon, thousands of practitioners from over 300 colleges will exchange evidence-based strategies that drive access, momentum, mobility, and community impact.
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While each institution is unique, it’s critical to learn from each other’s challenges and successes. Explore our leader stories and institutional case studies to inspire your whole college transformation.
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