College Leadership Awards & Recognition

A: We have three levels: Leader College, Leader College of Distinction, and Leah Meyer Austin Award 

A: September 30, 2022, at 5:00pm ET 

A: The Leah Meyer Austin (LMA) Award is the highest honor an ATD Network college can earn, and the application process is rigorous. Only colleges that have been invited by the Network team can apply for the LMA Award. This same application can also be used to determine eligibility for Leader College and/or Leader College of Distinction (LCOD) status, so each college should only fill out one application. Colleges that complete the Leader College/LCOD application will not be considered for the LMA Award. 

Colleges eligible to apply for the Leah Meyer Austin Award are Leader Colleges (or LCODs) that have been active in the ATD Network since 2019 or earlier (having completed the three-year experience), are in good standing with their accreditors, and have not been awarded the LMA within the last five years. Further, these colleges meet at least one of the following eligibility requirements: 

1. Four-year improvement in the IPEDS on time completion for the level of associated credential awarded of at least three percentage points (first-time full-time students) [Note: previously, this metric had been 3 years graduation rate but due to the increasing number of community colleges offering baccalaureate degrees, was updated to reflect two- and four-year credentials]
2. Four-year improvement in the National Student Clearinghouse three-year graduation rate of at least three percentage points (first time ever in college, degree seeking, both full-time and part-time)
3. Six-year transfer-out bachelor’s degree completion rate at or above the national level
4. Selection as one of the top 150 colleges in the competition for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence 

A: Yes. Your team should complete the application for the highest level of award or designation your college wants to earn. Keep in mind that even if you complete the application portions for Leader College of Distinction and do not meet the requirements, you will still be assessed for Leader College eligibility based on the same application. If you only complete the sections for Leader College status, you cannot be assessed for Leader College of Distinction. 

A: You can email us at [email protected] and/or can also speak to your ATD coach to make sure your contact information is updated.  

A: The impacts of COVID should be described in the narrative. You can also add a note in the data template directing the reviewers to the narrative to understand the trend. We know growth is often not a straight line, even without pandemics. Use the narrative to explain the trends in the context of your institution. 

A: There are no requirements to have a coaching contract from ATD to be eligible for any of our designations or the Leah Meyer Austin award. Applicants must be in active status in the ATD Network. 

A: Please use the rubric provided with the application. You may view a brief video on rubrics here. You may view a brief video on connecting efforts with reforms here.  

A: Yes, if those courses are being used to move toward a degree or certificate from your institution. 

A: Be consistent. If you chose to include summer first you must continue to use that same term consistently in the whole application and please make a note of the term you chosen to use. 

A: You should not include students who are currently dual-enrolled in high school. Please see cohort definitions in the data template. 

A: Yes, there are a couple places on your application in narrative sections where you can express trends add context to your data. 

A: Use the narrative portion of your application to expound upon the grade metrics you use. ATD analyzes and reviews each application on an individual basis so please be consistent with the way you present your data. 

A: ATD understands your institution may not track certain demographic information. Please include as many demographic categories as you have data available. Applicants should use the narrative response section in the application to expand upon any data trends you would like to highlight. 

A: Yes.  Groups should tie to the focus of your student success agenda.  We recommend that group sizes consist of at least 25 students or more (when possible), with no fewer than 10 students.