Family Engagement in Higher Education Awards

A highlight of the AHEPPP membership experience is the learning from peer institutions and colleagues. As the premier association for Family Engagement at the collegiate level, AHEPPP is pleased to recognize excellence in programming, communication, research, and service at our National Conference each fall. Award winners from years 2014-2023 are available on our awards archive page. There were no awards in 2022.

2024 Award Winners

Excellence in Innovation
Texas Tech University | Family Engagement in Academics

The AHEPPP Excellence in Innovation Award is an opportunity to recognize someone who has instituted innovative programs or initiatives on their campus and/or in the AHEPPP community. This award recognizes an institution of higher education and its professional(s) in the field of parent and family programs who have developed and implemented an innovative and creative initiative, resulting in improved activities, services and/or communication for/with parents and families of undergraduate students. Examples of these initiatives could include orientation formats, use of technology, population-specific programming, etc., and using the following AHEPPP core values:

  • Supporting a collaborative environment
  • Responsible and ethical behavior
  • Leading innovation and ideas for the profession
  • Research, assessment, and best practices
  • Equity, belonging, and inclusion

Powerful Partnership
Dy'Mand Montgomery | University of Cincinnati

The AHEPPP Powerful Partnerships Award is an opportunity to recognize collaborations within an institution or between AHEPPP member institutions exemplifying the following AHEPPP core values:

  • Supporting a collaborative environment
  • Responsible and ethical behavior
  • Fiscal strength and responsibility
  • Leading innovation and ideas for the profession
  • Research, assessment, and/or best practices
  • Equity, belonging, and inclusion
Creative Communication
Becky Faulk | Mississippi State University
The Office of Parent and Family Engagement | St. Louis University
 

The AHEPPP Creative Communication Award is an opportunity to recognize an AHEPPP institution who is leading the way in innovative communication strategies, campaigns, and ideas exemplifying the AHEPPP core values:

  • Supporting a collaborative environment
  • Responsible and ethical behavior
  • Fiscal strength and responsibility
  • Leading innovation and ideas for the profession
  • Research, assessment, and best/or practices
  • Equity, belonging, and inclusion

Magnificent Mentor Award
Whitney White | University of Cincinnati

This award recognizes a professional in higher education who has excelled at mentoring and advising others within the profession, resulting in improved professional development and growth. Mentorship can come in many forms. Magnificent Mentors could be involved in an organized mentorship program, such as the AHEPPP Mentor Program, or they could have developed natural mentorship relationships within AHEPPP or their institution. Through this award, we hope to give recognition to the importance of mentorship within  the AHEPPP community and to our profession, and acknowledge mentors who exemplify the following AHEPPP core values:

  • Fostering and/or supporting a collaborative environment
  • Upholding responsible and ethical behavior
  • Promoting equity, belonging, and inclusion
  • Encouraging continued professional development
Outstanding Contribution to Research & Literature
Christine Self | Texas Tech University, Co-Editor Engaging Families in Higher Education
Elizabeth Massengale | Texas Tech University, Co-Editor Engaging Families in Higher Education
Contributors:
Chelsea Petree
Marjorie Savage
Libby Daggers
Torey Palmer
Amy Swank
Kayla Albano
Lindsey Bray
Ryan J. Darling
Yolanda R. Gross
Maureen Hurley
Elizabeth Manuel
Jennifer Radwanski
 

The AHEPPP Outstanding Contributions to Research and/or Literature award recognizes a professional in the field of parent and family programs who has had an impact on the body of knowledge about, and practices of, engaging parents and families in an institution of higher learning, and whose achievements have advanced the profession.

The recipient should have published articles, survey analyses, and/or books/book chapters. The work should address parent engagement at the post-secondary education level as it relates to/impacts student development and/or retention using the following AHEPPP core values:

  • Supporting a collaborative environment
  • Responsible and ethical behavior
  • Leading innovation and ideas for the profession
  • Research, assessment, and/or best practices
  • Equity, belonging, and inclusion

Friends of Family Award
Andrew Naylor | Florida International University

The AHEPPP Friends of Family Award is an opportunity to recognize professionals outside of the traditional Parent and Family Program model who support families in some way. Through this award, we hope to give recognition to Higher Education professionals who work with parents and families of college students from offices other than traditional parent and family programs through the following AHEPPP core values:

  • Leading innovation and ideas for the profession
  • Research, assessment, and/or best practices
  • Supporting a collaborative environment
  • Responsible and ethical behavior
  • Equity, belonging, and inclusion
  • Continued professional development
Rising Star Award
Stephanie Stiltner | University of Pikeville

The AHEPPP Rising Star Award is an opportunity to recognize professionals who are demonstrating promising practices and who are working towards becoming leaders in parent and family engagement. Through this award, we hope to give recognition to the importance of service within the AHEPPP community and to our profession, and acknowledge members who exemplify the following AHEPPP core values:

  • Leading innovation and ideas for the profession
  • Research, assessment, and/or best practices
  • Supporting a collaborative environment
  • Responsible and ethical behavior
  • Equity, belonging, and inclusion
  • Continued professional development
Exceptional Service Award

Nicki Jenkins | University of Kentucky

This award recognizes AHEPPP volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional service to the AHEPPP community as a conference volunteer, presenter, discussion facilitator and/or community content contributor. Through this award, we hope to give recognition to the importance of service and collaboration within the AHEPPP community and to our profession, and acknowledge volunteers who exemplify the following AHEPPP core values:

  • Supporting a collaborative environment
  • Responsible and ethical behavior
  • Equity, belonging, and inclusion
  • Continued professional development

Founders' Award of Excellence
Tasha Talton | University of Texas at Arlington

The AHEPPP Founders’ Award of Excellence is an opportunity to recognize a professional in the field of parent and family programs who have left their mark on the profession. Through this award, we hope to give recognition to a leader who exemplifies all the following core values of AHEPPP through their commitment to our community and profession.

  • Leading innovation and ideas for the profession  
  • Research, assessment, and/or best practices
  • Supporting a collaborative environment
  • Responsible and ethical behavior
  • Equity, belonging, and inclusion
  • Continued professional development

Something Borrowed, Something New

Marshall Greenleaf | University of Massachusetts Lowell | Calls Home
Rich Doria | University of Massachusetts Lowell | Calls Home
 
The AHEPPP Something Borrowed, Something New award is an opportunity to recognize someone who has a successful program based on a borrowed idea from another institution. This award recognizes not only the institution who implemented a successful program based on a borrowed idea, but also the institution from which the program was borrowed. This award will be reviewed using the following AHEPPP core values:
  • Leading innovation and ideas for the profession
  • Supporting a collaborative environment
  • Responsible and ethical behavior
  • Research, assessment, and/or best practices
  • Equity, belonging, and inclusion
Award nominators do not have to officially be part of a parent and family program at their institution; they can come from any office, department, or program from an AHEPPP member institution nominating program/initiative/research implemented by an AHEPPP member.