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Leading Light Award

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$500

Due: May 22, 2026

No essay

No min. GPA required

No transcripts required

Eligibility

Leading Light Award, with an application deadline in May, offers one award in the amount of $500.

Description

The Leading Light Award is presented annually to a NACADA member in recognition of significant contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion within NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising. Diversity, as defined by the NACADA Board of Directors, includes ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disabilities, and sexual orientation as well as diversity in regard to institutional type, size, and employment position. Examples of contributions are innovations to encourage advisors from underrepresented populations to join and remain in NACADA, outreach to specific underrepresented populations, service to NACADA on behalf of an underrepresented population, etc. The nominee or applicant must have a proven history of involvement and membership in the association. Individuals may nominate themselves. Previous winners are not eligible. Individuals may not be nominated in the same award cycle for more than one of the big five awards. Applicants or nominees must submit a Nomination or Application Letter. This letter should summarize the nominee or applicant's qualifications and why the individual is being nominated for the award; provide evidence and examples that exhibit visionary and insightful leadership and a commitment to the inclusion of persons of marginalized groups within the academic advising profession and ensure diversity within and among NACADA members; provide leadership in the advocacy for the fair and equitable treatment of all people to development of best practices that support the diversity goals of NACADA; and provide evidence that the candidate has made significant contributions to NACADA in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Up to three Letters of Support and/or Recommendation are also required. These letters must come from other NACADA members who might enhance the selection committee's understanding of the nominee. These letters must be signed. Any additional materials that support the candidate's nomination must be submitted in one PDF file. Please visit the award's website for more information.

Scholarship Type

Merit-based