Experiential Education K-12 Leader of the Year

Recognizes a K-12 teacher, principal, or superintendent and NSEE member who has demonstrated innovative uses of experiential learning in their classroom and in their school system.  Nomination criteria includes:

• Employed by a K-12 school or school district;
• Leadership role in crossing boundaries between K-12 public/private education and experiential education;
• Leadership role in the development and implementation of substantive ongoing experiential programs which are student centered;
• Managed to promote experiential education at K-12 level through work in NSEE or elsewhere so that others have benefited from their programs.

Experiential Education Higher Education Leader of the Year

Recognizes an NSEE higher education member who has demonstrated innovative uses of experiential learning in their institution.  Nomination criteria includes:

• Employed by a 2 or 4-year degree granting institution;
• Leadership role in crossing boundaries between traditional academic and experiential education.
• Leadership role in design, development, and implementation of EE programs connecting the classroom, curriculum and campus/community based organizations;
• Leadership/participation in national/regional conference sessions and/or publications contributing to EE;
• Leadership in serving as a role model/mentor to newcomers and rising leaders in EE.

Experiential Education Community-Based Organization Leader of the Year

Recognizes a community-based organization or nonprofit that has made outstanding contributions to the field.  Nomination criteria includes:

• Leadership role in the design, development, and implementation of EE programs impacting a variety of communities;
• Leadership role in advocacy for EE programs in the community involving individuals/groups from diverse groups, i.e. education, local/state governments, private non-profits;
• Leadership role within NSEE to share and promote model programs.

Experiential Education Corporate/Foundation Leader of the Year

Recognizes a business or corporation that has demonstrated outstanding support of experiential education through its financial or volunteer commitment to the field.  Nomination criteria includes:

• Continuity of the program:  The corporate/foundation leader has an established experiential education program where top management’s commitment is evident through the organization’s continuing goodwill efforts toward the EE program;
• Corporate/foundation leader must have demonstrated commitment to advancing EE as outlined in the nomination;
• Employer/corporate/foundation leader endeavors to provide quality work experience for students by taking an active role in the:

-     Orientation on new students/interns/coop

-     Handling of student logistics

-          Planning and development of EE assignments

-          Training of EE supervisors                   

Experiential Education Program of the Year

Recognizes an outstanding K-12 or higher education institution that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to experiential education in their classrooms or on their campuses.  Nomination criteria includes:

• Goals and objectives of EE program consistent with NSEE mission and best practices;
• Innovation in the design, implementation and evaluation of the EE program;
• Outreach level and the depth and breadth of program impact between and among diverse groups and communities.

Experiential Education Pioneer of the Year

Recognizes an individual NSEE member that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the field over the course of at least one decade of involvement in NSEE.  Nomination criteria includes:

• Leadership role(s) in teaching/research/practitioner in NSEE;
• Previous awards for exemplary leadership/achievements in EE;
• Leadership as an advocate for EE;
• Leadership role in mentoring EE professionals;
• Leadership positions/contributions to NSEE, i.e. Board, SIG’s/Networks.

Experiential Education Rising Leader Award

Recognizes an individual who has joined the organization within the past five years and is already making outstanding contributions to the field.  Nomination criteria includes:

• Active leadership role(s) within EE/NSEE i.e.. SIG/Networks/Board/Committees;
• Conference participation/presentation;
• Research/publications;
• Field based projects;
• Leadership role in mentoring newcomers to NSEE.

Experiential Education Research/Dissertation of the Year Award

• Publication of research or completion of doctoral dissertation about experiential eduaction within one year of the award;
• Research or doctoral dissertation makes important contributions to an area of of experiential education that is valuable to NSEE members.

For a list of previous winners, click here.