The College of Education appreciates and celebrates its alumni with the following opportunities for recognition. The deadline for nominations is Oct 21. Please email nomination materials including a nominator letter(s) and the nominee’s resume to Rebecca Ballard at rebecca.ballard@ua.edu.
College of Education Legacy Awards
early Career Awards
EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER AWARD
Purpose
Recognizes a graduate of the college who has demonstrated significant achievement in a research field early in their career.
Description
The Early Career Researcher Award recognizes an outstanding researcher who has demonstrated exceptional promise, innovation, and impact early in their professional career. The award honors a graduate whose work advances knowledge through high-quality research and scholarly achievement.
Nominees should demonstrate a strong record of accomplishment relative to their career stage, including research innovation, publications or presentations, collaboration, mentorship, and the potential for continued leadership and influence in their field.
Eligibility
Nominees are eligible for this award within 10 years of receiving their College of Education degree(s).
Selection Criteria
- Excellence and originality in research.
- Demonstrated impact and significance of scholarly contributions.
- Productivity and achievements relative to career stage.
- Evidence of leadership, collaboration, and professional engagement.
- Potential for sustained future contributions and leadership in their field.
EARLY CAREER PRACTITIONER AWARD
Purpose
Recognizes an early-career graduate of the College who has demonstrated significant achievement as a practitioner in the early years of their career.
Description
The Early Career Practitioner Award recognizes an emerging professional who has demonstrated significant achievement and impact early in their career. The award honors graduates who apply knowledge, skill, and innovation to improve outcomes, strengthen organizations, and serve students, clients, patients, or communities.
Nominees should demonstrate accomplishments appropriate to their career stage, including innovation, collaboration, leadership, professional growth, and the potential for continued influence in their field.
Eligibility
Nominees are eligible for this award within 10 years of receiving their College of Education degree(s).
Selection Criteria
- Excellence and achievement in professional practice.
- Demonstrated impact on clients, patients, students, organizations, or communities served.
- Innovation and initiative in addressing professional challenges or opportunities.
- Leadership, collaboration, and engagement within the profession.
- Commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.
- Potential for continued growth, leadership, and contribution to the field.
Mid-Career Awards
JAMES E. MCLEAN EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AWARD
Purpose
Recognizes a graduate of the College who has made outstanding contributions in their field of research at mid-career.
Description
The James E. McLean Excellence in Research Award recognizes an established researcher who has demonstrated sustained excellence, leadership, and meaningful impact in their field. The award honors graduates with a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, innovation, mentorship, and service.
Nominees should demonstrate influential research contributions, collaboration, leadership, and a commitment to advancing knowledge and supporting emerging researchers. Their work should have a meaningful impact on their discipline, institution, profession, or society.
Eligibility
Nominees are eligible for this award within 11-24 years of receiving their College of Education degree(s).
Selection Criteria
- Sustained excellence and productivity in research and scholarship.
- Demonstrated impact and significance of research contributions.
- Success in securing competitive funding and advancing research programs.
- Leadership within the research community, institution, or profession.
- Commitment to mentoring and supporting the next generation of researchers.
- Evidence of innovation, collaboration, and contributions that advance the field.
- Potential for continued influence and leadership in research.
HAROLD L. BISHOP CRIMSON IMPACT AWARD
Purpose
Recognizes a graduate of the College at mid-career who has made outstanding contributions as a practitioner.
Description
The Harold L. Bishop Crimson Impact Award recognizes an accomplished practitioner who has demonstrated sustained excellence, leadership, and meaningful impact in their field. The award honors graduates who advance their profession through expertise, innovation, service, and a commitment to improving outcomes.
Nominees should demonstrate a strong record of professional achievement beyond their primary responsibilities, including leadership, collaboration, mentorship, or the implementation of effective and innovative practices. Their contributions should have a measurable and lasting impact on their profession, organization, or community.
Eligibility
Nominees are eligible for this award within 11-24 years of receiving their College of Education degree(s).
Selection Criteria
- Sustained excellence and achievement in professional practice.
- Demonstrated impact on clients, patients, students, organizations, or communities served.
- Leadership in advancing professional standards, programs, services, or initiatives.
- Innovation and effectiveness in addressing challenges and improving practice.
- Commitment to mentoring, developing, and supporting colleagues and emerging professionals.
- Service and engagement within the profession, organization, or community.
- Potential for continued leadership and influence within the field.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
(formerly Hall of Fame)
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR RESEARCH
Purpose
Recognizes a graduate of the College who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in their field of research.
Description
The Lifetime Achievement Award for Research is the College’s highest honor for research and scholarship. It recognizes a graduate whose sustained body of work has advanced knowledge, shaped their discipline, and influenced practice, policy, education, or society.
Nominees should demonstrate a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, leadership, innovation, mentorship, collaboration, and service. Their contributions should extend beyond personal accomplishment to strengthen the research community, support future generations of researchers, and create a lasting legacy of influence in their field.
Eligibility
Nominees are eligible for this award 25 years or more after receiving their College of Education degree(s).
Selection Criteria
- Exceptional and sustained contributions to research and scholarship over the course of a career.
- Demonstrated impact of research on the advancement of knowledge, practice, policy, or society.
- National and/or international recognition for research excellence.
- Leadership in advancing research within their institution, profession, or discipline.
- Significant contributions to mentoring, training, and supporting future researchers.
- Commitment to collaboration, service, and the advancement of the broader research community.
- A lasting legacy of influence and achievement that has shaped the field.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PRACTICE
Purpose
Recognizes a graduate of the College who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in their field of practice.
Description
The Lifetime Achievement Award for Professional Practice is the College’s highest honor for professional achievement. It recognizes a practitioner whose distinguished career reflects sustained excellence, exceptional leadership, and lasting contributions to their profession.
Nominees should demonstrate a longstanding record of innovation, integrity, service, and impact. Their work should have strengthened professional practice, improved outcomes, advanced standards, mentored future leaders, and positively influenced the individuals, organizations, or communities they serve.
The award honors practitioners whose contributions extend beyond personal achievement and have created a lasting legacy within their profession.
Eligibility
Nominees are eligible for this award 25 years or more after receiving their College of Education degree(s).
Selection Criteria
- Sustained excellence and exemplary achievement throughout a professional career.
- Significant and lasting impact on professional practice, services, programs, organizations, or communities.
- Leadership in advancing the profession through innovation, advocacy, education, or service.
- Demonstrated commitment to mentoring, developing, and supporting colleagues and future professionals.
- Contributions that have enhanced professional standards, quality, effectiveness, or outcomes.
- Recognition by peers for outstanding leadership, integrity, and professional accomplishment.
- A legacy of influence that continues to benefit the profession and those it serves.
Previous Awards
The College of Education is sunsetting select alumni awards to streamline recognition and better align future honors with evolving priorities.
