Established over 35 years ago, the League’s Innovation of the Year Award was devised as a way to recognize significant innovations at League Board and Alliance member colleges. These innovations reflect capstone achievements and the spirit of innovation and experimentation upon which the League was founded. This award acknowledges innovative programs, practices, partnerships, policies, and activities that improve the ability of institutions to serve students and the community and to honor the faculty, staff, and administrators who have created and implemented them. Granting this award provides a venue for showcasing these innovations and the dedicated community college educators who strive for excellence on a daily basis.

League Board and Alliance member colleges determine their own eligibility criteria and selection protocol, and each college or system submits one Innovation of the Year winner. The designated primary award contact at each institution is responsible for administering this award and submitting names. If you are interested in nominating a capstone project and those educators responsible for that project, please contact your president or chancellor to find out who the primary contact is at your college.

From January 9 - April 9, we invite League Board and Alliance colleges to submit 2024-2025 Innovation of the Year Award winners. Visit the League website’s Innovation of the Year Award page to learn more about the nomination process, criteria, and recognition.

Lead image: 2022-2023 award-winning team from Rio Salado College, Maricopa Community Colleges