Leah Meyer Austin Award

Achieving the Dream is now accepting applications for the 2022 Leah Meyer Austin Award. Colleges who meet the criteria outlined below are invited to submit their applications until the September 15 deadline.

To apply, download the application and submit it here by 5:00 pm ET on September 15, 2021.

Resources for applicants

Leah Meyer Austin Award application form (PDF)

Leah Meyer Austin Award application rubric (PDF)

Leah Meyer Austin Award data template (.xlsx)

Submit all applications materials HERE

Colleges interested in applying for this opportunity are invited to attend application office hours, virtual sessions where ATD staff will walk through the application process and answer any questions participants may have. Two sessions will be offered:

Thursday, August 12, 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET [Register]
Thursday, August 26, 3:00–4:00 pm ET [Register]

See Frequently Asked Questions here.

ELIGIBILITY

Colleges eligible to apply for the award are Leader Colleges in good standing, participants in the ATD Network for at least three years, and have not won the Leah Meyer Austin Award in the last five years. In addition, eligible colleges have met one or more of the following data criteria by showing:

Four-year improvement in the IPEDS three-year graduation rate of at least three percentage points (first-time full-time students)
Four-year improvement in the National Student Clearinghouse three-year graduation rate of at least three percentage points (first time ever in college, degree seeking, both full-time and part-time)
Six-year transfer-out bachelor's degree completion rate at or above the national level
Selection as one of the top 150 colleges in the competition for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

ABOUT

The Leah Meyer Austin award is the highest distinction a college in the Achieving the Dream (ATD) Network can earn. ATD bestows this award annually to a college that employs a holistic approach to reducing equity gaps between student groups and increasing success for all. The award recognizes institutional strength, aligned policies and procedures, a student-focused culture, and notable increases in student outcomes.

Colleges eligible to apply for the award are Leader Colleges in good standing, participants in the ATD Network for at least three years, and have not won the award in the last five years. In addition, eligible colleges have met one or more of the following data criteria by showing:

Four-year improvement in the IPEDS three-year graduation rate of at least three percentage points (first-time full-time students)
Four-year improvement in the National Student Clearinghouse three-year graduation rate of at least three percentage points (first time ever in college, degree seeking, both full-time and part-time)
Six-year transfer-out bachelor's degree completion rate at or above the national level
Selection as one of the top 150 colleges in the competition for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence