Each year, the members of AACE are able to recognize the efforts of their organizations, colleagues, and the students that they serve through nomination to one of the AACE Award categories.
AACE Success Awards
AACE Success Awards recognize the individual efforts and accomplishments of our members. Awardees demonstrate the highest level of achievement and dedication to the educational and employment goals of AACE. All award categories may not necessarily be presented each year.
AACE Success Awards can be given for the following categories:
Outstanding College Professional of the Year
Recognizes the AACE college member who, through specific achievement(s) or combined contributions to AACE, has exemplified outstanding professionalism, commitment, and cooperation. These achievements and/or contributions may include work within AACE or within their institutions, and/or contributions during continuous service to the profession.
Outstanding Employer Professional of the Year
Recognizes the AACE employer member who, through specific achievement(s) or combined contributions to AACE, has exemplified outstanding professionalism, commitment, and cooperation. These achievements and/or contributions may include work within AACE or within their organizations, and/or contributions during continuous service to the profession.
Outstanding New Professional of the Year
Presented to a member of AACE who has been a member of the association for less than three (3) years. Awardees have made outstanding contributions to the profession through a combination of two (2) of the following: employment with their organization, their involvement with AACE, and/or their participation in other functions or organizations related to college employment.
Honorary Lifetime Award
Awarded to a person who has been a member of AACE for at least five years and, during that period, has made significant contribution to the association. A person may be considered for this award at or following resignation or retirement.
AACE Achievement Awards
AACE Achievement Awards recognize outstanding effort by college educators or employer professionals in four categories. Each award will not necessarily be given each year, depending on the quality of proposals submitted. Each award may have both a college recipient and an employer recipient.
AACE Achievement Awards can be given for the following categories:
Publications
Awards college or employer members who have created outstanding publications. Entries will be judged on content, writing, design, intent, creativity, and timeliness.
Audiovisual Programs
Acknowledges the best films, videos, or slide presentations related to career planning, placement, Co-op, and/or recruitment. Entries will be judged on the medium(s) utilized, effectiveness in meeting the stated objective(s), content, technical quality, creativity, and relevance.
Research Studies
Acknowledges research studies performed in-house or through funded programs which have had an impact on the field(s) of career planning, Co-op, and/or recruitment. Entries will be judged on clarity of the problem statement, objectives stated, methodology used, and findings which result from the study.
Internal Informational/Educational Programs
Recognizes programs, which are designated for use within a member’s organization to meet a need related to career planning/placement, Co-op, and/or recruitment on the college level. Entries will be judged on objectives, program needs, innovativeness, marketing, content, creativity, and results.
Intern Student of the Year
Recognizes an outstanding intern student from a four-year or a two-year institution.
Co-op Student of the Year
Recognizes an outstanding Co-op student from a four-year or a two-year institution.
Past Award Recipients
Outstanding New Professional of the Year
2024- Arminda McKee, Troy University
2023- Hannah Johnson Thompson, University of Alabama in Birmingham
Outstanding College Professional of the Year
2024- Rian Brown, University of North Alabama
Honorary Lifetime Award
2022- Melvin Smith, Auburn University
2022- Tammy White, University of West Alabama
Audiovisual Programs
2024- Birmingham City Tour- Joshua Jackson, UAB Collat School of Business
2023- Office of Career Services, University of Alabama in Huntsville
2022- Office of Career Services, University of Alabama in Huntsville
Internal Informational/ Educational Programs
2024- Pro-Certified Workplace Ready, University of West Alabama
2023- Pathfinders Program, Troy University
2022- Office of Career Services, Troy University
Publication of the Year
2024- Career Guide- Calhoun Community College
Intern Student of the Year
2024- Keeley Johnson, Huntingdon College
2023- Mirinda Hartselle, Troy University
Co-op Student of the Year
2024- Robert “Beau” Brown, Calhoun Community College
2023- Jared Jones, Auburn University
2022- Elizabeth Dawson, University of Alabama in Huntsville
2022- Gabriela Nichols, Calhoun Community College