The Higher Education HR Awards
The Higher Education HR Awards
The Higher Education HR Awards recognize the efforts of individuals, teams and institutions who are transforming HR at their institutions and influencing the profession on a wider scale. Nominees must be CUPA-HR institutional members. This is your chance to nominate a deserving colleague or team for the most prestigious awards in the higher ed HR profession!
Nominations
Award nominations are closed.
Nominees must be CUPA-HR institutional members. Recipients are selected by the Awards Committee, and awards are presented virtually in the summer.
Awards
Donald E. Dickason Award – Awarded to an outstanding CUPA-HR leader.
Distinguished Service Award – Awarded for distinguished service to CUPA-HR and the profession.
Chief Executive HR Champion Award – Awarded to an institutional president or chancellor.
Workplace Excellence Award – Recognizes initiatives that have made a significant impact on institutional culture by improving employee access, opportunity and engagement.
HR Innovation Award – Recognizes transformative HR work in higher ed.
Higher Ed HR Rock Star Award – Recognizes an early-career professional making an impact in higher ed HR.
Chapter Excellence Award – Recognizes a chapter that is making a significant impact (Only chapter board members can nominate their chapters for this award).
Awards Timeline
Nominations Open – March 2, 2026
Nominations Close – March 26, 2026
Notifications – On or before June 30, 2026
Awards Presentations – August 20, 2026 (virtual)