What
are
the Bellwether Awards?
The Bellwether Awards are
an integral part of the Community College Futures Assembly, established
in 1995. The Assembly is sponsored by the Institute of Higher Education
at the University of Florida and focuses on cutting-edge, trendsetting
programs that other colleges might find worthy of replicating. The
Bellwether Awards are given annually in three categories to colleges with
outstanding and innovative programs or practices.
The Bellwether Award has
been compared to football's Heisman Award because it is competitively judged
and is an award given by your peers in community colleges, with no cash
award. It has also been called "the award of awards" because many
institutions with programs that have won other awards apply for the Bellwether
Award. Previous recipients of the Bellwether Award have said that
it has been a springboard for other types of recognition and/or funding. |
What
do the awards look like?
The award can be
seen here.
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Why
do I have to apply if I was already nominated?
Selection of the
finalists is a competitive process. It is essential that those nominated
provide key information addressing specific criteria, etc. in order to
be competitively judged in the selection of finalists.
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Can
you tell me who nominated me?
It is our practice
not to reveal the specific source of nominations. In general, Bellwether
nominations come from numerous sources, including co-sponsoring organizations,
state officials, previously competitively reviewed presentations at other
national conventions, and programs featured in the media.
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Can
I submit my application electronically?
Applications will be accepted via the online application submission page. Please do not fax or email Bellwether Applications.
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Should
I submit additional materials with my application?
No. Additional
materials are requested only from finalists after they have been notified
of their finalist status. Please stick to the application guidelines.
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Can
a program be submitted in more than one category?
No. Only one
category can be chosen per program, so choose the category your program
fits best.
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Can
my institution submit more than one program?
Yes.
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What
is the judging process like?
Choosing
finalists: There are several judges in each category; all from
that category's co-sponsoring organization. Co-sponsoring organizations
are the National Council for Instructional Administrators for Instructional
Programs & Services, the Council for Resource Development for Planning,
Governance & Finance and the National Council of Continuing Education and Training for
Workforce Development. The judges rate the programs based on the
applications and program descriptions and then choose ten finalists for
their category.
Choosing
winners:
The Bellwether Selection Committee chooses winners
based on additional program materials in conjunction with the presentation
made at the Assembly.
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Do
I have to attend the Assembly for our program to win?
The judging process
for winners is based partially on the quality of the college's presentation
at the Assembly--so yes, registration and attendance by someone involved
with your program is required. It is also strongly recommended that
you attend the Bellwether Finalists Reception and the Bellwether Winners
Luncheon while at the Assembly. Recognition is given and press pictures
are taken at that time.
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