Best Poster – Big Idea

We invite members to take part in the Big Ideas poster showcase. This session is for participants who wish to share creative initiatives and innovative strategies implemented in summer and special sessions in a more informal context. Participants will present their poster to the membership for five minutes throughout the conference. Then, the showcase will provide an opportunity for the membership to interact with your poster and answer questions. 

Submissions for your poster will happen before the Annual Conference, and the Awards Committee will contact you throughout the process. Voting will occur during the Annual Conference, and the award will be given to the best poster during the Closing Reception.

Carol Switzer Award for Best Use of a Stolen Idea

At its best, NAASS is where we build relationships and support each other through collaboration. Sometimes that looks like stealing ideas from each other! This award recognizes a Summer/Special Session or Pre-College Program that has the best use of a stolen idea from another program. Candidates for this award are evaluated based on the impact of their stolen idea, their creativity in adapting the idea, and their collegiality. We will recognize the institution that stole the idea as well as the originator of the idea!  

Carol Switzer, former director of summer session at Arizona State University, served as president of NAASS and the Western Association of Summer Session Administrators (WASSA). She did a tremendous amount to strengthen connections between colleagues so everyone could become the summer sessions expert at their institution. Carol encouraged, demonstrated and placed value in sharing ideas and information. She was a big advocate of having people “steal” each other’s ideas and implementing them at their schools. In 2007, WASSA created the Best Use of a Stolen Idea award and named it in honor of Carol. After WASSA merged with NAASS, the Carol Switzer Award became a NAASS award.

Nominations are encouraged from colleagues or through self-nomination. Voting takes place before the Annual Conference, and the award is presented at the Annual Conference during the Business Meeting.

Contribution to NAASS 

This award recognizes those who have gone above and beyond in their service to NAASS. These members have contributed to helping NAASS thrive institutionally for years to come. Candidates for this award are evaluated based on their dedication to NAASS and the impact of their contribution to NAASS. 

This award is presented annually on an ad hoc basis. There may be some years in which multiple awardees are selected and some years in which there are none. Although we appreciate the service of elected and appointed officers to NAASS, this award is meant for those who go above and beyond, not necessarily for those who just do an exemplary job at their role.

Nominations are encouraged from colleagues or through self-nomination, and the Executive Committee will review submissions and decide on the recipient. The award will be presented at the Annual Conference during the Closing Reception.

Distinguished Service Award

This award is presented by NAASS in recognition of extraordinary service to NAASS and contributions to the field of summer session administration. The Award recognizes individuals who have provided noteworthy leadership in summer session administration by their exemplary service to NAASS, and/or by enhancing the status of summer sessions within higher education while administering successful summer sessions at their institution.

Likewise, each time the award is presented; it will be named on behalf of one of the historical leaders and valuable contributors to NAASS. The Executive Committee, upon consultation with the Administrative Council and with former presidents of NAASS as desirable, will designate the naming of the award.

Criteria

• Nominees should be actively involved in summer session. Nominees should be current members of NAASS who have held that membership for not less than 5 years.
• Nominees should have performed service over an extended period of time within NAASS (and possibly other summer session associations) in ways that have been widely recognized for their benefit to other summer session administrators and members of NAASS or to the recognition of the role of summer sessions in higher education.
• Nominees should have exhibited significant leadership and performance in their administrative roles in their own institutions and have developed or maintained a successful summer session program

Honorary Life Member Award

To be eligible for Honorary Life Membership of NAASS, the individual must have been active in summer session management for at least 10 years and have consistently provided outstanding service to NAASS.

New Administrators Workshop (NAW) Emerging Leader Award 

This award recognizes a standout member of the current NAW cohort who exemplifies the spirit of collaboration, initiative, and engagement—demonstrating a strong commitment to connecting with peers, contributing meaningfully to the organization, and supporting the broader mission of NAASS.

All new NAW members are automatically entered, voting happens during the Annual Conference, and the award will be given during the Closing Reception.

Newcomer to Summer Award 

At NAASS, we want to see Summer/Special Session and Pre-College institutions thrive nationwide. This award recognizes a Summer Session or Pre-College Program founded in the past 1-5 years. An institution whose mission has changed or has expanded dramatically is also eligible for this award. Candidates for this award are evaluated based on the challenges they faced in starting their office, the impact of their office on their campus, and their contributions to NAASS.

Nominations are encouraged from colleagues or through self-nomination. Voting takes place before the Annual Conference, and the award is presented at the Annual Conference during the Opening Reception.

Program Initiative with a Diversity Focus 

This award celebrates a Summer/Special Session or Pre-College Program that has shown exceptional dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Whether through innovative programming, impactful student engagement, or meaningful institutional initiatives, the recipient exemplifies a deep commitment to creating more inclusive and equitable educational spaces. 

Nominations are encouraged from colleagues or through self-nomination. The honoree will be selected by the NAASS Awards Committee, and the award will be presented at the Annual Conference during the Business Meeting.

Regional MVP

This award honors a professional who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in Pre-College, Summer/Special Session programming. The recipient of this award consistently goes above and beyond to create meaningful, inclusive, and transformative experiences for students, while advancing the mission and values of their institution and the NAASS organization. 

Nominations are encouraged from colleagues or through self-nomination, and the Regional Vice Presidents of NAASS will review submissions and decide on the recipient. The award will be presented at the Annual Conference during the Regional Meetings and recognized at the Closing Reception.