Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership

The AACC Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership Award honors local, regional and national collaboration between a college and corporate partner that has achieved demonstrable, multi-year success in advancing the mission of the institution(s), the economic prosperity of a community, region or the nation, and the learning excellence of students.

Criteria used to evaluate applications are as follows:

• Promotes partnerships between college(s) and business and industry that advance the economic prosperity of the community/region and the competitiveness of the workforce.
• Demonstrates measurable outcomes in advancing student success.
• Is characterized by innovative on-campus and workplace opportunities that engage students and employers.
• Provides and leverages resources available to college(s) and students.
• Closes the American skills gap.

Exclusions:

• Colleges that have previously won the award are eligible to apply five years after winning.

Exceptions:

• Award finalists in a previous year can apply in the same category for the subsequent year.  However, the finalist must submit an enhanced application. Enhanced means that the applicant must further strengthen the relationship between the college and corporate partner. 

General Guidelines and Nomination Instructions:

• Nominee must be a current AACC member college and must pay membership fee for next year.
• The CEO of the nominating institution must sign nomination form.
• Each award is given annually, and the honoree(s) will be recognized at AACC Annual.
• Nominating packages (excluding required photos) must be submitted through the nomination form AND include the following:
  • Visit the Awards Application page to access the nomination form.
  • Minimum two letters of support on official letterhead, one signed by the nominating college CEO.
  • Additional support materials (i.e. news coverage, fact sheet, descriptions) NOT TO exceed five (5) pages. All personal identifiers must be redacted from the submission. 
    • Five publication-quality photos (No PDFs): (1) publication-quality headshot of the CEO [300 dpi resolution or higher], (1) publication-quality headshot of the company's CEO or designee [300 dpi resolution or higher], and (3) photos of the partnership in action.

Visit the Awards Application page to access the nomination form.