CEN Outstanding Leader Awards

CEN Members play a key role in the success of our community as a whole. To acknowledge those contributions, CEN presents the Outstanding Leader Awards annually to any individual from a CEN member organization who has provided extraordinary leadership, energy, ideas, and achievements for the advancement and development of the CEN community, its products and/or services, and/or its foundational mission, vision, and values.

*COLA Recipients will receive free admission to the CEN Member Conference

Three COLA awards from the 2026 Conference placed on a table

Eligibility

Any individual at a CEN member institution is eligible for this award, if they have not already received it
Non-CEN Members, such as R&E members, vendors, or resellers, may be considered on an individual case basis

Submit a Nomination

Criteria for Selection

The successful candidate must satisfy some or all the following criteria:

Demonstrated leadership and/or a consistent pattern of extraordinary dedication to the CEN community and/or its foundational mission and values
Record of positive impact on the broad CEN community and stands out among peers in similar positions
Active participation in one or more CEN community teams including advisory councils, project teams, working groups, or community engagement activities
Be widely recognized as a team player and one who has enriched the CEN community

Nominating Process

Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis, with submissions due for each year’s candidates by March 18
Nominations can be from an individual at any CEN member institution or from the Commission for Educational Technology
Self-nominations are allowed with 1 – 3 letters of recommendation
Complete the nomination form

Selection Committee & Process

The review committee comprises the CEN Director, CEN Member Services Manager, CEN Sr. Engineer, CEN Advisory Council Chairpersons, 2 members at large, and the CET Executive Director
If a member of the review committee is a candidate, they are rescued from participating as a reviewer
Nominees will be evaluated based on the online nomination form and any supporting documentation
Nominations will be evaluated in early April each year
Recipients will be announced and celebrated at the annual CEN Member Conference in May