The 2020 Community College Futures Assembly will be held from February 2nd – 4th at the Hilton Palacio Del Rio, on the beautiful Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
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 Alamo Colleges District 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. Moreover, 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?
Great question! An image of the award can be seen here.
NOMINATION AND APPLICATION
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, in order to be competitively judged in the selection of finalists.
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.
What should I include in the application?
- Name of the program, name and contact information for the principal contact
- Names of three presenters and their contact information
- 50-word program description
- 500-word (or less) program summary
- The content in the application should address the following elements (selection weights are shown in parentheses):
The content in the application should address the following elements (selection weights are shown in parentheses):
1. An identified critical issue (15%)
2. The application criteria (85%) as described below:
- Identify the issue or challenge that this leading edge program or activity was designed to address. (20%)
- Describe the process, timeline, participants, and resources required to implement the program or activity. (20%)
- Specify the results and/or impact and opportunity for scale-ability. (25%)
- Elaborate on lessons learned for colleges considering a replication of this initiative. (20%)
- Optional Video Clip (N/A)
We encourage applicants to submit a video clip that is no longer than 60 seconds, addressing the selection criteria below. However, submitting video is OPTIONAL. The video clip must be uploaded on YouTube (as public or unlisted) and link included in the form in the appropriate filed.
While submitting video is entirely optional, this is a great way to showcase your outstanding program to the higher education community because we will be showing these clips during important sessions including reception. However, we cannot guarantee the showing of video if it is not received in a timely manner and format.
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. This year, we encourage applicants to submit a video clip that is no longer than 1 minute, addressing the selection criteria. However, this requirement is OPTIONAL. The video clip must be uploaded to YouTube (can be public or unlisted) and link included in the application form in the appropriate field.
Can I submit my application electronically?
Yes. Applications will be accepted ONLY via the online application submission page. For consistency, we are not accepting applications via mail, fax, or email.
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. However, multiple programs can be applied for different categories.
What is the judging process like?
Choosing finalists: There is a national panel of judges in each category; all being experts in each category’s area. 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.
What are the three award categories?
- Instructional Programs & Services: Programs or activities that have been designed and successfully implemented to foster or support teaching and learning in the community college.
- Planning, Governance & Finance: Programs or activities that have been designed and successfully implemented to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the community college.
- Workforce Development: Public and/or private strategic alliances and partnerships that promote community and economic development.
Note: Please note that if your application is not selected as a finalist under the original category you applied for, the same application can also be considered for another category internally in a case when the judges see strengths of your program matching with another category..
Contact Us
Do you have a question? Or perhaps you need to get ahold of us for another reason. Then please use the form on this page to contact us and we will get in touch with you shortly.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner]