2026 Association Award Recipients
At the 1953 Annual Conference of the National University Extension Association (NUEA), which was the forerunner of UPCEA, Robert Browne of the University of Illinois gave a speech honoring Tom Shelby, retiring Dean of the Division of Extension at the University of Texas. Browne conferred on Shelby the FX Key in honor of service to extension. Engraved on the key was “Fellow of Extension,” the year, and the Association’s initials. This was the first recognition award given by the Association.
The Association’s Awards Program has grown to include Association-wide, Community of Practice, and Regional Awards. Through these awards, UPCEA recognizes its members’ outstanding contributions to the Association and the field, as well as their achievements in innovative programming, marketing and promotion, community development, and services, research and publications, and many other areas.
To the following recipients of this year’s awards and honors, UPCEA extends its congratulations.
Julius M. Nolte Award for Extraordinary Leadership
The Julius M. Nolte Award for Extraordinary Leadership is the most prestigious of all UPCEA awards. First established in 1965, the award is given to an individual in recognition of unusual and extraordinary contributions to the cause of continuing education on the regional, national, and/or international level. The award honors the memory of Julius M. Nolte, a pioneer in the field of continuing higher education. Nolte served as Dean of General Extension at the University of Minnesota from 1934–1962. He served as NUEA President in 1950–51, and was Secretary/Treasurer of the Association from 1956 to 1964.
David R. Cillay
Washington State University Global Campus
Ray Schroeder Leadership Award for the Advancement of Digital Learning
Ray Schroeder Leadership Award for the Advancement of Digital Learning is given to an individual in recognition of lifetime achievements and professionalism in advancing the cause of online and digital learning in postsecondary education.
This award will be presented at SOLAR 2026, July 29-31, 2026 in Boston, MA.
Nancy Coleman
Harvard University
Phillip E. Frandson Award for Literature
The Phillip E. Frandson Award for Literature recognizes the author and publisher of an outstanding work of continuing higher education literature. It is given in memory of Phillip E. Frandson, Dean of Extension, University of California, Los Angeles, and NUEA President, 1977–78.
Building Collaborative Learning Communities to Drive Student Success
Robin Dhakal, William G. Davis, and Kira Heske, University of Arizona Global Campus
This award will be presented at SOLAR 2026, July 29-31, 2026 in Boston, MA.
Adelle F. Robertson Emerging Professional Continuing Educator Award
Adelle F. Robertson Emerging Professional Continuing Educator Award recognizes the scholarship, leadership and contributions to the profession of a person who has entered the field within the past five to ten years.
Dr. Renee Kruep
University of Missouri
UPCEA Excellence in Teaching Award
The UPCEA Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to individuals who have provided outstanding teaching, course development, mentoring of students, and service to continuing education. This award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to credit or non-credit programs and who have provided inspirational teaching to continuing education students.
Stephen Scheib
Wilmington University
UPCEA Outstanding Professional, Continuing, and/or Online Education Student: Credit Award
The Outstanding Professional, Continuing, and/or Online Education Student Award recognizes outstanding student achievement in professional and continuing education.
Maureen Leahey
University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies
UPCEA Outstanding Program: Noncredit Award
The Outstanding Program—Noncredit Award recognizes outstanding professional and continuing education programs that do not offer credit.
ITRS Pathways to Professional Advancement
Florida State University
UPCEA Outstanding Program: Credit Award
The Outstanding Program—Credit Award recognizes outstanding professional and continuing education programs allowing students to earn credit.
RRT-BS Degree Advancement Program
Boise State University
UPCEA International Program of Excellence or Innovative Practice Award
UPCEA International Program of Excellence or Innovative Practice Award recognizes a program engaged in activities that promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas of global significance.
Professional Certificate in Corporate Entrepreneurship
Furman University – Center for Innovative Leadership
UPCEA Business & Operations Award for Operational Excellence
UPCEA Business & Operations Award for Operational Excellence recognizes outstanding individual contributions in operations, entrepreneurial, and intra-preneurial work that moves an institution into a more favorable position, specifically in financial, human, administrative and IT operations in professional, continuing and online units at postsecondary institutions.
Jessie Sova
North Carolina State University
UPCEA Outstanding Service in Postsecondary Instructional Design Award
UPCEA Outstanding Service in Postsecondary Instructional Design Award recognizes outstanding service to the field of instructional design in one or more of the following areas: modeling and disseminating research (via workshops, webinars, conferences, papers, etc.), best practices, innovative methods, and/or mentorship, all for the betterment of the instructional design community.
This award will be presented at SOLAR 2026, July 29-31, 2026 in Boston, MA.
Dr. Blair Stamper
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
UPCEA Strategic Innovation in Online Education Award
UPCEA Award for Strategic Innovation in Online Education recognizes an institution of higher education that has set and met innovative goals focused on online education and been strategic in the planning, development, implementation and sustainability in line with the institutional mission.
CoPILOT: Cohort Program for Innovation and Leadership in Online Teaching
Purdue University
UPCEA Engagement Award
UPCEA Engagement Award recognizes an outstanding mutually-beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources between a UPCEA member institution and one or more external constituents such as local communities, corporations, government organizations, or associations.
Community Health Worker Specialized Training Certificate
University of California, Merced Division of Professional and Continuing Education and Merced County Department of Public Health
UPCEA Credential Innovation Award
UPCEA Credential Innovation Award recognizes a higher education institution that has successfully implemented an innovative alternative credential program with positive results.
iTEACH Microcredential
UNT Health Fort Worth