Every college says it values community. But for students deciding where to learn, families deciding where to invest, and employees deciding where to work, the question is simple: Who is actually doing it well? The Insight Into Academia Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award helps provide that answer. For institutions that win this coveted national award, this is more than just a recognition—it’s a platform to share their story, a signal of trust, and proof that mission-driven work can shape both reputation and results.

Why Recognition Matters

Community, along with student and employee success, are essential priorities in higher education, but they are not always easy to quantify. Initiatives can be dismissed as “soft” or hard to measure, even when they significantly impact retention, graduation, and well-being. Receiving the HEED award signals that these commitments are not just aspirational statements; they are tangible, measurable, and nationally validated.

For student affairs and human resource professionals, as well as marketing leaders, this distinction carries weight. It tells prospective students that they will be supported, faculty that they will join an institution that values its members, and campus partners that this institution is serious about community.

Turning Programs into Proof Points

One of the most significant aspects of the award is how it amplifies the stories of innovative programs already underway. Across this year’s winners, their initiatives demonstrate how excellence becomes visible, measurable, and marketable when tied to a national recognition.

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine: “Clear the Air”

At the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM), its commitment to excellence is rooted in its InSPIRED Core Values—Integrity, Service, Passion, Innovation, Respect, Excellence, and Diversity. One initiative that exemplifies these is Clear the Air, a community outreach program designed to engage high school students in meaningful conversations about the health risks of vaping.

Students, faculty, and staff at ACOM visit schools to distribute educational materials and lead interactive sessions that connect the science of vaping with the broader role of health care professionals in prevention and advocacy. By co-creating the program with input from across campus, Clear the Air reflects multiple perspectives and meets real community needs.

For ACOM, the Health Professions HEED Award highlights that this isn’t just a health campaign—it’s a model for how values can extend beyond campus walls, serving as a scalable, community-centered, and values-driven approach.

California State University, Los Angeles: Pathway Program

At the Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing at California State University, Los Angeles, the Pathway Program supports its student body, many of whom are first-generation students. The program pairs students with mentors, offers tailored academic support, and provides early exposure to clinical practice through partnerships with leading hospitals.

This initiative also extends globally, with a fellowship at Binzhou Medical School in China, offering opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration and a broadened perspective on health care delivery. These efforts have produced clear outcomes: the school’s NCLEX pass rate is nearly 100%, and its graduate program was recognized among the top 30 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2025.

The Health Professions HEED award validates these outcomes, turning them into a powerful narrative about how mentorship and expanded worldviews can translate into national success.

Nazareth University: Spark Grant

Nazareth University demonstrates how relatively small investments can drive significant results. Its Spark Grant program provides $1,500 awards to eliminate financial barriers to internships, research, and global learning. For recipients, the impact is clear: Spark participants experienced a 42% increase in four-year graduation rates, and average GPAs rose from 2.68 to 3.32.

Receiving the HEED award helps amplify these results, turning a program into a best-practice story that resonates far beyond campus.

Loyola University Chicago: CARE Pathway

At the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, the CARE (Collaboration, Access, Resources, and Equity) Pathway provides academic, financial, and socio-emotional support for students pursuing a BSN degree. Launched with a $2.2 million federal grant, the program has already graduated 21 students who are now practicing nurses.

The HEED Award recognition not only validates the program, but has helped it attract donor support and institutional investment, including plans for a new building that will house the program. For Loyola, this helps reinforce the nursing school as a champion of best practices.

The Ripple Effect of Recognition

HEED award recognition often becomes a catalyst for growth and visibility. While institutions design and launch their own initiatives, the award serves as a platform that can elevate their reach:

• At Loyola, CARE Pathway funding has grown since its award recognition.
• At Cal State LA, global collaborations have gained more visibility.
• At ACOM, a values-driven program like Clear the Air gains credibility as a replicable model for other institutions.

Even internally the ripple effect matters. Faculty and staff gain a sense of pride and validation when their work is recognized nationally. For student affairs leaders, this momentum makes it easier to advocate for resources, recruit future cohorts, and inspire broader campus engagement.

Using the HEED Award As a Marketing Tool

For enrollment marketers, the stories behind HEED-winning programs are invaluable. Today’s students and families increasingly want to know whether an institution will not only educate them but also support them personally, socially, and professionally.

For human resources departments, the award offers another strategic benefit: recruitment and retention of faculty and staff. Prospective employees want assurance that their future institution values all members. Recognition reassures them that a campus culture is not only stated but proven.

Recognition is not just symbolic—it’s strategic. The HEED Award turns campus programs into proof points, making them powerful tools for marketing, recruitment, retention, and reputation-building.