Barefoot & Gardner Awards
Barefoot & Gardner Awards
for Equitable Higher Education Outcomes
Call for Nominations for
The 2024 Barefoot & Gardner Awards
for Equitable Higher Education Outcomes
The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education (Gardner Institute) is an over twenty-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with colleges, universities, philanthropic organizations, educators, and other entities to increase institutional responsibility for improving outcomes associated with teaching, learning, retention, and completion. Through its efforts, the Institute strives to advance higher education’s larger goal of achieving equity and social justice.
The Gardner Institute will publicly recognize postsecondary institutions that have taken active steps to successfully mitigate socially unjust and inequitable performance gaps for historically disenfranchised students. The annual award was created and named by friends and colleagues of Drs. Betsy O. Barefoot and John N. Gardner, the Gardner Institute’s co-founders, recognize and honor their deep commitment to and advocacy for more socially just and equitable postsecondary learning experiences.
Specifically, one two-year and one four-year institution will be selected annually as recipients of the Barefoot & Gardner Awards. The Awards will recognize those institutions in the United States that demonstrate, with strong evidence, their commitment to working toward the attainment of more socially just and equitable outcomes, at scale, in undergraduate education.
Institutions receiving the recognition will be selected by a distinguished national panel. The 2022 awards will be presented in the Spring of 2022.
The Gardner Institute recognizes postsecondary institutions that have taken active steps to successfully mitigate inequitable performance gaps for historically underrepresented student populations. The awards were created and named by friends and colleagues of Drs. Betsy O. Barefoot and John N. Gardner, the Gardner Institute’s co-founders, to recognize and honor their deep commitment to and advocacy for more just and equitable postsecondary learning experiences.
One two-year and one four-year institution will be selected as the recipients of the Barefoot & Gardner Awards. The awards will recognize institutions that demonstrate, with strong evidence, their commitment to working toward the attainment of more equitable outcomes, in undergraduate education. Institutions receiving the recognition will be selected by a distinguished national panel. The award will be announced at A Symposium on Transforming the Foundational Postsecondary Experience in Pittsburgh, PA in October 2024.
Eligibility
Two-Year and Four-Year Undergraduate Institutions
Located in the United States
Private or Public Institutions
Demonstrated commitment towards student success and equitable outcomes.
Timeline
Nomination forms will be available on July 15, 2023
Nominations are due by January 30, 2024
Selection Committee will announce awardees at A Symposium on Transforming the Foundational Postsecondary Experience in Pittsburgh, PA in October 2024.
The Selected Institutions Will Receive:
A plaque recognizing institutional accomplishments in the attainment of socially just and
equitable postsecondary outcomes.Opportunity to present your work and outcomes at A Symposium on Transforming the
Foundational Postsecondary Experience in Pittsburgh, PA in October 2024. (The Gardner
Institute will cover the registration fees and travel cost for one person to accept the award)National recognition through Gardner Institute announcements of recipients.
Additional opportunities to contribute thought leadership with the Gardner
Institute and the greater higher education community through publications, webinars,
leadership academies, and other opportunities.
Questions may be directed to Sara Stein Koch, Ph.D., Gardner Institute’s Fellow and Senior Associate for Institutional Support at awards@gardnerinstitute.org.
2021 Barefoot & Gardner Award Recipients
Western Michigan University, "That all may learn at Western Michigan University"
Western Michigan University-
Is recognized for the commitment by senior leadership at Western Michigan to sustain efforts to advance equity. The initiative includes all 118 members of the Gateways to Completion team in professional development opportunities, many of which focus on equity and inclusive pedagogies. As well as the development of the University College. The success of all students at WMU is the ultimate goal of the new college, with an intentional focus on students from historically underserved populations.
Columbus State Community College, "A History of Equitable Outcomes"
Watch Here https://jngi.zoom.us/rec/share/eppstro3M_LCAxG6gAtKdV--M6h2QKW168Vhx8SGaesmszsGBqxHbuDAXfSscoSa._TAcQsE8N_jWuDkQ?startTime=1634577246000
Columbus State Community College-
is recognized for the work of the past six years, and the resulting insights which inform the work and are designed to inspire and engage students in more services and activities based on best practices. While the college has enjoyed successes, data suggest that the next leap forward lies in the broader adoption of proven tactics and identifying more efficient, effective, and motivational ways to measure and ensure readiness. With those goals, Columbus State has a clear set of priorities around Pathways milestones driven by attainment metrics, enrollment management, technology support, and classroom engagement.