Nominations being sought for the Inaugural Barefoot & Gardner Awards
The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education is a 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.
As we celebrate the Gardner Institute’s 20th anniversary, we are reflecting upon those who have made a difference to our organization and the equitable higher education outcomes that are at the heart of the organization’s mission. As part of this effort, the friends and colleagues of the Gardner Institute wanted to recognize the organization’s two co-founders through the establishment and annual presentation of an award that bears their names.
Beginning in March 2020, the Gardner Institute will publicly recognize postsecondary institutions that have taken active steps to successfully mitigate inequitable performance gaps for historically disenfranchised populations.
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, to recognize and honor their deep commitment to and advocacy for more just and equitable postsecondary learning experiences.
Specifically, one two-year and one four-year institution will be selected as the inaugural 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 equitable outcomes, at scale, in undergraduate education.
Institutions receiving the recognition will be selected by a distinguished national panel. The 2020 awards will be presented at the annual Gateway Course Experience Conference in Chicago, March 22-24, 2020.
Nomination materials must be submitted via this link by January 6, 2020. Award recipients will be selected by a distinguished national panel of reviewers.
The Selected Institutions Will Receive:
A plaque recognizing institutional accomplishments in the attainment of equitable postsecondary outcomes
National recognition through Gardner Institute announcements of recipients in major higher education news publications
Travel, hotel expenses, and registration for 2 persons to attend the 2020 Gateway Course Experience Conferences to participate in award-related activities
A representative from each institution will offer a brief presentation during the Gateway Course Experience conference (March 22-24, 2020).
Nominations are due by January 17, 2020 and awards will be announced February 15, 2020.
Questions may be directed to Andrew K. Koch, Ph.D., Gardner Institute’s President and Chief Operating Officer at koch@jngi.org or 828-877-3549.