NISTS | University of North Georgia
BONITA C. JACOBS TRANSFER CHAMPION AWARDS
Each year, NISTS recognizes exemplary transfer advocates who are influencing policies, practices, and programs to benefit transfer students.
Transfer Champions span a wide range of roles, responsibilities, and functional units. Their important and inspiring work offers a compelling model of action for others striving to affect change on behalf of transfer students. NISTS will honor the next Transfer Champion award winners during the NISTS 2024 conference in St. Louis, Missouri, February 21-23, 2024.
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Nominations are currently closed and will reopen in summer 2024.
Bonita C. Jacobs Transfer Champion Award
Named for the organization's founder, who has played a significant role in advancing the national transfer conversation, the Bonita C. Jacobs Transfer Champion Award is the most prestigious award offered by the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students. Transfer Champions have demonstrated exceptional advocacy and leadership on behalf of transfer students at the state or national level. Throughout their careers, they have significantly improved transfer student access, persistence, and success in areas such as policy, research, or advocacy. Transfer Champions are nominated and selected by NISTS.
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Transfer Champion-Catalyst
The Catalyst Award recognizes mid-career professionals who are game-changers in the transfer field. These individuals have worked over time to make a significant impact at the institutional, regional, and/or state levels. Awardees demonstrate evidence of leadership, appropriate risk-taking, and disrupting the status quo. They use relevant research and theoretical frameworks to develop transfer programs and services. And, they ensure the sustainability of initiatives by developing staff and using data to make improvements. Generally, these individuals have served in transfer-related roles for approximately ten years.
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Transfer Champion-Rising Star
The Rising Star Award recognizes individuals who are making important contributions but are relatively new to the transfer field. Awardees create new programming or substantially improve programming that is responsive to the specific transfer student population and shows evidence of success. Rising Stars use best practices and theoretical frameworks to design, implement, and assess their efforts and use resulting data to guide future work. They use their strong communication and collaboration skills to educate others about transfer students, and they are not afraid to challenge the status quo. Generally, these individuals have served in transfer-related roles for three to five years.
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