Leadership Awards

 
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Nominations Will Open in Early 2026

Our community is comprised of innumerable GEAR UP Heroes who are the change they wish to see in the world. We know that the success of your GEAR UP program relies on the collaborative efforts of your GEAR UP team, partners, and stakeholders, but that there are also those in your network who routinely exceed expectations.

With the annual Leadership Awards, we wish to recognize those individuals for their contributions to GEAR UP and our communities. Nominations will open in early 2026 to celebrate GEAR UP leaders at the NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference in July.

To learn more about these awards and our outstanding prior award recipients, see below.

 

2025 Recipients

2025 professional Leader of the Year

Ty McCall
Alabama State University GEAR UP

2025 Professional Leader of the Year

Corinne Smith
Appalachian State University

2025 Student Leader of the Year

Peace Sanwoolu
GEAR UP-Nashville

2025 Family Leader of the Year

Maria del Rosario Gazca
Region One GEAR UP

 
 

2025 GEAR UP Alum Leader of the Year

Dr. Josh Sparks
GEAR UP Kentucky

 
 

Learn more about each NCCEP/GEAR UP Leadership Award.

  • The GEAR UP Family Leader of the Year is passionate and committed to the GEAR UP movement and the goal of ensuring that college access and success is available to all students. Through their work with other families, school faculty, staff, and partners of the GEAR UP grant, this person exudes perseverance to effectively assist students in their quest to access and succeed in a postsecondary education. We encourage you to think of the heroes in your community who are active in ensuring student success.

  • The GEAR UP Student of the Year is passionate and committed to the GEAR UP movement and the goal of ensuring that college access and success is available to all students. We encourage you to think of students in your GEAR UP program who embody GEAR UP’s mission to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

  • The GEAR UP Professional of the Year is passionate and committed to the GEAR UP movement and the goal of ensuring that college access and success is available to all students. Nominations for this award may include but are not limited to: directors, evaluators, coordinators, grant managers, family engagement facilitators, communications specialists, or college advisors.

  • The GEAR UP Alum of the Year is passionate and committed to the success of their community. We encourage you to think of alum of your GEAR UP program who contribute to the community in meaningful ways.

    Award offered in partnership with the GEAR UP Alumni Association.