Recognizing Excellence: The Students of the Year Awards
Adult learners are a significant and growing demographic in higher education. Many are over the age of 25, balancing work and family responsibilities while pursuing academic degrees. These students seek flexible course schedules and opportunities to leverage prior learning. Student veterans, in particular, often pursue post-traditional paths, delaying college entry and frequently enrolling in online or weekend classes. Recognizing the unique challenges and achievements of these learners is crucial, and awards programs play a vital role in this.
The Significance of Recognizing Adult Learners
Adult learners represent nearly half of all enrolled undergraduate students in the United States. Roughly 60 percent of adults without a bachelor's degree express a desire to pursue post-secondary education. Student veterans are more likely than other learners to pursue post-traditional paths. On average, student veterans delay entering college by five years after graduating from high school; when they do enroll, 61 percent of student veterans take classes online, at night, or on weekends. Fifty-four percent are enrolled in associate degree or certificate programs, and 44 percent are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs.
ACE Student of the Year Award
The American Council on Education (ACE) recognizes the accomplishments of adult learners through its Student of the Year Award. Each year, ACE solicits nominations of adult learners who have used ACE's college credit recommendations to achieve their educational and career goals. These goals include:
- Beginning coursework at a college or university
- Completing an academic degree, certification, or license
- Advancing in a career
- Transitioning into a new career
ACE's strategic commitments include helping post-traditional learners succeed by expanding flexible completion pathways through innovative learning. The ACE Student of the Year Award highlights the impact of this work.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and Student Success
Emerging research on credit for prior learning (CPL) and student success indicates that students with CPL are far more likely to complete a postsecondary credential.
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Principals of the Year: Recognizing Leadership in Education
While the ACE Student of the Year Award focuses on adult learners, other awards programs recognize outstanding contributions to education at different levels. One example is the Principals of the Year program in Aldine Independent School District (ISD). This program honors leaders who build strong teams and family partnerships, creating safe and engaging environments for student success. In Aldine ISD, strong principals do more than manage campuses.
Examples of Outstanding Principals
In Aldine ISD, two principals, Dr. Susan Meister and Mr. Stewart, were recognized for their exceptional leadership.
Dr. Susan Meister, Principal at Hinojosa Elementary
Dr. Meister has 32 years of experience in education and 29 years in instructional leadership. She drove Hinojosa’s transformation into a top-performing campus. Her leadership increased kindergarten early literacy from 49% in 2020-2021 to 82% the following year. Her impact goes beyond academics. A kindergarten teacher at Hinojosa described Meister’s leadership during a tragic campus loss as compassionate and decisive. Meister’s play-based initiatives created gardens, sensory spaces, and hands-on environments, boosting student engagement and development. “My legacy will be defined by always doing what is best for students,” Meister said.
Mr. Stewart, Principal at Nimitz High School
At Nimitz High, Stewart’s leadership centers on the R.I.G.H.T. principles. “Keeping students first is not a slogan - it is a daily practice,” Stewart said. Since 2022, Stewart has led significant gains in student achievement and postsecondary readiness. The campus raised College, Career, and Military Readiness from 42% to 98% over four years. The school earned a B accountability rating. Staff highlights Stewart’s intentional leadership. Each morning, Stewart sets the tone with campus announcements. He reinforces expectations and leads a brief “Be Still” moment. “Our primary customers are students,” Stewart said.
The Importance of Strong Leadership
“These leaders represent the best of who we are in Aldine ISD,” said Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “They lead with heart and high expectations. They strongly believe in what our students can achieve. Their work is not only transforming campuses - it is shaping futures.
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