The John L. Blackburn Award

Awarded annually, and named for a former AAUA President and General Secretary, the John L. Blackburn Award recognizes outstanding examples of college and university leadership that (a) demonstrate creative solutions to common problems, and/or (b) illustrate successful efforts to meet demands—whether from legislative bodies, accrediting agencies, the public, strategic objectives, or other internal or external forces.

The Eileen Tosney Distinguished Service Award

Awarded annually, and named for a dedicated and long-time member of AAUA, the Eileen Tosney Distinguished Services Award recognizes  outstanding career service to higher education.

The Nikolai N. Khaladjan International Award

Named for a well-know university international education pioneer, the Nikolai N. Khaladjan Award is presented annually to recognize innovation and achievement in international education, especially—but not restricted to—programs that develop or strengthen any of the following aspects of international education programming: (1) innovative teaching methods; (2) methods which widen access to education; (3) extension of or more efficient use of teaching resources; (4) wide use of or development of learning technology; and (5) efforts that accelerate or deepen student learning. 

The AAUA Emerging Leader Award

The AAUA Emerging Leader Award recognizes an early-career administrator in higher education who has achieved recognition from peers, superiors, and subordinates, and who is deemed to show promise of emerging as a future prominent leader in American higher education.

The AAUA Distinguished Service Award

Awarded periodically, the AAUA Diustinguished Sewrvice Award recognizes a current or past member who has contributed greatly to the mission of AAUA.

The Donald A. Gatzke Outstanding Dissertation Award
The Leo and Margaret Goodman-Malamuth Dissertation Award

Each year, the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA) recognizes two outstanding doctoral dissertations in the field of higher education or higher education administration.