2026 Award Categories
Marketing & Promotion
Within this category, we recognize partners who have made great strides in marketing and promoting their programs to students and across campus. There are 2 awards, Best Branding and Most Creative Marketing Strategy.
The Best Branding award is presented to programs that have created a memorable and exciting branding campaign to engage students and impress stakeholders. Branding is what your program will be remembered for, and these partners have left a lasting impression.
North Carolina State University, Poole College of Management - Poole Packways
Indiana University, College of Arts and Sciences - Momentum
American University, Kogod School of Business - Kogod Connect
Mississippi University for Women, Student Success Center - The W Flight Path
Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business - Broad 360
University of Texas at Dallas, Jindal School of Management - WisePath
North Dakota State University, College of Business - Herdfolio
Jacksonville University, Honors College - The Honors Experience
University of Vermont, Grossman School of Business - PEAKS
This award recognizes programs that demonstrate exceptional innovation, originality, and effectiveness in their marketing strategy. These programs have a unique perspective on marketing that captures a student’s eye and draws great interest in their Suitable program.
Utah Tech, Student Affairs - Active learning. Active life.
Ohio University, Career Center - Pathfinder
Northern Illinois University, Honors College - Honors Engaged
Temple University, Fox School of Business - FOX Forward
Ursinus College, Student Life- APEX Connect
Moravian University, Laurie Riley ‘82 Center for Career Success - Career Readiness Digital Badging Program
Tulane University, Freeman School of Business - Freeman Beyond
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Key Contributors
Within this category, we recognize partners who have seen great success in the critical pillars of our ecosystem: Career Readiness, The Hub, and Guided Pathways. These partners go beyond basic usage, employing tried-and-true methodologies to drive high activity completion and deep student involvement. They serve as models for the community, consistently contributing ideas and best practices based on their ever-expanding knowledge base.
The Career Ready Excellence Award is presented to partners who have demonstrated a superior commitment to integrating core career competencies into their programming through the NACE Ready product. By prioritizing this framework, these partners ensure students are equipped not just with knowledge, but with the essential career-readiness skills that employers value most.
University of Florida, Career Connections Center - Gator Launch
Auburn University, Career Center - NACE Ready
Kennesaw State University, Coles College of Business - Coles College Student Engagement
University of Connecticut, Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills - UConn Career Ready
University of Pittsburgh, Career Center - The Outside the Classroom Curriculum
University of Miami, Toppel Career Center - Cane Commitment
Belmont University, Health and Wellness - WELL Core
The Washington Center - NACE Ready
Arizona State University, University College - NACE Ready
Robert Morris University, Center for Outreach and Impact - RMU Readyee name
Temple University, Career Center - NACE Ready
Florida Gulf Coast University, Internships and Cooperative Programs - Florida Gulf Coast University Career Readiness
The Hub Excellence Award is presented to our standout Student Organization partners who have maximized their presence and impact within The Hub platform. These organizations have leveraged the system to its fullest potential, fostering vibrant communities and creating meaningful, accessible opportunities for student involvement and leadership development.
Grand Valley State University, Student Life - LakerLink
North Carolina Wesleyan University, Campus Life and Student Activities - WesQuest
University of Pittsburgh, College of Business - Pitt Business OCC
The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business, FisherU
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, Student Life and Success Center - GEM OCC
Abilene Christian University - ACU Compass
Ursinus College, Student Life - APEX Connect
Langston University, Student Affairs - Student Life
Northwestern State University, Student Affairs - Purple Portal
Temple University, Student Leadership and Engagement - Owl Connect
Haverford College, Student Life - Squirrel Space
The Guided Pathways High-Impact Engagement Award is presented to the partners achieving the highest standard of student participation, measured by superior activity completion rates per student, consistent engagement levels, and excellent achievement completion. This award recognizes that true impact is found in consistency, celebrating the programs where students are not just enrolled, but are actively advancing through their pathway journey.
Collaboration & Community
Within this category, we celebrate the partners and individuals who foster a thriving, interconnected ecosystem. These awards recognize the power of partnership - from the advocates championing student voices to the innovators driving program growth and embodying the spirit of our mission. These recipients demonstrate that our collective success is built on collaboration, advocacy, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for students.
The Suitable Collaborator of the Year award is presented to the partners who serve as the heartbeat of our community. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional engagement by actively participating in the Suitable Insider pathway, attending the highest volume of webinars, and representing Suitable on the big stage at conferences or in virtual events. We count on these partners to be our community champions - always ready to share their experiences, offer peer support, and elevate the conversation for the benefit of all partners.
University of Florida, Warrington College of Business - Catherine Coe and Amber Bollinger
Texas State University, McCoy College of Business - Terrance McClain
Rutgers University, Rutgers Business School - Matt Peyrek
Ursinus College, Student Life - Melissa Knox and Mia Harvey
Tennessee Tech University, College of Business - Sherrie Cannon
University of Pittsburgh, Frederick Honors College - Kait Long and Jason Russell
Temple University, Student Leadership and Engagement - Barbra Perlman and Deanne DeCrescenzo
Georgia Institute of Technology, John H. Martinson Honors Program - Amy D’Unger, Amie Raines and Amara Anderson
University of Connecticut, Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills - Eran Peterson and Kristen Soprano
University of Texas San Antonio, Carlos Alvarez College of Business Student Success Center - Leticia Garcia, Julio Joey Ramos, Victoria Rodriguez, Rosa Garza, Genesis Valdez, and Selena Olivares
The Momentum Award is presented to the partner that has demonstrated a surge in engagement and a remarkable upward trajectory over the past year. Success in a pathway is a marathon, not a sprint, and these partners have shown unwavering dedication to refining their strategy and driving adoption. Through persistence and hard work, they have accelerated their program’s impact and are now operating at a high velocity of student success.
University of Florida, Career Connections Center - Gator Launch
Western Kentucky University, Student Life - Toppers Life
Western Kentucky University, Provost Office - Toppers Climb
Robert Morris University, Career Center - RMU Ready
University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business - Business Scholars Experience
Nicholls State University, Student Affairs - Ngage
Norfolk State University - STEP
Villanova University, Graduate Programs, GradADVANCE
Sacred Heart University - The Welch Experience
North Carolina State University, Poole College of Management - Poole Packways
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Silberman College of Business - Silberman Professional Development Program
The Suitable Spirit Award recognizes programs that embody the values of Suitable, including teamwork, creativity, excellence, diversity, integrity, persistence, and grit. These programs go the extra mile to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed, and they do it with enthusiasm, dedication, and a sense of fun.
University of Vermont, Patrick Leahy Honors College - Ann Kroll Lerner
Rutgers University, Rutgers Business School - Matt Peyrek
Carthage College, The Aspire Center - Stephanie Stover
Northern Illinois University, Career Launchpad - Michaela Holtz, Melanie Griegoliet, Teri Schmidgall
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering - Dana Romano
University of San Francisco, School of Management - Anne Yumang
North Carolina State University, Poole College of Management - Laryssa Banks
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Honors Program - Caitlin Kain
Coe College - Flight Path - Jason Chapman
The Student Success Innovator Award is presented to partners who have used Suitable to design truly pioneering co-curricular learning programs. These recipients demonstrate ingenuity and fearlessness to try new things, transforming the standard student experience into something extraordinary. Their innovative strategies prove that a commitment to student success often requires the courage to push boundaries and reimagine what a pathway can achieve.
Western Kentucky University, Student Development & Engagement - April McCauley and Cierra Waller
University of South Florida, Center for Career & Professional Development - Addye Buckley-Burnell
Abilene Christian University, Center for Experiential Learning - Brittany Deeg & Payton Herring
Grand Valley State University, Seidman College of Business - Joy Gianakura
University of Texas at San Antonio, College of Business - Leticia Garcia
University of Connecticut, Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills - Eran Peterson & Kristen Soprano
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, School of Business - Elizabeth Martin
The Student Advocate Award recognizes partners who have harnessed the power of Suitable to make a lasting impact on their students. These advocates have gone above and beyond, designing and implementing activities and programs that address critical needs and empower students to thrive. Through their dedication and innovative approach, they have become catalysts for positive change, creating a culture that prioritizes engagement, support, and opportunity for every student.
Bucks County Community College, Student Life - Chris Siefert and Carol Brandt
University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy - Colleen Culley, Karen Pater, Kris Schonder
The Ohio State University, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences - Jessica Adams, Margo Overholt-Seckel, and Haley Palmer
Jackson State University, W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College - Dr. Pamala Heard
Northampton Community College - Morgan Flagg-Detwiler
Stephen F Austin State University, Rusche College of Business - Allison Thornton
Best in Class
Within this category, we recognize the partners and programs that define excellence in our community. Whether honoring an individual leader or a comprehensive program, these awards celebrate those who have set the gold standard for success. These recipients are the models of excellence we look to for inspiration, demonstrating the highest caliber of achievement.
The Outstanding New Program award recognizes new programs that launched in the past academic year and have made a significant impact on student engagement. The award is given to programs that have hit the ground running, built a strong foundation, and have a dedicated team supporting their success.
Bucknell University - Pathways
Ursinus College, Student Life - APEX Connect
West Virginia University, Honors College - Honors in Action
Penn State University, Smeal Graduate Programs - PGP Pathways to Business Mastery
Stephen F Austin State University, Rusche College of Business - Career Passport
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, John Martinson Honors - The Pursuit
Utah Tech University - Active learning. Active life.
Temple University, Office of Student Leadership and Engagement - Owl Connect
Montclair State University, Honors College - John Martinson Honors EDGE
The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business - FisherU
Coe College, Student Affairs - Flight Path
The Distinguished Program award recognizes programs that have demonstrated the highest level of excellence in using Suitable to best serve their student population. These programs do more than just use the platform; they align it seamlessly with their institutional mission and vision. This award honors those who have gone above and beyond standard implementation to cultivate a thriving ecosystem, making a significant, lasting impact on student engagement.
Loyola Marymount University, College of Business Administration - CBA Advantage
The University of Alabama, Culverhouse College of Business - Kelly LEAD
Providence College, School of Business - Friar Leadership and Immersion Program (FLIP)
Montreat College, Thrive Center - Montreat 360
Tennessee Tech University, College of Business - Level Up
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, Student Life and Success Center - GEM OCC & Honors OCC
Villanova University, Charles Widger School of Law - Professional Development Program
University of Florida, Warrington College of Business - Gator Ready
Bucknell University, Freeman College of Management - BisonReady
Texas State University, McCoy College of Business - McCoy Ready
The Dr. Audrey Murrell Award is our top award, bestowed upon partners who have made a significant contribution to student success. This award recognizes individuals who have developed and implemented innovative programs and initiatives that have had a positive impact on student engagement and success. They have demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement, a willingness to share their ideas with others, and have served as role models in the field of student success. These award winners inspire others to think creatively about how to improve student outcomes.
