With all the investments that colleges and universities make in trying to develop their academic leaders—sending them to conferences and workshops, creating their own in-house professional development programs, assigning new leaders to mentors, and so on—institutions want to know whether they’re getting any return on their investment. In short, does the leadership development that current and prospective academic leaders participate in make any real difference? If so, what difference does it make? And in either case, how do we know?
Beyond Recognition: Faculty Awards as Catalysts for Professional Growth and Institutional Success
Faculty awards are more than acknowledgments of past success; they are strategic tools for advancing both individual careers and institutional priorities and can catalyze professional development and institutional advancement. Building
Linda M. Boland and Vicki L. Baker
September 15, 2025
