The USDLA Awards Committee announced the five award categories for the 2023 USDLA annual awards. These award categories have been designed to provide an opportunity for a wide range of activities and individuals to participate in this years’ nominations. Each award category is listed below with a brief description of the award and a link to the criterion rubric.
The cost to submit a nomination is $100.00 for USDLA members and $200.00 for non-members. The award submission fee for non-members includes a single USDLA membership for one year.
The USDLA 2024 Awards will be presented to the award winners at the 2024 National
Conference. The conference date and time are to be announced.
NOTE – please do not submit a nomination for the same project/person that won an award in
the previous three years. Nominations that are the same as previous winners will be rejected.
USDLA 2024 AWARD SUBMISSIONS WILL OPEN SHORTLY
USDLA 2023 Award Winners
Click Here to Watch the 2023 Awards Video
Leadership category
Higher Ed
GOLD – Dr. Meryl P. Epstein, Sessions College for Professional Design
SILVER – J. Cody Moyer, Polk State College
K-12
GOLD – Daniele Shick FLVS
Research Category
Higher Ed
GOLD – The Pivot: Implementing Best Effective Teaching Practices for Pre-Service Educators – Transitioning From Virtual to Hybrid Clinical Experiences, Rebecca J. Blankenship, Ph.D., College of Education, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Shannon A. Davis, M.Ed., Sabal Palm Elementary Community Partnership School
SILVER – Developing a Learning Model for Caring, Inclusion, and Social Change in an Online Environment, Walden University
BRONZE (tie) – Dr. Sally Beisser, Dr. Chuck Sengstock, Drake University, Curtis J. Bonk, Indiana University
Rising Star Category
Higher Ed
GOLD – Dr. Meina Zhu, Ph.D., Learning Design and Technology, Wayne State University
Teaching/Learning Category
Higher Ed
GOLD – Kristine Bassett, Assistant Professor, Center for Teaching Excellence at Baker College
SILVER – Allanna Rocca, Deepa Shriram, Kristy Wake, Katie Pfarr, Lyda Downs, Matt Rupp, Melissa West, Deb Mattoso, Walden University Office of Teaching and Learning Excellence
BRONZE – Dr. Norm Clark, Dr. Barry Lawrence, Dr. Malini Natarajarathinam, Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam, Dr. Bimal Nepal, Daniel Rey, Ron Holsey, Read Frymire, Tom Comstock, Magnus Meier, Craig Conrad, Masters of Industrial Distribution (MID) distance education team, Texas A&M
K-12
GOLD – Melissa Kelly, Florida Virtual School
Not for Profit
GOLD – Lifestyle: The Foundations of Functional Medicine, The Institute for Functional Medicine
Trendsetter Category
Higher Ed
GOLD (tie) – The Online Campus team at Columbia University’s School of Social Work
-IU – International University of Applied Sciences
SILVER – Laura Lynn, Dean, Office of Research and Doctoral Services; Michelle Brown, Associate Dean, Committee Support and Doctoral Student Progress; Melanie Brown, Associate Dean, Doctoral Academic Support; Sue Subocz, Associate President and Provost (CAO), Walden University
BRONZE – Luke Bennett EdD, Adrie Koehler PhD, Tim Newby PhD, Jing Song, Purdue University,
K-12
GOLD – Playgarden Prep, Online PreSchool
Not for Profit
GOLD – Oiada International
SILVER – Aimee Armer, Allyson Mitchell, Tami Moehring, Center for Interactive Learning & Collaboration
Telehealth
GOLD – Arizona Telemedicine Program & Southwest Telehealth Resource Center
Corporate
GOLD – Wolfvision Inc.
2023 Award Categories
1- USDLA Trendsetter in Distance Learning Award
Award Description: The Trendsetter in Distance Learning award is given to an agency, institution, company, project, individual or unique pedagogy that has shown innovation in the field of distance learning. The award recognizes pioneering initiatives in the field that have profoundly changed distance learning, existing practice, or developed new and effective solutions. Click for Award Criteria
2- USDLA Dr. Jan McMahill Rising Star Award
Award Description: The Rising Star Award is presented to an individual demonstrating exceptional promise in the field of distance education. The individual will have spent less than 5 years in the field of Distance Education. Click for Award Criteria
3- USDLA Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching/Training Award
Award Description: The Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching/Training award is given to an outstanding individual or team of individuals whose teaching at a distance demonstrates extraordinary impact to student growth and engagement. The teaching or training must demonstrate effective learning facilitated through technology with measurable outcomes. Click for Award Criteria
4 – USDLA Outstanding Leadership Award
Award Description: This award is granted to an Individual leader demonstrating outstanding leadership in the field of Distance Education in their respective constituency (Pre-K-12; Higher Education; Government; Corporate; Health) through advocacy, professional affiliation, influence, and/or scholarship in the field of Distance Education. Click for Award Criteria
5 – USDLA Excellence in Distance Learning Research Award
Award Description: The Excellence in Distance Learning Research Award is given to a person(s) or organization(s) that currently conducts research in the field of distance education. This award recognizes high quality research that serves to advance the field of distance learning. Click for Award Criteria
Awards will be presented as Gold, Silver and Bronze across constituencies for each category on July 19th 2023 at the International Awards Dinner in Nashville, TN during our National Conference.
The USDLA International Distance Learning Awards are created to acknowledge major accomplishments in distance learning and to highlight those distance learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary achievements through the use of online, augmented, virtual reality, videoconferencing, and satellite/video delivery technologies globally.
Award Timeline:
- Award submissions are due Sunday February 19th, 2023 (CLOSED)
- Winners will be notified the week of March 20th 2023 (CLOSED)
- Awards will be presented at the National Conference in Orlando, FL on Wednesday July 19th 2023
Award Questions
- Email Wendy Pate at wpate@usdla.org
USDLA Awards Committee:
- Wendy Pate, Awards Chairwoman, USDLA Board Member
- Janine Lim, USDLA Advisory Board
- John Copeland, USDLA BOD
- Farah Bennani, USDLA BOD
- James Hodges, USDLA BOD
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there a space limitation for submissions in terms of number of pages or word count?
NO page limits…just make sure to hit/answer the criteria and provide evidence, etc.
Is there a specific format in which the nominator’s content should be arranged? For example, is it up to the submitter to organize the material in the best way that reflects the judging attributes?
Submit a nomination overview. Write a narrative that summarizes the project, program, person, etc. Include a paragraph for each rubric criteria explaining how this nomination meets that criteria and referencing each evidence document that supports the criteria.
You can upload unlimited evidence files. The file name for each evidence document should represent which criteria the evidence accompanies.
All files must be uploaded into the reviewer site. No website submissions are accepted.
Any evidence not already in an electronic format may be scanned and submitted as a PDF.
How secure will my material be?
All entries and related courses, material and content are kept confidential for judging purposes only.
Can I submit an award on behalf of my client?
Yes, you can submit a nomination on behalf of your client. Please note that for US government entries, you may have to consult your legal team regarding legal gift restrictions.
Is there a limit to the number of submissions an organization can submit?
NO
Can I load screen shots of my website, module?
Yes, you can load them in the award system as an example or insert them in your narrative to demonstrate or showcase certain features you want the judges to view.
Can I mail additional material or copies of my submission(s) to USDLA for consideration?
NO submission(s) will be accepted via mail. All entries and related material must be submitted online via the awards website.