Apply for the APLU Degree Completion Award

The application period for APLU’s 2023 Degree Completion Award closes September 1 at 8:00pm ET! All APLU institutions are strongly encouraged to apply for the award after reviewing the application and guidelines. The winner will be announced during the APLU Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington on November 12-14, 2023. Award winners and finalists from 2021 and 2022 are not eligible to apply for this year’s award.

Why it matters: APLU’s Degree Completion Award seeks to recognize and reward public universities that increase degree completion rates, and total numbers of undergraduate degrees awarded, while improving access, quality, and equity. The award highlights progress of public universities and scaling effective student success practices as we collectively work to advance degree completion and academic success.

Up to five finalists for the award will be showcased at the APLU Annual Meeting, where a representative from each institution will present an overview of their work and discuss innovative degree completion practices. The winner will be highlighted publicly through APLU’s social media accounts, member newsletter, and other communication channels as well as at the APLU Annual Meeting.

The winning campus is also eligible for a visit from APLU President Mark Becker to promote the award. Past winners have used the visit from the APLU President to hold media events or engagements with stakeholders such as elected officials to celebrate the institution winning the award.