The goal of Leading Colleges is to create a meaningful lens for school and independent counselors to identify student-centered colleges and universities.  While this is mainly done through the work of the membership organization, the annual recognition program allows another opportunity to highlight institutions.

All colleges and universities are able to be nominated for an award in any of the four award categories.  Each category aligns with one of the four criteria required for membership in Leading Colleges:

• Ethical, fair, and transparent recruiting practices
• A measured focus on student retention
• Student outcomes demonstrating the value of a college degree
• Attention to social justice and their role as an agent of change

The 2023 Award Recipients can be found in the archives for Recruitment, Retention, Outcomes, and Social Justice.