NASH Announces 2025 Award Recipients for Excellence in Higher Education System Leadership and Innovation

Washington, D.C.– The National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 awards, recognizing outstanding leadership and innovative system-level initiatives in public higher education. The awards will be presented during NASH’s fourth annual member convening in Washington, D.C. These prestigious awards celebrate systems and leaders who exemplify systemness– the belief that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.

“This year’s NASH award recipients represent the very best of higher education leadership,” said Jessica Todtman, Interim President of NASH. “They have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to systemness, innovation, and, most importantly, student success. We are incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements and the positive impact they have on their systems and the broader higher education landscape.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. David Lassner, former President of the University of Hawai’i System. Dr. Lassner is being honored for his exceptional contributions to higher education throughout his 47-year career at the University of Hawai’i System, particularly his leadership in advancing systemness to make UH a model for Indigenous-serving institutions, bolstering support for Native Hawaiian students statewide. Lassner also prioritized technology and innovation, leveraging UH’s strengths in oceanography, astronomy, and climate science to position the university as a global leader in these fields. Throughout his tenure, he navigated challenges such as state funding constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining the university’s commitment to excellence and service to the people of Hawaiʻi. His work has left a lasting impact on higher education, demonstrating how system-wide collaboration can drive state prosperity.

“We will feel the impact of Dr. David Lassner’s leadership at the University of Hawai’i for a long time,” said Wendy Hensel, President of the University of Hawai’i. “His vision for a more equitable and accessible higher education experience for all, particularly Native Hawaiian students, has left an enduring legacy. This Lifetime Achievement Award is a well-deserved recognition of his remarkable career and the profound difference he has made.”

The Seeding for Change Award was presented to the Southern Illinois University System for their Online Course Exchange. The SIU System Online Course Exchange is being recognized for its innovative approach to increasing curricular flexibility and student access. This initiative allows students across SIU’s campuses to take advantage of a comprehensive catalog of online courses, streamlining admission and enrollment processes while expanding degree completion opportunities. This impactful work was a result of their participation in Course Sharing NIC (NASH Improvement Communities). 

“We are honored to receive the Seeding for Change Award,” said Dan Mahony, president of the Southern Illinois University System. “The SIU Online Course Exchange is a testament to our system’s dedication to expanding access and flexibility for our students. By leveraging the power of online learning and system-wide collaboration, we are empowering students to achieve their academic goals and creating new pathways to degree completion. We are grateful to SIU leaders across the system who worked together to successfully develop and implement the course exchange.”

The Testing for Change Award was presented to the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities for its leadership in improving student mobility, work supported by their participation in the NASH Improvement Community (NIC) on Transfer. Through efforts such as the Transfer Credit Alignment Policy, Transfer Council, and Universal Transfer Explorer, the system has streamlined credit transfers, saved students time and money, and increased statewide student success.

“The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system is deeply grateful to receive the Testing for Change Award,” said Terrence Cheng, Chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system. “Improving transfer pathways is crucial to student success, and our work with the NASH Transfer NIC has enhanced our ability to put students at the center of our efforts to improve policies and processes. We are committed to continuing our efforts to remove barriers and create a more seamless educational experience for all students.”

The Scaling for Change Award was presented to the University of Massachusetts’ Unified Procurement Services Team (UPST). The UPST is being honored for its groundbreaking approach to system-wide procurement reform. By integrating procurement services across five campuses, UPST has achieved over $145.7 million in cost savings, $380 million in spending with diverse suppliers, and increased efficiency through AI-driven automation and data transparency tools. This initiative demonstrates the power of systems to optimize the delivery of postsecondary education and offers a proven, replicable model for the nation. 

“We are very proud that our Unified Procurement Services Team has been recognized with the Scaling for Change Award,” said Marty Meehan, President of the University of Massachusetts. “In addition to generating significant cost savings for the University, UPST’s innovative approach to system-wide procurement demonstrated the power of collaboration and data-driven decision-making. This award highlights our commitment to efficiency, effectiveness, and maximizing the impact of our resources across the UMass system.”

NASH is also pleased to announce that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Champion of Higher Education Award. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional leadership in advancing the “Power of Systems” to maximize the collective impact of postsecondary institutions in driving economic prosperity and educational opportunity. Governor Shapiro is being honored for his leadership in developing and implementing Pennsylvania’s Blueprint for Higher Education and successfully securing a bipartisan compromise that established the new State Board of Higher Education.

About the National Association of Higher Education Systems

Founded in 1979, the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) works to advance the role of multi-campus systems and the concept of systemness to create a more vibrant and sustainable higher education sector. NASH systems are comprised of more than 700 campuses and serve more than 8.2 million students in nearly every state in the United States. To learn more about NASH and its national transformation agenda, the Power of Systems, visit www.nash.edu.