Up to two single grants (valued at $1,000 each) will be awarded to current NAPAHE members who either do not have the funds to attend the conference or have never attended a NAPAHE conference in the past.

APPLICATION DEADLINE is Friday, October 31, 2025, at 12:00 PM CT.
Notifications to grantees will be sent on Friday, November 14, 2025.

NAPAHE Award for Distinguished Service recognizes the significant personal and professional contributions made to the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE) by an individual.

First presented in 2003, the award is bestowed upon a member of NAPAHE whose dedicated service has improved and enhanced the presence of the organization in the higher education community. Honorees shall be current or former members of NAPAHE who have contributed to the association’s growth, development, and overall progress.

Selection criteria include:

• The nominee has had a significant and positive impact on NAPAHE.
• The nominee has demonstrated consistent and ongoing commitment to the organization.
• The nominee’s accomplishments will be varied.
• The nominee’s activities will serve to enhance the image of or to foster improvements in NAPAHE.
• The nominee has served as a role model and mentor to new members and colleagues. 

Any member of NAPAHE may submit a letter of nomination to the Executive Director of NAPAHE. The nominator is encouraged to ask a trusted colleague, who may or may not be a member of NAPAHE, and who is well acquainted with the nominee, to submit a letter of support for the nomination. Current NAPAHE staff and board members are not eligible for nomination. 

Letters of nomination or questions should be sent to NAPAHE’s Executive Director, Stuart Schmidt, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

NOMINATION DEADLINE is Friday, October 31, 2025, at 12:00 PM CT.

As a means of recognizing former presidential assistants who have made significant contributions to the realm of higher education or who have achieved professional success due, in part, to their experiences as an executive assistant in higher education, the NAPAHE Board of Directors developed the NAPAHE Award for Professional Achievement. 

First presented in 2006, the award is presented at the Annual Meeting of NAPAHE before conference attendees as a means of highlighting the success of colleagues or former colleagues and as a means of recognizing individuals who may have contributed to the leadership and advancement of NAPAHE.

Selection criteria include:

• Nominees must have held the position of presidential assistant for a higher education institution or organization.
• Preference will be given to nominees who have been members of and played an active role in NAPAHE.
• Nominees must have achieved a professional milestone or accomplishment that is viewed by the Board of Directors as significant and worthy of recognition. In addition, the nominee’s achievement should be consistent with the mission of NAPAHE.

Any member of NAPAHE may submit a letter of nomination to the Executive Director of NAPAHE. The nominator is encouraged to ask a trusted colleague, who may or may not be a member of NAPAHE, and who is well acquainted with the nominee, to submit a letter of support for the nomination. Current NAPAHE staff and board members are not eligible for nomination. 

Letters of nomination or questions should be sent to NAPAHE’s Executive Director, Stuart Schmidt, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

NOMINATION DEADLINE is Friday, October 31, 2025, at 12:00 PM CT.