This year, Ad Astra is proud to debut the ASPIRE Client Awards, a new recognition program celebrating the colleges and universities leading the shift to student-centered scheduling. These awards honor institutions and leaders who have moved beyond traditional, faculty-driven models to create scheduling practices that expand access, strengthen persistence, and put students first.

Nominate an institution or leader below, and join us in celebrating this year's honorees at ASPIRE26.

EXCELLENCE IN ANNUAL SCHEDULING AWARD

Recognizing a college or university that has transformed course scheduling from a term-by-term process into a student-centered annual model, giving students the ability to plan a full academic year in advance. Nominate an institution making a measurable impact on access, persistence, and completion.

What we're celebrating

Institutions that...

• Improved the student experience
• Increased persistence and completion
• Enhanced operational efficiency in academic planning

Timeline

• Submission Deadline: September 11, 2026
• Review Period: September 14-October 12, 2026
• Award Announcement: ASPIRE26; Must have representative from the nominated institution at ASPIRE26.

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

Recognizing an executive-level leader who has driven enterprise-wide change in academic scheduling, shifting institutional culture from faculty-centered to student-centered design. Nominate a leader whose vision has delivered real results and student outcomes.

What we're celebrating

Leaders that...

• Led enterprise-wide change in academic scheduling practices
• Shifted institutional mindset from faculty-centered to student-centered design
• Delivered measurable improvements in student outcomes, operational efficiency, and adoption of technology ​​​​​​​

Timeline

• Submission Deadline: September 11, 2026
• Review Period: September 14-October 12, 2026
• Award Announcement: ASPIRE26; Must have representative from the nominated institution at ASPIRE26.

Ready to join us?