The Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s (CHE) mission is, in part, to plan and coordinate the state’s postsecondary education system (IC 21-18-6-1(1)) and ensure that Indiana’s higher education system is aligned to meet the needs of students and the state. In order to plan and coordinate the postsecondary system while also guaranteeing alignment, the Commission develops a strategic plan (IC 21-18-8-1) which recognizes that overcoming the challenge to meet attainment goals depends on not only a strong partnership between Indiana colleges and the state but also on establishing deeper connections and more meaningful collaborations between businesses, service organizations and community foundations.
In order to provoke, encourage and reward outstanding contributions to the advancement of the Commission's goals, the Commission has established a series of awards for its postsecondary and K-12 partners.
Gerald Bepko Faculty Community Engagement Award
The Gerald Bepko Faculty Community Engagement Award (Bepko Award) is presented biennially to recognize faculty at an Indiana institution who are exemplars of the scholarship of community engagement. The Bepko Award was established in 2019 to honor former Commission Member "Jerry" Bepko's legacy in his decade of service to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Indiana faculty interested in applying for the Bepko Award must currently serve as a full-time faculty member at an Indiana public or private institution of higher education residing within the State of Indiana and be currently engaged in teaching, research or service commitments that contribute to the greater good of the community, amongst other criteria. The recipient(s) are announced at the biennial Faculty Leadership Conference.
2023 Recipient and Finalist
Award recipient:
- Ball State University's Dr. Kiesha Warren-Gordon for her focus on connecting students with marginalized communities in Muncie.
Award finalist:
- Purdue University West Lafayette's Dr. Jason Ware for providing pathways for students to impact the city to Lafayette, and more specifically, the Lincoln neighborhood.
2021 Recipient
Award recipients:
- Indiana University Kokomo's Angela Coppola, Ph.D. for efforts through the Applied and Community Research Center
2019 Recipients
Award recipients:
- Ball State University’s Eva Zygmunt for the Schools Within the Context of Community program
- Purdue University’s William Oakes for the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) program
Stan Jones Student Success Award
The Stan Jones Student Success Award will recognize a campus partner with promising student success practices. Named after the late Stan Jones, the award builds upon his legacy of several landmark education policy and student support initiatives, including the 21st Century Scholarship Program, an early promise scholarship aimed at increasing the number of low-income students attending and completing a postsecondary education. One award will be distributed to a campus partner with promising practices that support student success initiatives on their campus and beyond. The Stan Jones Student Success Award specifically recognizes one exemplary program or initiative focused on increasing the college-going rate, postsecondary completion, or graduate retention in Indiana.
Award Overview
The Stan Jones Student Success Award is designed to recognize and uplift one promising student success practice at a public or private Indiana higher education institution. The award-winning campus partner will be expected to give a virtual presentation at the 2024 Student Advocates Conference.
Award Timeline
October 16, 2024 Award application window opens
November 20, 2024 Notification of Award Winner
December 05, 2024 Student Advocates Conference (VIRTUAL)
Click HERE for the full overview and application instructions.
Applications must be submitted to events@che.in.gov. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
Commission Member Applications
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education Membership (IC 21-18-3-1) consists of fourteen (14) members appointed by the governor, one (1) of which must be a student representative and one (1) of which must be a full-time faculty member of a state educational institution. While appointed by the Governor, the student and faculty representatives are selected in part by his or her peers. For more information, read About the Commission or review current Commission Members.
Student Commission Member
The 2024 Student Nominating Committee is not currently accepting applications for the Student Commission Member position. The committee selects nominees from which the Governor will make an appointment to the Commission.
Faculty Commission Member
The Faculty Nominating Committee is not currently accepting applications for the Faculty Commission Member position. The committee selects nominees from which the Governor will make an appointment to the Commission.