NCDA Members Awards
NCDA aims to recognize and honor its excellent members. Annual awards will be presented at the NCDA Global Career Development conference. Detailed descriptions of award winners are included in the Fall issue of Career Developments magazine for members.
For over 60 years, NCDA has given out awards. See a list of winners here.
Please review the descriptions of each award below. Follow all instructions in the award nomination form. All nominations (including reference letters) are due by January 31st. Watch here for the nomination form to be posted in December.
Any NCDA member may submit a nomination for any member for any of the award categories below. The NCDA Award Form must be completed for each award, unless otherwise noted. The NCDA Awards Committee will use the stated criteria to select recipients for each award. One winner will be selected per award category unless otherwise noted in the description.
Questions may be addressed to the Award Committee Co-Chairs, Delasia Rice drice13@fordham.edu and Emily Gomez, egomez@hireheroesusa.org
See the Sample Award Nomination Packet for individuals and our new Sample Nomination Packet for groups.
Debra Osborn
2026 Eminent Career Award Winner
NCDA Member Awards:
Diversity Initiative
This award promotes and recognizes the individual or team who through their initiatives and commitment, have demonstrated a high degree of cultural responsiveness within the domain of career related activities. The award is selected by NCDA’s Awards Committee in collaboration with a representative from NCDA's Diversity Initiatives and Cultural Inclusion Committee.
Criteria for Selection: An individual or a team selected for this award will have documented evidence of one or more of the following areas of involvement.
- Significantly enhanced our understanding of and appreciation of the complex career development needs of diverse populations and historically marginalized groups
- Contributed to the professional growth of culturally competent and sensitive career counselors
- Provided mentorship for diverse graduate students and professionals in the field of career counseling
- Successfully advocated for systemic changes that lead to the elimination or reduction of barriers impacting the career development of diverse and/or historically marginalized individuals.
A group nomination also needs to include:
- Overall mission, services, vision, goals, and/or strategic planning. What is unique about this team that distinguishes it above and beyond peer groups?
- Summary of past/current year plans describing the resources, programs and services that directly promote the career development needs of diverse populations and historically marginalized groups.
- Highlights of at least one resource or program including description, measurements, and results that had a successful impact.
- Best practices for effective business development planning. What can other teams gain from your group’s experience and success?
- Describe any challenges and obstacles that were present during this plan and the steps taken to overcome them. Include a summary of the results and whether the challenges were overcome or not.
List of Past Winners
2025: Career Center at the University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign
2024: Cheryl Love
2023: Sujata Ives
2022: Danita Redd
2021: Rebecca Michel
2020: Melissa Fickling
2019: Sylvia Nassar
2018: Mark Scholl
Eminent Career
People who have eminent careers are those that have influenced either the practice of, or the thinking (theorizing) about career development through leadership activities or scholarship. Their careers are characterized by frequent, periodic, and sustained activities over a substantial period of time. Each recipient must hold at least five continuous years of membership in NCDA. The Eminent Career Award Selection Committee shall consist of the last five recipients of the award. Current NCDA Board of Directors members are not eligible.
Read the Eminent Career Award Criteria for a summary of the three stage process (which begins with a nomination letter due by January 31) that will be followed in identifying the winner of this prestigious award. (The NCDA Awards Form is not applicable.)
Click here to see a list of all Eminent Award winners.
Exemplary Career Center
(One GROUP per each of the following two (2) areas may be selected each year):
These awards promote the continued development and implementation of thoughtful and innovative initiatives that support career development for outstanding service within two areas: 1) education, government or business and 2) non-profit or community organizations. The award is selected by NCDA’s Awards Committee.
Criteria for Selection for Education, Government or Business: A GROUP selected for this award will have documented evidence of the following.
- Overall mission, services, vision, goals, and/or strategic plan. What is unique about this center that distinguishes it above and beyond peer organizations?
- Collaborations with internal and/or external community groups such as students, local employers, non-profit organizations, etc. in order to enhance services.
- Development and implementation of at least one resource or program including measurement or description of successful impact.
- Description of challenges and obstacles that were present during this plan and the steps taken to overcome them. Include a summary of the results whether the challenges were overcome or not.
- Articulation of plans for future growth and investment in resources/programs that promote career development.
Criteria for Selection for Non-profit or Community Organizations: A GROUP selected for this award will have documented evidence of the following.
- Overall mission, services, vision, goals, and/or strategic plan. What is unique about this center that distinguishes it above and beyond peer organizations?
- Summary of past/current year plans describing the resources, programs and services that directly promote the career development of intended audience.
- Highlights of at least one resource or program including description, measurements and results that had a successful impact.
- Best practices for effective business development planning. What can other centers gain from this organization’s experience and success?
- Describe any challenges and obstacles that were present during this plan and the steps taken to overcome them. Include a summary of the results whether the challenges were overcome or not.
Fellow
The term “Fellow” is a person of professional distinction within an academic institution or society. The designation of fellow is conferred to recognize outstanding and substantial contributions in science, teaching and training, practice, service, policy development and political action. The NCDA Fellows Distinction, one of the highest honors by the NCDA, recognizes members who have contributed to--and advanced--the career development professional throughout their career. NCDA Fellows should have prior experience within the association including leadership involvement, attendance at and participation in NCDA events and other related involvement that is unique to the applicant. It is considered an honor to be awarded this distinction. Those eligible for election to Fellow shall have made outstanding contributions to the field of career development and NCDA for a minimum of 10 years. This distinction is determined by a sub-committee of current NCDA Fellows. Being distinguished as an NCDA Fellow includes membership into the NCDA Brain Trust, and implies an ongoing commitment to leadership and service to NCDA. Click here to see a list of NCDA Fellows.
Criteria for Selection: An individual selected for this award will have documented evidence for each of the following areas of involvement.
- Ten years of membership in NCDA.
- Master’s degree or higher in counseling or closely related field from a college or university that was accredited when the degree was awarded by one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation. (Document on resume or vita.)
- Five years of post-master’s experience in career counseling and development. (Document experience on resume or vita.)
- Documented involvement in, service to, and leadership within NCDA (narrative).
Achievement of two of the following criteria is required:
- Major and significant contributions on career development theory or practice as demonstrated by national and/or international recognition.
- Providing strong and sustained leadership in the career counseling and development profession.
- Engaged in education and training, practice or research, or political action in career counseling and development.
- Sustained commitment to career counseling and development through research, theory, practice or leadership.
Graduate Student Research
The NCDA Graduate Student Research Award was established to honor graduate students who undertake exemplary research addressing topics related to career information, career development and career planning. This award includes a $500.00 grant to defray costs for a student-led research project approved by the student's major professor or professor overseeing the research, which may or may not be completed at the time of application. The student's thesis advisor major professor must endorse the award application in writing in the form of a recommendation letter. Relevance, significance, and research design will be given primary attention in determining the award recipient. The award is selected by NCDA's Research Committee. View the list of previous NCDA Research Grant Recipients.
Criteria for Selection: A Graduate Student selected for this award will have documented evidence for the following areas.
Minimum requirements for the Graduate Student include:
- Must be enrolled in a graduate education program at a college or university.
- Must include a reference letter with signature from their major professor showing approval of the research topic as being appropriate to their field of study.
The merits of the research proposal will be judged on a 100-point scale (see Research Award Rubric).
A Grad Student Research Award Form & Cover Sheet must be completed and submitted as instructed in the form (the nomination form for other NCDA Member Awards is not applicable).
International Practitioner of the Year
This award was established to recognize a member who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of NCDA’s mission in their respective country. Contributions may impact career counseling/coaching practice, research, counseling student development, related governmental organizations, or other relevant arenas. The award is selected by NCDA’s Awards Committee in collaboration with a representative from NCDA's Global Connections Committee.
Criteria for Selection: An individual selected for this award will have documented evidence for each of the following areas of involvement.
- At least 8-15 years within or across career counseling/coaching practice, research, counseling student development work, related governmental organization work, or other relevant arenas.
- Quality of service as indicated by contributing to the advancement of NCDA’s mission through innovative programs and/or recognition by local/national/international organizations, publications, etc.
- Service to the profession as indicated by participation and leadership in professional associations at the local, regional, national and/or international levels.
Legislative
This award was established to recognize national, state or local legislators or practicing career counselors, consultants or career educators for outstanding performance in career development advocacy. The award is selected by NCDA’s Awards Committee in collaboration with a representative from NCDA's Government Relations Committee.
Criteria for Selection: An individual selected for this award will have documented evidence of one or more of the following areas of involvement.
- Nature of the Work: Gathering of information and/or presenting testimony of influence resulting in the introduction and/or passage of a bill, amendment, or policy change of significance to the profession or its recipients.
- Significance of the Legislative Action: The action had a widespread effect which allowed the profession to be more effective and/or broadened areas of service or provided for more clients or groups to be served.
- Relevance to the Profession: The action was primarily concerned with the profession of career development and/or its recipients.
Merit
This award was established to recognize significant contributions to the field of career development.
Criteria for selection: An individual selected for this award will have documented evidence for each of the following areas of involvement:
- Education and mentoring of career counseling students;
- Development of, or leadership in, exemplary career programs;
- Conduct significant research in the field; and
- Advocacy efforts to inform and persuade policy makers about career development.
Outstanding Career Practitioner
This award was established to recognize practicing career counselors and career service providers for outstanding performance and best practices in the day-to-day services they provide. The award is selected by NCDA’s Awards Committee. In 2026, this award was expanded to include separate categories for four constituency groups. Nominees should review the core and specific criteria for their respective constituency group as they prepare their applications.
Criteria for Selection: An individual selected for this award will have documented evidence across provided nomination, including references and/or resume or vita materials.
- Five years of membership in NCDA.
- At least 8 years of direct work with regard to career development in Higher Education, K-12, Private Practice &/or Consulting, Business/Industry, Government or Non-profit/Community Organization settings.
- Training in counseling or closely related field from a college, university or NCDA-recognized credentialing body.
- Documented involvement in, service to, and leadership within NCDA, state CDA and/or related professional associations at the local, regional, national and/or international levels.
To ensure evaluations are fair, encouraging, and consistent with NCDA standards, the following criteria have been organized under three criteria.
By aligning setting-specific, day-to-day achievements with NCDA’s familiar language, we ensure that the evaluation process is highly accessible while remaining rigorously aligned with the organization's existing rubrics.
1. K-12 School Career Counselors & Coordinators
Candidates in this category demonstrate outstanding care and dedication in bringing career exploration, planning, and readiness to primary and secondary educational settings.
- Criteria 1: Sustained and Significant Contributions to Career Development Practice, Education, and/or Mentoring
- What it looks like: Thoughtfully integrating career awareness and development into daily student interactions, classroom lessons, small group activities, or individual planning sessions.
- Examples of Evidence: Adapting existing career activities to meet diverse student needs, utilizing school-wide career reflection tools (such as portfolios or individual learning plans), or introducing basic labor market concepts to students in engaging, age-appropriate ways.
- Criteria 2: Strong and Sustained Service to, and Leadership within, the Career Development Profession
- What it looks like: Actively collaborating with fellow educators, hosting new professionals, and contributing positively to the broader educational and career development community.
- Examples of Evidence: Providing site supervision or informal mentoring to counseling interns or newer school counselors; sharing career-focused curriculum resources with teaching staff; or actively participating in local, regional, or state-level counselor meetings and professional networks.
- Criteria 3: Active and Sustained Engagement in Advocacy for Career Development
- What it looks like: Acting as a bridge to ensure all students and families—especially those facing systemic barriers—have access to supportive career pathways and community resources.
- Examples of Evidence: Promoting inclusive, work-based learning opportunities and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs; encouraging participation in local or national contests (such as the NCDA Poetry & Art contest); or collaborating with community colleges, local trade programs, and businesses to build post-secondary pipelines.
2. Higher Education Practitioners
Candidates in this category demonstrate excellence in welcoming, advising, and preparing college and university students for their professional journeys.
- Criteria 1: Sustained and Significant Contributions to Career Development Practice, Education, and/or Mentoring
- What it looks like: Providing thoughtful, high-quality career advising, workshop facilitation, or programmatic support that builds student confidence and career self-efficacy.
- Examples of Evidence: Tailoring advising techniques to support diverse student populations (such as first-generation, adult, or transfer students); updating existing career development workshops; or ethically utilizing modern career tools to enhance student learning.
- Criteria 2: Strong and Sustained Service to, and Leadership within, the Career Development Profession
- What it looks like: Working collaboratively across campus departments and networks to make career development a visible, integrated part of the student experience.
- Examples of Evidence: Partnering with faculty members to embed career readiness resources directly into academic courses; participating in campus-wide student success, retention, or strategic planning initiatives; or supervising student staff, graduate assistants, or practicum students.
- Criteria 3: Active and Sustained Engagement in Advocacy for Career Development
- What it looks like: Actively identifying and reducing barriers to career access, and building pathways between students and the employment community.
- Examples of Evidence: Promoting and securing equitable internship funding opportunities; helping organize basic needs career initiatives (e.g., professional clothing closets); hosting career events tailored to historically underserved student populations; or facilitating supportive student connections with alumni and local recruiters.
3. Private Practice & Consulting
Candidates in this category demonstrate high-impact, ethical, and highly supportive service delivery within independent clinical, coaching, or consulting environments.
- Criteria 1: Sustained and Significant Contributions to Career Development Practice, Education, and/or Mentoring
- What it looks like: Providing personalized, high-quality career guidance and adapting tools to meet the unique needs of diverse clients in the modern workforce.
- Examples of Evidence: Creating or tailoring worksheets, guides, and exploration tools for specific client profiles (such as career-changers, re-entry professionals, or neurodivergent clients), or writing practical, accessible career articles or educational materials for the public.
- Criteria 2: Strong and Sustained Service to, and Leadership within, the Career Development Profession
- What it looks like: Staying actively connected to the broader professional community, participating in professional associations, and supporting peer growth.
- Examples of Evidence: Hosting or actively participating in local peer consultation groups; presenting on career topics for local, state, or national professional associations; serving on editorial boards or writing for practitioner publications; or mentoring newer private practice professionals.
- Criteria 3: Active and Sustained Engagement in Advocacy for Career Development
- What it looks like: Contributing time, knowledge, and expertise outside of standard, paid client contracts to advance career literacy and equity in the community.
- Examples of Evidence: Facilitating pro-bono career workshops at local public libraries, community centers, or shelter programs; utilizing public social media channels or blogs to combat career misinformation; or volunteering professional services to support marginalized populations facing employment barriers.
4. Government, Agency, & Nonprofit Practitioners
Candidates in this category demonstrate excellence in providing public career services, workforce development programs, or community-based career interventions.
- Criteria 1: Sustained and Significant Contributions to Career Development Practice, Education, and/or Mentoring
- What it looks like: Providing direct, high-quality career counseling or employment services to community members navigating transition, underemployment, or unemployment.
- Examples of Evidence: Facilitating agency-sponsored job readiness workshops; helping clients build foundational job-seeking and digital career skills; or adapting program materials to serve specialized populations (e.g., TRio programs, veterans, or re-entry initiatives).
- Criteria 2: Strong and Sustained Service to, and Leadership within, the Career Development Profession
- What it looks like: Contributing to a positive, collaborative, and efficient agency culture that successfully stewards public or nonprofit resources.
- Examples of Evidence: Supporting day-to-day agency operations and program design; collaborating on team-led initiatives; sharing best practices and training resources with agency colleagues; or guiding newer case managers or volunteers.
- Criteria 3: Active and Sustained Engagement in Advocacy for Career Development
- What it looks like: Acting as a supportive voice for clients navigating complex socio-economic systems, and connecting them to wider community and employer resources.
- Examples of Evidence: Maintaining a robust referral network of local community resources (e.g., housing, childcare, mental health) to support holistic career success; collaborating with local businesses to place agency clients; or presenting client-success stories and program outcomes to support local workforce funding initiatives.
Outstanding State CDA
View the description and link to the State CDA nomination form here.
Service to International Students
This award promotes and recognizes college/university career services offices/career centers OR individuals within a college/university career services office/career center that have/has made an active commitment to partnering with and supporting the career development of international students. The award is selected by NCDA’s Awards Committee in collaboration with a representative from NCDA's Service to International Students Committee.
Criteria for Selection: An individual or a team selected for this award will have documented evidence of the following areas of involvement.
- Career services offices/career centers within a college or university setting where the individual nominee or at least one individual on the nominated team must hold an active NCDA membership.
- Uphold an expressed commitment (through mission, vision, goals, and/or strategic planning) to partnering with and engaging international students in the career development process.
- Development and successful implementation of at least one resource or program that supports international students, providing brief quantitative or qualitative measurement of impact and/or description of successful implementation. Resources and programs can be developed and implemented in collaboration with campus offices and partnerships outside of career services.
- Articulation of plans for continued growth and investment in resources/programs that build partnership with and in support of international students across the next year.
