Earl Norman Leadership Award

This prestigious annual award honors an outstanding Washington community college administrator who, through visionary leadership and management skills, has made significant contributions to education and community.

THE EARL NORMAN LEADERSHIP AWARD is given annually to a Washington community college administrator who exemplifies the vision and excellence that Earl Norman brought to higher education and the profession. Earl was one of the original administrators at Green River Community College, serving as Dean of Students from 1965 to 1986. Before joining the Green River Community College team, Earl was Superintendent of the Winlock School District and had the distinction of being the youngest school superintendent in the state. He was instrumental in establishing The ASSOCIATION and played a key role in guiding it through its early years. Earl's death in 1987 represented a loss to community colleges, to The ASSOCIATION, and to his many friends throughout the state.

THE EARL NORMAN LEADERSHIP AWARD has been established by The ASSOCIATION to recognize the crucial role of administrators in advancing community & technical colleges in our state and to salute, each year, an individual who has demonstrated distinguished service to education.

The award winner will be recognized at the Annual Banquet held during The ASSOCIATION’s Summer Conference. In addition to an inscribed personal award and a traveling plaque to be displayed for one year at his/her institution, an award of $1,000 will be presented in the award winner's name to be used for administrative professional development at his/her institution.

Selection Criteria

Among the criteria to be considered by the selection committee is demonstrated excellence in each of the following areas:

• Leadership as a community or technical college administrator for at least three years within the state of Washington
  
  
• Service to institution and profession
  
  
• Ability to work cooperatively with members of the campus community-- trustees, administrators, faculty, classified staff, and students
  
  
• Evidence of accomplishments and involvement in the community
  
  
• Evidence of achievements and honors
  
  
• Evidence of supporting and fostering the aims of The ASSOCIATION:
  
  
  • professional growth and development
  • professional standards, and
  • advancement of the interests of Washington Community & Technical Colleges
    
    
• Evidence of direct service to The ASSOCIATION.

The award recipient will be selected in accordance with the letter and the spirit of Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity guidelines, without regard for race, sex, creed, national or ethnic origin, or disability.

Nomination Process

General Guidelines: Any administrator at an ASSOCIATION member school may nominate one candidate. The nomination must be made on The Earl Norman Leadership Award official nomination form, with required documents attached to the form.

Eligibility Requirements: The nominated administrator must be and have been an active member of The ASSOCIATION for at least three years and must be currently working at an ASSOCIATION member school.

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