Join NCHE Now! 2025-26 Membership Drive
It’s time to renew NCHE memberships and recruit new members! NCHE welcomes all NEA higher education members as “individual members” with voting rights in NCHE, as well as “organizational members,” which are NEA higher education affiliates that join NCHE, also with voting rights. NCHE also welcomes non-higher-ed NEA members and HQ and affiliate staff as associate members.
Use this link – Join NCHE Now! – to pay by credit card for any of the NCHE membership categories. Credit card payment through this link is by far the best option for NCHE record-keeping and for the timeliness of membership processing. If check payment is the only option, NCHE welcomes checks accompanied by paper forms:
2026 Higher Educator of the Year Honoree: Dr. Clinton Smith, University of Tennessee at Martin
Dr. Clinton Smith, a professor of special education at the University of Tennessee at Martin, was recognized as the 2026 NEA Higher Educator of the Year at the 105th NEA Representative Assembly in Denver. During his address to delegates, Smith called on educators to protect academic freedom, strengthen their unions, and continue advocating for students, faculty, and communities.
Reflecting on nearly 30 years in K–12 and higher education, Smith highlighted the importance of organizing, advocacy, and public engagement in advancing higher education and public education. He also emphasized that faculty working conditions are student learning conditions, and encouraged educators to communicate the value of their work to the public.
Smith concluded with a story from his work with the Special Olympics, underscoring his message that collective action and solidarity remain at the heart of the profession. His address challenged educators to support one another, advocate for public education, and strengthen their collective voice. You can read his full address or watch highlights from the speech below.
James Davenport Memorial Award — Call for Nominations
Nomination Deadline - July 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (EST)
The James Davenport Memorial Award honors the legacy and leadership of James Davenport, the first president of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). This award recognizes individuals whose commitment to higher education, shared governance, and educator advocacy reflects the values and vision that James Davenport championed throughout his service.
James Davenport played a foundational role in shaping NCHE and advancing the voice of higher education within NEA. His leadership, integrity, and dedication to strengthening higher education continue to inspire the work of NCHE members today.
NCHE invites nominations of individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, service, and advocacy on behalf of higher education faculty and staff.
Click the link to learn more about the award criteria, eligibility, and nomination process.
We encourage members to take part in honoring a leader whose impact continues to guide our work and to recognize those who carry forward James Davenport’s enduring legacy.
Click the link below to submit your nomination by Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (EST)
National Education Association Higher Educator of the Year Award
Purpose: The National Education Association (NEA) Higher Educator of the Year Award recognizes the postsecondary education professional who continually engages in outstanding student-centered professional practice, exemplary state/local labor-based advocacy, and robust community participation. This award is presented to an NEA Higher Education member who demonstrates outstanding accomplishments in all three areas.
Award: Each year, one nominee receives the NEA Higher Educator of the Year Award. The NEA Higher Educator of the Year Selection Committee solicits and reviews nominations, putting forth an awardee to be announced to the NEA Board of Directors at their May meeting. The award is then presented at the NEA Representative Assembly where the awardee gives brief remarks to the delegates. The honoree receives a monetary award of $10,000, funded by the NEA Foundation.
Eligibility: This award is open to all NEA higher education members. The recipient must have at least ten years of professional service in higher education as of January 1 of the award year and have demonstrated consistent advocacy for higher education unions at any level (local, state, national).
Nominations: A nomination must include details of how the nominee's experience reflects the award criteria. Nominations must also include at least one letter of support or recommendation from a colleague. Individuals may self-nominate.
Selection/Criteria: The NEA Higher Educator of the Year Selection Committee will review all nominations to ensure that eligibility and submission requirements are met. Nominations are scored based on the following criteria:
- Professional Practice: including, but not limited to, demonstrated development of innovative student-centered learning tools, research methods, curricula, and appropriate discipline-based course delivery methods
- Labor-Based Advocacy: including, but not limited to, demonstrated development of a union consciousness/social awareness regarding the critical role organized labor plays in the higher education landscape
- Community Engagement: including, but not limited to, a demonstrated pattern of participation in local/community organizations, events, and activities associated with strengthening ties between higher education and other service-related organizations
Notification: The NEA Higher Educator of the Year Selection Committee will notify the recipient in advance of the NEA Board of Directors meeting at which the awardee is announced.
2026 NCHE General Meeting at the NEA Representative Assembly
NCHE members gathered during the 2026 NEA Representative Assembly in Denver for the council's annual general meeting, providing an opportunity for higher education advocates from across the country to connect, share updates, and discuss issues impacting higher education.
Throughout the week, members participated in activities focused on strengthening higher education advocacy, supporting faculty and staff, and building collective power through organizing and public engagement. The conversations and connections built throughout the week reinforced NCHE's commitment to protecting public higher education, supporting educators and students, and strengthening higher education advocacy nationwide.
NCHE also hosted the Day of Learning session, "Reclaim College as a Public Good for All", which explored strategies for advancing public investment in higher education and strengthening partnerships among educators, labor allies, and community organizations. Resources and action opportunities from the session are available below.
Upcoming Higher Ed Webinars
There are no upcoming webinars scheduled at this time.
Please check back for future programming and opportunities. New webinars will be posted here as they are announced.
NCHE Executive Committee
Marcia Mackey, Ph.D., NCHE Vice President
