Recognizing the meaningful and impactful work of academic support and bar studies educators—for students, for the legal profession, and for one another.
The AASE Excellence Awards recognize the meaningful and impactful work that academic support and bar studies educators do for their students, for the legal profession, and for one another.
These awards honor excellence across career stages—celebrating sustained, long-term contributions as well as significant and innovative work by early- and mid-career professionals.
These awards reflect AASE values of collaboration, generosity, rigor, and student-centeredness.
Review the award categories below and select the one that best matches the nominee’s contributions.
Describe what makes the nominee’s work meaningful—innovation, service, scholarship, mentorship, DEI, and/or student support.
Submit by March 15, 2026. You may nominate more than one person and/or in more than one category.
This award recognizes a new member of the academic support or bar studies community who is already making a meaningful impact. It celebrates colleagues who are early in their ASP or bar studies careers but are doing exceptional work with students, faculty, and their institutions.
This award honors innovation, dedication, and promise—and serves as a warm welcome into AASE’s inclusive, supportive, and collaborative professional community.
The AASE Outstanding Scholar Award honors an individual whose scholarly work is advancing the field of academic support and bar studies. Scholarship plays a critical role in promoting equity, strengthening the status of ASP within the legal academy, and shaping conversations about teaching, learning, and student success.
This award recognizes excellence in research, writing, and scholarly engagement that elevates the profession and contributes meaningfully to legal education.
The AASE Impact Award recognizes a member who dedicates significant time, energy, and commitment to AASE and to the academic support and bar studies profession. ASP and bar studies professionals wear many hats, and this award honors those who invest in service, leadership, and advocacy that strengthen both the organization and the field.
This award is not limited to long-tenured members; it is open to anyone whose efforts are making a tangible and lasting difference in ASP/Bar Studies and within AASE.
The AASE Guiding Light Award honors a member who consistently serves as a source of guidance, wisdom, and support for others in academic support and bar studies. This individual helps illuminate paths forward for students, colleagues, and the profession through mentorship, leadership, generosity, and thoughtful engagement.
Whether through formal mentoring, informal advising, institutional leadership, or modeling best practices, the recipient provides clarity, confidence, and direction to others. This award is open to members at any career stage.
The AASE Spirit of ASP Award recognizes a member who embodies the heart, values, and mission of academic support and bar studies. This award celebrates those who uplift the community through collaboration, compassion, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to students and colleagues.
The recipient exemplifies the inclusive, student-centered, and supportive spirit that defines ASP—often through behind-the-scenes work, emotional labor, encouragement, and community-building. This award honors the individuals who remind us why this work matters and who help make AASE a welcoming professional home.
Strong nominations describe what the nominee did, who benefited, and why it matters. Consider including:
