2026 ATD Institutional Designations

Each year, ATD honors Network colleges whose commitment to equitable outcomes has driven substantive improvements for students and their communities. Achieving the Dream’s national college leadership designations will be announced in March at DREAM 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 

The designations are Leader College, Leader College of Distinction, and the Leah Meyer Austin Award.

A Leader College completed the Foundations of Transformation and is demonstrating meaningful progress in expanding access and improving early momentum outcomes. Leader Colleges are advancing student success strategies that respond to their local context with emphasis on students who are missing or left behind. Leader College terms are three years long, after which institutions are eligible to apply for recertification.

A Leader College of Distinction is sustaining and building upon progress made as a Leader College and demonstrating improvements in milestone momentum outcomes, while continuing strong, sustained performance in access and early and milestone momentum. Leader College of Distinction terms are three years long, after which institutions are eligible to apply for recertification.

The Leah Meyer Austin Award is the highest distinction a college in the Achieving the Dream (ATD) Network can earn. The award exemplifies high levels of performance across ATD’s Community Vibrancy Framework, with a demonstrated impact on postcompletion outcomes and upward economic mobility. LMA colleges serve as exemplars in the communities they serve and within the ATD Network, advancing student-centered, data-informed student success strategies that are deeply embedded in college culture and planning. 

What’s New This Year 

• Streamlined Eligibility

ATD will tell you exactly which award your institution qualifies for so you can focus your time on telling your story, not deciphering criteria.

• We Handle the Data for You

ATD has already gathered and validated each eligible college’s data from publicly available sources, so there is no need for you to compile or submit complex data sets. This year, we will provide a single data file that includes publicly available data for every eligible institution.

• Simplified, Straightforward Application

We’ve removed unnecessary steps and made the application shorter, clearer, and more focused — so you can spend less time on paperwork and more on highlighting your impact. 

• Aligned with the Community Vibrancy Framework

The data and the overall approach are aligned with ATD’s Community Vibrancy Framework, helping institutions see connections between their student success efforts and broader community impact.

• The Leah Meyer Austin Award has increased significantly — the 2026 recipient will receive $100,000, four times the previous amount.

Important Dates

Resources and Requirements
Before beginning your online application form, please access the resources provided here to assist you in crafting the strongest submission possible.

• Guidance for the President/CEO letter of Support (PDF)
• Instructions to Apply.docx (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (PDF)
• 2025–2026 Awards and Designations Data File (Excel)

If you have questions not answered in the FAQ, please reach out to network@achievingthedream.org.