The Bellwether Award has been compared to football’s Heisman Award because it is competitively judged and is awarded by respected peers in leadership positions. Recipients of the Bellwether Award have said that it has been a springboard for other types of recognition and/or funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have gathered some of the most commonly asked questions to give you more information about the Bellwether College Consortium and some of the events we host. If you have a question that you don see here, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at rmartinez1702@alamo.edu.
Note: Clicking on the ribbon will reveal the answer.
General Questions
What are the Bellwether Awards?
Established in 1995, the Bellwether Awards are a long-standing, respected award solely awarded to innovative community colleges. The rigorous award competition is an integral part of the Community College Futures Assembly where the 30 Bellwether Finalists are invited to present their program in a final round of competition among selected peer institutions. The Assembly is sponsored by the Alamo Colleges District and focuses on cutting-edge, trendsetting programs that are worthy of scaling and replication given their evidence-based outcomes and indicators. The Bellwether Awards are given annually in three categories to community colleges with outstanding and innovative programs or practices. Award categories are Instructional Programs and Services (IPS), Planning, Governance and Finance (PGF), and Workforce Development (WD).
How many finalists are invited to compete?
Ten colleges are selected in each of three categories (i.e. Instructional Programs and Services (IPS), Planning, Governance and Finance (PGF), and Workforce Development (WD)).
When are the 30 Bellwether Finalists announced?
The consortium will announce the finalists in November. Bellwether Finalists are notified via email and through our social media channels.
Where can I find the latest announcements by the Bellwether College Consortium?
Who are members of the Bellwether College Consortium?
Finalists are invited to become members and are considered contenders for the Bellwether Award after they join the consortium. Consortium members receive registration to the Community College Futures Assembly and other valuable benefits.
What are the three award categories?
- Instructional Programs & Services: Programs or activities that have been designed and successfully implemented to foster or support teaching and learning in the community college.
- Planning, Governance & Finance: Programs or activities that have been designed and successfully implemented to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the community college.
- Workforce Development: Public and/or private strategic alliances and partnerships that promote community and economic development
Is my college eligible to submit an application?
ALL community colleges in the United States and its territories can apply. The 30 Bellwether Finalists are those community colleges that scored highest in the first round of competition. Each college can enter one submission per award category.
What should I include in my application?
Each college’s application should address the criteria detailed on the BCC website in a comprehensive and concise manner.
Should I submit additional materials with my application?
No. Additional materials are requested only from finalists after they have been notified of their finalist status.
When is the application deadline for the 2025 Bellwether Award competition?
The deadline for the 2025 Bellwether Award competition is September 27, 2024.
Where is the application and how do I send it?
Applications will only be accepted through the Bellwether submission portal.
For any issues or concerns contact Robert Acosta at racosta18@alamo.edu.
Can a college submit more than one entry to a category?
Each community college can submit one entry per category (i.e. instructional programs and services, workforce development, and planning, governance, and finance) for the competition.
We welcome colleges who have never participated before as well as our past award finalists and winners.
Can we submit the same project/initiative for two categories?
Yes, you can submit the same program in two different Bellwether Award categories if it fits either of the category’s definitions. If the program is among the top ten programs in both categories, then the college is named a Bellwether Finalist in the one category in which it scored highest.
Digital Binder
Can you explain the two-page limitations for each criterion included in the digital binder? Does that include the cover page, back page, and Table of Contents?
The front cover page, back cover page, and Table of Contents are not included in the maximum page count for the sections addressing the scored criteria. Each scored criterion is permitted two pages maximum of content (e.g., two pages for explaining the critical issue, two pages for documented outcomes, etc.,) with a total ten pages maximum. An additional ten pages maximum are afforded for an appendix if desired.
The digital binders will be printed for the judges. Please avoid including hyperlinks in the binder.
What is the purpose of the URL link to the digital binder?
We provide digital binders to the Bellwether College Consortium members. These are passcode-protected. Members can download any of the binders to learn how a college addressed a critical issue or to replicate the program. We require a PDF file of the digital binder for easy accessibility and sharing with our judges.
Can embedded videos be included in the digital binder?
No, we do not have the capability to share a video in a PDF format necessary for our judges to score the binders. Short videos can be shared in your oral presentation at the Futures Assembly.
Webinars and Futures Assembly Questions
Is there a 2025 Bellwether Submission Guidance Webinar?
Yes! The guidance webinar for the Bellwether Award will be announced in August.
Will there be a 2025 Bellwether Finalist Guidance Webinar?
Yes, this will be announced and held in November to our finalists.
Will there be a virtual event option?
We are currently planning an in-person conference at this time.
Contact Us
We are here to address your questions and share our latest news. Reach out to us if we don’t reach out to you!
For general questions:
Rose Martinez, PhD
Director