Click here to Submit a Nomination!

The 2025 NCCEP/GEAR UP Leadership Award Nominations are NOW OPEN! There are four categories for awards: (1) Professional Leaders of the Year (one executive-level and one providing direct services), (2) Student Leader of the Year, (3) Family Leader of the Year, and (4) Alum Leader of the Year. Award winners will be recognized at the 2025 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA. 

Our community is comprised of innumerable GEAR UP Heroes who are the change they wish to see in the world. We know that the success of your GEAR UP program relies on the collaborative efforts of your GEAR UP team, partners, and stakeholders, but that there are also those in your network who routinely exceed expectations. 

With the annual Leadership Awards, we wish to recognize those individuals for their contributions to GEAR UP and our communities. For the second year, we have expanded our awards to include the Alum of the Year. This award was created in partnership with the GEAR UP Alumni Association to spotlight one alum of the year who actively engages their community and upholds the values and mission of GEAR UP.

Please take a moment to nominate a professional, student, family leader, and/or alum who deserves this national accolade from the GEAR UP community. Check out a sample nomination form.

Nominations are due Thursday, May 8, 2025. You can submit multiple nominations. Click here to Submit a Nomination!