Purpose
The Rising Star Award recognizes meaningful contributions to the mission and membership of the Association and to the field at large through excellent teaching, research, and/or practical applications (for example, consulting and training). This award is intended for members who have been active in the Association for no more than 10 years and who are currently in good standing.
The award recipient will be recognized at the annual conference with a plaque and $500. This award is sponsored by Sage Publishing.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates for this award must meet the following criteria:
- Active membership in ABC for no more than 10 years
- Evidence of significant contributions to the mission of ABC through service to the Association
- Evidence of excellence in teaching, research, and/or public practice
- Evidence of commitment to growing with the Association in the future
Nominations/Selection
Nominations are solicited annually by the Nominating Committee. To be considered for this award, the following documents should be submitted in one or two PDF files to the chair of the Nominating Committee, who will forward them to the Nominating Committee members:
- Short narrative and portfolio highlighting evidence that the eligibility criteria have been met, including a 2–3 page narrative argument for why the candidate deserves the award and not more than eight supporting documents, such as syllabi, teaching evaluation summaries, bibliography of publications, etc.
- Letter of nomination from a senior ABC member who has been active in the Association for a minimum of 10 years
- Curriculum vita
Complete application packets are due May 16, 2025, to Judith Ainsworth, Nominating Committee Chair.
For prior candidates who are being re-nominated, a new letter of nomination is required.
The members of the Nominating Committee will review each application and choose the winner(s) based on the eligibility criteria. The Nominating Committee submits the suggested recipient(s), along with supporting rationale, to the Board of Directors for approval.
If no nominee fulfills the award criteria within a given year, the committee may choose not to select a winner.
Notification
The award winner(s) will be notified at least 90 days before the ABC Annual International Conference. The winner(s) will be asked to submit a photograph to be used in the award presentation.
Rising Star Award Winners
- 2025: Seth Frei, Texas State University
- 2025: Kristen Wilson, Eastern Kentucky University
- 2024: Ryan Fuller, California State University, Sacramento
- 2023: Ursula Lutzky, Vienna University of Economics and Business
- 2022: Sky Marsen, Flinders University
- 2021: Stephen Carradini, Arizona State University
- 2020: Susan Schanne, Eastern Michigan University
- 2019: Andrew Quagliata, Cornell University
- 2018: Erika Darics, Aston University
- 2017: Valerie Creelman, Saint Mary's University
- 2016: Abram Anders, University of Minnesota Duluth
- 2015: No winner
- 2014: Jennifer Veltsos, Minnesota State University, Mankato
- 2013: Rebecca Pope-Ruark, Elon University