ACE/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation

The ACE/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation recognizes colleges or universities that, in a period of great change in higher education, have responded to challenges in innovative and creative ways that allow the institution to thrive.

The award is split into two categories:

Category 1

Institutions with student populations of 12,001 and over

Category 2

Institutions with student populations of up to 12,000

2025 Winners

Read the press release›

Category 1: Rio Salado College

Category 2: Windward Community College

Past Award Recipients

ACE has been bestowing the ACE/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation since 2014, when Arizona State University became the first ever recipient. Click to expand the area below to learn more about our past recipients.

Learn More

2024: Florida Atlantic University and University of California, Merced

2023: Texas Woman’s University and Allan Hancock College (CA)

2022: University of North Dakota and MassBay Community College

2021: University of California - San Diego and Davenport University (MI)

2020: Amarillo College (TX) and Dominican University of California

2019: University of South Florida and Benedict College (SC)

2018: Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ) and Saint Peter’s University (NJ)

2017: Brandman University (CA) and Agnes Scott College (GA)

2016: Fayetteville State University (NC) and Newbury College (MA)

2015: Georgia State University and Governors State University (IL)

2014: Arizona State University

Nominations Closed

The deadline for submitting nominations has passed.

The award will be presented to the current president or chancellor of the selected institutions during the ACE Experience 2026 (ACEx2026).

SponsorACE is grateful to Fidelity for its support of this award.

The American Council on Education and Fidelity Investments® are independent entities and are not legally affiliated. The recipient of the American Council on Education/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation is selected solely by ACE. Fidelity employees are not involved in any way in determining, selecting, or approving the recipient of any award.

Annual Meeting

October 29, 2025

ACE on the Hill 2026, a part of the ACE Experience 2026, is a chance for ACE member presidents and chancellors from across the country to connect directly with lawmakers and advocate on behalf of institutions, students, and the future of higher education.

Annual Meeting

October 29, 2025

Exclusive for ACE Member Presidents: Advocate in DC Prior to ACE’s Annual Meeting

News

October 20, 2025

ACEx2026, anchored by the ACE Annual Meeting Feb. 26-27, will empower campus leaders to foster innovation and resilience and champion higher education’s vital role in building our nation’s future.

ACEx2026 to Feature State of Higher Education Address, Sessions Around Pressing Topics

News

October 20, 2025

ACEx2026 to Feature State of Higher Education Address, Sessions Around Pressing Topics

News

October 8, 2025

ACE is now accepting applications for its annual awards, and nomination deadlines are approaching fast. The awards will be presented at the ACE Experience 2026.

Deadlines Approaching for Annual ACE Awards

News

October 8, 2025

Deadlines Approaching for Annual ACE Awards

News

September 29, 2025

Registration is open for the ACE Experience 2026 (ACEx2026), a multi-faceted, high-impact convening for college and university leaders set for Feb. 25-28 in Washington, DC.

Register Now for the ACE Experience 2026

News

September 29, 2025

News

July 24, 2025

AAU, ACE, and APLU, joined by 12 higher education institutions, have filed suit against the Department of Defense in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Federal Court Blocks DoD Indirect Cost Cap Pending Further Review

News

July 24, 2025

Federal Court Blocks DoD Indirect Cost Cap Pending Further Review

Statement

May 5, 2025

ACE, AAU, and APLU issued this joint statement announcing a federal lawsuit against the NSF’s cap on indirect cost reimbursements, warning that it threatens critical research, violates federal grantmaking rules, and undermines US global competitiveness.

Statement

May 5, 2025

Statement of AAU, ACE, and APLU Regarding Their Legal Challenge to the National Science Foundation’s Cut to Critical Research That Strengthens America

News

April 28, 2025

Over two packed days in Washington, DC, ACE’s Accelerating Postsecondary Value Innovation Lab convened higher education leaders from across the country to reimagine how colleges define, measure, and communicate the true value of a college degree.