Celebrate Innovation in Digital Learning – About the WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Award
The WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Award honors exceptional initiatives by member institutions and organizations that leverage innovative digital solutions to address pressing educational challenges. Since 2004, this prestigious award has has showcased projects that enhance learner success and advance the field of digital learning
To highlight the outstanding contributions in digital learning within higher education, we invite our members to nominate exceptional work for the 2025 WOW Awards. Show us how your organization or institution is using digital learning and technology to drive transformation and enhance learner success. We can’t wait to be wowed!
2026 Nominations
Nomination Details
- 2026 Nominations will open in Spring 2026.
- Eligibility: Open to WCET member institutions and organizations in good standing. Check our list of members or join us and become a WCET member now!
The nomination form will include questions similar to the following:
- How has the nominated project/initiative/program, etc., positively impacted learner success, including student engagement, retention, or academic performance?
- How has the nominee leveraged technology or digital learning tools to address specific educational challenges?
- How does the nominee’s work promote equitable access to education for all learners?
- How does the nomination align with WCET’s mission, vision, and values?
Judging and Notification
The WOW Awards Committee, comprised of WCET member volunteers, will review all nominations and will select the recipients. The WCET Outstanding Work Awards Committee may grant a maximum of three awards and reserves the right to grant fewer than three awards.
Judges will review submissions regarding the innovative nature of the digital learning initiative/project and its impact in higher education.
Winners will:
- Receive a digital WOW Award to display electronically on your website and/or social media.
- Be invited to submit a guest post on WCET Frontiers.
- Be honored at the Awards Celebration Luncheon during the WCET 2025.
- Be awarded a plaque during the Awards Celebration.
- Be featured in a national press-release with winners of WCET awards.
Award Timeline:
Please note these dates are approximate.
- April to May 2026: Nomination Submission Period
- May 2026: Final Submission Deadline and Judging Period
- August 2026 – Final Award Notifications
- October 2026 – Awardees honored at WCET 2025
Have questions? We’re here to help, contact us at wceinfo@wiche.edu.
Past WOW Award Winners
See the innovative work addressing important higher education challenges recognized by past WOW awardees in our full list of previous recipients.