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COMMUNITY COLLEGE SECTION AWARD
The Jack Gasper Outstanding Achievement Award is awarded to individuals who are deemed deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contributions to the Community College Section.

To be considered for the award, the following criteria must be met:
1. Be an active member in good standing of the Community College Section.
2. Provide significant and dedicated service to the Community College Section.

Award Procedures:
1. Nomination letters for the award must be submitted to the Chair of the Community College Section by October 16.
2. The nominator must be a current member of the Community College Section.
3. The submission of supporting materials with a nomination is encouraged but not required. The nomination must include a brief summary of the nominee’s contributions in accordance with the award criteria and an explanation of the significance of these contributions to the Section.
4. The Section board will consider nominations and select the awardee(s).

Award:
1. Recipients would be recognized at the annual Section meeting and will receive an engraved plaque acknowledging their service to the Community College Section.

Please send all nominations by October 16 to the Community College Section Past Chair Christopher Utecht, CUtecht@CLCILLINOIS.EDU.

CORRECTIONS SECTION AWARD
Send Award Applications to: Peter Wood, pwood4@emich.edu
Application Deadline: October 31, 2025

ACA-ACJS Student Research Award 

The American Correctional Association (ACA) in collaboration with the Corrections Section and ACJS has proposed three student research awards at the next ACJS annual meeting. The goals of the student research awards are to highlight emerging talent, foster scholarly engagement, and encourage meaningful discussions about the future of corrections. Applicants must be registered as undergraduate or graduate (master’s or PhD) students at an academic institution. Criteria for nominations will be announced soon.

There will be three awards: (1) For first place, a financial award of $500, along with recognition at the ACA Winter Conference (travel and registration will be covered by ACA). The first-place winner will also receive an ACA membership, and the selected paper will be chosen for publication in Corrections Today magazine; (2) for second place, a financial award of $300; and (3) for third place, a financial award of $200.

Kelly Cheeseman Outstanding Student Travel Award

In 2011, the section began awarding the Outstanding Student Travel Award. Students presenting papers at the ACJS annual conference are encouraged to submit their presentations (in PowerPoint format) to the Awards committee for consideration for receipt of the $500 travel scholarship. This award is offered in loving memory of Dr. Kelly Cheeseman. Dr. Cheeseman was a strong criminal justice advocate, former correctional officer, well respected academic colleague and friend. To read more about Dr. Cheeseman's life and legacy, click on the article included in the association's newsletter, ACJS Today, pp. 14-16.

Outstanding Member Award

Criteria for nomination for the Outstanding Member award are: 1) membership in and preferably contribution to the ACJS Corrections Section; and 2) significant research and/or scholarship in the field of corrections. Winners will receive a $100 cash award, a plaque of recognition, and will be honored at the annual Corrections Section Award meeting. Self-nominations are allowed and encouraged.

John Howard Award

The John Howard Award is given intermittently, upon significant demand, to recognize an individual who has made significant and sustained contributions to the practice of corrections. The nominee MUST have made significant contributions to practice, but also can have made significant contributions in scholarship, teaching, policy, or service. Nominators can make the argument that a nominee's scholarship or work in teaching, policy, or service DID make a significant contribution to practice. This is encouraged. Nominations are accepted every year and the committee will seriously consider all nominees. However, the awarding of this honor is solely at the Committee's discretion and may not be awarded each year. Nominees should send a description of the nominee's contributions, explaining how the nominee meets or exceeds the criteria, along with a copy of the nominee's CV to the Section Chair.

CRITICAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTION AWARDS
The Critical Criminal Justice Scholar Award honors a person for distinguished accomplishments that represent issues related to critical criminal justice through scholarship, teaching, or service across the most recent two-year period. Nominees for this award need not be a member of ACJS or the Critical Criminal Justice Section at the time of the nomination. It is expected, however, that award winners will, upon notification of having been selected for the award, become a member of ACJS and a member of the Critical Criminal Justice Section He or she should provide evidence of quality scholarship (primarily through publications in quality outlets), excellence teaching on matters that symbolize critical criminal justice, or service/outreach to the community or academy that has had a direct impact on local citizens, criminal justice agencies, etc. Thus, this award is broad in scope such that nominees can have engaged in critical criminal justice scholarship, teaching, or service. Winners of this award will be recognized at the Section meeting each year (attached to the ACJS annual meeting), will receive a plaque and all efforts will be made to sufficiently showcase the work of winners (e.g. in the Section newsletter, posted on its website, etc.). Please submit a letter of nomination and the candidate’s CV.

The Critical Criminal Justice Section’s Outstanding Student Paper Award provides recognition of a student (either undergraduate or graduate) who produces an outstanding paper on an issue associated with critical criminal justice and to provide the award winner with a travel stipend intended to be used for attending and presenting at the annual meeting of ACJS. A student who is nominated for the paper competition need not be an ACJS member at the time of the nomination. It is expected, however, that award winners will, upon notification of having been selected for the award, become a member of ACJS and a member of the Critical Criminal Justice Section. The student must also be enrolled in an institution of higher learning at the time he or she submits a paper for consideration. It is recognized that a student could graduate prior to the time of the award or the next annual meeting where the paper will be presented. In order to receive the award and the travel stipend (see below), the student must be present at the annual meeting and actually present the winning paper. The paper can be co-authored with other students, but cannot be co-authored with a faculty member. If the paper has multiple authors, the winners will share the established travel stipend.

Please send all nominations by January 16, 2026 to the Chair Deena Isom, isom@mailbox.sc.edu. 


DRUGS AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH  SECTION AWARD
Student Paper Competition
The ACJS Drugs and Alcohol Research Section is seeking entries for the student paper competition. The intent of the award is to recognize excellence in student scholarship.

Eligibility: The awardee must be a student in a criminology, criminal justice, or allied discipline and a member of both ACJS and the Drugs and Alcohol Research Section.

Paper/Presentation Requirements: At the submission deadline, the paper cannot have been already accepted for publication in a journal or other scholarly outlet. Co-authored papers must be first-authored by the student and also be the primary work product of the student. Papers should be double spaced and Times New Roman 12-point font.

In reviewing papers, the awards committee will examine the quality of papers, the originality of papers, any innovations in the papers, conciseness, and the potential for publication of the papers.

Award: The selected winner will receive a $300 monetary award and Drugs and Alcohol Research section dues paid for the following year. The award will be presented during the ACJS Drugs and Alcohol Section meeting.

To be considered for the competition, the paper must be emailed by November 15, 2025 to:

Amy K. Cook, PhD
Virginia Commonwealth University
cookak@vcu.edu

Questions related to the award should also be directed to Amy Cook at the email above.


POLICE SECTION AWARDS
The Police Section of the ACJS confers several prestigious awards each year. Awards are conferred at the section’s banquet during the annual conference. These awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of policing, including practitioners, scholars, students, and authors. All Police Section members are encouraged to nominate peers deserving of these awards. Self-nominations are also accepted for all awards. Nominations are due to Eric Dlugolenski, Police Section Chair, by October 16th. Email nominations to edlugolenski@ccsu.edu. Any questions about the awards can be directed to Dr. Dlugolenski. Awardees are selected by a committee of at least three Police Section members.

O.W. Wilson Award

The O.W. Wilson is the section’s flagship award. Past recipients include the field’s most prominent and influential scholars. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to police education, research, and practice.

Criteria:

The nominee can be a practitioner, policy maker, researcher, or educator who, over many years, has exemplified and supported the following ideals:

  1. Quality higher education for the police field.
  2. A distinguished record of rigorous and applied police research.
  3. Cooperation and collaboration among police educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
  4. Evidence supporting effective, equitable, and accountable policing.
  5. A strong record of mentorship to junior scholars or practitioners
  6. The nominee does not need to be a section member at the time of nomination.

Requirements:

  • Submission of a letter summarizing the nominee's contributions as they relate to the criteria
  • A copy of the nominee's curriculum vitae
  • Supporting materials are encouraged but not required. Examples below
    • Letters of support from other colleagues

Selection Process:

  • The past three OW recipients referee the OW Award. The section chair forwards nominees for their review and final consensus recommendation.

Outstanding Service Award

Description: The Outstanding Service Award is given to individuals who are deemed deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contribution to the Police Section. This award was established to honor those who have provided significant service to the Police Section. Eligibility Criteria:

  • The nominee must have provided significant service to the Police Section, serving in one or more official roles.

Requirements:

  • Submission of a brief summary of the nominee’s contributions.
  • Supporting materials are encouraged but not required.

Police Pracademic Excellence Award

Description: The Police Pracademic Excellence Award recognizes a police practitioner who champions evidence-based practice and research in policing. This award celebrates those who bridge the gap between academia and practical law enforcement, applying scientific research to real-world policing strategies. It aims to recognize recent achievements in the field and is not a lifetime achievement award.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be an active (or recently retired) police officer or a civilian working for a police department (civilian and sworn are eligible). Crime analysts, professional staff, and sworn staff may apply.
  • Must have a demonstrated commitment to incorporating evidence-based practices in policing.
  • Must have contributed to or conducted applied policing research.
  • Collaboration with academic institutions or researchers is a plus.

Requirements:

  • Submission of a nomination letter highlighting the nominee's contributions to evidence-based practices, including any published research, implemented policies, or collaboration with academic institutions.
  • Evidence of a positive impact within the community or department due to the nominee's evidence-based initiatives.

Emerging Policing Scholar Award

Description: The Emerging Policing Scholar Award recognizes an outstanding early career scholar who has shown remarkable potential and achievement in producing quality research in the field of policing. This award is intended to celebrate the future leaders in policing scholarship, encouraging continued excellence and innovation.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Ph.D. must have been conferred; the conferral must have been within the last six years.
  • Must have demonstrated a capacity to produce quality research specifically related to policing.
  • Must show promise for future contributions to the academic and practical aspects of policing.

Requirements:

  • Submission of a nomination letter highlighting the nominee's research portfolio, including published articles, conference presentations, and ongoing research projects related to policing.
  • Attachment of the nominee’s current curriculum vitae.

Promising Student in Policing Award

Description: The Promising Student in Policing Award recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student who shows exceptional promise and dedication to the study and advancement of policing. This award aims to encourage and support the next generation of scholars and practitioners in the field.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program related to Criminal Justice, Criminology, or Policing. Nomination must be made before degree conferral.
  • Must have demonstrated academic excellence and a strong interest in policing research or practice.
  • Involvement in extracurricular activities, internships, or projects related to policing is a plus.

Requirements:

  • Submission of a current academic transcript (unofficial copies accepted).
  • Letters of recommendation from professors or professionals in the field detailing the nominee's potential and achievements in policing studies.
  • A personal statement from the nominee outlining their interest in policing, academic achievements, and future goals.

Best Policing Book of the Year

Description: The Best Policing Book of the Year Award recognizes a significant book publication that has substantially contributed to the understanding, development, or practice of policing. This award celebrates authors who have provided fresh insights, rigorous research, and innovative perspectives on law enforcement.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • The book must be published within the last calendar year (e.g., for the following year's annual conference, the book should have been published in the previous year).
  • The book must primarily focus on policing or law enforcement. This includes various aspects of law enforcement functions and disciplines.
  • Eligible books can be academic or practitioner-oriented, catering to different readerships within the field.

Requirements:

  • Submission of a copy of the book, digital file if possible, but hard copies can be submitted.
  • Submission of a nomination letter highlighting the book's significance, contributions, and impact on the field of policing, including reviews or endorsements from scholars, practitioners, or experts in the field of policing, and information about the publisher and publication date.

Award Procedures

  1. Nominations for each award must be submitted to the Chair of the Police Section by October 16th of the calendar year preceding the annual conference (e.g., by October 16th, 2025, for acknowledgment at the 2026 annual meeting)
  2. The nominator must be a current Police Section member.
  3. Submission of supporting materials with nominations is encouraged to increase the application's competitiveness. However, supporting materials are not required.
  4. The nomination is to include a summary of the nominee’s contributions following the award criteria, an explanation of the significance of these contributions, and a current vita or resume of the nominee.
  5. While we do not require nominees to be section members at the time of nomination, we do request that they join the section upon nomination


RESTORATIVE AND COMMUNITY JUSTICE SECTION AWARDS
Student Scholarship Awards 2025-2026:
The ACJS Restorative and Community Justice Section has budgeted up to $750.00 (USD) to provide a minimum of two (2) student scholarship (ranging from $250 to $500 USD) to assist in offsetting the costs of presenting a paper (or poster) at the ACJS annual meeting.

Information regarding applying for the Scholarship(s):

  1. The scholarships are open to all students (Undergraduate, MA, or Ph.D.)
  2. The student must be a member of ACJS.
  3. The student must be a member of the ACJS Restorative and Community Justice Section.
  4. The student will have submitted the abstract for the paper to ACJS and been accepted to present.
  5. The paper must have direct relevance to the section (i.e. be a paper focused on restorative and/or community justice).
  6. The student must be able to give a short talk on their piece at the section meeting in Denver, CO
  7. The student will submit at least a DRAFT version of the full paper, as well as the ACJS poster/paper acceptance email to the Chair of the Scholarship committee, Dr. Dr. Brandon Stroup (brandon.stroup@vermontstate.edu), no later than December 15, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
  • The scholarship committee will review the submissions and inform student applicants of the final status of the scholarship application no later than January 15, 2026. The review process will include:
  • Relevance to the Restorative and Community Justice Section and its mission which can be found in the by-laws located here.

Priority will be given to students:
Submitting their own individual paper or poster for presentation.

  • Submitting a co-authored paper or poster for presentation; and in the event that 2 students are co-authoring a paper or poster, the paper would be considered a single application, and the two students would split the awarded scholarship amount. The number of applications will also be a consideration in determining the awarding of scholarships.

Harold (Hal) E. Pepinsky Award 2025-2026:

Considered a Lifetime Achievement Award, this award is the highest honor presented by the Section of Restorative and Community Justice and is intended to highlight exemplary contributions to the field.

  1. The intent of this award is to honor those who have made significant contributions to the field, similar to the accomplishments of Harold (Hal) Pepinsky and the contributions he made during his lifetime.
  2. To be considered for this award the nominee must have made significant contributions to the field of restorative justice, community justice, or peacemaking criminology. This should be evidenced by their work, either in practice, or through scholarship, teaching, policy, or service.
  3. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. This award is available to both members and non-members, but non-members must be nominated by a member in good standing.
  4. While nominations are accepted and carefully reviewed each year, the awarding of this honor is at the discretion of the Awards Committee and may not be awarded every year.
  5. To be considered for the award, one needs a letter of nomination and detailed CV to be sent electronically to the Harold E. Pepinsky Award Committee chair, Dr. Brandon Stroup at stroup@vermontstate.edu.
  6. The next deadline for nominations is December 15, 2025.


TEACHING, LEARNING, AND SCHOLARSHIP SECTION AWARDS
The TLS section awards recognize outstanding contributions to teaching, learning, and scholarship in criminal justice. Members are encouraged to nominate colleagues that have exhibited dedication to innovative and evidence-based teaching and learning methods that result in research-based expanded student learning. Self-nominations are welcomed. For consideration of all awards, nominees must be current members of the TLS section. Deadline: January 11, 2026.

TLS Fellow Award in recognition of distinguished contribution to criminal justice education. This award honors a criminal justice faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to teaching and learning. It requires at least five years of teaching criminal justice, criminology, or related courses. The TLS Fellow Award is considered the highest honor of the Section and reflects long-term and substantial contributions to the fields of teaching and learning. The application must include: 1) Cover letter reflecting your contribution to criminal justice education; 2) a CV; 3) two letters of support (1 to 3 pages). Optional materials are encouraged. Examples include: a syllabus and other supporting documents (published or non published) related to the pedagogical method. Winners will receive a $100 cash award, a plaque of recognition, and will be honored at the annual TLS Section General Business Meeting.

TLS Innovative Design Award in recognition of an outstanding and innovative pedagogical method in criminal justice. Ideal submissions should include evidence of success such as student evaluations or assessment of the method (formal or informal). Winners will receive a $50 cash award, a plaque of recognition, and will be honored at the annual TLS Section General Business Meeting.

TLS Outstanding Scholarship Award in recognition of an outstanding article on teaching or learning in criminal justice published within the past two years. Topic must be criminal justice focused but journal is not limited. The application must include a copy of the published article. Winners will receive a $50 cash award, a plaque of recognition, and will be honored at the annual TLS Section General Business Meeting.

TLS Outstanding Graduate Student Award in recognition of an outstanding current graduate student who is actively engaged in course development, instructional techniques, and involvement with students in the classroom. Examples include: 1) creation or use of new and innovative teaching methods and course materials and 2) creation of challenging and/or innovative courses. Nominations must include: 1) two letters in support (1 to 3 pages); 2) a letter from the nominator that provides rationale and evidence for why the nominee has advanced learning through pedagogically sound and innovative curriculum design; and 3) a syllabus and other supporting documents related to the pedagogical method. Evidence may include design research indicating enhanced learning, persistence, or student evaluations. Winners will receive a $50 cash award, a plaque of recognition, and will be honored at the annual TLS Section General Business Meeting.

Please send all nominations to TLS Executive Counselor Mark Rubin at mrubin@alc.edu.


VICTIMOLOGY SECTION AWARDS
New Scholar Award.  To recognize the achievements of a scholar who shows outstanding merit at the beginning of their career. Outstanding merit may be based on a single book or work, including the dissertation or a series of theoretical or research contributions to the area of Victimology. Eligibility includes scholars who are active ACJS members and members of the Victimology section and have held a Ph.D. for less than five years at the time of their nomination.

In submitting your nominations, provide the following supporting materials:
1. A letter evaluating the nominee's contribution and its relevance to this award.
2. Applicant's/nominee's vitae (short version preferred).
3. No more than three published works, which may include a combination of articles and one book.

Outstanding Graduate Student Award.  To recognize a graduate student who has demonstrated significant promise in “making a difference” to the field of Victimology. Evidence of their commitment to the field can be illustrated through scholarship, victim advocacy, volunteer work in victim services, or other activities associated with improving the response to victimization. The winner of this award will receive a plaque and a monetary stipend of $150.

To be eligible for this award, the candidate must either be currently enrolled or have been enrolled within the past year in an accredited criminal justice, criminology, or related graduate program. A nomination letter must be submitted by a faculty member who is familiar with the candidate’s work that summarizes the candidate’s contributions to the field of Victimology. Once nominated, the candidate must submit a packet that includes their vita/resume and a supporting statement of no more than 1,000 words that clearly demonstrates how their accomplishments align with the award’s criteria.

Victimology Impact Award. To recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution to the field of Victimology, victims’ rights, or victim services in the past 12 months by advancing an innovative victim-centered policy or practice via scholarship, policy development or implementation, and/or service to the community. The winner of this award will receive a plaque, a monetary stipend to cover membership dues to ACJS and the Victimology Section and will be invited to serve as the keynote speaker at the Victimology Section’s general meeting at the next annual ACJS conference.

The nomination letter must articulate in 1,500 words or less how the candidate’s accomplishments align with the award’s criteria. Once nominated, the candidate must submit a copy of their resume/vita.

Please submit nominations via email by October 15, 2025 to:
Sadie J. (Mummert) Miller, Immediate Past Chair, ACJS Victimology Section
Chair of Awards Subcommittee
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice
smummert@iup.edu