The Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s (CHE) mission is, in part, to plan and coordinate the state’s postsecondary education system (IC 21-18-6-1(1)) and ensure that Indiana’s higher education system is aligned to meet the needs of students and the state. In order to plan and coordinate the postsecondary system while also guaranteeing alignment, the Commission develops a strategic plan (IC 21-18-8-1) which recognizes that overcoming the challenge to meet attainment goals depends on not only a strong partnership between Indiana colleges and the state but also on establishing deeper connections and more meaningful collaborations between businesses, service organizations and community foundations.
In order to provoke, encourage and reward outstanding contributions to the advancement of the Commission's goals, the Commission has established a series of awards for its postsecondary and K-12 partners.
Gerald Bepko Faculty Community Engagement Grant Award
The Gerald Bepko Faculty Community Engagement Grant Award (Bepko Award) is presented biennially to recognize faculty at an Indiana institution who are exemplars of the scholarship of community engagement. The Bepko Award was established in 2019 to honor former Commission Member "Jerry" Bepko's legacy in his decade of service to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Indiana faculty interested in applying for the Bepko Award must currently serve as a full-time faculty member at an Indiana public or private institution of higher education residing within the State of Indiana and be currently engaged in teaching, research or service commitments that contribute to the greater good of the community, amongst other criteria. The recipient(s) are announced at the biennial Faculty Leadership Conference.
2023 Bepko Award Application
Recipient will be announced at the H. Kent Weldon Conference on April 3.
2021 Recipient
Award recipients:
- Indiana University Kokomo's Angela Coppola, Ph.D. for efforts through the Applied and Community Research Center
2019 Recipients
Award recipients:
- Ball State University’s Eva Zygmunt for the Schools Within the Context of Community program
- Purdue University’s William Oakes for the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) program
Stan Jones Student Success Award
Created in 2017, the Stan Jones Student Success Award honors promising student success initiatives. Named in honor of the late Stan Jones, President of Complete College America and former Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education, this award builds upon his legacy of landmark education policy and student success initiatives, including the 21st Century Scholars program. Just as Stan was a tireless advocate for education, this award is given to programs that are helping to increase student success across the state.
2021 RECIPIENTS
- Indiana University Bloomington
- Purdue University West Lafayette
2020 RECIPIENTS
- Indiana University East - Educationally Purposeful Peer Interaction ("EPPI")
- Indiana University Northwest
- Purdue University Northwest
2019 RECIPIENTS
- Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County
- Purdue University Northwest
2018 RECIPIENTS
- Ivy Tech Community College - Associate Accelerated Program ("ASAP")
- Purdue University West Lafayette - "Purdue Promise"
2017 RECIPIENTS
- Indiana State University
- Indiana University Southeast
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Commission Member Applications
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education Membership (IC 21-18-3-1) consists of fourteen (14) members appointed by the governor, one (1) of which must be a student representative and one (1) of which must be a full-time faculty member of a state educational institution. While appointed by the Governor, the student and faculty representatives are selected in part by his or her peers. For more information, read About the Commission or review current Commission Members.
Student Commission Member
The 2024 Student Nominating Committee will begin accepting applications for the next Student Commission Member position beginning in February 2024.The committee will select nominees from which the Governor will make an appointment to the Commission. The appointee will serve on the Commission beginning July 1, 2024, until June 30, 2026.
Faculty Commission Member
The 2023 Faculty Nominating Committee is now accepting applications for the next Faculty Commission Member position. The committee will select nominees from which the Governor will make an appointment to the Commission. The appointee will serve on the Commission beginning July 1, 2023, until June 30, 2025. Click HERE for more information and to apply.