CLEVELAND – The National Association of Academic and Student Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Distinguished Service, Lan Hewlett, Kenneth O. Miles Professional Promise, Professional Excellence Award, and Innovation & Impact in Student-Athlete Development Awards.
The nomination deadline for each award is Sunday, March 8. More information on each N4A Award is outlined below.
Distinguished Service Award
The prestigious Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to an N4A member who has demonstrated the following:
- Continuous N4A membership for five years
- Leadership in N4A at the regional or national level, a high quality of which is recognized by N4A peers
- Contributions above and beyond the normal service required by positions of leadership
CLICK HERE to access the nomination form for the Distinguished Service Award.
Lan Hewlett Award
This award is named in honor of Mr. Lan Hewlett, a long-time advisor at the University of Texas, who is generally acknowledged as the first to provide academic support services to student-athletes. This award is presented annually to an advisor who demonstrates the following:
- Sustained professional service in academic advising for collegiate student-athletes
- A high level of competency in administrative skills
- Merited stature among and support from student-athletes, faculty, coaches, and fellow administrators
- Innovative response in meeting varied and emerging needs of student-athletes
- An effectiveness in the development of junior staff (where appropriate)
- Significant contributions to the field through publications or professional involvement/development
- Leadership in university affairs
*Please note:Â The nomination MUST come from a member of the nominee's current institution/affiliation.
CLICK HEREÂ to access the application for the Lan Hewlett Award.
Kenneth O. Miles Professional Promise Award
In remembrance of the 2016-17 N4A President, Kenneth Miles, N4A has renamed one of its annual awards as the Kenneth O. Miles Professional Promise Award. Miles, who passed away suddenly on August 15, 2020, at the age of 49, was a transformational leader, who had a passion for mentoring young professionals and an innate ability to connect with others. The Kenneth O. Miles Professional Promise Award will be awarded annually at the N4A National Convention.
The Kenneth O. Miles Professional Promise Award honors "new" professionals who serve student-athletes and have dedicated their energy to the Association and its mission. Candidates need to have been an N4A member for more than one year but less than five years.
CLICK HEREÂ to access the nomination form for the Kenneth O. Miles Professional Promise Award.
Professional Excellence Award
The N4A Professional Excellence Award honors professionals with 6 to 15 years in the field who meet the following criteria:
- Have N4A involvement at the regional and/or national level
- Show commitment to improving their department, often going above and beyond the tasks/responsibilities outlined in their job descriptions
- Have the ability to meet their students' needs and address critical issues within athletics and/or the campus community
- Are viewed as leaders/mentors among their colleagues and are well respected within the industry
CLICK HEREÂ to access the nomination form for the Professional Excellence Award.
The Dr. Kristina Navarro-Krupka Award for Innovation & Impact in Student-Athlete Development
The Award for Innovation & Impact in Student-Athlete Development is given to a current member, nominated by an industry colleague or their institution, who made significant contributions to the field of student-athlete development through years of service, publications, professional development, and effective development of junior staff. This award honors the innovators and barrier breakers who have pushed the narrative and scope of student-athlete development and their overall effectiveness to serve and lead in the student-athlete development space.
CLICK HEREÂ to access the nomination form for the Award for Innovation & Impact in Student-Athlete Development.
For additional information on any N4A awards, please CLICK HERE. Questions regarding the awards can be directed to Adrien Harraway (aharraway@nacda.com) in the NACDA National Office.
