OLC Awards of Excellence

OLC recognizes members of the community twice each year on two separate award cycles – in the spring at OLC Innovate, and in the fall at OLC Accelerate.

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You will find descriptions of each of the OLC Awards for Excellence below. For more information on the selection criteria and application process, please visit our How to Apply page.

OLC Accelerate Awards (Fall)

The following OLC Awards of Excellence are bestowed at OLC Accelerate in the fall of each year based on alignment with OLC Dimensions of Quality.

Excellence in Faculty Development
- Effective practices in faculty development that lead to teaching and learning effectiveness and faculty satisfaction
Excellence in Instructional and Teaching Practice
- Effective practices in online and/or blended teaching effectiveness with documented impact on equity, learning effectiveness and student outcome achievement
Gomory-Mayadas Award for Excellence in Online Educational Leadership
- Evidence of outstanding transformative leadership in online, blended, and/or digital learning that advances equity
John R. Bourne Award for Excellence in Online Programs and Programming
- Effective practices in developing or expanding innovative and impactful online/blended programs
Karen Swan OLJ Outstanding Research Achievement Award in Online Education
- Excellence in research, including scholarly research and writing, leadership and service in research, and contributions to advancing the field. Note: This highly selective award is an honor that an individual cannot seek. Rather, the individual(s) are selected by the OLJ Editorial Board and is not part of the awards submission process available on this website.

Status: Closed
Submissions for the OLC Accelerate 2024 Scholarships, Awards and Recognition are now closed.

OLC Innovate Awards (Spring)

The following OLC Awards of Excellence are bestowed at OLC Innovate in the spring of each year based on alignment with the OLC Dimensions of Quality.

Excellence in Design Practice
- Effective practices in design and development of quality online, blended and digital courses (with documented impact on equity and student engagement)
Excellence in Online and Blended Student Support
- Effective practices in online or blended student support services that impact student satisfaction, retention, and success
Excellence in Online and Blended Learning Innovation
- New and imaginative practice or approach impacting quality, effectiveness and equity of online, blended or digital learning
Excellence in Data and Learning Analytics Design
- Creative use in data and analytics design, research methods, or approaches to inform online, blended, and/or digital learning

Status: OPEN

Questions & Support

For additional information about the OLC Awards and Recognition programs, please email us at awards@onlinelearning-c.org.

Important Dates

OLC Innovate 2025

April 1-3, 2025
Spring Awards Winners recognized during Innovate 2025.

OLC Accelerate 2025

March 17, 2025
Fall Awards Portal Opens

June 30, 2025
Fall Awards Portal Closes

November 2025
Fall Award Winners recognized at Accelerate 2025 onsite in Orlando.

Virtual | April 1-3, 2025

OLC Innovate, a joint conference presented by OLC and MERLOT, provides a path for innovators of all experience levels and backgrounds to share best practices, test new ideas, and collaborate on driving forward online, digital, and blended learning.

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