Award Nominations for 2025 are closed. 

We will announce the recipients at the 2025 Symposium.

Nominations for the following year will open mid-calendar year 2025.

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Awards and Criteria

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John Brian Service and Leadership Award
John Brian was the Education Director at Norton AFB for many years. He was a member of CCMEA (California Colleges and Military Educators Association) when it was an organization only for military and civilian educators serving the military in California. John was instrumental in getting the organization to broaden its scope and change its name. He served as President 1977-1978. The John Brian Service and Leadership Award is provided to a nominee meeting the following criteria:

• The nominee must be an employee of any branch of the United States Armed Services and must be directly involved in the delivery of voluntary off-duty education programs on a military installation.

• The Awards Committee, at its discretion, may seek a written recommendation from the nominee's commanding officer or department head.

• The nominee must have worked at least two years at the office level as an education services officer, education specialist, education counselor, or education technician.

• The Awards Committee shall ascertain that the nominee's accomplishments are deserving of the award, and that these accomplishments demonstrate the nominee's dedication and leadership in providing quality voluntary off-duty education programs at his/her military installation.

• If a nominee has been the recipient of any CCME Award in the past 5 years they are deemed an ineligible nominee.

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William E. Kennedy Award
William Kennedy was Vice President and Head of Chapman College's (now Chapman University), regional education centers. Bill was one of the early pioneers in developing and implementing college degree programs at extension campus sites. Bill was a national advocate and avid supporter of the voluntary education program and was instrumental in founding the CCMEA (California Colleges and Military Educators Association) which later became CCME and served as the first elected President of the association. Sometime after Bill's death in 1985, the William Kennedy Award was established in his honor. The William E. Kennedy Award is given to a nominee meeting the following criteria:

• The nominee must be an employee of an institution offering a program of instruction at one or more military installations.

• The program of instruction offered by the employing institution must be governed by the provisions of voluntary off-duty education programs.

• In addition, at their discretion, the Awards Committee may seek a written recommendation from the President, Vice-President, or Dean from the nominee's educational institution.

• The nominee has been employed directly in the promotion and delivery of voluntary off-duty education programs for a period of at least three years.

• The Awards Committee shall ascertain that the nominee's accomplishments are deserving of the award and that these accomplishments demonstrate the nominee's dedication and leadership in the delivery of quality programs to military installations.

• If a nominee has been the recipient of any CCME Award in the past 5 years they are deemed an ineligible nominee.

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CCME Corporate Award
The CCME Corporate Award is presented to an organization in recognition of its significant contributions to the cause of military education. The recipient should be a corporation (profit or not-for-profit) that supplies quality education products or services to the armed services. The Corporate Award is provided to a nominee meeting the following criteria:

• The nominee must be an organization directly involved in the support of voluntary off-duty education to the armed forces.

• The Awards Committee, at its discretion, may seek a written recommendation from the nominee's institutional leader (president, CEO, etc.).

• The Awards Committee shall ascertain that the nominee's organizational accomplishments are deserving of the award and that these accomplishments demonstrate the nominee's dedication and leadership in supporting quality voluntary off-duty education to the armed services.

• If a nominee has been the recipient of any CCME Award in the past 5 years they are deemed an ineligible nominee.

CCME Institution Award
The CCME Institution Award is presented to a higher education institution in recognition of its significant contributions to the cause of military education. The recipient will be a college or university that supplies quality education programs to the armed services. The Institution Award is provided to a nominee meeting the following criteria:

• The nominee must be an institution directly involved in the support of voluntary off-duty education to the armed forces.

• The Awards Committee, at its discretion, may seek a written recommendation from the nominee's institutional leader (president, provost, dean, etc.).

• The Awards Committee shall ascertain that the nominee's organizational accomplishments are deserving of the award, and that these accomplishments demonstrate the nominee's dedication and leadership in supporting quality voluntary off-duty education to the armed services.

• If a nominee has been the recipient of any CCME Award in the past 5 years they are deemed an ineligible nominee.

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Barry Cobb Government Organization Award
This award recognizes the outstanding contributions that government entities make to military education in honor of Dr. Barry Cobb who retired after serving as Director of Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) from 1981-2005. Dr. Cobb reflected on his government career saying, "We should all feel a strong sense of accomplishment for our efforts to provide educational opportunities to the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. I know our work has changed lives and provided so many individuals a chance to grow personally and professionally." The Barry Cobb Government Organization Award is provided to a nominee meeting the following criteria:

• The nominee must be a government organization directly involved in the delivery of voluntary off-duty education programs to the military.

• The Awards Committee, at its discretion, may seek a written recommendation from the nominee's government agency (director, president, etc.).

• The Awards Committee shall ascertain that the nominee's accomplishments are deserving of the award, and that these accomplishments demonstrate the nominee's dedication and leadership in providing quality voluntary off-duty education programs or services.

• If a nominee has been the recipient of any CCME Award in the past 5 years they are deemed an ineligible nominee.

Gary A. Woods Community Partnership Award

The Gary A. Woods Community Partnership Award is presented to organizations that have established unique relationships, programs, and services that positively impact the personal and professional development of our Service members, Veterans, and their families. Recipients will have demonstrated how they have contributed to the academic and career growth of our Service members, Veterans, and their families through a project or partnership that promotes transition readiness and employment.

• The nominees must be organizations that are directly involved in the support and/or delivery of voluntary off-duty education programs to the military.

• The Awards Committee, at its discretion, may seek a written recommendation from the nominee's leadership entity (director, president, CEO, etc.).

• The Awards Committee shall ascertain that the nominee's accomplishments are deserving of the award and that these accomplishments demonstrate the nominee's dedication and contributions to the academic and career growth of our Service members, Veterans, and their families. 

• If a nominee has been the recipient of any CCME Award in the past 5 years they may deemed an ineligible nominee.

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Questions can be directed to the CCME Awards Chair at confermentofficer@ccmeonline.org 

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