Awards

Awards

General Guidelines

Award recommendations will be made at the discretion of the Recognition Committee with final approval from the CISOA Board. For each category, the Committee may choose to recommend one award, multiple awards, or may choose not to recommend an award in any one year.

Nomination Process

  • Nominations shall be accepted throughout the year.
  • Nominees can be self-nominated or nominated by peers or colleagues in the California Community College System.
  • Nominations should include evidence of the nominee’s achievements and their potential to continue making a significant impact in technology within our system.
  • Nominations shall be collected online through the designated CISOA website.
  • A deadline will be established each year based on the date of the Annual Summit. The deadline shall be posted on the awards site.
  • Nominations submitted after the deadline shall be considered during the next award cycle.

Notification Process

  • Each award winner shall be notified by the Recognition Committee Chair via email and invited to attend the awards ceremony at the Annual CISOA Summit.
    • Award winners shall receive a complimentary Summit registration and one night’s hotel stay (either the day prior or the day of the award ceremony)
    • The award winner shall be allowed to invite 1 guest to attend the awards ceremony. The guest shall receive a complimentary day pass.
    • Winners will be invited to present their project or achievement at the next annual Summit.
  • The Recognition Committee Chair shall notify the award winner’s supervisor and College/District CEO inviting them to attend the awards ceremony.
    • A complimentary day pass shall be provided for up to 2 District/College representatives.
  • Winners shall have the option to have their award re-presented at their local Board of Trustees meeting by a member of the CISOA Board.

*** Deadline to submit nominations for the 2024 Awards is Friday, February 9, 2024 at Midnight Pacific Time.

Award Categories:

  • Rising Star Award – Apply
    • Presented to an individual who has demonstrated innovative thinking and a proactive approach to technology. This can include but is not limited to the development of creative solutions, projects, or initiatives that show promise and potential impact in the technology field.
    • Eligibility Criteria:
      • Nominee must be a College or District office technical or functional staff member in the California Community College System.
    • Desirable Criteria:
      • Nominees who exhibit leadership qualities, even at an early stage in their career. This could include but is not limited to the ability to inspire and collaborate with others, take initiative, and lead by example. Rising stars in technology should demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing technology trends and an eagerness to learn and embrace new technologies.
  • Technology Excellence Award (Individual) – Apply
    • Nominees must have demonstrated a track record of significant innovation and/or achievement in the field of technology. This can include groundbreaking innovations, creative problem-solving, or the development of new technologies or approaches.
    • Eligibility Criteria:
      • Must be a College, District or System Office employee in the California Community College System.
      • Demonstrative evidence of foresight and ingenuity in the utilization of technology to solve a problem or enhance a process or program that results in a positive impact for the institution.
      • Foster collaboration and teamwork across the institution to reach a common goal.
      • Project or process must exceed the scope of what would reasonably be expected in a typical organization.
      • Recognizes work done at a College, District, or collective efforts amongst several California Community Colleges and/or the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.
  • Technology Excellence Award (Institution) – Apply
    • Presented to an institution who has demonstrated excellence in the innovative or transformative use of technology resulting in a sustainable impact over time that improves District and/or campus operations.
    • Eligibility Criteria:
      • Must be a College, District, System Office, or authorized Educational Center in the California Community College System.
      •  Demonstrative evidence of foresight and ingenuity in the utilization of technology to solve a problem or enhance a process or program that results in a positive impact for the institution.
      • Foster collaboration and teamwork across the institution to reach a common goal.
      • Project or process must exceed the scope of what would reasonably be expected in a typical organization.
      • Recognizes work done at a College, District, or collective efforts amongst several California Community Colleges and/or the California Community College Chancellor’s Office
  • CISOA Distinguished Service Award – Apply
    • This award acknowledges and celebrates exemplary leadership that has a significant and positive impact on advancing the mission, vision, values, and goals of the Chief Information Systems Officer Association.
    • Eligibility Criteria:
      • Must be a College, District or System Office employee in the California Community College System.
      • Leadership in CISOA
      • CCC System Statewide Technical Leadership
      • Leadership in the efficient and effective practice of supporting and using technology across the system.
      • A minimum of 3 years of CISOA Board experience
      • Advancing the mission, vision, values and goals of the CISOA organization
  • CISOA Champion of Belonging – Apply
    • The Champion of Belonging award acknowledges and celebrates exemplary leadership in creating and sustaining a culture of belonging in IT. Awarded to an IT professional in the California Community College system with a robust record of consistent commitment to diversity, for inclusive excellence; exercising innovative and courageous leadership; serving as a visionary in the field; and exemplifying the philosophy, principles, and practices of service; and contributing substantially to belonging at their district and across the state.
    • Eligibility Criteria:
      • Leadership of DEI-related initiatives in CISOA
      • CCC System Statewide DEI Leadership
      • Leadership of DEI-related initiatives in the profession
    • Desirable Criteria:
      • Tangible results in areas such as those called out in the CISOA statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
      • Raising awareness about challenges and opportunities related to DEI in the technology field, and working to raise awareness departmentally and institutionally
      • Working to increase opportunities for women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and individuals with disabilities to be information technology professionals and leaders
      • Partnering with institutional colleagues to create and advance programs that aim to expand opportunities and eliminate barriers for students from underrepresented populations who are interested in computer science, data sciences, and other technology-related fields, in undergraduate education and post-graduation programs
      • Advocating for DEI practices, helping to develop appropriate DEI practices, resources, and tools, and mentoring colleagues seeking to contribute to DEI efforts
  • Board Award – Apply
    • The CISOA Board award recognizes and celebrates exceptional individuals or organizations who have gone above and beyond by demonstrating outstanding leadership, dedication, service, and support to CISOA and/or the California Community College System. Recipients must show that they have made a positive, sustainable impact to CISOA and/or the System through their actions.
    • Eligibility Criteria:
      • Nominees can be individuals, companies, or organizations who are within the California Community College System or are associated with the System or CISOA through formal or informal agreements.
      • Board award recipients are chosen exclusively by the CISOA Board.
      • Board award can be given at anytime.
  • District CISO Service Award – Apply
    • The CISOA District CISO Service Award is presented annually to District CISOs to recognize their years of service in a California Community College District. Service Awards will honor CISOs with 5, 10, or 20 years of service.
    • Eligibility Criteria:
      • Individual must be identified as the CISO by their District CEO
      • Individual service as a CISO must be as a District employee. District service as a consultant or individual otherwise contracted to the District through a third party to serve as the CISO are not eligible.
      • Twelve months equals one year of service. Service does not have to be contiguous nor does it have to be for a single California Community College District.
      • Proof of service years may be requested.

For the award above, CISOA representatives* are nominated in this category by the CISOA Board. The CISOA Board can also nominate persons who are active in CISOA who may not be a district-appointed CISO. Multiple winners of the Board award are acceptable and up to the discretion of the Board.

*** Deadline to submit nominations for the 2024 Awards is Friday, February 9, 2024 at Midnight Pacific Time.

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* “CISOA representative” is defined as the Chief Information Systems Officer of the district who is also an active participant of CISOA.
“Active Participant of CISOA” is defined as: 1. Attending CISOA conferences or 2. Participating on the CISOA board or 3. Representing CISOA at meetings (TTAC, SAC, sub-committees, etc.) or 4. Other recognized involvement as agreed upon by the CISOA Board.