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The Society for Experiential Education  and The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars invite you to nominate a sitting college president for the

WILLIAM M. BURKE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
FOR EXCELLENCE IN EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION

This award honors the legacy of William M. Burke, the founding president of The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, by recognizing college or university presidents who mirror Bill Burke’s passion for experiential learning through their support of experiential learning. 

Bill Burke founded The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars in 1975 with the dream of providing college students from the United States and around the globe access to academic internships in Washington D.C.  For over 46 years, TWC’s mission has been to serve as a bridge between higher education and professional careers—leveraging all of what Washington, D.C. has to offer to provide dynamic, experiential learning opportunities to empower and motivate young people to become engaged global citizens.  

It is a testament to Bill’s vision and entrepreneurial spirit that The Washington Center now has over 60,000 alumni.  When he passed away in 2004, he left behind an organization that continues to provide unique opportunities to college students and young professionals from around the world.  

Bill Burke believed in experiential learning in all of its forms, and he believed that all students should have access to these opportunities no matter what their socio-economic background.  It is in the spirit of this commitment that The Washington Center and the Society for Experiential Education seek nominations for the William M. Burke Presidential Award for Excellence in Experiential Education.  The award will be presented at the 2022 SEE Annual Conference and The Washington Center's Fall Celebration.   

Award Criteria

  • A college or university president from an accredited institution of higher education in office during the 2019-20 academic year
  • Has personally championed experiential education as essential to the undergraduate experience
  • Demonstrated impact on student achievement through the following:
    • Support for the establishment or expansion of a program to embrace or advance experiential education as an essential mode of learning
    • Exhibit entrepreneurial leadership in the advancement of experiential education
    • Promote the use of experiential education beyond their own campus
    • Create access to experiential education during the pandemic
  • Sustained commitment to equity in expanding opportunities for students to participate in experiential education programs  

The nomination period for the 2022 award has passed. At this time the Burke Award will not be presented in 2022.

Should you have any questions about the William M. Burke Presidential Award for Excellence in Experiential Education, please contact the 2022 SEE Awards Co-chairs, Chase and Stephanie.

Chase Lesane-Brown
SEE Awards of Excellence Co-Chair
[email protected] 

Stephanie King
SEE Awards of Excellence Co-Chair
[email protected]

 
Click here for past winners