Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) has received the 2025 Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award from Insight Into Academia magazine. This national award recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate outstanding commitment to academic excellence and community building across all levels of campus life.
AACC, along with eight other community college recipients, was featured in the magazine's October issue. This marks the fifth year AACC has been named a HEED Award recipient.
“We are honored to once again be recognized with the HEED Award,” said Dr. Dawn Lindsay, AACC president. “This recognition highlights our dedication to providing outstanding learning experiences and fostering a vibrant community, which is central to our new strategic plan."
The award celebrates institutions that integrate wide‑ranging strategies to promote student success, attract and retain employees, and build welcoming communities. Applications are evaluated on recruitment, retention, policies, programs, leadership and other areas of impact.
“We take a detailed and somewhat holistic approach to reviewing each application in determining who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where academic excellence and belonging are woven into the work being done every day across their campus,” said Lenore Pearlstein, co-publisher of Insight into Academia.
AACC was the only Maryland community college recognized.
For details about the 2025 HEED Award, visit insightintoacademia.com.