The ASA Outstanding Service Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have distinguished themselves through their exceptional dedication to the ASA’s mission by: facilitating the production of knowledge about Africa and its diasporas; disseminating knowledge within the academy or to the public; establishing or supporting collaborations between institutions in the global north and in Africa; and/or who have having strongly contributed to the ASA itself.
The award includes $500 for individuals (or groups up to four), or a one-year institutional membership for organizations, and a plaque presented at the Annual Meeting Awards Ceremony.
Eligibility
Candidates for the ASA Outstanding Service Award must have made outstanding contributions to the ASA’s mission and/or the ASA such as (but not limited to):
– enabling scholarship and implementing programming within their institutions and their partners in Africa;
– promoting and strengthening the teaching of African languages through the development of programs, the development and publication of materials, and the education of instructors;
– developing and implementing initiatives to disseminate and reinforce knowledge about Africa in K-12 schools, in post-secondary education, and in the media;
– supporting the preservation and enhancement of archives and libraries in Africa through exchanges and specialized training;
– initiating and/or facilitating educational exchanges between secondary schools and instructors and/or civil society organizations in the global north and in Africa;
– volunteering exceptional time and actively contributing to the ASA and its activities.
Nomination
Any member may nominate a living candidate. The primary nomination letter should detail how the individual and/or organization has performed exceptional service to the field. The nomination dossier must include the nominee’s (1) name, (2) title, (3) contact information, and (4) at least one additional support letter. Nominations for organizations must summarize the organization’s activities as they relate to the selection criteria. The Outstanding Service Committee may also nominate individuals or organizations for consideration by the Executive Committee.
The complete dossier must be submitted via email as a PDF to the ASA Executive Director at asaed@africanstudies.org by April 30 annually. Nominations remain active for three years.
2026 Committee
- Elizabeth Schmidt, Loyola University Maryland, Chair
- Nwando Achebe, Michigan State University
- Leonardo Arriola, University of California, Merced
- William Moseley, Macalester College
- Esperanza Birzuela-Garcia, Montclair State University