The Edgerton Fellowship recognizes distinctively innovative contributions to improving postsecondary education and student success while honoring the legacy of Russ Edgerton (1938-2022), an innovator and thought leader in higher education. The Gardner Institute will provide a three-year opportunity for postsecondary leaders to join a community of practice with other motivated people who are doing promising work in their respective spheres. Fellows receive a mentor, cohort collaboration, annual participation in a community of practice at the Gardner Institute symposium, a one-time honorarium of $2,500, and opportunities to network and engage with alumni and community networks.
The Edgerton Fellow selection committee will make every effort to identify new talent as honorees who are diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, age, organizational or institutional type, and academic or professional field.
The Gardner Institute publicly recognizes postsecondary institutions that have taken active steps to successfully mitigate student performance gaps. The award was created and named by friends and colleagues of Drs. Betsy O. Barefoot and John N. Gardner, the Gardner Institute’s co-founders. This award recognizes and honors their deep commitment to and advocacy for postsecondary education that expands opportunities for all students.
Every two years, one two-year institution and one four-year institution in the United States will be selected as recipients of the Barefoot & Gardner Award. The award recognizes institutions that, at scale and with strong supporting evidence, demonstrate a deep commitment to expanding educational opportunity and achieving undergraduate success for all learners.
Institutions receiving this recognition will be selected by a distinguished panel of experts. The awards will be presented at the Gardner Institute’s Annual Symposium for Transforming Postsecondary Experience.
Updated: May 27, 2026
