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Supporting an Existing Fund

The endowment campaign for ASHE represents an unparalleled opportunity to advance excellence in higher education research, practice, and policy. By investing in ASHE’s future, donors will play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of higher education and making a lasting impact on our members students, scholars, and our field of study. Together, we can build a brighter and more equitable future for higher education and the individuals it serves.

Join us on this transformative journey as we lay the foundation for a stronger, more dynamic, and more influential Association for the Study of Higher Education. With your support, we can make a significant difference in the lives of countless graduate students and early-to-mid-career scholars and practitioners scholars and foster a thriving higher education landscape for generations to come.

ASHE community members and supporters can donate to existing endowments. We welcome donations of any amount and all gifts are tax-deductible. 

These are just a few ways gifts can make a lasting impact on ASHE. If you have other ideas, we’d love to meet with you. Please reach out to ASHE Executive Director Jason P. Guilbeau, PhD, CAE at jason@ashe.ws or set up a Zoom meeting or phone call.

Graduate Student Travel Scholarship Fund

ASHE recognizes the importance of nurturing emerging scholars and leaders in the field. That’s why we proudly offer the Graduate Student Travel Scholarship, a program designed to support promising graduate students in their pursuit of knowledge and professional growth. 

The Graduate Student Travel Scholarship to the ASHE Annual Conference is an initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to outstanding graduate students eager to attend the ASHE Annual Conference. This grant is a testament to our commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and excellence in higher education research and practice. 

The scholarship covers essential expenses such as conference registration, travel, accommodation, and meals, easing the financial burden for recipients. Attendees gain access to cutting-edge research, innovative practices, and networking opportunities with leading experts in higher education; engage with a diverse community of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, fostering a rich learning environment; showcase their research, gaining valuable feedback and exposure; and forge lasting connections with mentors and peers, enhancing your professional network and opening doors to collaborative opportunities.  

In order to support graduate student growth and development, ASHE established the Graduate Student Travel Scholarship program in 2008 and as of 2023, has awarded more than 334 scholarships. Over the past few years, ASHE members increased their support of graduate student members and we have been able to support more students than ever before. Your donation of any amount will help the Association reach our goal of awarding at least $10,000 in scholarships annually. This will provide 25 recipients with a $400 scholarship to attend the conference and present their research each year.

Donate to the Graduate Student Travel Scholarship Fund

Endowment of the Barbara Townsend Award and Annual Conference Lecture

The Barbara Townsend Award annually recognizes a lecture and lecturer focused on community colleges, feminist studies, doctoral education, and/or higher education programs. The award recipient presents a lecture during a special session of the conference. 

The Barbara Townsend Award is a permanent tribute to Dr. Townsend and the newly created award endowment will provide continued funding for recipients in perpetuity. Your donation of any amount will help the Association reaching our goal of a $10,000 endowment. This will provide each annual recipient with a $500 stipend to attend the conference, present their research, and receive their award. 

Donate to the Barbara Townsend Award Fund

Donation to the ASHE Drs. Helen (Lena) S. and Alexander (Sandy) W. Astin Grant Fund

The Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) is honored to establish the Drs. Helen (Lena) S. and Alexander (Sandy) W. Astin Doctoral Student Research Grant to recognize the Astins’ profound contributions to higher education research and mentorship. This annual grant will support doctoral students conducting research in areas central to the Astins’ legacy, including college impact, civic engagement, spirituality in higher education, and women’s leadership and career development.

Few scholars have shaped the field of higher education research as profoundly as the Astins. As founders of the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA, Lena and Sandy Astin spent decades conducting pioneering research that helped to explain how college cultures and environments shape student and faculty development, values, leadership capacities, and sense of purpose. Their influence—both through their scholarship and through their legacy of mentorship—continues to guide generations of scholars dedicated to both empirical rigor and social justice.

Your gift helps to sustain their important legacy and invests in the next generation of higher education scholars.

Donate to the Astin Fund