The Nancy Zimpher Travel Award was established to honor the outstanding leadership and vision of Dr. Nancy L. Zimpher, one of the most influential figures in American higher education. Dr. Zimpher served as the twelfth Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), the nation’s largest comprehensive public higher education system, from 2009 to 2017. Her distinguished career also includes leadership roles as President of the University of Cincinnati, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and Executive Dean of the Professional Colleges and Dean of the College of Education at The Ohio State University.
Currently, Dr. Zimpher serves as President of the National Association of System Heads (NASH), where she leads the Power of Systems initiative. This groundbreaking work demonstrates how higher education systems, when working collectively, can improve student success, increase credential and degree completion, expand access and affordability, and advance social and economic mobility for diverse learners. She is also the co-founder of StriveTogether, a national network of communities committed to solving educational challenges across the cradle-to-career pipeline through cross-sector collaboration and systemic change.
The Nancy Zimpher Travel Award reflects Dr. Zimpher’s lifelong commitment to equity, access, and innovation. Each year, this award provides financial support to outstanding graduate students, early-career scholars, and practitioners who would otherwise face financial barriers to participating in the STAR Global Conference. Recipients are selected for their demonstrated dedication to international education, student success, and the advancement of higher education through research, practice, and global engagement.
Through this award, the STAR Scholars Network seeks to embody Dr. Zimpher’s legacy of transformational leadership. It not only recognizes her unparalleled contributions to higher education but also invests in the next generation of scholars and leaders who are committed to building inclusive, equitable, and globally engaged institutions.
By supporting participation in the STAR Global Conference, the Nancy Zimpher Travel Award fosters dialogue, collaboration, and the sharing of innovative ideas that can shape the future of higher education around the world. It stands as a testament to the values Dr. Zimpher has championed throughout her career—collaboration, collective impact, and a steadfast belief in the transformative power of education.