Dr. Bridget Burns Receives Prestigious Clark Kerr Award for Educational Leadership

Celebrating Educational Innovation: Dr. Bridget Burns and the Clark Kerr Award

On December 18, 2025, the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) announced a remarkable achievement in the field of higher education. Dr. Bridget Burns, the Chief Executive Officer of the UIA, was awarded the prestigious 2025 Clark Kerr Award for Distinguished Leadership in Higher Education. This award, bestowed by the Academic Senate of the University of California, Berkeley, recognizes individuals who have significantly advanced the landscape of higher education through innovation and dedication.

Dr. Burns joins an esteemed group of past awardees, which includes influential figures such as former Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren and former Harvard president Derek Bok. The Clark Kerr Award, established in 1968, is named after a visionary architect of modern research universities and aims to honor those who make outstanding contributions to the field.

The significance of this year’s award is noteworthy as it highlights the emphasis on cross-institutional collaborations aimed at enhancing student success—an area where Dr. Burns has been a trailblazer. “Clark Kerr has long been a personal hero of mine,” said Michael M. Crow, President of Arizona State University. He acknowledged the UIA's role in addressing the urgent need for innovation to improve educational outcomes, particularly for diverse student populations. Under Dr. Burns' leadership, the UIA has fostered a collaborative spirit among its member institutions, focusing on a shared commitment to empowering students and modeling effective approaches to elevate educational resources.

For over a decade, the UIA has pioneered and implemented innovative strategies that have set the pace for educational interventions. Examples include forgiving small student debts to enable re-enrollment, revamping advising systems to be more proactive, and utilizing predictive analytics to identify students who may be struggling. The collaborative efforts of UIA institutions have also led to significant improvements in graduate rates; for instance, they have produced over 160,000 additional graduates by 2025, with notable increases among low-income and underrepresented groups.

“We have proven that when public universities collaborate effectively, student success follows, and our nation benefits,” remarked Wendy Wintersteen, President of Iowa State University and a founding member of the UIA. She emphasized that Dr. Burns’ leadership has united institutions on a shared path toward increasing the number of college graduates to enhance America’s global competitiveness.

In her acceptance statement, Dr. Burns expressed her profound gratitude for the recognition. “To receive an award in Clark Kerr's name is profoundly humbling. It validates that collaborative leadership is not only achievable but essential for the future of higher education,” she remarked. Dr. Burns’ vision reflects a transformative approach to educational leadership—undaunted by challenges and eager to adapt in ways that prioritize student needs and institutional accountability.

The University Innovation Alliance continues to shine as an example of effective collaboration among public research universities. Currently, its 19 member institutions include renowned universities such as Arizona State University, Michigan State University, and the University of California Riverside. The Alliance's unwavering mission is to improve educational opportunities for all students through innovative practices and policies that will lead to long-term economic prosperity for graduates.

As we celebrate Dr. Bridget Burns' noteworthy recognition, we are reminded of the power of collaboration and innovation to impact the educational landscape positively—affecting not just individual institutions but the nation's future as a whole.

For additional details about the University Innovation Alliance and its initiatives, visit theUIA.org.