NEW HAVEN, Conn. (December 30, 2025) – Four members of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference – the University of Bridgeport, Chestnut Hill College, Holy Family University, and Thomas Jefferson University – have been awarded the 2025 NCAA Division II Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence, the NCAA recently announced.
The Presidents’ Award is bestowed upon Division II institutions which achieve an Academic Success Rate of 90 percent or higher. Nationwide, 43 schools earned the honor. Chestnut Hill, Holy Family, and Jefferson are repeat winners from 2024.
“Academic achievement is at the forefront of the CACC mission,” said CACC Commissioner Dan Mara. “This award is a testament to the intense academic focus of our four honored institutions. I’m confident that the student-athletes of the CACC will continue to excel at a level at or above their peers.”
The Division II Academic Success Rate was developed at the request of presidents who believed the federal graduation rate was outdated. It includes transfers into a school into the calculation and removes those who transferred out of the school while academically eligible. The ASR also includes more than 30,000 non-scholarship student-athletes who were enrolled during the four years covered in the most recent data.
“The Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence highlights what makes Division II truly distinctive – our unwavering commitment to the full success of our student-athletes,” said Dr. Colleen Perry Keith, president of CACC member Goldey-Beacom College and president of the Division II Executive Board. “Achieving a 90 percent Academic Success Rate is an extraordinary accomplishment.”
The Division II Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence is being given out for the 15th year.
Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 20 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 17 sports – seven for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.