SoftwareVerdict ITL Awards for Higher Education Leaders: Methodology

ITL Awards for Higher Education

The Higher Education edition of the Inclusive Talent Leadership (ITL) Awards follows SoftwareVerdict’s proprietary GRID Framework—a structured, research‑driven approach adapted for academic and institutional leadership. This ensures transparency, fairness and focus on real impact in inclusive talent practices.​

Core Evaluation Principles

• Evidence‑based: Nominations must include verifiable metrics, case examples and references (e.g., student retention rates, diversity data, faculty feedback surveys).
• Holistic: Balances quantitative outcomes with qualitative stories of culture change.
• Bias‑free: Anonymized initial reviews, diverse jury and standardized scoring.
• Archetype‑aligned: Assessed against the 4 archetypes (Visionaries, Innovators, Change Makers, Pioneers).

The GRID Framework Explained

SoftwareVerdict’s GRID Framework evaluates Higher Education leaders across four pillars, each weighted equally (25%)

Pillar	Description	Higher Ed Examples
Growth	Sustainable expansion of inclusive impact and scale of initiatives	Increased student enrollment from underrepresented groups; scaled faculty mentoring programs; institution‑wide adoption of new policies
Resilience	Ability to sustain inclusion through challenges (e.g., funding cuts, enrollment dips)	Maintained equity during crises; adaptive DEI strategies; long‑term retention improvements
Inclusion	Depth of equity, belonging and access embedded in practices	Diverse admissions/scholarships; inclusive pedagogy/curricula; faculty/staff wellbeing metrics
Digital Readiness	Use of technology/AI to enhance inclusive talent and learning	AI‑driven personalized learning; digital tools for accessibility; data analytics for equity gaps

 

5‑Step Evaluation Process

1. Nomination Collection
   Open call via web form. All submissions reviewed for completeness and basic eligibility (leadership role, Higher Ed context).
2. Initial Screening (GRID Alignment)
   Automated and analyst review to score preliminary fit against GRID pillars and archetypes. Top 50% advance.
3. Deep‑Dive Analysis
   Independent research: Verify claims via public data, institutional reports, peer references and digital footprint. Score each GRID pillar (0‑10).
4. Expert Jury Review
   8‑12 judges (Higher Ed leaders, DEI experts, HR academics) score shortlist independently using rubric. Consensus required for finalists.
5. Final Validation & Selection
   Executive review for credibility. Mighty 90 cohort selected (top performers across archetypes); category winners announced.

Jury Composition

• 40% Higher Education (VCs, Deans, academics)
• 30% HR/DEI practitioners
• 20% Digital transformation experts
• 10% Independent researchers/analysts

All declare conflicts of interest; scoring is blinded initially.

Scoring Rubric Example (Per Pillar)

• 10: Transformational, benchmark‑setting impact with 3+ years sustainability
• 7‑9: Strong, scalable results with clear evidence
• 4‑6: Notable progress but limited scale or data
• 1‑3: Early‑stage or anecdotal only

Total Score: Average of GRID pillars + archetype bonus (up to +2 for perfect fit).

Key Differentiators

• No fees: Fully accessible nominations.
• Global scope: Institutions from any country/scale eligible.
• Post‑award tracking: Winners tracked for sustained impact in future cycles.

About ITL Awards and SoftwareVerdict

SoftwareVerdict is a global research and decision intelligence platform that empowers leaders to make smarter choices in technology, talent and strategy. Through its independent research, software marketplace and leadership recognition programs, SoftwareVerdict has become a trusted partner for over 1,700+ software solutions and thousands of enterprises worldwide.

The Inclusive Talent Leadership (ITL) Awards, flagship initiative of SoftwareVerdict, celebrate leaders who are redefining workplaces through equity, inclusion and people‑first innovation. Launched to recognize HR and talent professionals driving the future of work, ITL has grown into a global benchmark, spotlighting the Mighty 90 cohort each year—90 exceptional leaders grouped across four archetypes: Visionaries, Innovators, Change Makers and Pioneers.

Now, SoftwareVerdict introduces the ITL Awards for Higher Education Leaders, a dedicated edition that brings the same rigorous methodology to university and college ecosystems. Higher Education is the ultimate talent incubator, shaping students, researchers and faculty who power economies and societies. Yet, inclusive leadership in academia—removing access barriers, fostering belonging, scaling mentorship, and blending tradition with digital innovation—deserves its own stage.

This edition honors Vice Chancellors envisioning equitable campuses, Deans pioneering hybrid learning models, Registrars streamlining student journeys, and emerging Heads of Department building departmental cultures of inclusion. Using the proprietary GRID Framework (Growth, Resilience, Inclusion, Digital Readiness), nominations are evaluated transparently by a jury of Higher Ed experts, HR leaders and researchers.

Winners join an elite global network, gaining visibility through SoftwareVerdict’s platforms, digital badges, case studies and peer communities. In an era where universities must compete for diverse talent while adapting to AI and lifelong learning, the Higher Education ITL Awards position institutions as leaders in inclusive excellence.