The Alabama Commission on Higher Education announced Wednesday that Jim Purcell, executive director of ACHE, was recognized with the 2025 Exceptional Leader Award by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, SHEEO.
The awards recognize the leadership, dedication and innovation of exceptional SHEEOs, agency staff and agencies at a time when state postsecondary policy is increasingly linked to student success, social mobility, and states’ workforce and economic prosperity.
The Exceptional Leader Award is presented to a current state higher education executive officer from a member agency who has shown exceptional leadership, a commitment to higher education, a contribution to the greater good, and service to the SHEEO association.
Purcell has dedicated over three decades to public service and higher education leadership. His career at state-level coordinating and governing higher education boards spans five states – Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Rhode Island and Alabama. He is the only individual to serve as a SHEEO in four states. He currently holds the longest active tenure among all SHEEOs, with more than 17 years of service under the leadership of governors across the political spectrum.
Since 2017 in Alabama, Purcell has tripled the state’s need-based aid, significantly increased FAFSA completion among high school seniors, and launched several workforce-focused initiatives for postsecondary undergraduates, including All in Alabama, Retain Alabama, (Re)Engage Alabama, and Recall Alabama. Most recently, he led the development of Pathway to Progress, a 2025 state-funded initiative that aligns workforce training and credentialing efforts with the needs of communities facing sizable economic challenges.
“Congratulations to Alabama’s own, Jim Purcell, on being awarded the 2025 SHEEO Exceptional Leader,” said Governor Ivey. “I applaud him for the work he has done for our state and public higher education. Here in Alabama, we have a variety of exceptional public colleges and universities that I am proud to continually support.”
Amy Price, ACHE Board chair, said, “Congratulations to Dr. Purcell on this outstanding honor! We could not be more proud of the work he has done on behalf of ACHE in Alabama. Dr. Purcell has built bridges with higher education leaders across our state and has been an advocate for student success at all levels. His work on FASFA completion rates, coupled with his work on expanding dual enrollment, has positively impacted the lives of many Alabamians.”
To learn more about SHEEO Excellence Awards, including past winners, visit here.
