Dar Mayweather receives ACPA Emerging Professional Award

Dar Mayweather, a lecturer in UNCW’s Watson College of Education Department of Educational Leadership, has received a 2026 Annuit Coeptis – Emerging Professional Award from ACPA, a leading association of higher education and student affairs researchers and practitioners.

Through the ACPA Foundation, the organization recognizes professionals whose work is transforming the student experience on college and university campuses. The Annuit Coeptis Award honors five emerging professionals each year who are making meaningful contributions early in their careers.

“Receiving this award is incredibly meaningful because it represents the values that first drew me to the field of student affairs  — mentorship, community and helping students discover who they are becoming,” Mayweather said. “As a first-generation college graduate, I understand how powerful it can be when educators take the time to challenge students, believe in them and help them see possibilities they may not have imagined for themselves.”

“My goal has always been to create learning experiences that help students identify their gifts, build confidence in their leadership and translate their college experiences into meaningful careers and lives of service,” he continued. “This recognition encourages me to continue doing that work with even greater purpose.”

Mayweather was nominated by the Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington, president and founder of the Washington Consulting Group, and a team of colleagues. In a nomination letter, one colleague wrote that Mayweather’s work reflects the spirit of the award by helping students discover their purpose and practice leadership in real ways, noting that his approach “moves beyond simply teaching leadership. He builds environments where students practice it.”

Mayweather said he is particularly grateful to have been nominated by colleagues who have witnessed his work with students in the classroom and through leadership development programs across the country.

“Their support means a great deal to me because they understand the heart behind my work,” he said. “I truly get great joy from seeing students reach their full potential.”

Mayweather joined the UNCW faculty in January 2020. He teaches full time in the Leadership Studies minor, a multidisciplinary program that helps students across campus develop their leadership potential. He empowers  students to identify and articulate their strengths to employers and graduate programs, with a 100% success rate in securing post-graduation placements. His work focuses on closing the gap between intention and action in student persistence and retention, using assessments and interactive activities to help individuals maximize their potential and lead with trust, empathy and connection.

He has more than 15 years of experience developing co-curricular programs and leadership training in higher education. Mayweather earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in education with a focus on college student affairs leadership from Grand Valley State University. He is also has a doctorate in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University.

As a sough-after keynote speaker and award-winning educator, Mayweather has received several honors for his work, including the King Chavez Parks Future Faculty Fellow Award from the State of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University’s Student Engagement and Success Award, and ACPA’s Pan African Network Sawubona Award.

About ACPA

ACPA-College Student Educators International is a leading association of higher education and student affairs researchers and practitioners. With more than 6,500 members, the organization advances college student learning, development and success through research, professional development and advocacy.