The AIU recently received the 1EdTech Community Excellence Award, a national recognition honoring organizations that make significant contributions to advancing an open, innovative, and trusted educational technology ecosystem.

The award was presented at the 2026 Learning Impact Conference in San Francisco, where Katherine Curran, Ph.D., accepted the honor on behalf of the organization.

Presented annually by 1EdTech Consortium, the Community Excellence Awards recognize member organizations whose leadership and collaboration help shape the future of educational technology. The AIU was recognized for establishing and expanding the PA Digital Trust Hub, an initiative that has strengthened interoperability and trusted data practices across Pennsylvania while connecting dozens of school districts to the 1EdTech community.

The recognition also highlights the AIU’s broader contributions to the field, including ongoing participation and leadership within the 1EdTech K-12 Advisory Council.

“Student data privacy and cybersecurity aren’t separate from good education — they’re what make it possible,” said Richard Platts, Chief Technology Officer. “Our staff have turned that into practical support for dozens of Pennsylvania districts, and this award reflects what schools can accomplish when they take these challenges on together.”

The AIU joins a distinguished group of Community Excellence Award recipients, including Indiana University, National Heritage Academies, and Clayton County Schools in Georgia. Being recognized alongside these nationally known institutions underscores the impact of AIU’s work and its growing influence in the educational technology landscape.