Contribution of Excellence Award 2026
Celebrating Excellence in Global Leadership: Arete Journal Announces Contribution of Excellence Winners for 2026
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Indiana – The Αρετή Arete Journal of Excellence in Global Leadership is proud to announce the winners of the prestigious Contribution of Excellence (COE) award. This accolade recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of global leadership, highlighting innovative research, impactful insights, and exemplary dedication to advancing leadership practices worldwide.
Winning Article:
“Perception of Success Factors of Women in Leadership Roles: An Exploratory Study of Gender and Glass Ceiling in China”
Authors: Hongmei Han, Ph.D., Mengdi Liu, Keith Miller, Ph.D., and Emerita Professor Phylis Lan Lin
Words from a COE Committee member:
Reviewer #1: This article was nominated as my first choice because it encompasses all seven of the award criteria. It offers a global perspective by examining women’s leadership experiences in China’s evolving professional landscape. It also cites global reports to support efforts to address gender equity challenges worldwide. By addressing the glass ceiling women face across professions, it offers internationally relevant insights. Current global DEI and leadership development challenges faced due to the glass ceiling are also addressed. The inclusion of best practices, leadership studies, organizational behavior, and cultural sociology provides information that can be applied across sectors and disciplines. The thoughtful inclusion of contrasting leaders and non-leaders encourages further exploration of structural barriers. An innovative synthesis of individual, organizational, and social influences is revealed through a multi-level framework. It also demonstrates strong cultural awareness by analyzing how cultural norms shape women’s career trajectories and the need to overcome systemic barriers that hinder diversity and inclusion.
Reviewer #2: … contributes to the field by examining hypotheses regarding women’s career advancement and leadership. Drawing on a comprehensive literature review, their survey of women leaders in China reveals how individual, organizational, and sociocultural factors influence women’s leadership development. The study highlights both barriers and success factors in leadership, offering insights with global relevance, cross-disciplinary opportunities, and implications for gender equality.
COE Selection Criteria:
These distinguished winners have demonstrated exceptional expertise and commitment to the field of global leadership. Their published works in the Arete Journal of Excellence in Global Leadership offer groundbreaking perspectives and valuable contributions that will shape the future of leadership practices. External reviewers used the following criteria: 1) Global Impact, 2) Cross-disciplinary, 3) Relevance, 4) Thought-provoking, 5) Innovativeness, 6) cultural Awareness, and 7) Diversity. The committee was comprised of members from the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI), previous C.O.E. winners, and Faculty who teach in the Ph.D. in Global Leadership program.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, PALNI, and the Global Leadership Institute congratulate the winners and extend heartfelt appreciation for their dedication to excellence. The Arete Journal remains committed to fostering a platform for thought leaders and innovators to share their insights and drive positive changes in global leadership.
For more information about the Contribution of Excellence award and the Arete Journal of Excellence in Global Leadership, please visit Contribution of Excellence Award or contact Chief Editor, Jennie Mitchell, Ph.D. at jmitchell@smwc.edu or (812) 535-6300.
About Arete Journal of Excellence in Global Leadership:
The Αρετή Arete Journal of Excellence in Global Leadership is an emerging publication dedicated to advancing the field of global leadership through scholarly research and practical insights. The journal provides a platform for thought leaders, academics, and practitioners to share their knowledge and contribute to the development of effective leadership practices worldwide. There is NO cost to authors or readers.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Arete Web Address: https://press.palni.org/ojs/index.php/arete/index
