CASE Announces 2026 U.S.-Canada Award Winners
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is pleased to announce that Rhea Turteltaub and Dr. James M. Smith have been named the recipients of the 2026 CASE Individual Achievement Awards for the U.S. and Canada. Rhea Turteltaub has been awarded the Frank L. Ashmore Distinguished Service Award, and Dr. James Smith has received the CASE U.S.-Canada Leadership Award. Both awards will be presented at the CASE Summit for Leaders in Advancement in Seattle from 20-22 July 2026.
Rhea Turteltaub – 2026 Frank L. Ashmore Distinguished Service Award
The Frank L. Ashmore Distinguished Service Award honors advancement professionals whose leadership and service have made a significant and lasting impact on institutional advancement.
Rhea Turteltaub is a widely recognized leader in advancement, currently serving as vice chancellor of external affairs at the University of California, Los Angeles. Under her direction, the seven-year Centennial Campaign raised $5.49 billion. Her career includes previous roles as associate vice chancellor for development at UCLA and fundraising positions at Otis College of Art and Design; the University of Chicago; the University of California, Berkeley; and Trinity College.
Over several decades, she has invested deeply in strengthening the advancement community through leadership roles, mentorship, and engagement in CASE initiatives. She also expanded pathways into the field by creating an undergraduate internship program within UCLA’s advancement division.
“What sets Rhea apart is her exceptional generosity in sharing expertise. She is known for offering clear, actionable frameworks that help colleagues navigate complex issues—from organizational design and culture to metrics and strategic planning,” said Lynette Marshall, President and CEO, University of Iowa Center for Advancement.
Dr. James M. Smith – 2026 CASE U.S.-Canada Leadership Award
The CASE Leadership Award honors institutional leaders for their exceptional commitment to education and advancement.
Dr. James M. Smith was the president of Eastern Michigan University for nearly a decade, championing student success and strengthening the institution’s philanthropic infrastructure. He led EMU through the $119 million Give Rise Campaign—the most successful fundraising effort in the university’s history. Under his leadership, EMU’s TRUE Day annual day of giving surpassed $1 million and engaged thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, and students.
During his presidency, Dr. Smith was a strong advocate for international students, improving admissions, retention, and student experience. Through the “You Are Welcome Here” initiative, he led in service of the global mission of higher education.
“Dr. Smith has helped rebuild relationships, renew trust, and reintroduce alumni to the mission, priorities, and impact of Eastern Michigan University. His willingness to invest his time in these efforts has been instrumental in expanding the University’s philanthropic reach and strengthening long-term alumni engagement,” said Maher M. Salah, Vice President of Advancement at EMU.
Before leading EMU, he served as president of Northern State University in South Dakota, where he updated the university’s strategic plan and raised its largest-ever gift.
Together, Rhea Turteltaub and Dr. James M. Smith exemplify the vision, generosity, and steadfast commitment that define excellence in advancement. Their leadership has strengthened institutions, expanded opportunities for students, and elevated the profession as a whole.
For more information about the CASE Summit for Leaders in Advancement and the Individual Achievement Awards, visit www.case.org.
About CASE
CASE—the Council for Advancement and Support of Education—is a global, not-for-profit membership association with a vision to advance education to transform lives and society.
CASE is the home for advancement professionals, inspiring, challenging, and equipping them to act effectively and with integrity to champion the success of their institutions. CASE defines the competencies and standards for the profession of advancement, leading, and championing their dissemination and application with more than 97,000 advancement professionals at 3,100 member institutions in 80 countries.
Broad and growing communities of professionals gather under the global CASE umbrella. Currently these include alumni relations, development services, communications, fundraising, government relations, and marketing. These professionals are at all stages of their careers and may be working in universities, schools, colleges, cultural institutions, or other not-for-profits. CASE uses the intellectual capital and professional talents of a community of international volunteers to advance its work, and its membership includes many educational partners who work closely with the educational sector.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CASE works across all continents from its regional offices in London, Singapore, and Mexico City to achieve a seamless experience for all its stakeholders, particularly its members, volunteers, and staff.
