Every year, the Knack Partner Awards recognize institutions that are finding new ways to support students through peer learning, student employment, and stronger campus connection.
At Knack, we partner with colleges and universities to help them scale peer tutoring by hiring high-performing students as paid tutors. Through this model, institutions extend support across more courses, create meaningful student employment opportunities, and foster stronger peer connection across campus communities.
This year’s award winners are building tutoring programs that reflect the realities of student life today. Their programs support students balancing work, commuting, family responsibilities, and demanding academic schedules.
Together, these partners show what can happen when institutions invest in students as both learners and leaders.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
Rutgers Business School
The 2026 Operational Excellence Award recognizes Rutgers Business School for sustained operational excellence in delivering high-quality, scalable peer tutoring across multiple campuses.
Rutgers Business School has demonstrated a consistent commitment to student success through strong institutional collaboration, thoughtful program management, and exceptional session quality. By building a tutoring program that operates effectively across campus locations while maintaining a high standard of support, the institution has created a model of consistency and reliability that continues to serve students at scale.
Their work shows what strong peer tutoring programs can look like when institutions stay focused on quality, collaboration, and long-term impact.
EXCELLENCE AT SCALE AWARD
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
The 2026 Excellence at Scale Award recognizes FAMU-FSU College of Engineering for exceptional achievement in scaling peer tutoring with precision and quality.
Through sustained growth, deep campus integration, and a steadfast commitment to student success, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering has expanded access to high-impact support for students navigating rigorous engineering coursework.
Their program shows that tutoring can grow quickly without losing the connection and consistency that make peer learning valuable. By embedding tutoring closely within the student experience, they have created an environment where students can access support from peers who understand the coursework firsthand.
ACCESS & INNOVATION AWARD
University of Maryland Smith School of Business
The 2026 Access & Innovation Award recognizes University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business for innovative approaches to expanding access to academic support and driving high-impact student engagement.
Their program has successfully reached and supported students who may not have otherwise utilized tutoring resources, helping create more equitable pathways to academic success.
By trying new approaches and meeting students where they are, the Smith School of Business has expanded access to support in ways that feel approachable and relevant to students. Their efforts reflect a strong commitment to ensuring support is accessible, visible, and relevant across the student community.
PEER CULTURE POWERHOUSE AWARD
Texas Woman’s University Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business & Entrepreneurship
The 2026 Peer Culture Powerhouse Award recognizes Texas Woman’s University Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business for cultivating a vibrant and empowering peer tutoring culture.
Their program celebrates student leadership, elevates academic support, and creates meaningful opportunities for engagement and professional growth throughout the campus community.
By investing in peer connection and creating spaces where students support one another academically and professionally, the institution has built a tutoring culture that strengthens both student confidence and campus belonging.
Their program highlights something institutions are seeing more often across campus. Peer tutoring supports academic success, but it also helps students build confidence, leadership skills, and stronger relationships with their peers.
WORKFORCE-READY IMPACT AWARD
Herzing University
The 2026 Workforce-Ready Impact Award recognizes Herzing University for outstanding commitment to workforce readiness through peer tutoring.
By supporting students in rigorous STEM and health programs, Herzing University has created opportunities for students to strengthen practical skills, achieve academic success, and prepare confidently for professional licensure and future careers.
Their program reflects the growing role peer tutoring can play in helping students prepare for future careers while supporting their classmates. Through paid tutoring opportunities, students gain valuable professional experience while helping their peers succeed in demanding programs.
LEGACY BUILDER AWARD
Kennesaw State University Coles College of Business
The 2026 Legacy Builder Award recognizes Kennesaw State University Coles College of Business for sustained growth and leadership in building a dynamic peer tutoring program.
Through long-term impact, strong community engagement, and scalable program expansion, the Coles College of Business has built a model that continues to strengthen student support across campus.
Their continued success demonstrates the long-term value of investing in peer tutoring models that evolve alongside institutional goals and student needs.
Thank You to Our Partners
We are proud to celebrate this year’s winners and the work they continue to do to support students across their campuses.
We also want to thank all of our institutional partners who continue to invest in peer learning and student success every day. While these awards recognize a few standout programs, the impact being made across the entire Knack partner community is what continues to move this work forward.
From expanding access to academic support, to creating meaningful student employment opportunities, to building stronger campus communities, our partners are helping shape a future where more students have the support, connection, and opportunities they need to succeed.
Building the Future of Student Support Together
Across every award category, a common theme stands out.
Institutions want support models that help students succeed academically while also creating opportunities for leadership, work experience, and connection. Peer tutoring brings those goals together in a practical way.
Knack exists to help colleges and universities connect academic support, workforce development, and community-building in one student-centered offering. Through Knack’s peer tutoring partnership, institutions hire high-performing students as paid tutors, keeping support closely tied to coursework while creating meaningful student employment.
The result is support that feels more connected to how students actually live and learn. Students get help from peers who understand the coursework, while tutors gain meaningful experience before graduation.
ABOUT KNACK
Founded in 2016, Knack provides peer tutoring by partnering with colleges and universities to deliver paid, scalable academic support powered by their own students. Through Knack, institutions scale tutoring across more classes, anywhere or anytime. Knack recruits and hires your highest-performing students as tutors and channels your dollars back to your students. With over 13,000 hired tutors, Knack has served more than 65,000 students to date. Learn more at joinknack.com.