John Link Receives J.W. Paquette Superior Leadership Award from Midwest ACE
John Link, Dean of Integrated Learning & Career Readiness at Bennington College, has been honored with the J.W. Paquette Superior Leadership Award at the 2025 Midwest Association of Colleges & Employers (Midwest ACE) Annual Conference, held in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 6, 2025.
The award recognizes distinguished service to the association and exceptional leadership within the career services and recruiting field. In nominating Link for the honor, a colleague highlighted his "keen attention to detail, innovative vision, and unwavering commitment to advancing the Association’s mission," noting that his contributions have also positioned him as a "significant voice in the national career development landscape."
A member of Midwest ACE since 2014, Link has served on the Board of Directors since 2021 as Director of Advancement and Communications, where he leads the Association’s marketing and communications strategy in collaboration with committees and executive leadership.
This is not the first time Link has been recognized by the Association: in 2021, he received the Impact and Innovation Mid-Career Professional Award for his exemplary professional accomplishments, positive influence on the Association, and creative contributions to the field of career development and recruitment.
Link also recently published "From Uncertainty to Opportunity: How Experiential Learning Builds Resilient, Career-Ready Graduates" on the Endeavor Lab Colleges blog.
Image: John Link (third from left) at the Midwest ACE Annual Conference.