CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 30, 2026) — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) proudly recognizes 1,456 student athletes who have earned a place on the 2026 Spring CIAA Commissioner's Honor Roll, celebrating their outstanding commitment to academic excellence while competing at the highest levels of collegiate athletics. 

Among this year's honorees, 261 student athletes achieved a perfect 4.00 grade point average, exemplifying the discipline, determination, and pursuit of excellence that define the CIAA experience. The recognition includes student athletes representing all 12 CIAA member institutions across the conference's sponsored sports. 

"I believe our athletes are students first, and what they do in the classroom shows up in how they compete, how they lead, and how they show up for their teams," said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. "That commitment to excellence academically is a reflection of the discipline, focus, and character they bring to every part of their student-athlete experience." 

The CIAA Commissioner's Honor Roll recognizes student athletes who have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 during the spring semester. The honor reflects the conference's ongoing commitment to developing champions in the classroom, in competition, and throughout their communities. 

This year's recognition highlights the continued academic strength of the CIAA membership and underscores the conference's mission of preparing student athletes for success beyond graduation through educational achievement, leadership development, and service. 

A complete list of the 2026 Spring CIAA Commissioner's Honor Roll recipients is available below. 

2026 Spring CIAA Commissioner's Honor Roll by Institution 

Institution	Honorees
Bluefield State University	129
Bowie State University	128
Claflin University	76
Elizabeth City State University	112
Fayetteville State University	133
Johnson C. Smith University	158
Livingstone College	163
Lincoln University	36
Shaw University	98
Virginia State University	150
Virginia Union University	158
Winston Salem State University	154
Total	1,456

Perfect 4.00 GPA Student Athletes 

A total of 261 student athletes earned a perfect 4.00 GPA during the Spring 2026 semester, representing one of the conference's highest academic achievements. 

A complete list of the Honorees can be found here.

Media Contact:  
Anna M. Butzlaff | abutzlaff@theciaa.com  
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications  
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)  

About the CIAA  
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.  

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University.  

For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.