30 Under 30

ILA's 30 Under 30 list celebrates the rising innovators, disruptors, and visionaries in the literacy field.

2025 ILA 30 under 30 Ashley Wilkins

These educators, researchers, and advocates represent some of the best and brightest emerging leaders working to achieve our collective mission: literacy for every child, everywhere.

Read about our 2025 class of 30 Under 30 honorees.

 

Nominate a literacy champion

ILA’s 30 Under 30 list is released biennially and nominations are accepted on a rolling basis. Submit a nomination for yourself or a colleague by June 1, 2026, to be considered for our 2027 list.

Honorees will be announced in the January/February/March 2027 issue of Literacy Today and will be promoted across ILA's platforms. Each honoree receives a complimentary one-year ILA membership, is recognized at an ILA event, and joins a dynamic network of literacy leaders.

30 Under 30 honorees become important members of the ILA family. Past recipients have served as session presenters and moderators at our in-person and digital events. They have written extensively through our publishing platforms, volunteered for task forces, and become valuable members of our local chapters and affiliates.

 

Prior lists

Click below to read about past 30 Under 30 honorees.

 

Keeping up with 30 Under 30

We continue to highlight the work of our 30 Under 30 recipients beyond the release of each list. Check out what some past honorees have been up to: