Congratulations, 2021 AIR Scholarship Winners!
AIR is pleased to provide scholarships that facilitate the professional growth and development of early-career institutional research professionals. These scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. AIR is proud to congratulate this year's scholarship winners.
Julia M. Duckwall Scholarship Program
The Julia M. Duckwall Professional Development Scholarship program, named in honor of the late Julia M. Duckwall, a prominent member of AIR and the Board, facilitates the professional growth and development of early career institutional research professionals.
2021 Winner: Shari Rutherford
Shari Rutherford is an Institutional Research Analyst at Harcum College, a private two-year institution located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She entered Harcum College with prior experience in institutional research and educational assessment. Additionally, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Swarthmore College and a Master of Statistical Practice from Carnegie Mellon University. Her current responsibilities include internal and external reporting as well as analyzing data for the purposes of retention, enrollment, and financial aid. She is passionate about institutional research because her department can learn from all sectors of the College and interact with individuals from other institutions. Recently, she created a retention report focusing on identifying the characteristics of students that are high risk for dropout. Presently, she is pursuing a certificate in Advanced Analytics in Higher Education at Arizona State University. In her free time, she enjoys taking walks, hula hooping, and eating different types of foods, especially curries.
Edward Delaney Scholarship Program
The Edward Delaney Scholarship facilitates the professional growth and development of early career institutional research professionals by providing assistance to attend the annual AIR Forum. In 2021, the scholarship covers the cost of AIR Forum Virtual registration. Delaney served as the 1992-93 AIR President, 1990 AIR Forum Chair, and as an NCES/AIR Senior Fellow.
2021 Winner: Joanna Timmerman
Joanna Timmerman has been the Assistant Director of Institutional Research at Eastern University since November 2020. Her work at Eastern involves assisting with internal surveys, creating and updating institutional dashboards, and presenting data to stakeholders. Joanna is passionate about educational equity, and she looks forward to building a career in institutional research that will serve historically underrepresented and marginalized students and communities. Joanna earned an undergraduate degree from Ursinus College and a Master’s in Higher Education from Villanova University. When she’s not working or catching up on the latest education news, Joanna enjoys spending time with family and her dogs.
Jeff Seybert/National Higher Education Benchmarking Institute Scholarship Program
The Jeff Seybert/National Higher Education Benchmarking Institute Scholarship facilitates the professional growth and development of early-career institutional research professionals employed at community colleges. In 2021, the scholarship covers the cost of AIR Forum Virtual registration.
2021 Winner: Hadley Jolley
Hadley Jolley graduated with a degree in Data Analytics from Western Governors University in June 2020 and started work as a Research Analyst in the IR department of Laramie County Community College in September. Prior to 2020, she worked for five years as a stockroom manager at Laramie County Community College and was given a chance to do some work for their IR department when the spring 2020 shutdown disrupted her regular duties. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Whitman College.