AIR Announces the Edward L. Delaney, Jr. Rising Star Award & Scholarship

The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) is pleased to announce the renaming of the AIR Rising Star Award as the Edward L. Delaney, Jr. Rising Star Award & Scholarship. This designation honors the life, leadership, and enduring contributions of Dr. Edward L. Delaney, Jr., a past AIR president and longtime champion of the Institutional Research (IR) profession. The AIR Board of Directors voted in April 2026 to approve the renaming. 

Dr. Delaney passed away in August 2024 at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape both AIR and the broader field of institutional research over several decades. 

Through a generous $50,000 legacy gift from Dr. Delaney’s estate, a dedicated scholarship fund has been established to support the award and invest in the next generation of professionals. In addition to the recognition associated with the award, recipients will receive a $1,500 scholarship to support continued professional development through AIR programs and learning opportunities. 

A Legacy of Leadership and Professional Impact 

Dr. Delaney’s career in IR began in the early 1970s, during the formative years of the profession. He served as director of institutional research at several institutions, including Boston College and the University of Hartford, where he advanced the use of data-informed decision making to improve institutional effectiveness. 

Within AIR, his leadership was both steady and transformative. He served as AIR Forum Chair in 1990 and as AIR President from 1992 to 1993, a period marked by significant organizational growth and professionalization. During his presidency, AIR transitioned from an Executive Committee to a Board of Directors—an important evolution that strengthened governance and positioned the association to better serve its members. 

He also served as an NCES/AIR Senior Fellow and was widely respected for elevating the visibility and influence of institutional research at the national level. 

A Commitment to Mentorship and Community 

Dr. Delaney was not only an accomplished leader and scholar, but also a deeply generous and welcoming presence within the AIR community. 

He was known for his mentorship of emerging professionals, his commitment to professional development, and his ability to foster a sense of belonging. He was described by peers as “a caring, nurturing, and welcoming member of our profession,” and as someone who helped make AIR feel like “a group of friends who found themselves with strong professional ties.” 

That sense of community was deeply personal. Shortly before he was scheduled to become AIR President, Dr. Delaney experienced a profound personal loss when his first wife was killed in a tragic car accident. During that time, he was supported by an outpouring of compassion from colleagues and friends within AIR and the broader higher education community. That experience left a lasting impression and deepened his connection to the association. 

Honoring a Lasting Commitment to the Next Generation 

In conversations following Dr. Delaney’s passing, his family shared that this spirit of community and support was central to why he cared so deeply about AIR—and why he was committed to giving back to the profession. 

The Edward L. Delaney, Jr. Rising Star Award & Scholarship reflects values that defined his life and leadership: mentorship, professional generosity, community, and creating opportunities for emerging professionals to engage and grow. 

The scholarship will continue to support early-career IR professionals, helping them access professional development opportunities and connect more deeply with the AIR community—an investment Dr. Delaney believed was essential to the future of the field.