Celebrating Excellence: Honoring AIR’s 2026 Award Recipients
Each year, AIR recognizes individuals whose scholarship, leadership, and service have advanced the field of institutional research and strengthened the community that supports it. These honors carry particular significance because they are peer-nominated and selected by committees who understand the depth of impact behind this work.
AIR will celebrate its 2026 award recipients at a special reception during the AIR Forum in Washington, D.C., on May 28, 2026—an opportunity to gather, connect, and recognize these outstanding contributions in a meaningful and personal way.
Charles F. Elton Best Paper Award
The Charles F. Elton Best Paper Award recognizes a scholarly work accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal that advances the field of institutional research.
This year’s winning paper, “Not Just Another Climate Survey: Leading a Change-Oriented Survey Administration,” challenges a common reality in higher education: while surveys often generate valuable data, they do not always lead to meaningful action. Drawing on organizational and experiential learning frameworks, the authors present a model for moving beyond data collection to collective interpretation and sustained institutional change.
The work highlights the importance of engaging leaders, faculty, and staff in shared learning processes—and underscores that data alone is not enough; impact comes from how institutions act on it together.
Congratulations to Emily Braught, Megan Palmer, Christen Priddie, and Amy Ribera of Indiana University.
John Stecklein Distinguished Member Award
The John Stecklein Distinguished Member Award honors an individual whose career has significantly advanced institutional research through extraordinary scholarship, leadership, and service to AIR.
The 2026 award posthumously recognizes the enduring legacy of Edward L. Delaney, Jr., a past AIR President and Distinguished Emeritus Member. Throughout his career, Ed played a pivotal role in shaping AIR during a period of growth—advancing professional development, strengthening the role of institutional research in decision-making, and building connections between the field and national policy leaders.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ed is remembered for his generosity, mentorship, and commitment to supporting emerging professionals. His influence continues to be felt through the community he helped build and the many individuals whose careers he shaped.
This award will be accepted by his wife, Elizabeth Anderson, in recognition of his lasting contributions to the profession.
Edward L. Delaney, Jr. Rising Star Award and Scholarship
In honor of Ed Delaney’s legacy, AIR proudly announces the recently-named Edward L. Delaney, Jr. Rising Star Award and Scholarship, recognizing early-career professionals who demonstrate exceptional promise as emerging leaders.
The inaugural recipient, Kavya Mariboyina, has made a transformative impact at Little Priest Tribal College, where she advanced from Data Analyst to Director of Institutional Effectiveness. Her work has strengthened institutional research capacity, introduced innovative approaches to data governance, and advanced equity-focused measurement of student success.
Her research on “toxic course combinations” has informed interventions that improve student outcomes, while her development of Key Equity Indicators has helped ensure that success is measured in ways that are inclusive of part-time, adult, and Indigenous students.
Kavya’s leadership has contributed to national recognition for her institution and reflects a deep commitment to equity, innovation, and student success. She also actively contributes to the broader IR community through presentations, collaboration, and support for Tribal Colleges and Universities.
AIR congratulates all of this year’s award recipients and looks forward to celebrating their achievements at the AIR Forum. These individuals exemplify the impact of thoughtful, dedicated work—and the collective strength of a community committed to advancing higher education through data.