2026 AAHHE Outstanding Dissertation Awards (ODA) Recipients

AAHHE shares a vision for the future of Hispanics in higher education and a commitment to meaningful action that helps make that future possible. Join us as we honor and celebrate this year's winners!

Outstanding Dissertation Award, First Place Winner

Eileen Michelle Gálvez
Independent Scholar
Colorado State University

Dissertation Title: (In)Visibilities in the U.S. Imperial Academy: Central American Knowledge Outside of Disciplinary Borders
Degree Discipline: Higher Education
Degree Granting Institution: Colorado State University

Outstanding Dissertation Award, Second Place Winner

Edgar Lopez
Research Analyst
Institute for Higher Education Policy

Dissertation Title: Fight, Flight, or Fatigue: Examining How Latino/x Men Develop Validating Mentoring Relationships to Overcome Institutional Racism in Ph.D. Programs
Degree Discipline: Urban Education Policy
Degree Granting Institution: University of Southern California

Outstanding Dissertation Award, Third Place Winner

Ivan Valdovinos Gutierrez
Director of HSI STEM Exito
San Diego Miramar College

Dissertation Title: Transfer Conocimientos: Understanding the Pre-Transfer Experiences of Latina/o/x Community College Students Through a Family-Centered Approach
Degree Discipline: Education
Degree Granting Institution: University of California San Diego

For award recipients from other years from 2008 to 2025, please click here.