The Marsal Family School of Education announces the 2025-26 Alumni Award recipients

Each year, the Marsal Family School of Education Alumni Awards recognize the incredible accomplishments of our alumni, whether they are seasoned professionals or newer to their careers. The Emerging Leader Alumni Award is presented to an alum with fewer than 10 years of professional experience after completing their degree at the Marsal Family School of Education. This award champions alumni who are early in their careers and demonstrate a commitment to the profession of education. Nominees show potential for continued leadership and a passion for equity and justice in the field of education. The two Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented to Marsal Family School of Education alumni who have made significant contributions to their profession, and whose accomplishments exemplify leadership, innovations, and passion for advancing the field of education.

Emerging Leader Alumni Award
Devon Archer (AB ’01, AM ’22)

Devon Archer is Assistant Dean for Organizational Culture and Community at the University of Michigan School of Information. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and a graduate degree in higher education management and organizations from the U-M Marsal School of Education. With over 20 years of higher education experience, Devon is committed to advancing access, equity, and inclusion. She founded the U-M School of Information's Community College Summer Institute (CCSI) in 2017 and previously co-developed the African Presidential Scholars Program as Assistant Director at the U-M African Studies Center. Devon’s dedication has been recognized with the Center for Educational Outreach Lester Monts Award, the Washtenaw Community College Equity in Action Award and as a CEW+ Jean W. Campbell Scholar.

Distinguished Education Practitioner Award 
Kia Berry Hagens, Esq. (ABEd ’96, TeachCert ’96, AM ’97)

Kia Berry Hagens, Esq., is a Detroit native, educator, attorney, and advocate whose career spans classrooms, labor relations, and district leadership. Inspired by her educator parents, she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan before teaching middle school in Detroit and Farmington. She later earned her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and built a distinguished 15-year career with the Michigan Education Association, bargaining contracts, developing leaders, and advancing educator rights statewide. A public service loan forgiveness champion, she has helped secure more than $15 million in student loan relief. Kia now serves as Executive Director of Human Resources and Employee Relations for Ann Arbor Public Schools. She is active in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and proudly supports arts, youth, family, and community service.

Distinguished Education Researcher Award
Matthew J. Mayhew (PhD ’04)

Matthew J. Mayhew (he/his) is the William Ray and Marie Adamson Flesher Professor of Educational Administration with a focus on Higher Education and Student Affairs at The Ohio State University. His research examines college-going and its influence on student learning and democratic outcomes. To support this inquiry line, he has been awarded more than $27 million in funding from sources including but not limited to the United States Department of Education; the National Science Foundation; and the Templeton Religion Trust. He is lead author of How College Affects Students Volume 3, has published over 100 journal articles, and was named recently as a 2025 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Fellow. He received his B.A. from Wheaton College, Illinois; his Master’s degree from Brandeis University; and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.