Celebrating Excellence: Announcing APPA's 2026 Award Recipients
Every year, APPA recognizes the people and institutions whose work moves the educational facilities profession forward. These awards honor steadfast service, emerging leadership, standout writing, and the kind of innovative practices that make campuses more effective and more sustainable.
This year's recipients reflect the depth and breadth of our community, from individuals who have given decades of service to institutions piloting practices that others will learn from for years to come. Please join us in congratulating them.
Meritorious Service Award
APPA's highest award for individual service, the Meritorious Service Award is given each year to members who have made significant, life-long contributions to the profession of educational facilities management. It honors steadfast, outstanding, and significant service rendered to APPA.
This year's recipients are:
- Jessica Pepoy
- Thomas W. Jones
Pacesetter Award
The Pacesetter Award recognizes members who have already made significant contributions to their regions or chapters, with an eye toward their future leadership in the facilities profession. It celebrates the people who are setting the pace for what comes next.
This year's recipients are:
- Dr. Ayodele Akinola
- Larin Davis
Rex Dillow Award for Outstanding Article
The Rex Dillow Award is presented to the author or authors of the best article published in Facilities Manager magazine during the previous year. Recipients are selected by a review committee made up of a representative from each APPA region.
This year's award goes to:
- "A Strategic Shift" by Dean Hansen and Mike Dunnavant, University of Mississippi, published in the Fall 2025 issue of Facilities Manager
Effective and Innovative Practices Award
The Effective and Innovative Practices Award recognizes programs and processes that enhance service delivery, lower costs, increase productivity, improve customer service, generate revenue, or otherwise benefit the educational institution. It celebrates new programs, and significant restructurings of existing ones, that other institutions can adopt and learn from.
This year's recipient is:
- Auburn University
Sustainability Innovation Award
The Sustainability Innovation Award recognizes and promotes unique and innovative sustainable practices in educational facilities and campus environments. It is awarded to institutions that have implemented a significant or transformative program that supports student success and environmental stewardship.
This year's recipients are:
- University of California, San Francisco
- Georgia Institute of Technology
Congratulations to the 2026 Award Winners
Congratulations and thank you to every recipient. Your service, leadership, writing, and innovation strengthen the entire educational facilities community and help shape the future of the profession.
Recipients are recognized on APPA's website and in Facilities Manager magazine. To learn more about APPA's awards and how to nominate a colleague or your institution in the next cycle, visit the individual awards and institutional awards pages.