Donald Peterson Student Travel Award: Audrey Lloyd

Audrey Lloyd, an MLS student at Texas Woman’s University and sesquicentennial archival research specialist at Texas A&M University Libraries’ Cushing Memorial Library and Archives, is the 2026 recipient of the Donald Peterson Student Travel Award given by the Society of American Archivists (SAA). The award, established in 2005, supports students and recent graduates from graduate archival programs within North America to attend SAA’s Annual Meeting. The goal of the scholarship is to stimulate greater participation in SAA events, such as presenting research or joining a committee or section.

Lloyd began her career at Texas A&M University Libraries as an undergraduate student employee, developing a strong foundation of knowledge in library operations before transitioning to archival preservation work at Cushing Memorial Library and Archives. As a preservation student technician, she gained hands-on experience in environmental monitoring, digital preservation workflows, and archival processing. Her impact has continued to grow through her leadership in Texas A&M sesquicentennial initiatives, where she has contributed to specialized research and exhibitions. She was awarded a P.A.C.E. (Preserve, Acquire, Conserve, and Educate) grant to develop Aggieland Through Time, an interactive map and timeline documenting Texas A&M’s evolving campus through archival photographs.

Within SAA, Lloyd is an active member of the Archival History Section, Archives Management Section, and the College and University Archives Section. Of the travel award, she writes, “I am eager to deepen my participation through section service and sustained professional dialogue. Engagement with national peers and emerging scholars at the conference will directly strengthen my work.” Her dedication to the profession has not gone unnoticed. As one supporter noted, “Audrey demonstrates a deep commitment to professional engagement … [and] understands that the vitality of the archival profession depends upon shared knowledge, collaboration, and sustained engagement.” She will be presenting a student poster at the SAA’s Annual Meeting, titled Aggieland Through Time; The 'Sink' Building Mystery.