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2025 Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award Recipient: Mark Bedell, Ed.D.
The Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award is given annually to a practicing superintendent or CEO of a school district, education agency or service center in recognition of outstanding leadership in school public relations and communications. This award is given in memory of Robert L. Grossman, ASPR, an NSPRA past president who believed that the support and commitment of our top education leaders is vital to successful school communication.
From the moment he took the helm of Anne Arundel County Public Schools in 2022, Superintendent Mark Bedell, Ed.D., made a promise to lead with transparency and authentic engagement. Nearly three years later, his commitment to open, honest communication has helped build community trust, elevate the voice of stakeholders and position communications as a central driver of district success.
“Dr. Bedell has brought us hope, courage, clarity of focus, trust, improved relationships and notable academic improvement,” wrote Dr. Mary Dadone, a community education advocate, in her letter of support of Bedell’s nomination. “He has been a model of transparency.”
Dr. Bedell’s leadership reflects the ideals championed by Bob Grossman: that effective school communication begins at the top. He launched his tenure with a 16-stop Listening and Learning tour—three sessions conducted in Spanish—drawing more than 1,000 participants. The feedback was not only published publicly, but also acted on quickly, guiding real-time adjustments across the district. That early investment in community voice set the foundation for continued engagement, including a second-year Community Conversations tour with cabinet members and a third-year Partners in Progress tour led by school system leadership—both designed to keep dialogue open and ongoing.
Dr. Bedell’s commitment to stakeholder-driven decision-making was especially evident in the development of the district’s new strategic plan. Crafted with the input of a 60-plus member steering committee representing parents, students, educators and community members, the result was a shared vision: “Anne Arundel County Public Schools is a school community where everyone can belong, grow, and succeed." The plan, according to Bob Mosier, chief communication officer for the district, is one built and owned by the community to be implemented by the school system.
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman called Dr. Bedell’s approach “a model of how school leaders should approach engagement.” In his nomination letter, Board of Education President Robert Silkwort credited Dr. Bedell’s efforts with “cultivating trust through transparency and meeting with virtually anyone who has asked.”
Dr. Bedell’s influence is seen in the structural and cultural shifts he’s championed. Under his leadership, the district expanded its communications division and aligned it with the Office of School and Family Partnerships. AACPS now maintains Facebook pages in six languages, produces weekly “Thursday Thoughts” video updates from the superintendent and engages in multilingual, multimedia outreach to serve its increasingly diverse community.
A former NSPRA Superintendent to Watch and recipient of numerous national honors, Dr. Bedell remains deeply engaged with his community—attending student events, mentoring high schoolers, meeting regularly with union leaders and hosting a Teen Advisory panel. He exemplifies how strategic, inclusive and responsive communication can transform not only systems, but also relationships.
Nominations for the 2026 Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award will open in January 2026.
The Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award is given annually to a practicing superintendent or CEO of a school district, education agency or service center in recognition of outstanding leadership in school public relations and communications. This award is given in memory of Robert L. Grossman, ASPR, an NSPRA past president who believed that the support and commitment of our top education leaders is vital to successful school communication. The award is presented during a General Session of the NSPRA National Seminar, and the recipient receives a registration to the Seminar and lodging for one night.
Eligible nominees must be a practicing superintendent/CEO of a public school district or education agency (i.e., county office of education), association, service center, intermediate unit, or BOCES. NSPRA membership is not required for nomination. Current NSPRA Executive Board members and NSPRA staff are ineligible for nomination.
A nomination must include a current vita/resume for the nominee and at least two letters of support related to the nominee's leadership in the area of school public relations and communications. It must also include an explanation of why the nominee should be considered for the award and examples of how the nominee meets the selection criteria.
As part of the selection process, a selection committee will consider whether the nominee:
The current year Grossman Award winner will receive:
The award winner also will be invited to present a Skill Session during the Seminar as well as particpate in on a judging panel for the next year's Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award and Presidents Award.
For more information, contact NSPRA at awards@nspra.org or 301-519-0496.
View a complete list of previous award recipients.