Awards Nominate a Colleague Superintendents to Watch

The nomination submission portal for the 2024 Superintendents to Watch awards is now closed. Nominations were due on October 18. Recipients are expected to be announced in mid-December.

Each year the National School Public Relations Association recognizes up to 25 superintendents as Superintendents to Watch. Honorees are school district leaders who have fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent and who demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core. They use communication technology in innovative and effective ways to engage and inform their school communities and to expand two-way communication and outreach efforts.  

To be considered for the award, nominees must have:

• Fewer than five years of cumulative experience as a superintendent of schools in a school district/school board system(s) at the time of nomination;
• Implemented a communication program for the district that includes the use of new communication technology as well as more standard communication tools;
• Integrated communication goals and strategies into the district’s strategic plan; and
• Active, visible involvement in the district's communication efforts (e.g., participates in face-to-face engagement activities, responsive to media requests, models good communication for staff, etc.).

Nominees do not have to be an NSPRA member. Nominators will be asked to provide the following as part of a nomination:

• A statement in 500 words or less on how the nominee demonstrates excellence and leadership using specific examples.
• A statement in 500 words or less describing a communication program implemented by the nominee, including the use of new and more traditional communication vehicles with specific examples.
• A statement in 500 words or less about how the nominee integrated communication goals and strategies into the school district’s strategic plan and how those goals and strategies are communicated to all stakeholders.
• A statement in 500 words or less about the nominee's visible involvement in the district's communication efforts (e.g., participates in face-to-face engagement activities, responsive to media requests, models good communication for staff, etc.).
• File upload of or links to samples that demonstrate the work of the school communications program of the nominee (if uploading a file, do not to exceed more than 10 pages total).
• Two (2) letters of support for the nominee.

Supplementary materials and information are also permitted, but optional.

Nominations are due by Friday, October 18.

Selected superintendent honorees receive a special certificate and are recognized on the NSPRA website, in an NSPRA e-newsletter, on NSPRA social media and during the Superintendents' Luncheon at the annual NSPRA National Seminar. 

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Congratulations to the 2023 Superintendents to Watch!

Fal Asrani, Ed.D. Marysville Joint Unified School District Marysville, Calif.  From Dr. Asrani's nomination: "Dr. Asrani continually prioritizes excellence and leadership through her strategic actions, which elevate and empower student voices, connects with families, fosters an inclusive environment, engages the community with our schools and encourages collaborations."	Philip Brown, Ph.D. Jackson County  School System Jefferson, Ga.  From Dr. Brown's nomination: "With an emphasis on transparent communication within the Jackson County School System, Dr. Brown continuously welcomes ideas to become more open and engaging."	Jessica Dain, Ed.D. Piper Unified School District 203   Kansas City, Kan.  From Dr. Dain's nomination:  "She is a proponent of transparent communication, highlighted through her rollout of the District Strategic Dashboard. She has a keen ability to not only connect with external stakeholders but with internal stakeholders as well."
Monique Darrisaw-Akil, Ed.D. Uniondale Union Free School District Uniondale, N.Y.  From Dr. Darrisaw-Akil's nomination: "Dr. Darrisaw-Akil has been a tireless advocate for transparent and effective communication within the Uniondale School District. Her innovative approach to communication encompasses both new and traditional channels, fostering a vibrant and connected community."	Trey Duke III, Ed.D. Murfreesboro City Schools Murfreesboro, Tenn.  From Dr. Duke's nomination: "The best communicators are clear, consistent and courageous, and no one does this better than Dr. Duke."	Mary Gorr, Ed.D. Mount Prospect School District 57 Mount Prospect, Ill.   From Dr. Gorr's nomination:  "Dr. Gorr takes a holistic approach when addressing change, including key stakeholders in crucial conversations and maintaining a fair, open-minded attitude to all input."
Raquel Greer, Ed.D. Maize Unified School District 266 Maize, Kan.   From Dr. Greer's nomination: "Dr. Greer's leadership has led to significant improvements in transparency, community engagement and trust-building."	Trenton Hansen, Ph.D. Jurupa Unified School District Jurupa Valley, Calif.   From Dr. Hansen 's nomination: "Dr. Hansen is a visionary who shares lofty goals for our district and encourages his team to take risks and to think differently so that we can better serve our community."	Melanie Kay-Wyatt, Ed.D. Alexandria City Public Schools Alexandria, Va.  From Dr. Kay-Wyatt's nomination: "Dr. Kay-Wyatt demonstrates a commitment to transparency, responsiveness and a genuine interest in meeting the needs of our constituents."
Marcus Lewton, Ed.D. Dickinson Public Schools Dickinson, N.D.  From Dr. Lewton's nomination: "Dr. Lewton's exceptional efforts in establishing authentic communication and engagement within the school community align seamlessly with the objectives outlined in the district's strategic plan."	Bradford Lusk, Ph.D. Hamilton Community Schools Hamilton, Mich.  From Dr. Lusk's nomination: "Dr. Lusk has shown refreshing transparency to parents and stakeholders to make sure we’re informed and understand the process of decision making."	Jay Mann Creighton School District  Phoenix, Ariz.  From Superintendent  Mann's nomination: "Superintendent Mann prioritizes conversations across the district.  He taps experts in times of need  and turns to trusted advisors to tackle big decisions and programs."
Jeff Mayo Arlington Community Schools Arlington, Tenn.   From Superintendent Mayo's nomination: "Superintendent Mayo has a dynamic, fast paced leadership style, and  keeps communication as the key to operating such a successful school district."	Eric Melbye, Ed.D.   Bloomington Public Schools Bloomington, Minn.  From Dr. Mebye's nomination: "Effective communication with all stakeholders is a bedrock priority for Dr. Melbye."	Rachel Monárrez, Ph.D. Worcester Public Schools Worcester, Mass.  From Dr. Monárrez's nomination: "Dr. Monárrez places communications and engagement at the core of her work in a school district that did not even have a communications office prior to her arrival."
Whitney Oakley, Ed.D. Guilford County Schools Greensboro, N.C.  From Dr. Oakley's nomination: "Dr. Oakley focuses her energy on bringing people together, unifying our efforts and   strengthening support from the community."	Herbert O'Neil Hempstead Independent School District Hempstead, Texas   From Superintendent O'Neil's nomination: "Superintendent  O'Neil plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the school district clearly and consistently communicates with both internal and external stakeholders."	Sheila Quinn, Ed.D. Clover School District Clover, S.C.    From Dr. Quinn's nomination: "Dr. Quinn plays a vital leadership role in connecting so many people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and opinions, and she does so with love, kindness and authenticity."
Lori Rapp, Ed.D. Lewisville Independent School District Lewisville, Texas From Dr. Rapp's nomination: "Dr. Rapp's style of communication can be described in one word: Authentic."	Frank Rodriguez, Ph.D. Beaufort County School District Beaufort, S.C.  From Dr. Rodriguez's nomination: "Dr. Rodriguez's efforts in outreach to our multilingual families are especially commendable. He has bridged cultural divides, making education more accessible to diverse communities and fostering a sense of belonging among students and their families."	Nate Rudolph, Ed.D. Cambridge-Isanti Schools Cambridge, Minn.  From Dr. Rudolph's nomination: "Dr. Rudolph is a natural storyteller whose stories are always centered on our children. He consistently reminds us of our 'why' and the privilege we have to transform the lives of our students."

Kirk Shrum Visalia Unified School District  Visalia, Calif.   From Superintendent  Shrum's nomination: "Superintendent Shrum has quickly become a catalyst for transformative change. His focus on communication and community engagement are nothing short of remarkable."	Kelly Tess, Ed.D. The Winnetka Public Schools Winnetka, Ill.  From Dr. Tess' nomination: "Dr. Tess values the importance of communication, ensuring that communication is enveloped in the district's strategic plan and goals each year."	Maria Vazquez, Ed.D. Orange County Public Schools Orlando, Fla.  From Dr. Vazquez's nomination: "Over her years in education, Dr. Vazquez's hallmark has been to create open cultures that increase trust and connection for parents, students and employees."

Iranetta Rayborn Wright Cincinnati Public Schools Cincinnati, Ohio  From Superintendent Rayborn Wright's nomination: "Superintendent Rayborn Wright is committed to constant communication with all constituents, through community town halls, principal roundtables, a Student Leadership Council and more."

To be considered for the award, nominees must have:

• Fewer than five years of cumulative experience as a superintendent of schools in a school district/school board system(s) at the time of nomination;
• Implemented a communication program for the district that includes the use of new communication technology as well as more standard communication tools;
• Integrated communication goals and strategies into the district’s strategic plan; and
• Active, visible involvement in the district's communication effort (e.g., tweets, blogs, participates in face-to-face engagement activities, responsive to media requests, models good communication for staff).

Nominees do not have to be an NSPRA member.

Selected superintendent honorees receive a special certificate and are recognized on the NSPRA website, in an NSPRA e-newsletter, on NSPRA social media and during the Superintendents' Luncheon at the annual NSPRA National Seminar. 

Nominations for the 2024 award will open in August 2024. For more information about this program, contact Communications Manager Sarah Loughlin at sloughlin@nspra.org or 301-519-1221. View previous winners here.