About Us NSPRA Press Room 2023 Superintendents to Watch Release

Press Release
Contact:
Sarah Loughlin, Communications Manager
National School Public Relations Association
301-519-1221 I sloughlin@nspra.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWENTY-FIVE DISTRICT LEADERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY SELECTED AS
2023 SUPERINTENDENTS TO WATCH BY NATIONAL SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

ROCKVILLE, MD. (Dec. 14, 2023) – The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) announced today recipients of its 2023 Superintendents to Watch recognition award. This year, 25 superintendents nationwide were selected for the honor in recognition of their innovative and effective use of technology to engage and inform the school community, and to expand two-way communication and outreach efforts. 

“This year’s honorees understand the critical role that effective, two-way communication plays in building trust with students, families, employees and community members,” said NSPRA Executive Director Barbara M. Hunter, APR. “Each of these leaders have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to championing innovative communication strategies to advance their district’s success.”

NSPRA had a record number of nominations this year—more than 70—and many exceptional candidates, making the selection process very competitive. Since the 2015-16 school year, NSPRA has recognized 152 school district leaders as Superintendents to Watch. Honorees must have fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent and must demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core.

NSPRA will recognize each award recipient with a profile piece in upcoming issues of its monthly Member Memo e-newsletter to association members as well as on its website and social media channels. Honorees will also be recognized at the NSPRA 2024 National Seminar in Seattle/Bellevue in July.

Congratulations to this year’s superintendent honorees who hail from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia:

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."

Visit www.nspra.org/superintendents-watch to learn more about this award.

About NSPRA

As the leader in school communication, NSPRA serves more than 2,800 members who work primarily as communication directors in public school districts and education organizations throughout the United States and Canada. NSPRA provides high quality professional development programming through on-demand learning, an annual National Seminar, webinars, online forums and resources. For more information, visit NSPRA’s website at www.nspra.org. 

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