The National School Public Relations Association is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Superintendents to Watch awards as well as its new Emerging Leaders Award.

Read more about both awards below and nominate a deserving colleague (or yourself!) to receive national recognition.

Superintendents to Watch

Each year, NSPRA recognizes up to 25 district leaders as Superintendents to Watch. Honorees are superintendents who have fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent and who demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core.

Do you know a school system leader who should be recognized? Submit a nomination today!

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 traditional communication tools and vehicles;
• 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. Nominations are due Friday, October 18.

Submit a Nomination

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

Emerging Leaders Award

Announced at the National Seminar this past July, NSPRA's new Emerging Leaders Award will recognize up to seven individuals (one from each of NSPRA’s seven regions) who have no more than five years of professional experience working in school public relations, school communications or school marketing for demonstrating excellence and leadership in their work.

If you know an emerging leader doing impactful work in school communications, submit a nomination to recognize them on a national stage.

To be eligible for nomination, the individual must:

• Have no more than five years of professional experience working in school public relations, school communications or school marketing;
• Have been a Professional or Professional Partner member of NSPRA for at least one calendar year; and
• Be active and involved in their state or regional SPRA chapter if one exists or in NSPRA.

Nominations may be submitted by members and non-members, on behalf of an individual or by the individual themselves. Nominations are due Friday, October 11.

Submit a Nomination

Selected Emerging Leaders Award honorees will be recognized on the NSPRA website, in NSPRA e-newsletters and on NSPRA social media platforms. They also will receive special recognition at the annual NSPRA National Seminar.

At the Seminar in July, NSPRA announced with the launch of the new Emerging Leaders Award that it would sunset the NSPRA Front-Runners and 35 Under 35 recognitions. Learn more about these changes.

If you have any questions, please email awards@nspra.org.