Dozens of newer superintendents are being recognized for their fast-paced, technology-centered leadership in expanding two-way communication efforts within their districts.
The National School Public Relations Association announced its honorees, which include 30 superintendents with fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent.
To be considered for the award, nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Fewer than five years of cumulative experience as a superintendent
- Implemented a communication program for the district that includes the use of new communication technology
- Integrated communication goals and strategies into the district’s strategic plan
- Is actively involved in the district’s communication effort (social media presence, participates in face-to-face engagement, etc)
This year’s cohort includes District 91心頭istration‘s 2025 Superintendent of the Year, , leader of The School District of Philadelphia, and Desert Sands Unified School District Superintendent Kelly May-Vollmar, a 2026 featured speaker.
Here are the NSPRA’s 2025-26 Superintendents to Watch:
- Melissa Bassanelli, San Juan Unified School District (CA)
- Wesley Benjamin, Ed.D., Kalama School District (WA)
- Duke Bradley III, Ph.D., Newton County Schools (GA)
- Juan Cabral, Redlands Unified School District (CA)
- Andrea Casta単eda, Salem-Keizer Public Schools (OR)
- Kristin Craft, Ed.D., Boerne Independent School District (TX)
- Steven Craft, Ph.D., Dalton Public Schools (GA)
- Wendy Dau, Provo City School District (UT)
- Alvin L. Freeman, Ed.D., Bound Brook School District (NJ)
- Neil Gupta, Ed.D., Oakwood City Schools (OH)
- Carlondrea Hines, Ph.D., St. Louis Park Public Schools (MN)
- Ashanti Holley, Ed.D., Burlington County Institute of Technology and Burlington County Special Services School District (NJ)
- Rebecca Jenkins, Libertyville District 70 (IL)
- Suzanne Johnson, Ph.D., School District U-46 (IL)
- Steve M. Lassiter Jr., Ed.D., Pitt County Schools (NC)
- Jason LeMay Ph.D., School District of Ladysmith (WI)
- Toni Lopez, Ed.D., Pasadena Independent School District (TX)
- Karla Lor鱈a, Ed.D., Adams County School District 14 (CO)
- Scott Mauk, Ed.D., Chimacum School District (WA)
- Kelly May-Vollmar, Ed.D., Desert Sands Unified School District (CA)
- Chuck Perry, Broken Arrow Public Schools (OK)
- Laurie Putnam, Ed.D., St. Cloud Area School District 742 (MN)
- Heath Rocha, Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District (CA)
- Yamil Sanchez Rivera, Ed.D., Southeast Delco School District (PA)
- Anthony W. Smith, Ed.D., Clayton County Public Schools (GA)
- Tiffany Spicer, Ph.D., Waco Independent School District (TX)
- Francis Touchet Jr., Lafayette Parish School System (LA)
- Heather Tow-Yick Issaquah School District (WA)
- James Vasquez, Socorro Independent School District (TX)
- Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., School District of Philadelphia (PA)
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