NSPRA sponsors recognition awards to honor individuals and districts for their contributions and accomplishments related to school communication and public relations.  Awards are presented at the NSPRA Seminar each year. Nomination procedures and deadlines vary.

Connect-ED® Leadership Through Communications Award

The Connect-ED® Leadership Through Communication Award honors those educators who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in communications for the benefit of the wider community.

Rockwood School District, a leading school system in St. Louis County, Mo., has been named the 2009 recipient. The award recognizes Dr. Craig Larson, superintendent, and Kim Cranston, APR, chief communications officer for the Rockwood School District in Eureka, Missouri, for demonstrating exemplary leadership in the enhancement of school-to-parent communication within their school systems and the communities they serve. 

Two leading school districts - Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Miami, Fla., and Hamilton School District in Sussex, Wis. - were named co-recipients of the 2008 Connect-ED® Leadership through Communication Award.

Miami-Dade County Public SchoolsCommended for its strategic plan, which integrates a mass notification component into decision-making processes. They also commended the school system for creating a marketing team dedicated to marketing public education as an obligation of the school district.

(Pictured L-R): Dr. Paul Houston, AASA Executive Director; Robin Richards, Co-Founder, Connect-ED®; Dr. Marsha Chappelow, NSPRA President; Dr. Rudy Crew, superintendent, Cathleen Healy, marketing officer, and Alberto Carvalho, associate superintendent, Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Hamilton School District
Commended for creating genuine synergy between the superintendent, the public relations professional and the leadership team. Hamilton was also recognized for articulating the connection between communication and student achievement and engaging the entire community through innovative practices.

(Pictured L-R): Dr. Paul Houston, AASA Executive Director; Robin Richards, Co-Founder, Connect-ED®; Dr. Marsha Chappelow, NSPRA President; Dr. Kathleen Cooke, superintendent, and Denise Dorn Lindberg, APR, public information/volunteer programs coordinator, Hamilton School
District.

To see past award winners click here.

NSPRA Presidents Award

The NSPRA Presidents Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Association.  It is given to recognize a (living) individual NSPRA member for outstanding professionalism and integrity throughout a career as an educational public relations practitioner and for contributing to the advancement of educational public relations.  In addition, it recognizes the member’s active involvement and leadership at a national-level as well as substantive professional contributions to NSPRA.  The award is announced in the spring and presented at the NSPRA Annual Seminar in July.

2008 NSPRA Presidents Award Recipient

Ron Wilkerson, APR
Retired chief communications officer, Oklahoma Department of CareerTech in Stillwater, Okla.

Complete list of previous award recipients
Nominations: Only current presidents of duly chartered NSPRA chapters; past NSPRA Executive Board members; and past Presidents Award recipients may submit nominations.

Barry Gaskins Mentor Legacy Award

The Barry Gaskins Mentor Legacy Award recognizes a practicing school public relations professional for: outstanding efforts in mentoring colleagues new to school public relations; providing counsel and advice on job success; and assisting colleagues in their professional development by creating or providing programs and activities designed to improve PR skills and knowledge. The recipient of this award will be allowed to designate a mentee of their choice to receive a scholarship to the NSPRA Annual Seminar.

To be eligible for this award, nominees must hold professional membership in NSPRA; be a member of their state NSPRA chapter (unless state has no chapter); and hold (or have held during their career) a full-time school PR position for a minimum of five years. The award is announced in the spring and presented at the NSPRA Annual Seminar in July. Nominations: Any professional member of NSPRA may submit one nomination.

Jim Dunn, APR, director, communication, Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City, Liberty, Mo.

Complete list of previous award recipients

Barry Gaskins Award Criteria and Nomination Form

Information about Barry Gaskins

2008 Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award Recipient

The Bob Grossman Leaderhip in School Communications Award recognizes a practicing superintendent of schools or CEO of an education agency, service center or intermediate unit for outstanding leadership in school public relations and communication. The award is announced in May and presented at the NSPRA Annual Seminar in July. Nominations: Any NSPRA member may submit one nomination.

Dr. Vincent F. Cotter
Superintendent,Colonial School District, Plymouth Meeting, Pa.

Complete list of past recipients
Nomination Form   

NSPRA Lifetime Professional Achievement Awards

These awards are given periodically during the year to recognize veteran NSPRA members who have: Led distinguished careers as school public relations professionals; Earned the respect of their colleagues at the state and national level; Remained active NSPRA members at either the chapter or national level for the majority of their careers; Shared their knowledge and experience at chapter workshops and conferences and at the NSPRA Seminar; Contributed to the work of NSPRA committees and task forces; Mentored new members and supported NSPRA colleagues; Demonstrated the practice of good public relations on a daily basis; Constantly advocated the need for good communication between schools and the public. Any current NSPRA Chapter Officer or past NSPRA Executive Board member may submit a nomination, using the official form.