Leadership through Communication Award

The Leadership through Communication Award recognizes the teamwork and exemplary leadership of outstanding superintendents and their communications professionals for demonstrated commitment to the enhancement of communication and relationships between their school systems and the families and communities they serve. The award honors those who recognize that communication is a critical component of leadership and incorporate strategic communication into their planning goals and objectives as well as their daily operations.

The award is jointly sponsored by AlertNow, AASA, and NSPRA. The recognized school system receives a $10,000 Award, provided by AlertNow, to be used for student scholarships or communication activities that benefit students and schools.

2010 Leadership through Communication Award Recipient

Twin Rivers Unified School District, McClellan, Calif.

Superintendent Frank S. Porter and Director of Communication Trinette Marquis

Twin Rivers Unified School District was created in 2007 from a merger of four North Sacramento area school districts and now serves over 27,000 students in 54 schools covering 120 square miles. The team of Frank Porter, superintendent, and Trinette Marquis, director of communication, are recognized for their leadership in overcoming great obstacles to bring these four disparate school districts together as one. The district was selected to receive the award in part because of the following key components of the consolidation effort:

• Twin Rivers USD galvanized the power of communication to move the impacted communities from conversations about the past to conversations about the future, which was integral to the success of the consolidation initiative;
• They created a systemic communication model that included measurable results, face-to-face communication and a vision for creating new channels of communication; and
• Leaders were relentless in moving the vision from the upper levels of school management through the ranks to the parents and community.

The award will be presented on February 13, 2010 at the AASA National Conference on Education in Phoenix, Ariz. Twin Rivers USD will also be recognized at the NSPRA National Seminar in Charlotte, N.C., July 11-14, 2010.

Learn more here.

See past Leadership through Communication Award Recipients 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. 

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.

Presidents Award Guidelines and Nomination Form

Barry Gaskins Mentor Legacy Award

Gerri Allen, supervisor of communication services, Washtenaw (Mich.) Intermediate School District

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.

Gerri Allen is the 2009 Barry Gaskins Mentor Legacy Award recipient. Throughout a 23-year career in school public relations, Gerri has been a driving force in school PR training in Michigan. An active member of NSPRA and the Michigan School Public Relations Association (MSPRA), hundreds of school PR professionals have benefited from Gerri’s mentoring over the years. She is known for unselfishly sharing her wisdom, talent and expertise with colleagues new to the profession as well as with those who are seasoned pros. She has a passion for assisting young professionals to develop their skills, providing solid advice, acting as a sounding board and offering humorous relief when they take themselves too seriously.

As a communication leader and savvy marketing professional, Gerri was instrumental in developing valuable tools for MSPRA members, such as a Y2K Toolkit and AYP Toolkit which were duplicated by other NSPRA chapters, and led the effort to collaborate with the Michigan Association of School Administrators in developing a communication plan for the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth initiative. She is also a frequent and popular presenter and counselor at NSPRA’s National Seminar. Gerri is a true advocate of public education and a consummate role model who is highly respected by her peers across the nation.

Complete list of previous award recipients 

Barry Gaskins Award Criteria and Nomination Form

Information about Barry Gaskins 

Learning & Liberty Award

Paul Houston, Ed.D.

The NSPRA Learning & Liberty Award reflects the symbolism of The Education Flag of Learning and Liberty and is given in recognition of outstanding collaborative efforts between schools, business and community, and the home.

Paul D. Houston, Ed.D., is the 2009 Learning & Liberty Award recipient. Dr. Houston is recognized for his long-standing dedication to building support for public education and success for all students. Throughout an illustrious career in education, Dr. Houston served as executive director of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), was an award-winning superintendent, administrator and teacher, and served in an adjunct capacity at, among others, Harvard University and Princeton University. As AASA executive director, he was a strong advocate for good communication between schools and the families and communities they serve, and worked collaboratively with NSPRA on numerous programs and education issues. A prolific author and editor, Dr. Houston’s latest book is No Challenge Left Behind: Transforming American Education Through Heart and Soul.

Known as a visionary and global thinker, Dr. Houston is concentrating his current efforts on writing and speaking about the future of public education.

Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award

The Bob Grossman Leadership 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.

Timothy R. Jenney, Ph.D., superintendent, Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

Timothy R. Jenney, Ph.D., is the 2009 Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award recipient. Dr. Jenney believes that strategic communication is as important to district planning and operations as the budget and other vital resources, and he has set an expectation of staff that communication be considered a priority in Fort Bend ISD. As superintendent, he is committed to proactive communication that is integrated into all programs and initiatives. He understands the importance of engaging internal and external stakeholders on issues and concerns and is known for being an approachable and accessible leader who "listens."

Dr. Jenney works closely with his communications staff and has demonstrated his commitment to providing appropriate staffing and budget support for communication. His ability to effectively communicate the needs of Fort Bend ISD has resulted in the passage of a $428 million bond referendum and the creation of a Department of Accountability and Organizational Development and a Department for Quality Improvements, among other initiatives that have led to significant improvements in student achievement.

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; and 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.