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Press Release Contact: Sarah Loughlin, Communications Manager National School Public Relations Association 301-519-1221 I sloughlin@nspra.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR 2025 NATIONAL SCHOOL COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Twenty-six school communication leaders were nominated by their state/regional chapter of NSPRA for the honor.
ROCKVILLE, MD. (May 30, 2025) – The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) is proud to announce finalists for the 2025 National School Communicator of the Year Award. Presented in partnership with Finalsite, the National School Communicator of the Year Award represents one of the highest national honors bestowed on front-line school communicators, recognizing individuals whose leadership, strategic expertise and unwavering commitment have made a transformative impact on their school systems and the communities they serve.
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The four finalists were selected from a pool of 26 outstanding professionals who were nominated by their state or regional chapters for the national honor. To be eligible, each nominee was first recognized at the chapter level as a Communicator of the Year or equivalent. The four finalists for the 2025 award include:
"These finalists represent the very best of our profession,” said NSPRA President Heidi Vega, APR. “Through their leadership, innovation and deep commitment to public education, they are making a meaningful difference for students, families and entire communities.”
All 26 nominees will be honored on stage at the NSPRA 2025 National Seminar on July 21 in Washington, D.C., where the national award recipient will be announced.
"Finalsite is proud to partner with NSPRA to recognize the exceptional efforts of school communication professionals," said Finalsite Chief Marketing Officer Risa Engel. "This award underscores the profound impact of their work, shining a light on the innovation, creativity and strategic thinking that define the best in school communications."
The 22 additional school communication professionals nominated for the national award by their state/regional chapter are:
Natalia Baage Public Relations Specialist Southern Westchester BOCES Harrison, N.Y. New York School Public Relations Association
Jacqueline Brawley Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations Bellingham School District Bellingham, Wash. Washington School Public Relations Association
Jill Browning, APR Chief Communications Officer Community High School District 99 Downers Grove, Ill. Illinois School Public Relations Association
Mindy Burbach Executive Director of Communications Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska School Public Relations Association
Yándary Chatwin Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations Salt Lake City School District Salt Lake City, Utah Utah School Public Relations Association
Christine Corliss Public Information Officer Ridgewood Public Schools Ridgewood, N.J. New Jersey School Public Relations Association
James Evans, APR Chief Communications Officer Rutherford County Schools Murfreesboro, Tenn. Tennessee School Public Relations Association
Tracy Habisch-Ahlin Director of Community Relations Hudson School District Hudson, Wis. Wisconsin School Public Relations Association
Scott Howat Chief Communications Officer Orange County Public Schools Orlando, Fla. Sunshine State School Public Relations Association
Tim McAvoy Director of School Community Relations Utica Community Schools Auburn Hills, Mich. Michigan School Public Relations Association
Regina McMillan Director of Public Information St. Charles Parish Public Schools Luling, La. Louisiana School Public Relations Association
Kristen Miller Assistant Director of Communications Shaker Heights City School District Shaker Heights, Ohio Ohio School Public Relations Association
Joseph Ortiz Director of Public Relations and Marketing Tolleson Union High School District Tolleson, Ariz. Arizona School Public Relations Association
Kendra Pannell Executive Director of Communications Dalton Public Schools Dalton, Ga. Georgia School Public Relations Association
Stephanie Pool Director of Marketing and Communications Central Technology Center Drumright, Okla. Oklahoma School Public Relations Association
Andy Pruitt Director of Communications Charleston County School District Charleston, S.C. South Carolina Chapter of NSPRA
Melissa Reese Communications Manager Allentown School District Allentown, Pa. Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association
Christie Scott, APR Board of Education Communications Coordinator Montgomery County Public Schools Rockville, Md. Chesapeake School Public Relations Association
Sue Scott Communications Coordinator Tippecanoe School Corporation Lafayette, Ind. Indiana School Public Relations Association
David Smith Chief Communications Director Shawnee Mission School District Shawnee Mission, Kan. Kansas School Public Relations Association
Tahira Stalberte, APR Assistant Superintendent of Communications and Community Relations Union County Public Schools Monroe, N.C. North Carolina School Public Relations Association
Hillary Wright-Kaufman Coordinator of Communications and Public Relations, Assistant to the Superintendent Washington County Schools Louisville, Ky. Kentucky School Public Relations Association