Log In NSPRA Membership
About NSPRA
Trent Allen, APR, is widely respected as a thoughtful and principled leader whose influence has helped strengthen both the school public relations profession and the National School Public Relations Association itself. Known for his steady leadership, collaborative spirit and deep commitment to mentoring others, Allen has spent more than two decades advancing the strategic role of communication in public education.
Throughout his career, Allen has modeled what it means for school communicators to serve not only as messengers, but also as trusted advisors and executive leaders within school systems. As chief of staff for San Juan Unified School District in California, he serves on the superintendent’s cabinet and helps guide district strategy, operations and communications at the highest levels of leadership. During a recent period when the superintendent was on extended leave, Allen was entrusted by the Board of Education to serve as acting superintendent, reflecting the confidence placed in his leadership and ability to guide the district through a complex transition while maintaining focus on students, staff and families.
“Few leaders embody the professionalism, integrity and spirit of service that define the National School Public Relations Association more fully than Trent Allen, APR,” shared Jennifer Dericco, director of communications and community engagement for Santa Clara Unified School District and former NSPRA executive board member. “His leadership is thoughtful, steady, full of heart and deeply grounded in respect for others.”
Allen’s impact extends well beyond his district role. Over the course of his career, he has traveled the country sharing his expertise through keynotes, presentations and professional learning opportunities, while investing deeply in the growth of emerging leaders in school communication. Colleagues across the nation credit him with encouraging them to pursue leadership opportunities, strengthen their professional networks and step into roles they may not have initially believed they were ready for.
His commitment to mentorship has become one of the defining hallmarks of his leadership. Colleagues say Allen consistently invests in emerging leaders, intentionally building connections across state lines and professional networks. His mentorship is frequently described as relational and empowering, helping professionals across the country grow into leadership roles.
In addition to helping lead the association through pivotal moments, Allen worked collaboratively with fellow board members to strengthen NSPRA’s long-term leadership and organizational continuity. His leadership has helped foster collaboration, professionalism and strong relationships across the association.
Allen’s leadership style consistently centered collaboration, thoughtful listening and respect for diverse perspectives. Those who worked alongside him often noted that he led “with both his head and his heart,” creating environments where people felt safe contributing ideas and engaging in dialogue. In addition to professional and chapter leadership roles, he served as NSPRA's 2024-25 president and 2016-2019 Southwest Region vice president.
Throughout his career, Allen has received numerous state and national honors recognizing his leadership and contributions to school communication, including being named CalSPRA Communicator of the Year, receiving NSPRA’s inaugural “35 Under 35” recognition and most recently earning the 2026 CalSPRA Distinguished Service Award. He and the teams he has led have also received multiple NSPRA Golden Achievement Awards and other honors recognizing excellence in strategic communication and community engagement.
For colleagues across the country, however, Allen’s greatest impact may be reflected not in awards, but in the leaders he has helped develop, the relationships he has strengthened and the example he has set for the profession. Through his leadership, mentorship and commitment to the profession, Trent Allen, APR, continues to elevate the role of school public relations professionals nationwide.
The nomination submission portal for the 2027 Presidents Award will open in January 2027.
The NSPRA Presidents Award is one of the highest honors 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.
Eligible nominees must:
Current NSPRA Executive Board members and NSPRA staff are ineligible for nomination.
Nominations for the Presidents Award may be submitted only by:
Up to one Presidents Award winner may be identified each year. A screening committee will review all nominations. Considerations for selection include the nominee’s ability to meet the award criteria, the nominee's past awards and honors, the nominee's contributions to the school public relations profession and to NSPRA, and the nominator's statement as to why the nominee is deserving of the award.
The Presidents Award winner receives:
View a list of previous award recipients.