News

Looking for a way to get more involved at NSPRA and help shape the direction of your professional association? The NSPRA Executive Board will be filling two new vacancies on the board through appointments this fall. Association members who meet eligibility guidelines are invited to express their interest in the positions.

The board vacancies are in the following positions:

NSPRA is excited to welcome Melissa McConnell as the association’s new manager of professional development and member services. In her role, McConnell, who recently retired from Belton (Mo.) School District #124 after 25 years of service, will manage and provide strategic development for NSPRA’s major professional development programs as well as oversee member engagement.

NSPRA is in search of a communication audit specialist who excels at coordinating details, analyzing data/trends, taking initiative, communicating strategically and working in a collaborative environment. This position has the option of being fully remote/telework, fully in person at NSPRA headquarters, or a combination of telework/in person. Application Deadline: August 26, 2022

Primary duties of this position include:

Every other year, NSPRA's 35 Under 35 program recognizes professional members who are making a difference for their school districts or education-related employers.   

Members of previous 35 Under 35 classes have contributed to NSPRA in a variety of ways. Many serve, plan to serve or have served as chapter officers. Some write for NSPRA member publications, present at NSPRA Seminars or participate as panelists for NSPRA professional development webinars. The invaluable insights of these emerging leaders are critical in keeping NSPRA on the forefront of school public relations.

Each year the National School Public Relations Association recognizes up to 25 superintendents as "Superintendents to Watch."

Honorees are school district leaders who have fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent and who demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core. They use communication technology in innovative and effective ways to engage and inform their school communities and to expand two-way communication and outreach efforts.  

More than 1,500 school public relations professionals and district leaders are participating in the hybrid NSPRA2022 National Seminar on Sunday, July 17, through Wednesday, July 20. The Seminar, taking place in person in Chicago and online, offers four days of breakout sessions, interactive learning opportunities and networking events designed to provide attendees with innovative tools, best practices and resources to tell the story of their schools and the quality education they provide.

The National School Public Relations Association is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of school communications leader Nora Carr, Ed.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, on Thursday, June 30.

The National School Public Relations Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Golden Achievement Awards and 2022 Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards!

NSPRA’s Golden Achievement Award recognizes outstanding, strategic work in all aspects of school public relations, communication, marketing and engagement.

Congratulations to Anita Murphy, district superintendent of Capital Region BOCES, who has been selected as the recipient of NSPRA's 2022 Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award! 

The National School Public Relations Association's Gold Medallion Awards program is the only national awards competition that recognizes superior educational public relations programs and campaigns grounded in strategic communication best practices. This year, four Gold Medallion winners were selected from among 64 entries submitted by communication professionals from school districts across the United States. The four winning school districts and their communicators will be celebrated during the NSPRA 2022 National Seminar in July.