"Enhancing, Promoting And Supporting Educational Leadership"
AWARDS & HONORS
2024 Dr. Brad Sneeden
Leadership Award
The North Carolina School Superintendents' Association (NCSSA) has announced the selection of Dr. Eisa Cox, Superintendent of Ashe County Schools, as the recipient of the Dr. Brad Sneeden Leadership Award. The award is presented in honor and recognition of a superintendent who has demonstrated a strong commitment to lifelong learning, unwavering integrity in leadership, and transformation of vision into action.
2024 NCSSA Dr. Dwayne Stallings Leadership Award
The North Carolina School Superintendents' Association (NCSSA) has announced the selection of Dr. Eric Cunningham, Superintendent of Halifax County Schools, as the recipient of the Dr. Dwayne Stallings Leadership Award. The award is presented in honor and recognition of a superintendent who has demonstrated a strong dedication to public education, commitment to academic excellence, and a continual focus on professional growth and student learning.
Previous Superintendent
of the Year Recipients:
2024 – Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., Cumberland
2023 – Dr. Don Phipps, Caldwell
2022 – Dr. Valerie Bridges, Edgecombe
2021 – Dr. Brent Williams, Lenoir
2020 – Dr. Anthony Jackson, Vance
2019 – Dr. Patrick Miller, Greene
2018 – Dr. Janet Mason, Rutherford
2017 – Dr. Jim Merrill, Wake
2016 – Dr. Freddie E. Williamson, Hoke
2015 – Dr. Rodney Shotwell, Rockingham
2014 – Brady Johnson, Iredell-Statesville
2013 – Dr. Mark Adrian Edwards,
Mooresville City
2012 – Dr. Diane L. Frost, Asheboro
2011 – Dr. Donald L. Martin, Jr.,
Winston-Salem/Forsyth
2010 – Dr. Donna Cox Peters, Montgomery
2009 – Dr. Terry K. Holliday, Iredell-Statesville
2008 – Dr. Terry B. Grier, Guilford
2007 – Dr. Shirley B. Prince, Scotland
2006 – Dr. Larry E. Price, Wilson
2005 – Dr. James G. Merrill,
Alamance-Burlington
2004 – William R. McNeal, Jr., Wake
2003 – Dr. Edward D. Sadler, Jr., Gaston
2002 – Dr. Eric J. Smith, Charlotte-Mecklenburg
2001 – Dr. Neil G. Pedersen, Chapel Hill-Carrboro
2000 – Dr. Ann T. Denlinger, Durham
1999 – Dr. Jerry D. Weast, Guilford
1998 – Dr. James F. Causby, Johnston
1997 – Steven Wrenn, Lee
1996 – Douglas Scott Penland, Clay
1995 – Dr. John B. Dunn, Edenton-Chowan
1994 – Dr. Michael E. Ward, Granville
1993 – Charles L. Byrd, Hendersonville City
1992 – Dr. Travis Twiford,
Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Schools
1991 – Dr. James F. Causby, Polk
1990 – Dr. G. Thomas Houlihan, Granville
1989 – Dr. Emmett Malvin Floyd, Catawba
1988 – Dr. Cleveland Hammonds, Durham
NCSSA Celebrates the 2025 NC
Regional Superintendent of the Year Nominees
Region 1
Dr. Tanya Turner
Perquimans County Schools
Region 3
Dr. Eric Bracy
Johnston CountyPublic Schools
Region 4
Dr. Freddie Williamson
Public Schools of
Robeson County
Region 5
Dr. Aaron Woody
Asheboro City Schools
Region 6
Dr. Andrew Houlihan
Union County
Public Schools
Region 7
Dr. Aron Gabriel
Newton-Conover
City Schools
Region 8
Dr. Will Hoffman
Madison CountySchools
The 2025 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year Award will be
presented to one of these nominees on October 10, 2024 in Greensboro, NC.
Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Wins 2024 A. Craig Phillips NC Superintendent of the Year Award
GREENSBORO | Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., Superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, was named the 2024 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year at an awards presentation and reception held Tuesday, Nov. 14.
The award is jointly presented annually by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA), the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association (NCSSA)
and the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA). Scholastic Education Solutions sponsored this year’s awards program.
Dr. Connelly has enjoyed a successful career in public education spanning over 31 years in North Carolina. He began his career in public education as a special education teacher assistant and teacher after proudly serving as an officer in the U.S. Army, including time in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he also deployed for combat in Operation Desert Storm.
After serving as the Chief of Staff for the Wake County Public School System from 2012-2018, Dr. Connelly was appointed to the position as Superintendent of Cumberland County Schools in 2018.
"I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition, which is a testament to the unwavering dedication of the entire Cumberland County Schools family,” Dr. Connelly said. “This award reflects our collective commitment to the success of every student. I am immensely proud of our achievements and look forward to continuing our journey toward educational excellence for all."
Jack Hoke, Executive Director of the NCSSA, praised Dr. Connelly’s outstanding reputation amongst his peers and his leadership that led to him winning the top honor for local superintendents in NC.
"Dr. Marvin Connelly is well-known amongst all superintendents in our state,” Hoke said. “He has proudly served our nation and then went on to serve his state and community by being a leader in public education. This award highlights his long-time commitment and dedication to meeting the needs of all students."
As a military veteran, Dr. Connelly is well suited to meet the unique needs of the military culture of Cumberland County. He initially saw a need to improve overall communications in his district and took proactive steps by actively engaging with the leaders in the community to develop strong bonds to foster an environment of inclusivity and transparency.
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Those efforts garnered significant recognition with state and national awards from the North Carolina School Public Relations Association and the National School Public Relations Association highlighting the district’s creation of an inclusive and supportive communication environment.
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Dr. Connelly has been the driving force in developing measures to ensure every student in his district feels valued and supported and that they receive a high-quality education. By seeking continuous improvement in his district through decisions and policies on equity and diversity, and relying on feedback from students, parents, educators, and the community, Dr. Connelly ensures a high-quality education for all students and helps to prepare them for success in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
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As the 2024 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Connelly will compete for the National Superintendent of the Year honor at the American Association of School Administrators' National Conference on Education in San Diego, CA, Feb. 15-17, 2024.
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The following 2024 North Carolina Regional Superintendents of the Year, who all were nominees for North Carolina’s prestigious state award, were also recognized at the Nov.14 ceremony:
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Northeast | Dr. Barry Williams, Gates County Schools
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Southeast | Dr. Wesley Johnson, Clinton City Schools
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Central | Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, Franklin County Schools
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Sandhills | Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., Cumberland County Schools
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Piedmont/Triad | Dr. Stephen Gainey, Randolph County School System
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Southwest | Dr. Aaron Allen, Lincoln County Schools
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Northwest | Dr. Matt Stover, Catawba County Schools
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Western | Mr. Aaron Greene, Polk County Schools
Previous Raymond Sarbaugh Leadership Award Recipients:
2024 | Dr. Freddie Williamson
2023 | Dr. Ethan Lenker
2022 | Marvin Connelly
Marcie Holland
2021 | Tabari Wallace
2020 | Patrick Miller
2019 | Jeff Hollamon
2018 | Glenda Jones
David Hicks
2017 | Frank Till, Jr.
2016 | Dr. Rodney Shotwell
2015 | Dr. Dudley Flood
Charlie Glazener
2014 | Jo Ann Norris
2013 | Donald L. Martin, Jr.
2012 | Dr. James Casuby
2011 | Dr. Larry Price
2010 | Mr. Jack Hoke
2009 | Ms. Melisa Jessup
Robeson Superintendent Honored With NCASA 2024 Leadership Award
WILMINGTON | Dr. Freddie Williamson, Superintendent of the Public Schools of Robeson County, was awarded the North Carolina Association of School Administrators’ (NCASA) 2024 Raymond Sarbaugh Leadership Award during the NCASA 2024 Conference on Educational Leadership. This award, named in honor of NCASA’s first full-time Executive Director, the late Raymond Sarbaugh, is given annually to an NCASA member who shows outstanding leadership in public school service, as well as a commitment to enhancing and supporting the efforts of
fellow public school administrators. Over his decades of service to North Carolina public schools, Dr. Williamson has distinguished himself as a “leader among leaders” through his tireless dedication to improving public schools and for his support of his school leader colleagues and the thousands of students they serve.
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Dr. Williamson has served as the Robeson County Superintendent since 2020, after previously serving as Superintendent of Hoke County Schools for 15 years. During his time as district leader, he has earned a reputation as a true team player, focusing on building capacity in leadership and promoting a collaborative student-centered approach to district turnaround work. This focus on teamwork is not only reflected in his district accomplishments, but also highlighted in his ongoing collaboration with fellow education leaders across the state.
“Dr. Freddie Williamson is truly a leader among leaders,” says NCASA Executive Director, Katherine Joyce. “He has served as President of NCASA’s core affiliate, the NC School Superintendents’ Association, and he took an active role in advocating on behalf of all superintendents and other school leaders during his service as Superintendent Advisor to the State Board of Education. He models leadership and integrity daily and mentors others with his inclusive approach to school leadership.”
His leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2016 A. Craig Phillips NC Superintendent of the Year. That same year, Dr. Williamson was recognized as one of four finalists for National Superintendent of the Year and was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor in the state of North Carolina. Prior to serving as a superintendent, Dr. Williamson worked in various education roles in surrounding districts, including but not limited to athletic coach, assistant principal, program director, and associate superintendent.
Dr. Williamson was raised on a family farm in Sampson County, NC, and despite not graduating from high school themselves, his parents instilled in him and his 12 siblings the importance of obtaining a strong education. As a result, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education from North Carolina A&T State University and began his career as a classroom teacher, before finding himself drawn to educational leadership roles. He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from A&T, an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree from Fayetteville State University.
Previous Champion for Children Award Recipients:
2024 | NC Rep. Donny Lambeth
2023 | Jack Hoke
2022 | NC Sen. Don Davis
2021 | Beverly Emory
2020 | NC Rep. Jeffrey Elmore
2019 | Gov. Roy Cooper
2018 | D. Craig Horn
2017 | Hugh Blackwell
2016 | James H. Langdon, Jr.
2015 | John Dornan
2014 | Ann B. Goodnight
2013 | Linda P. Johnson
2012 | Beverly E. Perdue
2011 | Bill McNeal &
June St. Clair Atkinson
2010 | Vernon Malone
2009 | Howard N. Lee
2008 | Rick Glazier
2007 | Douglas Yongue
2006 | James B. Hunt, Jr. &
Michael F. Easley
NC Rep. Donny Lambeth Named NCASA 2024 Champion For Children
WILMINGTON | State Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth) was awarded the 2024 Champion for Children Award during the NC Association of School Administrators’ (NCASA) 2024 Conference on Educational Leadership. The award, given annually to an individual demonstrating leadership in supporting and enhancing public education, recognizes Rep. Lambeth’s more than two decades of advocacy on behalf of public schools in key roles such as member and Chair of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education, Senior
Chair of the NC House Appropriations Committee, and active member of the NC House K-12 Education Committee.
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Throughout his political career, Rep. Lambeth has prioritized key issues for public schools, including but not limited to local district flexibility, student mental health support, and educator recruitment and retention. Most recently, his leadership during 2023 state budget negotiations helped secure additional funding for bus drivers to alleviate critical staffing shortages, enhanced school construction funding through state lottery proceeds, and increased state support for student safety and school health personnel. In addition, his public call for adequate accountability and transparency measures for the state’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, as it was being expanded in 2023, is a common-sense approach that NCASA applauds and hopes other legislators will pursue.
“Rep. Lambeth has been a long-time supporter of strong public schools, working tirelessly at the local and state levels to address specific needs for recruiting and retaining key personnel, providing compensation increases to school staff, and focusing on the health and safety needs of students,” said Katherine Joyce, NCASA’s Executive Director. “These past and ongoing efforts to ensure public schools have greatly-needed state resources, and his willingness to work with school administrators across the state, make him a true Champion for Children and deserving of this prestigious award.”
In addition to his efforts to uplift public schools, Rep. Lambeth has served as Chair of the House Health Committee, Healthcare Reform Committee, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid Reform & Health Choice, and Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health & Human Services. In these roles, he has leveraged his 40 years of professional experience in the healthcare industry to effect positive legislative changes in health care for North Carolinians. Most notably, he was instrumental in bipartisan efforts spanning several years to expand Medicaid in North Carolina, resulting in enhanced health coverage options for thousands of adults and children statewide.
While Rep. Lambeth was unable to attend the recent NCASA awards ceremony due to another commitment recognizing his efforts in expanding Medicaid, he thanked NCASA for the prestigious honor, which has been awarded in the past to other influential lawmakers, Governors, and education leaders. As a lifelong resident of Forsyth County, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from nearby High Point University and his Master of Business Administration degree from Wake Forest University. He continues to live in Forsyth County with his wife Pam, a former teacher in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, and together they have four grown daughters, all of whom attended public schools in Forsyth County, as well as seven grandchildren.