The North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA), in partnership with the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD), is pleased to announce the 2025 recipients of the Dr. Samuel Houston Jr. Leadership Award:

• Dr. Chris Blanton, Assistant Superintendent, Watauga County Schools

• Dr. Ingrid Medlock, Chief of Staff, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

• Ms. Jamie Synan, Assistant Superintendent for Academics and Student Support Services, Moore County Schools

• Dr. Rodney Trice, Deputy Superintendent, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

This distinguished award is presented annually to outstanding graduates of the NCSSA/NCASLD Aspiring Superintendent Program, a leadership initiative designed to cultivate and support transformative leaders for North Carolina’s public schools.

The award honors Dr. Samuel Houston Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center. Dr. Houston previously served as Superintendent of Mooresville Graded School District, where he led numerous innovative initiatives, including opening North Carolina’s first year-round school. Throughout his career, Dr. Houston has been a passionate advocate for strategic planning, accountability, student achievement, STEM education, and workforce readiness.

Dr. Houston has received numerous accolades for his contributions to education, including the Jay Robinson Leadership Award, the RJR-Nabisco Foundation’s China Breaker Award for educational innovation, and the Distinguished Career Award from the University of North Carolina–Greensboro School of Education. He is a member of the Appalachian State University Reich College of Education’s Rhododendron Society, East Carolina University’s Education Hall of Fame, and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Hall of Fame. In December 2024, he was awarded the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

NCSSA Executive Director Jack Hoke stated, “Dr. Chris Blanton, Dr. Ingrid Medlock, Ms. Jamie Synan, and Dr. Rodney Trice exemplify the core values that defined Dr. Sam Houston’s legacy in educational leadership. These leaders are committed to continuous improvement, ethical conduct, strategic planning, student success, and preparing students for the demands of the 21st-century workforce. I am incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to watching their continued impact on North Carolina public education.”

The Dr. Samuel Houston Jr. Leadership Award is a distinguished recognition within North Carolina’s educational leadership community. It honors the accomplishments of emerging leaders while celebrating the lasting influence of Dr. Houston’s career marked by excellence, innovation, and service. This award reflects a strong commitment to the advancement of public education and the development of future school leaders across the state.