Current & Former Honorees

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Nivens gives his acceptance speech at NCE 2026
Congratulations to the 2026 AASA National Superintendent of the Year®
Roosevelt Nivens, Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (Texas)

The Lamar Consolidated Independent School District covers a sprawling 385 square miles southwest of Houston. It’s also one of the fastest-growing districts in Texas, adding 2,000 new students every year for the past four to five years.

The district is led by Roosevelt Nivens, a superintendent with a big-time presence. “The word is out about Lamar CISD,” Nivens says with a laugh.

In fact, Nivens has overseen the opening of 15 new schools since taking the reins in 2021 of Lamar, five alone just last August, bringing the total number of campuses to 59. But the challenges that come with such growth don’t faze Nivens. At a time when many colleagues nationwide are dealing with the management of decline, he sees the expansive gains as opportunities.

“The foundation of all my decisions is to make sure students have great experiences, experiences that they probably never could have received if it wasn’t for us,” Nivens says.

View Dr. Niven's Profile in the 2026 Conference Daily Online

View the AASA Press Release Announcing the Honor

A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the AASA National Superintendent of the Year® to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated, or the school now serving the same area.

Other 2026 Finalists
Demetrus Liggins


Demetrus Liggins

Fayette County Public Schools, Ky.

Heather Perry


Heather Perry

Gorham School Department, Maine

Sonia Santelises


Sonja Santelises

Baltimore City Schools, Md.

Former National Superintendent of the Year® Award Winners

2025: Walter B. Gonsoulin, Jr., Jefferson County Public Schools (Ala.)

2024: Joe Gothard, Saint Paul Public Schools (Minn.)

2023: Kevin McGowan, Brighton Central Schools (N.Y.)

2022: Curtis Cain, Wentzville School District (Mo.)

2021: Michelle Reid, Northshore School District (Wash.)

2020: Gustavo Balderas, Eugene School District 4J (Ore.)

2019: Curtis Jones, Bibb County School District (Ga.)

2018: David Schuler, Township High School District (Ill.)

2017: Matthew Utterback, North Clackamas School District (Ore.)

2016: Thomas S. W. Tucker, Princeton City Schools (Ohio)

2015: Philip D. Lanoue, Clarke County School District (Ga.)

2014: Alberto M. Carvalho, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (Fla.)

2013: Mark A. Edwards, Mooresville Graded School District (N.C.)

2012: Heath Morrison, Washoe County School District (Nev.)

2011: Marcus P. Johnson, Sanger Unified School District (Calif.)

2010: Betty Molina Morgan, Washington County Public Schools (Md.)

2009: Beverly Hall, Atlanta Public Schools (Ga.)

2008: Rudolph F. Crew, Miami-Dade County School District (Fla.)

2007: Krista Parent, South Lane School District (Ore.)

2006: Manuel J. Rivera, Rochester City School District (N.Y.)

2005: Monte C. Moses, Cherry Creek School District (Colo.)

2004: William R. McNeal, Jr., Wake County School District (N.C.)

2003: Kenneth A. Dragseth, Edina Public Schools (Minn.)

2002: Gail G. Uilkema, Piedmont Unified School District (Calif.)

2001: Rod Paige, Houston Independent School District (Texas)

2000: F. Donald Saul, Thompson School District (Colo.)

1999: N. Gerry House, Memphis City Schools (Tenn.)

1998: Barbara Grohe, Iowa City Community School District (Iowa)

1997: John R. O'Rourke, Pittsford Central School District (N.Y.)

1996: Janet N. Barry, Central Kitsap School District (Wash.)

1995: Robert R. Spillane, Fairfax County Public Schools (Va.)

1994: Kenneth L. Moffett, Lennox School District (Calif.)

1993: Kenneth S. Burnley, Colorado Springs School District (Colo.)

1992: Donald W. Ingwerson, Jefferson County Public Schools (Ky.)

1991: Carol G. Peck, Alhambra School District (Ariz.)

1990: Donald R. Draayer, Minnetoka Public Schools (Minn.)

1989: James A. Wilsford, Orangeburg School District (S.C.)

1988: Gene R. Carter, Norfolk Public Schools (Va.)

Former State Superintendents of the Year
Thank You to our National Superintendent of the Year Partners
Questions?

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