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Each year, the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA) and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD) announce the recipients of the Dr. Samuel Houston Jr. Leadership Award for graduates of their Aspiring Superintendents Program.
The program prepares “current school leaders to become effective superintendents who will lead North Carolina school districts in the future,” according to the NCASLD website.
In 2024, this prestigious award, which is presented to transformational education leaders in North Carolina’s public schools, has been awarded to four recipients, according to a press release:
- Melody Boyd, area superintendent of the Cumberland County Schools;
- Drew Cook, assistant superintendent of academics of the Wake County Public School System;
- Dr. Nicholas King, deputy superintendent of the Durham Public Schools; and
- Dr. Beth Penley, assistant superintendent of the Newton-Conover City Schools.
The award is named in honor of Dr. Samuel Houston, the president and CEO of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center. Houston served as superintendent of the Mooresville Graded School District for ten years, and he has been a champion for strategic planning, student performance and accountability, meeting the needs of the 21st century workforce, skills for the STEM world, and building education partnerships.
“Boyd, Cook, King, and Penley all exemplify the traits that have guided Dr. Sam Houston’s career in educational leadership. They have a commitment to continuous improvement, high standards of ethical conduct, strategic planning, improving student performance, and meeting the needs of the 21st century workforce,” said NCSSA Executive Director Jack Hoke. “I look forward to seeing them progress in their leadership journey in education.”
