ACSA Awards Program

Program Overview

ACSA Awards Program

One of ACSA's priorities is to ensure that school leaders are recognized for their excellence. Through our annual awards program, we honor students, administrators and community organizations for their achievements and their dedication to public education at both the regional and state levels.

Program Overview:

  • State Special Awards: (state level only)
    – Ferd Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service Award
    – Marcus Foster Memorial Award for Administrator Excellence
  • Special Awards: (region and state levels)
    – Valuing Diversity Award
    – Partners in Educational Excellence Award
    – Robert E. Kelly Award
  • Administrators of the Year (region and state levels)
  • Every Student Succeeding Program (region and state levels)

Contact Us

ACSA Awards Program
Emily Agpoon, Program Coordinator
eagpoon(at)acsa.org | (916) 329-3833 (call or text)


Every Student Succeeding Program

Each year, ACSA recognizes 19 pre-K-adult students, one from each geographic region, as well as two California adult education students, for overcoming the odds and achieving success. Find out more.


Other ACSA Awards

Start your ACSA award nomination and log into the awards platform.

Program Calendar

  • Jan. 18, 2024: Nomination submission deadline for 2024 awards (nominations due for all awards in all regions)
  • Feb. 8: State finalist submissions due (ACSA region leaders submit their finalists to the state Awards Committee)
  • Late April: State recipients announced
  • Nov. 15: State recipients recognized in San Diego


Help & Resources

General program info:

  • Awards Program Overview
    See a snapshot program overview, with information on each of the award categories.
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    Read the most commonly asked questions about the program and nomination process, including questions about eligibility and supporting documents.
  • The Vetting Process
    Learn how nominees are vetted by their peers at each level of the program.
  • Program Timeline
    View a detailed timeline of the annual awards program from start to finish.

Starting your nomination:

Region manager resources:

For additional help, please contact the awards coordinator.

Nomination Forms

2024 Awards Program

  • Award Nomination Portal

    The nomination window for 2024 awards closed on Jan. 18.

    You can view and access copies of your submitted nominations via the online nomination portal at any time. Just log in and look under My entries on the home screen, using the "Active season" dropdown to search past seasons.

2024 Every Student Succeeding

Statewide Award Recipients

2023 Statewide Award Recipients

ACSA is proud to recognize the 2023 state award honorees. We offer our sincerest congratulation to all of this year's nominees, who without exception
represent the excellence and commitment of California's educators.
Winners will be honored at the Leadership Summit in Sacramento the evening of Nov. 3.

2023 Special Awards


Ferd Kiesel Memorial
Distinguished Service Award

The Ferd. Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service Award is ACSA's highest honor. Each year, we honor one individual who has made a significant contribution to education. The award is named after Ferd. Kiesel, ACSA founding president, a man whose personal commitment to schools and students—and to this association—was exemplary.

Ron Carruth
Superintendent, El Dorado Union HSD
Region 2

Marcus Foster Memorial Award for
Administrator Excellence

ACSA established the Marcus Foster Memorial Award to honor educators who model the vision of Marcus Foster. Foster took risks to improve educational opportunities. His inclusive management style gave community and staff comfort and confidence. He was creative, and willing to try new ideas to reach out to students. Foster was a skilled manager of change.

Recipients of this award receive a $5,000 grant for a high school senior or seniors.

Susan C. Salcido, Ed.D
Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, Santa Barbara COE
Region 13

Robert E. Kelly Award

ACSA's Robert E. Kelly Award honors individuals who help advance the high quality of public education and who have made significant contributions on a volunteer basis over the years.

Kathy Wehunt
Region 15

Partners in Educational Excellence

ACSA's Partners in Educational Excellence Award recognizes exemplary school-community partnership programs.

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
Region 16

Valuing Diversity Award

ACSA's Valuing Diversity Award recognizes those who further ACSA's mission by promoting diversity and support for all children, parents and staff.

Natalie Taylor
Director of Intervention and English Learner Programs, Claremont USD
Region 15


2023 Administrators of the Year


Superintendent of the Year

Cheryl E. Jordan
Superintendent, Milpitas USD
Region 8


Secondary Principal of the Year

Dr. Erika Tejeda
Principal, Liberty High Schools, Perris Union HSD
Region 19


Middle Grades Principal of the Year

Dr. Christa Glembocki
Principal, Dwyer Middle School,
Huntington Beach CSD
Region 17


Elementary Principal of the Year

Justine Turner
Principal, Oakbrook Academy of the Arts TK-8, Fairfield-Suisun USD
Region 4


Central Office Administrator of the Year

Joy Ceasar
Director of Learning, Instruction & Accountability,
El Centro ESD
Region 18


Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year

Monica Luther, Ed.D.
Assistant Principal, Orange High School,
Orange USD
Region 17


Elementary Co-Administrator of the Year

Nate Diamantine
Assistant Principal, Patricia Kay Beaver Leadership Magnet, Ceres USD
Region 7



Classified Leader of the Year

Corrin Conley
Personnel Services Director, East Whittier CSD
Region 15


Confidential Employee of the Year

Priscila Caballero
Senior Executive Assistant, County Superintendent of Schools, Santa Clara COE
Region 8


Personnel/Human Resources Administrator
of the Year

Brian Meisenheimer
Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, Merced CSD
Region 9


Adult Education Administrator of the Year

Michelle Claprood Lee
Principal, Charter Oak Adult Education,
Charter Oak USD
Region 15


Career Technical Education Administrator
of the Year

Alicia Caddell
Career Technical Education Coordinator, Folsom Cordova USD
Region 3


Special Education Administrator of the Year

Nanette Gray
Senior SELPA Director, Pleasanton USD/Tri-Valley SELPA
Region 6


Superintendent/Principal of the Year

Dr. Karen Villalobos
Superintendent/Principal, Twin Rivers Charter School, Yuba City USD Charter Authorizer
Region 2



Business Services Administrator of the Year

Kimberlie Linz
Chief Business Official, El Segundo USD
Region 14


Student Services Administrator of the Year

Dr. Donna Campbell
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services/Special Education, Palmdale ESD
Region 15


Curriculum & Instruction Administrator
of the Year

Lisa Cruikshank
Director of Special Projects, Thermalito Union ESD
Region 2


Continuation/Educational Options Administrator of the Year

Maria-Eduviges López-Cisneros
Principal, Valley Oak High School and Napa Valley Independent Studies, Napa Valley USD
Region 4


Professor of Education of the Year

Dr. Maureen Latham
Superintendent in Residence,
Azusa Pacific University
Region 19


Retired Administrator of the Year

Julie Braun Martin
Region 6


Technology Administrator of the Year

Christine Jones
Coordinator of Educational Technology,
Palmdale SD
Region 15




For information on regional award recipients, please find your Region in the dropdown menu or the map on our Regions page.

Download an archive of all past state ACSA Awards recipients.

Awards Program