New York’s Kevin McGowan Named 2023 AASA National Superintendent of the Year®

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
James Minichello
703-774-6953
jminichello@aasa.org

Announcement Made at AASA’s National Conference on Education  

San Antonio, Texas – Feb. 16, 2023 – Kevin McGowan, superintendent of Brighton Central Schools in Rochester, N.Y., has been named the 2023 AASA National Superintendent of the Year®. Today’s announcement came at the National Conference on Education, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association.

VIDEO: Click here to see the National Superintendent of the Year® announcement and remarks. 

Now in its 36^th year, the National Superintendent of the Year® program is co-sponsored by AASA, Corebridge Financial (formerly known as AIG Life & Retirement) and First Student, and celebrates the contributions and leadership of public school superintendents. ­

The other National Superintendent of the Year® finalists were:

• PJ Caposey, Meridian Community Unit School District #223, Stillman Valley, Ill.
• Matthew Hillmann, Northfield Public Schools, ISD 659, Northfield, Minn.
• Trent North, Douglas County School System, Douglasville, Ga.

“We’re on the right path,” said McGowan, when asked in January what it means to be a National Superintendent of the Year® finalist. “The work that’s happening in our district for children is approaching a place where people are noticing the gaps we’ve closed for children, the work that’s gone into that and the leadership that’s been provided to support each child and each family. This is really such a recognition of that work.”

“Congratulations to Kevin McGowan, a proven leader in public education and an inspiration to the Brighton Central Schools community,” said Terri Fiedler, president of retirement services, Corebridge Financial. “Corebridge Financial is honored to support school superintendents, and we thank this year’s finalists for their commitment to students, teachers and staff.”

“It is an honor to congratulate Kevin McGowan on being named the 2023 National Superintendent of the Year®,” said John Kenning, CEO and president, First Student. “We appreciate how vital superintendents are to the future of our students and the communities we serve. Superintendent McGowan and our three other finalists selected for this prestigious recognition represent the hallmark of education excellence. First Student is proud to partner with AASA in celebrating the profound contributions these leaders are making to create positive learning environments in our classrooms.”

“Navigating the myriad of challenges that school districts face on an ongoing basis requires unparalleled leadership. Superintendent Kevin McGowan exemplifies a leader who is excelling on the job on behalf of the learning community he serves, and I am so pleased to congratulate him as the 2023 National Superintendent of the Year®,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “It is truly an honor to recognize Kevin, as well as our other three finalists, PJ Caposey, Matthew Hillmann and Trent North, for serving as champions for children and empowering their students to lead us into a better world. I thank Corebridge Financial and First Student for supporting our program.” 

The AASA National Superintendent of the Year® program is open to all U.S. superintendents who plan to continue in the profession. The program also honors Canadian and other international school superintendents. The applicants were measured against the following criteria:

• Leadership for learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in the school system;
• Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication;
• Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team; and
• Community involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national and international issues.

A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2023 AASA National Superintendent of the Year® to a student attending the high school from which the superintendent graduated, or the school now serving the same area.

For more information about the program, contact Jennifer Rooney, AASA director, meetings and awards, at jrooney@aasa.org.Click here to access a list of the AASA 2023 State Superintendents of the Year.

Regarded as the most comprehensive professional learning and networking event for school superintendents and administrators, AASA’s National Conference on Education addresses the most critical issues affecting public education today, including leading through the COVID-19 pandemic, health and wellness, equity in education, social and emotional learning, personalizing education, technology and school safety. 

For more information about the conference, access AASA’s Conference Daily Online.

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About Corebridge Financial
Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG) makes it possible for more people to take action in their financial lives. With more than $345 billion in assets under management and administration as of September 30, 2022, Corebridge is one of the largest providers of retirement solutions and insurance products in the United States. Corebridge proudly partners with financial professionals and institutions to help individuals plan, save for and achieve secure financial futures. For more information, visit corebridgefinancial.com and follow Corebridge on LinkedIn, YouTube,  Facebook and Twitter.

About First Student
First Student is the leading school transportation solutions provider in North America. With a team of highly trained drivers, the industry’s strongest safety record and a fleet of nearly 47,000 vehicles, First Student provides the best start and finish to every school day. First Student delivers reliable, quality services, including full-service transportation, fleet electrification, special needs transportation, route optimization, scheduling, maintenance and charter services. For more information, please visit www.firststudentinc.com.

About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.