The Texas Association of School Administrators nominated Nivens for the award Nov. 6, Community Impact reported.
The details
Nivens, who is also TASA’s president-elect, is one of four finalists for the award, along with superintendents from Kentucky, Maine and Maryland, per the release. The award recognizes superintendents for leadership and dedication to advancing public education in their communities.
“Dr. Nivens is an inspiration to everyone who knows him,” TASA Executive Director Kevin Brown said in the release. “His personal story is powerful, and it fuels his desire to help children and serve his community so very well.”
Nivens took over as superintendent at LCISD in 2021, after spending time as the superintendent of Community ISD, a district in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
He launched his education career in 1996 as a teacher in Dallas ISD and was an assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent of achievement and organizational management for Lancaster ISD, per the release.
Remember this?
Nivens was named 2025 Texas Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards on Sept. 12, Community Impact previously reported.
He was selected for the award by a TASB committee, citing his innovative approach to learning, teacher support and his philosophy of using public education to change generations, according to a Sept. 12 news release.
“As we recognize this year’s Superintendent of the Year, we are reminded that strong, visionary leadership in our schools is not only alive and well, but essential to the success of every student in Texas,” TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell said in the release.
Looking ahead
The 2026 Superintendent of the Year will be announced at AASA’s National Conference on Education, which takes place Feb. 12-14 in Nashville, per the release.
