Lamar Consolidated ISD Superintendent Roosevelt Nivens was named the National Superintendent of the Year on Feb. 12, marking the first Texas nominee to win the national award in 25 years, officials announced in a Feb. 12 news release.
Nivens, who has served at LCISD since 2021, was nominated for The School Superintendents Association's national award by the Texas Association of School Administrators in November, following his award as Region 4 Superintendent of the Year.
The details
Nivens, who is also the TASA's president-elect, was one of four national finalists, including superintendents from Kentucky, Maine and Maryland, per the release.
The final nominees were judged by several criteria, including leadership for learning, communication, professionalism and community involvement.
In his own words
In a Feb. 12 release from LCISD, Nivens said he is honored to represent and lead the district and said LCISD's success is the result of dedicated people, including teachers, staff, parents and community partners.
“This is a truly unbelievable moment, and I’m incredibly grateful and humbled,” Nivens said in the release. “When I think of my own journey growing up and the incredible impact that dedicated, passionate educators made in my own life, it makes me thankful every single day that I’m able now to help pay that forward and lead a team in Lamar CISD that’s having that same kind of impact on future generations.”
What they're saying
Executive Director of TASA Kevin Brown, who nominated Nivens for the national award, said Nivens' award is "no surprise" to anyone who knows him.
“He is a passionate public education champion who knows first-hand through his own personal experience the life-changing impact of great teachers and schools," he said in the release. "His personal faith and love for people shine through everything he does as a servant leader. Kind, courageous, mission-driven, and charismatic, Dr. Nivens is an inspiration to all who know him and are served by him."
What's next?
A $10,000 scholarship will be presented in Nivens' name to the high school he graduated from, per the release.
