Continuing a commitment to education throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky and building on a rich, foundational history of preparing teachers and educational leaders, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) announces the recipients of the “Experience Excellence” Superintendents of the Year. The awards are given in conjunction with the Central Kentucky Educational Cooperative (CKEC) and Southeast South-Central Educational Cooperative (SESC).
“These partnerships showcase EKU’s commitment to working alongside the state’s educational cooperatives toward a shared mission of transforming the Commonwealth through education,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “We’re proud to celebrate excellence in educational practice and leadership among our state’s superintendents and school districts.”
The 2025 “Experience Excellence” Superintendents of the Year are:
- Carrie Ballinger, Rockcastle County Schools
- Will Begley, Burgin Independent Schools
- Dustin Howard, Clark County Schools
- C.D. Morton, Harlan Independent Schools
The EKU “Experience Excellence” Superintendent of the Year award employs a competitive process to identify Kentucky public school district superintendents with particularly notable talent and vision in instructional leadership, communication, professionalism and community involvement.
The award recipients have demonstrated through their practices and daily leadership the advancement of student success. They incorporate innovative thinking and bold action into their vision, and their transformational leadership style embraces guiding values of inclusion and trust.
“As we prepare the next generation of school and community leaders, these superintendents exemplify traits we hope our graduates display throughout their careers,” said EKU Dean of the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences Elizabeth Smith.
Ballinger and Morton were recognized on April 10, 2025, at the SESC Board of Directors meeting. Begley and Howard were recognized on April 16, 2025, at the CKEC Board of Directors meeting.
In recognition of their award, each superintendent selects an EKU-bound high school senior in their district to receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences.
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