The Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) held its Administrators of Color Conference from Sept. 9-11, 2026 in Indianapolis. The conference was designed to support superintendents, school district leaders and aspiring educational leaders of color. Pedro Noguera provided the keynote address. IAPSS also recognized local education advocates and leaders. See the full list of honorees below.
2026 IAPSS Honorees:
Rising Star Award
Franklyn Bush – Principal, Lawrence Central High School
Champion of Public Education
Karen Bishop Morris – Lifelong Educator
Virginia Caine – Director and Chief Medical Officer, Marion County Public Health Department
Danita Johnson-Woods – President and CEO, Edgewater Health
Gregory W. Porter – State Representative
Vernon Smith – State Representative
Distinguished Administrator
Aaron D. Huff – Principal, Benjamin Bosse High School
Crystal Thorpe – Chief of Secondary Education, MSD Lawrence Township
Lifetime Achievement
Dennis Bland – President, Center for Leadership Development
Khaula Murtadha – Associate Professor, IU School of Education
Linda Randolph – Principal, IDOE Outreach Coordinator, Chicago Public Schools
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