KASB’s Academy for Communication and Engagement in Schools — ACES — is underway with 12 new and emerging school communications professionals. Participants will meet over six months to explore school PR core competencies and best practices, expand their professional network of support and create a strategic communication plan to advance the district’s most important goals.

Congratulations to these new and emerging school district communication professionals selected for the ACES program: 

Albania Andrade, Eudora 

Bry Ball, Wellsville 

Toni Cabezas, McPherson 

Renee Combes, Augusta 

Kari Cropper, Renwick 

Stacy Goss, Hutchinson 

Terry Meadows, Humboldt 

Shelby Mosier, Colby 

Halie O’Connor, Coffeyville 

Sarah Perez, KASB 

Allisa Spain, Fort Larned 

Matt Weller, Clay County 

“We have consistently heard from districts that communication is a key area in need of support,” said Dr. Brian Jordan, KASB executive director. “ACES is designed to help new communication pros fast track their learning and deliver the highest value to their school system and community.” 

The ACES group will meet in person monthly in school districts around the state. These meetings include learning and practicing key skills with insights from special guests and peers. Participants also will develop a communication plan tailored to their district, community and communications capacity.  

Support and encouragement will continue in the time between in-person sessions, thanks to mentors who are experienced district communications professionals and respected members of the Kansas School Public Relations Association. 

“There is no way KASB could have provided such rich support to each ACES participant without the generous investment of highly regarded KanSPRA members,” said Kristin Magette, KASB assistant executive director of communication and engagement and ACES leader. “KanSPRA has played an invaluable role throughout my school PR career, and it’s a privilege to help forge those connections with the newest group of communicators.” 

Among the 12 participants are several different job titles and roles with varied communication FTEs, ranging from 1.0 to .25 communication.  

“When communication is part of your role, it doesn’t matter how many hours you have,” Magette said. “In this field, there are always more requests and demands than you can fit, even in a full-time communication role. The key is learning to use the limited hours you have for high-priority work that moves the district’s strategic goals forward. And that’s our vision for every professional in ACES.”