Dr. Lenora Hogan, Starkville Oktibbeha School District's retiring Director of CTE, has been named the 2024 Administrator of the Year by the Mississippi Association of Secondary Career and Technical Administrators (MASCTA). Hogan was nominated and chosen for the award by the ninety-two peer members of the statewide organization. The award will be formally presented at the Mississippi Association of Career and Technical Education conference in July.
Hogan has served as the school district's Director of CTE at the Millsaps Career and Technology Center for eight years. During her tenure, she has worked with the SOSD leadership team to increase the number of CTE pathways available to students from nine to fifteen in addition to adding more elective courses. In her role as director, she has also worked to secure a number of grants as well as community partners to enhance the Millsaps opportunities for students in career and technical education.
"Being named MASCTA Administrator of the Year for 2024 has a different meaning for me this time around because I will be retiring this year," Hogan said. "This time around is bittersweet because it shows that my peers still see the passion that I have for CTE!"
Hogan also received the MASCTA Administrator of the Year award in 2021. In 2022, she was named Mississippi Administrator of the Year by the Association of Career and Technical Education, qualifying her for regional consideration among other CTE Directors from Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Mexico, and Oklahoma.
"We appreciate Dr. Hogan's service to our district and our Yellow Jacket families over the years," Superintendent Dr. Tony McGee said. "Her work has helped many students get a head start on their career path after high school, and we congratulate her on this outstanding award."
In speaking about the importance of Career and Technical Education, Hogan is clear about its impact to both students and Mississippi's future workforce development.
"The opportunities to provide work based learning and internships for students through our CTE programs is a game changer," she said. "Career & Technical Education is the power source that will not only fill positions that are in dire need of workers, but will also build on a variety of career opportunities that will recreate the workforce as we know it."
The CTE programs available for students through the Millsaps CTC at Starkville High School offer an introduction and advanced learning in a variety of career paths including Health Sciences, Uncrewed Arial Systems, Welding, Horticulture, Agriculture, Construction and Teacher Preparation. The pathways directly correspond to industries offering job opportunities in the Golden Triangle and across the state. Students who complete a 2-year CTE pathway leave high school with not only job skills in specific career areas, but also industry certifications, real-world experience through work-based learning, ACT WorkKeys designations, and a CTE diploma endorsement.
"Through CTE pathways, students have the opportunity to learn about a career in depth through hands on activities and industry visits," Hogan shared. "They also gain insight as to whether this career path really fits what they want to do. Hopefully, the experience will help them decide if it’s worth pursuing further."
Hogan will retire from the Starkville Oktibbeha School District on June 30.