ACTE Announces Michigan Professor as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Dr. Katherine Manley, Professor at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, as the 2026 ACTE Region I Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame Award Recipient. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education (CTE) educators at the middle/secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Dr. Manley’s distinguished career in Career and Technical Education (CTE) began as a middle and high school business education teacher in both Florida and Iran. After earning her doctorate from Virginia Tech, she served as an administrator at Dalton Junior College and later as a Research Specialist at the National Center for Research in Vocational Education at The Ohio State University. In 1984, she joined Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, where she launched the institution’s first master’s degree program in CTE. Now, after four decades at Ferris, she continues to inspire future leaders by teaching graduate courses in CTE and Educational Leadership.
A respected professor and mentor, Dr. Manley is widely recognized for her expertise in CTE assessment, curriculum development, and research. She consistently receives exceptional evaluations from her students, who commend her engaging teaching style, depth of knowledge, and genuine commitment to their success. Her influence as a mentor is evident in the more than 30 graduate students she has guided who have gone on to earn doctorates in CTE-related disciplines.
Her scholarly contributions are equally impressive, with over 35 publications in leading journals and research reports. Her work has advanced the understanding of instructional strategies, school improvement, and competency-based education, directly shaping CTE policy and practice.
Dr. Manley’s impact reaches well beyond the classroom and academic research. She has led and contributed to numerous funded research and development projects, including the Michigan Center for Career and Technical Education and the Automotive Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative (AMTEC). Her expertise has taken her to the international stage, where she has delivered workshops and presentations at global conferences in Brussels, Cologne, Monte Carlo, and Kuala Lumpur, among others. She has also been invited by the World Bank to support the redevelopment of training standards and curriculum for Iran and has contributed to curriculum development in countries such as Palau, Belize, and American Samoa.
As a consultant, Dr. Manley developed the innovative Turbo-DACUM job analysis method and a groundbreaking approach to curriculum and assessment used by 17 Fortune 500 companies as well as numerous schools, industries, and professional organizations. Her industry knowledge is woven into her graduate teaching, enriching the learning experience for her students.
Through her leadership, scholarship, and global outreach, Dr. Manley has impacted the education and training of hundreds of thousands of students in Michigan and around the world. Her numerous honors, including the Michigan Association of Governing Board of State Universities Distinguished Faculty Award, reflect her exceptional contributions to education. Her lifetime of service, innovation, and dedication make her a most deserving recipient of the ACTE Lifetime Achievement Award.
Manley is one of five finalists for the 2026 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on December 9, at 7:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Goodheart-Willcox, The Army, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.
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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.
