ACTE Announces Nevada Associate Professor and Program Coordinator at the University of Nevada as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Career-Technical and Postsecondary Education at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, NV as the 2026 ACTE Region V Teacher Educator of the Year. 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.
A respected leader in the field, Dr. Xing’s work is at the forefront of research and innovation in career and technical education. Her scholarship focuses on college and career readiness, personalized career pathways, and workforce development for adult learners. She has secured over $637,000 in funding across 11 projects that address vital CTE priorities, including workforce training pipelines (such as the UNLV Tech Ready Rebels), return on investment in CTE programs, and equitable workforce access across Nevada.
A dedicated curriculum developer and thought leader, Dr. Xing authored High-Quality CTE Programs: Access and Supports for ACTE’s national High-Quality CTE Course Series. She also created the Career Navigation, Life Design, and Professionalism course, which has been adopted by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.
Her impact at UNLV is profound. In 2020, she led the development of a data-driven needs assessment model that resulted in major program improvements and the launch of new CTE offerings. She also co-founded Nevada’s first Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) CTE program and later introduced the Accelerated A-ARL track, broadening access to teaching careers for working professionals.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Xing has advised more than 50 graduate students and taught over 300 pre- and in-service teachers. Her work has been recognized nationally with numerous fellowships and honors, including the 2020 AERA Minority Meta-Analysis Fellowship, 2021 ACTE-ECMC NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Leadership Fellowship, and the 2022 ACTE Inclusion, Access, Equity, and Diversity Leadership Fellowship, among others. She is also the recipient of the Outstanding Beginning Scholar Award and the UNLV Distinguished Research Award.
With a passion for equity, innovation, and workforce readiness, Dr. Xing continues to shape the future of CTE education, both in Nevada and across the country.
Xing 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.
