ACTE Announces New York Assistant Professor & Work-based Learning Program Coordinator, as National Award Winner
ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Cynthia Thomas, Assistant Professor & Work-based Learning Program Coordinator in the Career & Technical Educator Preparation Department at SUNY Oswego, in Syracuse, NY as the 2026 ACTE Region I Postsecondary Professional of the Year. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education (CTE) educators at the postsecondary 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.
Cynthia Thomas, MSEd, CAS, is a dynamic educator, consultant, and licensed cosmetologist with over 15 years of experience in education and the beauty industry. Known for her leadership, research, and dedication to equity, she plays a vital role in advancing Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the postsecondary level across New York State and beyond.
Thomas serves as Assistant Professor and Work-Based Learning Program Coordinator at SUNY Oswego, where she connects students to real-world experiences and promotes inclusive, innovative instruction. She is also the founder of Cynthia Thomas Education Consultants (CTE Consultants, LLC). This workforce development company supports postsecondary educators and adult learners through professional development, career coaching, and curriculum design.
As a doctoral candidate in Learning and Teaching in Social Context at the University at Buffalo, Thomas is conducting her dissertation research, Exploring Culturally Responsive Teaching in Postsecondary Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development, which she is scheduled to defend by the end of the year. Her research examines how culturally responsive practices can transform teaching and learning in CTE programs. In 2024, she was awarded an ECMC Foundation mini-grant to support the creation of a statewide instructional framework designed to strengthen equity and workforce outcomes across New York’s CTE and workforce programs.
Thomas holds several key leadership roles, including serving as the Post-Secondary Representative for the New York State Trade and Technical Teachers Association (NYSTTTA) and the Career Readiness Educators Association (CREA). She is a member of the NYSACTE board, President of the soon-to-launch New York State Postsecondary Career Education (PACE) extension, and Fellowship Administrator for the inaugural cohort of the NYSACTE Postsecondary State Leaders Fellowship Program, sponsored by Advance CTE and the ECMC Foundation. Additionally, she serves as Alumni Coordinator for the ACTE NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Fellowship. As an alumna of the fellowship herself, Thomas contributed to the development of a community-wide culturally responsive training micro-credential.
In her local community, Thomas partners with the Syracuse Police Athletic League (Syracuse PAL) to design mentorship and career exploration programs for youth. She also supports new CTE instructors and student teachers in adopting inclusive teaching practices. She has collaborated with Le Moyne College’s ERIE 21 program, SUNY Onondaga Community College, and SUNY Oswego to create and implement workforce readiness initiatives that connect adult learners’ lived experiences to meaningful career opportunities. Her advocacy efforts include contributing to the North Syracuse Central School District’s district-wide root cause analysis and culturally responsive framework developed in partnership with NYU Steinhardt. She continues to work closely with the district to guide revisions to its Code of Conduct.
Thomas’s leadership continues to drive meaningful changes in CTE at the local, state, and national levels.
Thomas 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, 2025, 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.
