ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Debra Miller, Retired Executive Board Member at Michigan Department of Education: Office of Career and Technical Education in Lansing, MI, as the 2027 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.
Throughout her distinguished career, Deb Miller has demonstrated visionary leadership, an unwavering commitment to student success, and a lasting impact on Career and Technical Education (CTE) across Michigan. Her dedication to strengthening CTE systems at the local, regional, and state levels has created meaningful opportunities for students, educators, and communities, leaving a legacy of excellence that continues to shape the future of career education.
Deb began her career as a high school English teacher, quickly earning a reputation for building strong connections with students while maintaining high expectations for academic success. Motivated by her belief in the power of applied learning, she earned CTE certification in Information Technology and later obtained administrative certification, expanding both her instructional expertise and leadership capacity. As a CTE instructor, she created rigorous, relevant learning environments aligned to industry needs while integrating technical skill development with communication, creativity, and critical thinking.
With more than 21 years of leadership experience in secondary CTE, Deb advanced into key administrative roles focused on improving systems, strengthening compliance, and expanding student access to high-quality programs. She led Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Self-Reviews and Technical Review, Assistance, and Compliance (TRAC) reviews, working closely with teachers to ensure program quality and continuous improvement.
At Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA), Deb served as CTE Administrator, Career Education Planning District (CEPD) Director, Executive Director of Career and Technical Education, and ultimately Assistant Superintendent. She strengthened partnerships among K-12 districts, postsecondary institutions, and employers while championing equitable access to high-quality CTE programs.
In a shared role with Kalamazoo Valley Community College, she served as Associate Vice President and helped develop the countywide Early Middle College program, expanding dual-enrollment opportunities and creating stronger pathways between high school, college, and careers.
Following her retirement from KRESA, Deb continued her statewide impact as Supervisor of the Career Readiness Unit within the Office of Career and Technical Education at the Michigan Department of Education. There, she supported policy development, program approval, accountability processes, and educators across the state to ensure Michigan’s CTE programs remained innovative and student-centered.
Deb’s contributions to Michigan ACTE have also been significant. As Legislative Co-Chair, she helped develop the Michigan Legislative Toolkit, strengthening advocacy efforts and helping members engage effectively with policymakers. She also played an important role in developing professional development opportunities for educators across the state.
Known for her collaborative leadership style, student-centered focus, and tireless dedication to advancing CTE, Deb consistently went above and beyond to ensure programs were both compliant and impactful. Her extraordinary contributions have strengthened CTE across Michigan and continue to inspire future leaders in the profession.
Deb Miller’s career reflects the highest ideals of Career and Technical Education—service, leadership, innovation, and results. Her extraordinary contributions have strengthened CTE across Michigan and continue to inspire future leaders in the profession.
Miller is one of five finalists for the 2027 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 2, at 6:00 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.
