ACTE Announces Arkansas Career Center Director as National Award Finalist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2023
Contact: Dominique Frascoia
ACTE Announces Arkansas Career Center Director as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Patricia Edmunds, Career Center Director at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas, as the 2023 ACTE Region IV Postsecondary Educator 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.
Pat Edmunds is the Director of Arkansas Tech Career Center in Russellville, Arkansas. Spending 30 plus years in Career and Technical Education, she has accepted the role as educational administrator, leader, and mentor excitedly. She took a 1972 vo-tech model and modernized it by facilitating a merger with a two-year institution, updating programing, incorporating industry credentials, and growing enrollment by 200%. She brought industry to the table to have real conversations about growing a local modern workforce. Her motto is, “If you’re not improving, you’re backing up.” When she’s not in her garden, she and her husband, Jerry, love spending time with their precious grandbabies or traveling to new and exciting destinations. Ms. Edmunds currently serves on the National Counsel for Local Administrators Board of Directors, and Arkansas Association for Career and Technical Educators Board, and a Cabinet Member of Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Cabinet. Edmunds had the honor of being named Postsecondary Educator of the Year by Arkansas ACTE in 2022, and ACTE Region IV Postsecondary Professional of the Year in 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at University of the Ozarks and her Master of Education in Educational Leadership at Harding University.
Edmunds is one of five finalists for the 2024 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 November 29, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, The Army, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.
###
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.