ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program

Lucas Schrauben is the Director of Secondary Programs at Holt Public Schools, a position he has held with great pride since 2018. In this role, he serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director and Administrator for the Holt Early College (a program for which he led the design and implementation teams). Lucas leads the development of new programming partnerships with employers and post-secondary institutions in the State of Michigan.

Lucas is highly esteemed for his innovative programming development, exceptional leadership qualities, steadfast support for his staff, and genuine concern for their well-being. Based on nominations from his staff, he was named the 2024 Michigan ACTE Administrator of the Year, the 2025 Region I ACTE Administrator of the Year, and a finalist for the 2025 ACTE National Administrator of the Year. Lucas attributes these accolades to the outstanding team of CTE educators he has worked with at Holt Public Schools.

Lucas is dedicated to creating pathways for students from high school to high-demand post-secondary opportunities through innovative and comprehensive curriculum options. He aims to advance students along their college and career pathways by providing them a competitive advantage through career exploration, industry certifications, college credits, and work-based learning experiences before graduation. He firmly believes that “the best learning happens through doing,” which is evident in the programs and extracurriculars he implements and oversees at Holt Public Schools and in his region.

Ricardo Pimentel, named the 2024 RI ACTE CTE Director of the Year and Rhode Island Junior Achievement Educator of the Year, has over 20 years of experience in education and is currently the Director of CTE & Unified Arts for the Pawtucket School Department in Rhode Island. He began his career as an English and Theater teacher, then served as the Director of the Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts (CTE High School) before transitioning to his current role overseeing career and technical education (CTE) and arts programs. Under his leadership, CTE programs have expanded with new offerings in engineering, computer science, and biomedical science, as well as citywide arts groups. Pimentel has also enhanced student engagement with technology such as augmented and virtual reality labs in grades 3-12 and has fostered community partnerships to create opportunities like the annual CTE Career Fair and May Arts Night. He is actively involved in various educational organizations, including RI ACTE, ACTE and RIASP.

Mrs. Jen Newendyke started her tenure as the Applied Technology Center director for the Rock Hill School District the summer of 2023. Professionally she has been an assistant regional superintendent, career and technical education (CTE) system director, career advisor, instructional coach, and middle school teacher. She holds her superintendent license, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Administration & Supervision, a M.S. Ed in Middle Level Education, and a B.S. in Geography. Mrs. Newendyke believes wholeheartedly in the opportunities CTE provides to all students! Personally, Mrs. Newendyke is busy raising two boys with her husband on their hobby farm. They raise bantam modern game and old english game birds to show as part of the American Poultry Association and 4H.

Arnaz Dotivala serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Specialist for Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia, where she leads and supports students and teachers while fostering meaningful partnerships with stakeholders to enhance educational programs. As the Immediate Past President of the Virginia Association of Trade and Industrial Educators (VATIE), she played a pivotal role in leading Virginia’s public school Trade and Industrial Educators, overseeing monthly board meetings and 24 trade and industrial lead teachers, as well as successfully orchestrating annual professional development conferences with over 160 attendees. Her past leadership includes significant contributions to SkillsUSA Virginia as the Cluster Chair and member of the SkillsUSA Virginia Foundation board. Currently serving as the incoming President-Elect for Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education (Virginia ACTE), she brings her extensive leadership experience to shape policies and programs that advance career and technical education across the state. While pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Virginia Tech, Arnaz continues to mentor and support teachers while contributing to the future of career and technical education in Virginia.

Dr. Katie Kensinger is a champion for career and technical education. As the Director of College and Career Readiness for Springfield Public Schools, she oversees a variety of programs focused on developing technical and transferable skills for secondary students, and connecting with community, industry and post-secondary partners. These opportunities include Career and Technical Education programs in Agriculture, Engineering, Health Sciences, Technology Education, Business, and more, and the specialized programs of GO CAPS, Fly SPS, and The Alliance for Healthcare Education.  Under her leadership, the Department of College and Career Readiness supports the additional programs of Work-Based Learning, International Baccalaureate, and dual credit. Prior to joining SPS, Kensinger taught Family and Consumer Sciences. She actively serves on several boards and committees centered around education and was recognized as the Missouri CTE New Administrator for 2022-2023.

Adrian Lucero serves as the Career & Technical Education Coordinator at Clovis High School in Clovis, NM. He has been in education for 15 years and has taught high school business, science, computer graphics, video production, and computer science. He is passionate about creating pathways and opportunities for all students to find their purpose. In addition, he was a mentee in the 2024 Association of Career and Technical Education’s Inclusion, Access, Equity, and Diversity program.

Alyssa Alcos is the CTE Coordinator at Kapolei High School, where she oversees 18 CTE Programs of Study. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with industry professionals to integrate work-based learning into the classroom, aiming to build a skilled workforce equipped with industry-recognized credentials to support local businesses. A strong supporter of Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), Alyssa founded a DECA chapter to prepare emerging leaders and now strives to make CTSO participation accessible to all students. She was elected Division Vice President of Business & Marketing for the Hawaii Association of Career and Technical Education and has actively served on the Region V Policy Committee for ACTE. Alyssa is dedicated to promoting career readiness and supplying industries with skilled, passionate candidates, and in her spare time, she enjoys volleyball, pickleball, and sunset dinners at her favorite beaches.

Currently serving in her 26th year in CareerTech Education, Randa Pirrong began her career as a Family and Consumer Science Teacher. In 2007, she earned her National Board Certification. For the last 12 years, she has served in various roles in administration, curriculum, instruction, and professional development. Randa holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Oklahoma. She currently leads Project HOPE at Francis Tuttle Technology Center, a high school dropout prevention program serving at-risk students in a six-sending school area of Oklahoma City.

Jacob Ball is a passionate agriculture teacher and National Board Certified educator dedicated to empowering a diverse student body at Carter G. Woodson Academy in Lexington, KY. Growing up on a farm in Culvertown, Kentucky, he developed a deep connection to agriculture, which he pursued academically, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education (2011), a Master of Arts in Education (2015), and an Education Specialist Degree in Administration (2018). Ball’s innovative curriculum not only focuses on agricultural skills but also celebrates minority contributions to the field, with projects like a hydroponic farm and an African American/Hispanic Agriculture Wall of Fame. His leadership extends beyond the classroom, with leadership roles in the Kentucky Association of Agricultural Educational, leading their FFA chapter, founding a Junior MANRRS chapter, and facilitating experiential learning opportunities to connect agriculture to the lives of his students. In 2023, Ball received the Milken Educator Award for his commitment to academic rigor and real-world experiences so that his students consistently excel, with high exam pass rates and scholarship achievements.

Emily Yoshikawa Ruesch, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor for Technology and Engineering Education at Utah State University. She has been been a lover of technology and engineering education since taking the classes as a student in seventh grade. She taught as a high school teacher teaching engineering, electronics, physics, robotics, and computer science before continuing on to her Ph.D. When not working, she loves spending time and traveling with her husband and three children.

Christina Loyd is a dedicated Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) teacher and FCCLA Advisor based in Center Ridge, Arkansas. With over two decades of experience in education, she has inspired countless students through her passion for teaching and her commitment to career and technical education (CTE). Christina holds multiple certifications, including early childhood education, middle childhood education in various subjects, and Family and Consumer Sciences for grades 7–12.

A proud alumna of Arkansas Tech University, Christina earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in 2000 and later completed a Master’s in Gifted Education in 2003.

Christina is an avid advocate for both Family and Consumer Sciences and all areas of Career and Technical Education (CTE). She believes FCS plays a critical role in equipping students with essential life skills and preparing them for success in their personal and professional lives. Her advocacy is reflected in her leadership roles, including her work with the Arkansas Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (AATFCS), the Arkansas ACTE, and the National FCCLA Consultant Team.

Her achievements are nothing short of remarkable. Christina has been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious ArACTE Carl Perkins Teacher of the Year, ArACTE teacher of the Year, ArACTE Educator of the Year, FCCLA Master Advisor, and PBS Invention Fellow titles. Her efforts have also extended to delivering professional development sessions at state and national levels, where she shares her expertise with other educators.

Beyond her professional life, Christina cherishes her role as a wife, mother of three, and grandmother of two. Her favorite word, “”Nana,”” perfectly encapsulates her love for her grandchildren. A passionate advocate for agriculture, Christina and her family raise and show dairy goats, instilling values of hard work and care for animals.

Sarah Grossi is the Careers in Education instructor at the Region 14 ATC at ConVal High School in Peterborough, New Hampshire, an Early Childhood Education adjunct professor at Lakes Region Community College in Laconia, New Hampshire, and a CAST National faculty member. Grossi’s undergraduate degrees are in art, early childhood development, and K-8 education. She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a reading concentration from Keene State College and a graduate certificate in behavior management from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Grossi is an Educators Rising teacher leader, ACTE New & Related Services Division Awards Chair, and ACTE New & Related Services CTE Scholars Lead. Sarah was named a New Hampshire Teacher of the Year 2020 finalist.

Carla Arciniega Henrici is a dedicated project leader at Lane Community College, where she oversees Perkins funding and champions Career Technical Education (CTE) initiatives with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. With over five years of experience in CTE, she has effectively coordinated educational alignment between K-12, postsecondary institutions, and industry partners. As a former co-chair of Oregon’s Statewide CTE Advisory Council and an active member of the OR ACTE Board of Directors, Carla advocates for enhanced collaboration and participation in postsecondary education. She holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara and has pursued graduate studies in Public Administration at Portland State University. Carla’s leadership is informed by her commitment to fostering opportunities that support upward social mobility for students

Ethan Dado (MN) is an avid supporter of educational innovation through the incorporation of project based learning and Career and Technical Education. Since 2023, Dado has served as the Pathways and CTE Coordinator for Eden Prairie Schools where he has expanded CTE programming to include 15 career pathways. Dado is active on the MnACTE board, currently serving as secretary. Prior to his employment with Eden Prairie Schools, he taught Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources in Mankato Area Public Schools and advised their FFA chapter for four years.

Jennifer Breman has spent a wonderful 18 years working for Alachua County Public Schools in Florida.  She started her career as a school counselor at Terwilliger Elementary and afterwards moved to the high school level where she was the Department Chair of the Counseling program.  Her desire for continued learning and new educational experiences had her make the move to teach in the Jobs for Graduates program working with students with disabilities in career planning and soft skills where she was also the Department Chair for Exceptional Student Education.  In a desire to be able to help with more systematic programming in the district Jennifer moved to the Career and Technical Education department of the district where she supports 16 Career and Technical Education Magnet programs across the county and 55 teachers.  Her favorite workplace activities are supporting students across the district in the Career and Technical Student Organization competitions and helping to secure additional grant funding to start new programs in the district.  She is a member of ACTE’s Career and Counseling Development Policy Committee where she works with the Bylaws Committee and has also participated in the IAED Mentorship Program  She enjoys travel, books, movies and musicals, spending time with her families and theme parks in her spare time.

Rachel is in her 5th year of teaching Healthcare Science for the Butts County School System. She serves as the Treasurer and current President-Elect of the Georgia Healthcare Science Technical Educator’s Association (HSTEA), with the presidency to begin in 2025. She will obtain her Master’s Degree in Adult and Career Education with a concentration in Career Technical Education in May 2025 from Valdosta State University, making her a double graduate of the university, with plans to pursue a doctoral degree. As a product of Career Technical Education, she is aware of the opportunities that are available to students and enjoys educating others about Career Technical Education. She is extremely passionate about CTE! Rachel resides in Metro Atlanta with her husband, Chris and two daughters, Ava and Olivia.

Dr. Sophia George serves as an Information Technology and AP CSP Instructor and High-Quality Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Granby High School in Norfolk, Virginia, where she champions equity and access in computer science education. With a Ph.D. in Character Education, an MBA in Finance, Dr. George combines her expertise in technology education with innovative approaches to work-based learning, particularly focusing on increasing participation of underrepresented students in AP Computer Science Principles and technology career pathways. Her research on high school juvenile offenders’ experiences with professional counselors, coupled with her 17-year tenure as Wellness Program Director at Family Wellness and Recovery Center, brings a unique perspective to addressing equity gaps in Career and Technical Education. As an ACTE Fellow, Dr. George is committed to developing data-driven frameworks for integrating work-based learning into technology education and creating sustainable pathways for diverse student populations to access high-quality CTE opportunities.

Anna Alday is the CTE Coordinator for the Alamogordo Public School District in Alamogordo, New Mexico. As the CTE Coordinator, she has built and enhanced 14 CTE pathways to align with industry standards, offering students relevant career certifications leading to high student achievement and positive economic development. She has also led the charge in creating and implementing sustainable, paid CTE and Work-Based Learning programs. Anna has won the New Mexico School Board Association Award for Excellence in Student Achievement and a local award from the Building Contractors Association of Otero County for positive economic contributions. With a strong commitment to student success and community growth, Anna continues to champion innovative educational strategies that bridge the gap between classroom learning and the workforce, ensuring that students are well-prepared to excel in their careers and make lasting impacts on the local economy.