CITE Awards Program
Help us celebrate the hard and impactful work of CITE members!
CITE Awards Program
The 2026 Award Nomination Window will open early April.
Award CategoriesFAQs2025 RecipientsHall of FameNomination Advice
CITE’s awards program congratulates and celebrates CITE members, partners, and others for the work they do and the accomplishments they’ve made to technology in education and CITE.
Awards are given annually according to the awards calendar approved by the CITE Board of Directors. Some awards may not be given each year.
CITE’s Core values are the cornerstones of the awards.
- Leadership - We believe that technology leadership is essential.
- Advocacy – We believe Advocacy facilitates and accelerates change.
- Learning – We believe technology can enhance learning. Learning is ongoing and lasts a lifetime.
- Community – We believe a strong community enables the abilities of all of its members. There exists in our community the talent to solve any problem.
In addition, we have our Lifetime Achievement Award for those who have demonstrated a long-standing dedication to the education community. The awardee is inducted into the CITE Hall of Fame.
See below for information about each award, the nomination and awards process, and how to nominate.
Awards given based on nominations by CITE members:
Technology Leader Award (Leadership)
This award goes to an IT leader (or Local Education Agency (LEA)) that is leading the way with technology in education with demonstrated dedication to the CITE community, education, and CITE’s mission, vision, goals. Could be more than one per year. Must be a current CITE Educational member.
Qualifications: Currently in an IT leadership role in an LEA that has led the way with new technology and/or has created a substantive change in their organization that has improved the experience for the community. Nominee must be an active CITE member.
Nomination Process: Self-nominations allowed. Nominations submitted to the Awards Committee for review. Recommendations for winner(s) sent to CITE Board of Directors for final decision.
Award Process: The CITE Awards Task Force chooses winners for the Regional Community Award. Recommendations for winner(s) sent to CITE Board of Directors for final decision. Winners are notified in October.
Winners Receive:
- One complimentary registration to the CITE Annual Conference in the same year as award given.
- Up to 3 (three) night’s lodging at one of the conference hotels.
- Recognition at the Annual Conference.
- 12 month CITE Membership.
- Recognition on CITE’s website and publications.
- Engraved Award.
Technology Staff Award (Leadership)
This award goes to a person who is currently in an IT role that is not a leadership role in an Local Education Agency (LEA). This person may not be in a leadership role but has exhibited leadership qualities and created a positive impact within their department, LEA, or community with the work they’ve done. This person is also a CITE member who exudes qualities that align with CITE’s mission, vision, and goals.
Qualifications: Currently NOT in an IT leadership role in an LEA and exhibits leadership qualities and created a positive impact within their department or LEA with the work they are doing. Nominee must be an active CITE member.
Nomination Process: Self-nominations allowed. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee for review. Recommendations for winner(s) sent to CITE Board of Directors for final decision.
Award Process: The CITE Awards Task Force chooses winners for the Regional Community Award. Recommendations for winner(s) sent to CITE Board of Directors for final decision. Winners are notified in October.
Winners Receive:
- One complimentary registration to the CITE Annual Conference in the same year as award given.
- Up to 3 (three) night’s lodging at one of the conference hotels.
- Recognition at the Annual Conference.
- 12 month CITE Membership.
- Recognition on CITE’s website and publications.
- Engraved Award.
Educational Leader Award (Learning)
This award goes to one or more who are leading an effort to use technology in the learning process successfully.
Qualifications: Currently working in an Local Education Agency (LEA) and actively involved in the learning process in a way that is effectively using technology. This nominee does NOT need to be a CITE Member, yet they should show dedication to CITE, the education community, or other organizations through volunteerism and/or their job.
Nomination Process: Self-nominations allowed. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee for review. Recommendations for winner(s) sent to CITE Board of Directors for final decision.
Award Process: The CITE Awards Task Force chooses winners for the Regional Community Award. Recommendations for winner(s) sent to CITE Board of Directors for final decision. Winners are notified in October.
Winners Receive:
- One complimentary registration to the CITE Annual Conference in the same year as award given.
- Up to 3 (three) night’s lodging at one of the conference hotels.
- Recognition at the Annual Conference.
- 12 month CITE Membership.
- Recognition on CITE’s website and publications.
- Engraved Award.
Community Award (Community)
CITE Members can nominate a Regional Group, an educational organization or an educational department team.
Qualifications: Demonstrated dedication to the CITE community, education, and CITE’s mission, vision, goals. This award is given to a CITE Regional Group, department team, or educational organization that has strengthened their community through their service.
Nomination Process: CITE regional group members may nominate a team, CITE Regional Group, or educational organization in their region. Multiple regional groups can work together to nominate. Regional groups may nominate themselves or another regional group.
Award Process: The CITE Awards Task Force chooses winners for the Community Award. Recommendations for winner(s) sent to CITE Board of Directors for final decision. Winners are notified in October.
Winners Receive:
- One complimentary registration to the CITE Annual Conference in the same year as award given (intended for the person accepting the award at the event).
- Recognition at the Annual Conference.
- Recognition on CITE’s website and publications.
- Engraved Award.
Awards given based on nominations by the CITE Board of Directors:
Education Advocate of the Year (Advocacy)
This award goes to a CA or US politician or public figure who is serving the education community through activism, committee, actively submitting bills to legislature, and/or recommended by Capitol Advisors Group.
Qualifications: CA or US politician or public figure with an outstanding reputation for advocating for K-12 Education issues.
Nomination Process: The CITE Board of Directors will confer with the Capitol Advisors Group and take recommendations from CITE members. Please contact awards@cite.org to make a recommendation.
Award Process: The CITE Board of Directors decides winners internally.
Winners Receive:
- Recognition at the Annual Conference.
- Recognition on CITE’s website and publications.
- Engraved Award.
This award goes to an individual who has previously won either the Community, Leadership, Learning, Tech Partner, or Advocacy awards and has demonstrated a long-standing dedication to the education community. Recipient is inducted into the CITE Hall of Fame. This award is given only when a deserving recipient is identified by CITE.
Qualifications: Individual with a demonstrated dedication to the K-12 education community through years of service, activism, and CITE membership.
Nomination Process: Nominations submitted from the CITE membership only committee from June-August.
Award Process: The CITE Board will consider the nominations and recommendations from the committee before deciding on the award winner.
Winners Receive:
- One complimentary registration to the CITE Annual Conference in the same year as award given.
- Up to three (3) night's lodging at one of the conference hotels.
- Recognition at the Annual Conference.
- 12 month CITE Membership.
- Recognition on CITE's website and publications.
- Engraved Award.
This award goes to an individual who has previously won either the Community, Leadership, Learning, Tech Partner, or Advocacy awards and/or has demonstrated a long-standing dedication to the education community. Recipient is inducted into the CITE Hall of Fame. This award is given only when a deserving recipient is identified by CITE. This person may receive the Lifetime Achievement Award once they are near retirement.
Qualifications: Individual with a demonstrated dedication to the K-12 education community through years of service, activism, and CITE membership
Awards Process: The CITE Board will consider the nominations and recommendations from the committee before deciding on the award winner.
Winners Receive:
- One complimentary registration to the CITE Annual Conference in the same year as award given.
- Up to 3 (three) night’s lodging at one of the conference hotels.
- Recognition at the Annual Conference.
- 12 month CITE Membership.
- Recognition on CITE’s website and publications.
This award is given to a CITE member who has significantly contributed their time by volunteering on CITE committees, regional groups, task forces, education programs, presenting, or other activities coordinated by CITE.
Qualifications: Individual who have demonstrated dedication CITE programs and mission.
Awards Process: CITE Staff & Board will make nominations. The CITE Board will consider the nominations to make the selection.
Winner Receives:
- One complimentary registration to the CITE Annual Conference in the same year as award given.
- Up to 3 (three) night’s lodging at one of the conference hotels.
- Recognition at the Annual Conference.
- 12 month CITE Membership.
- Recognition on CITE’s website and publications.
Timeline, Resources & FAQs
- Mid-April - Nominations Open
- May 15 - Nominations Close
- June/July - Awards Task Force Reviews Award Nominations
- October - Award Recipients are Announced
Below are some tips to help you when writing a nomination for the CITE Awards Program.
Carefully Review Nomination Criteria
Review the criteria for the nominee’s category to ensure you cover each requirement carefully in your nomination. If relevant, ensure that they are an active CITE member prior to submission.
Use Supporting Documentation and Great Detail
Use photos, or other forms of documentation to support and show the work the nominee has done. The panel scoring nominations may not know the nominee(s), so the greater the detail, the better.
Focus on the Impact
How has the nominee impacted IT in Education at their Local Education Agency (LEA), the profession, and/or the community? Rather than focusing on ‘what’ a nominee has done, focus on ‘why’ what they did is important.
Get an Outside Perspective
Enlist someone to help with writing and editing. The panel may not know a lot about the person you are nominating so you will want to tell a story with lots of examples and results that makes them stand out.
Read the latest CITE Blog post detailing 2025 CITE Award Nominations information.
What is the deadline for submitting a nomination?
Nominations are due May 15, 2026.
Who can submit a nomination?
Nominations may be made by any CITE member. Please see the details on each award for specific nomination rules.
Who is on the Awards Task Force?
Educational members currently active and apply to volunteer for the task force. The Member Engagement Manager oversees the Task Force’s work and reports to the CITE Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please contact awards@cite.org.
Do you have to be a CITE member to nominate?
Yes.
What information is required for a nomination?
All nominations will require you to explain why the nominee deserves the award. You will need to have basic information about them including their name, place of work, and email.
How long does it take to finish a nomination?
You will need to register an account first. You will be able to use the same account for multiple nominations. You will also need to have the contact information for your nominee and any other contributors available before you start. You will also need to write a nomination letter with as much information as possible within a 500 word limit. You may save your submission and finish it later if needed.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Please contact awards@cite.org with your questions.
Awards Task Force
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Danny AmbrizApplication Specialist Merced City School DistrictCITE Member Representative
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Matthew Chaney
ISC2 CC, GCPC, MCDST, KITT Computer Support Technician | Technology Advisor Shasta Union High School DistrictCITE Member Representative -
Ozzy CortezChief Technology Officer Saddleback Valley Unified School DistrictCITE Member Representative
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Lisa DeLapo
CCTO, ATA Director, Information & Instructional Technology Stanbridge AcademyCITE Member Representative -
Gowri KomatineniSAP ABAP Developer Los Angeles Unified School District - Information Technology Services (ITS)CITE Member Representative
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Iancarlo MoralesCOHORT5 Lead Support Technician Technology Service Santa Clara Unified School DistrictCITE Member Representative
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Kyleigh NevisDirector, Technology Support Oakland Unified School DistrictCITE Member Representative
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Austin Pimentel
Data & Systems Analyst Ceres Unified School DistrictCITE Member Representative -
Jonathan SilvaInformation Technology Admin Oxford Preparatory AcademyCITE Member Representative
Member Engagement Committee
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Jamie Lewsadder
CCTO Associate Superintendent of Technology Services La Canada Unified School DistrictCITE Board Member Representative -
Kristin BowlingDirector of Technology Red Bluff Union Elementary School DistrictCITE Member Representative
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Ryan Bradford
Director of Technology and Integration YPI Charter SchoolsCITE Member Representative -
Robert Brogdon
Director of Technology Operations Turlock Unified School DistrictCITE Member Representative -
Michael Harte
Director of Technology Beaumont Unified School DistrictCITE Member Representative -
John Morgan Ed.D.Director of Technology Menifee Union School DistrictCITE Member Representative
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Jennifer Oliveira
CTO Mentorship Graduate 2022 (Cohort 16) Director South Bay Union School DistrictCITE Member Representative -
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Britton SmithTechnology Services Coordinator Kern County Superintendent of SchoolsCITE Member Representative
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Josue Josh Valdez
Director Technology Systems Rialto Unified School DistrictCITE Member Representative -
Alex Wilson
CITE-TMAP SIS Manager Centinela Valley Union High School DistrictCITE Member Representative
