Alignment Collaborative for Education is proud to announce that Executive Director Nancy Coleman has been named the ACTE Region III Carl D. Perkins Community Service Award winner and selected as one of five national finalists for this prestigious honor.
Since 2017, Nancy has led efforts to strengthen the workforce pipeline across Kane County through innovative partnerships that bring education, business, and community organizations together to expand career opportunities for students. Her collaborative leadership has helped thousands of students connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, explore career pathways, and prepare for future success.
“Nancy Coleman has helped transform how our region connects education, business, and community in service to students. Her ability to bring people together around a shared commitment to young people has created meaningful career opportunities for thousands of students and strengthened our region’s future workforce,” shared Dr. Todd Stirn, Work-Based Learning Specialist for Northern Kane County Vocational Region 110.
Dr. Stirn, who wrote Nancy’s award nomination, added, “Nancy does not simply open doors for students; she builds the partnerships that make those doors possible. Having had the privilege of writing Nancy’s nomination for the ACTE Carl D. Perkins Community Service Award, I can attest to the extraordinary leadership, collaboration, and commitment to student success that define her work. Her recognition as a national finalist is richly deserved.”
That same spirit of collaboration is reflected in the strong partnership between Nancy and Northern Kane County Region 110, whose leaders are proud to see her work recognized on the national stage.
“The Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System is excited to attend the ACTE CareerTech VISION conference this year and cheer on Nancy Coleman as she represents Illinois and Region III as a national finalist for the Carl D. Perkins Community Service Award,” shared Terry Stroh, Director of Northern Kane County Region 110.
“Northern Kane is proud to partner with Nancy and Alignment Collaborative for Education to develop strong community partnerships and work-based learning opportunities for students across the region. Nancy’s passion and drive to support students and our communities as a whole are second to none. We are proud to have nominated her for this award and look forward to celebrating this well-deserved recognition at this year’s national conference.”
Named in honor of the late Congressman Carl Perkins, the award recognizes members of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) who use career and technical education (CTE) to make a significant humanitarian impact on their communities. Nancy’s recognition reflects her unwavering commitment to student success, her innovative approach to regional collaboration, and her dedication to building meaningful connections between education and the workforce.
The national award winner will be announced December 2 at the ACTE Awards Gala, celebrating excellence and achievement in career and technical education nationwide.
Please join us in congratulating Nancy on this well-deserved recognition! Her selection as a national finalist is a testament to the power of collaboration and the lasting impact that strong community partnerships can have on students and the future of our region.
ACE is a member of the Alignment USA communities of collaboration and collective impact.
