Program honors superintendents with strong communication and relationship-building skills
School District U-46 Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Johnson was named to the National School Public Relations Association’s (NSPRA’s) list of “Superintendents to Watch.” Each year, NSPRA recognizes superintendents with fewer than five years of experience who demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core. The selection process was highly competitive, with a deep field of outstanding nominees, from which only 30 superintendents nationwide were selected.
“These leaders understand that communication is not just about sharing information. It is about building relationships,” said NSPRA Executive Director Barbara M. Hunter, APR. “Through meaningful engagement with families, staff, and community members, they are advancing their districts with clarity and purpose.”
One of the major accomplishments for which Dr. Johnson was recognized was leading the district’s “Unite U-46” effort — a community engagement initiative that successfully secured a $180 million bond approval in spring 2023, approved by a majority of voters in all three U-46 counties. The community support is now powering the completion of several district-defining, decades-in-the-making projects that will result in a major shift of the current educational landscape.
Dr. Johnson’s nomination for the NPSRA honor included letters of support from community leaders who recognized her for the relationships she has built across the school district.
Nancy Coleman, executive director of the Alignment Collaborative for Education, cited Dr. Johnson as a champion of efforts to provide work-based opportunities and paid internships for high schoolers and to create a path through which future teachers can complete their education degrees and certifications without having to leave the community.
“Dr. Johnson is defining a culture that embraces collaboration for the benefit of students, families, and the overall economic prosperity of the region,” Coleman said. ”Her unwavering commitment to supporting youth is always present as she works beside teachers and business community leaders to ensure students can graduate academic and career ready, prepared for successful futures.”
Carol Gieske, CEO of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, praised Dr. Johnson’s visible leadership, responsiveness, and forward-thinking communication strategies that have made her a trusted and respected voice in Elgin and beyond. “She exemplifies the kind of superintendent who not only leads with integrity but also builds lasting bridges between schools and the broader community,” Gieske explained.
“Dr. Johnson exemplifies what it means to be a transparent, engaging, and visionary communicator — one who not only ‘talks the talk,’ but consistently ‘walks the walk,’” said Amber Peters, the executive director of Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning, noting how Dr. Johnson has used her strong communications and relationship-building skills to increase awareness and support for the importance of early childhood education. “As both a leader and a parent, Dr. Johnson understands the power of communication to build trust, foster connection, and inspire collective action,” Peters said.
Karla Jiménez, Elgin Community College’s chief community & government relations officer, highlighted Dr. Johnson’s belief that “strong communication is at the heart of effective leadership,” in particular mentioning the award-winning “Johnson on the Job” video series in which the superintendent visits U-46 employees to experience the work they do first-hand, and shares their stories with the public. “Dr. Johnson leads with authenticity, care, and courage,” Jiménez said. “She’s a thoughtful communicator, a collaborator by nature, and a superintendent who never loses sight of the students and families she serves.”
Dr. Johnson has deep roots in U-46. She attended U-46 schools from kindergarten through high school, graduating from Elgin High School. Her parents were both U-46 educators, and after college, she returned to the district as a language arts educator, coach, high school principal, and district administrator. She was named interim superintendent in February 2023, and officially became superintendent of the state’s second-largest school district for the 2023-24 school year.
This year’s “Superintendents to Watch” will be formally recognized at the NSPRA 2026 National Seminar in New Orleans in July.
U-46 Press Release
Tara Burghart
January 12, 2026
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