The Friend of The Council Award was created in 1996 and is given annually in recognition of a person's contribution to the New York State Council of School Superintendents and the field of education.
2022 Friend of The Council Recipient
Our Distinguished Service Committee selected Christina Coughlin, Ph.D., Assistant Commissioner for School Governance, Policy, and Religious and Independent Schools at the New York State Education Department as our 2022 Friend of The Council. Dr. Coughlin is widely valued among our members as a problem solver -- a state official who is responsive and forthright in her interactions with school officials. She is a model of exemplary customer service, a current NYSED Priority.
The award was presented at the Winter Institute's Closing Keynote session on Monday, March 8, 2022. Special thanks to partner Keenan & Associates for their sponsorship of this year's award.
Also pictured L to R: NYSCOSS Executive Director Chuck Dedrick; NYSCOSS President Phyllis Harrington, Superintendent, Oceanside; Christina Coughlin; Senior Vice President Jeff Hall, from award sponsor Keenan Pharmacy; and Distinguished Service Chair Hank Grishman, Superintendent, Jericho.
2023 Nominations Process
Nominations are provided by members or Council staff and are due in January to be included in the selection process. A selected individual must be:
- Actively involved in education and supportive of The Council's mission. Superintendents and Assistant Superintendent members of NYSCOSS are not eligible for this award.
- Recognized by educational leaders as a person who contributes time to improving public education.
If you are interested in nominating an individual for the 2023 award, send your nomination to Deidre Hungerford by January 13, 2023. Candidates can be nominated with this nomination form or with an emailed letter.
The Distinguished Service Committee, composed of current Council presidents and past presidents who are active superintendents, screen all nominations for selection of one candidate.
For details or to nominate an individual contact:
Deidre G. Hungerford
Associate Director for Business Development
E: deidre@nyscoss.org
T: 518.694.4885
Twitter: @deehungerford28 #NYSCOSSWell