CEHD Alum Named Superintendent of the Year
Maryland’s association of school superintendents selects Jeffrey Lawson as 2025 Maryland Superintendent of the Year
Cecil County Public Schools’ Superintendent, Jeffrey Lawson, EHD00, has been selected as the 2025 Maryland Superintendent of the Year. Bestowed by the state association of the AASA: The School Superintendents Association, this annual award recognizes excellence in educational leadership, communication, professionalism and community involvement.
“It’s a privilege to serve the students, faculty, staff, and community in Cecil County,” said Lawson in a Cecil County Public Schools press release. “I am proud to represent our district across the state and share the amazing work happening each day to support our nearly 15,000 students. Throughout my career, I have placed value on serving others and supporting our students and staff to achieve excellence. This recognition belongs to each part of our amazing system as they are worthy of such celebration.”
During his tenure as superintendent, Lawson has worked to advance achievement outcomes for students across the district. Additionally, he has prioritized partnerships with public and private institutions in Maryland, including Cecil College, the Cecil County Public Library, the Fair Hill Nature Center and the Cecil County Farm Museum, among others. Lawson has also supported advocacy efforts to inform the community about the needs of his district and has advocated for adequate funding.
Lawson, who received his Ed.D. in educational leadership from UD’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), will begin his forty-first year in public education in 2025. Lawson began his career in Delaware schools, where he served as a high school mathematics teacher, assistant principal, middle and high school principal, central office director and education associate for Delaware’s Department of Education. In 2009, he transitioned to Cecil County Public Schools and was appointed as superintendent in 2018. He was reappointed for a second term in 2022.
“In our Ed.D. seminars, Jeff had a refreshing combination of realism and optimism,” said Robert Hampel, CEHD professor emeritus who served on Lawson’s doctoral committee. “He knew that change was likely to be slow and contested, but he nevertheless sought ambitious reforms to make schools more academically engaging.”
“Dr. Lawson is a genuine and very ‘present’ servant leader and a tireless advocate for public education, always putting the well-being of students, staff and families first,” said Diana Hawley, president of the Cecil County Board of Education. “His active approach, focus on quality curriculum and commitment to transparency have impacted our district and beyond. Dr. Lawson’s experienced, trusted voice has also helped guide the realistic and effective implementation of Maryland’s educational reform changes, earning him the respect of leaders across the state.”
Lawson will represent the state in the national Superintendent of the Year competition in 2025, sponsored by the AASA.
To learn more about Lawson’s career, read Cecil County Public School’s press release about his award.
Article by Jessica Henderson. Graphic and photo courtesy of Cecil County Public Schools.