On Wednesday, November 9, at the annual State of Education luncheon, the Austin Chamber of Commerce recognized top performers and innovators within the Central Texas education community. The winners are leaders who directed their schools to impressive heights this past year.

Superintendent of the Year

Dr. Paul Cruz of Austin ISD was named Superintendent of the Year. He has made regional leadership on college readiness and enrollment a top priority, this includes using data from Direct to College 70% (DTC70) metrics for his evaluations in addition to assessments from senior administrative leaders and high school principals. Dr. Cruz is committed to getting at least 70% of high school graduates to enroll directly into college. To achieve this goal, he hosts weekly meetings with staff responsible for DTC70 initiatives and metrics. Also, he oversaw the creation of a DTC70 webpage for weekly campus outcomes for ApplyTexas and FAFSA. The results? Four AISD high schools received a 100% Apply Texas completion rate and two ISD campuses led the way in FAFSA completion for their size category.

Dr. Cruz also emphasizes effective data management. His research team, along with professionals at the UT Ray Marshall Center, focus on student activities designed to improve college enrollment. Despite very difficult budget challenges, Dr. Cruz added an additional college counselor at each Austin ISD high school and has also been a key voice for transparency, experimentation, and a full-throated advocate for public education.

We are extremely proud that Dr. Cruz is our Superintendent of the year. As a result of his hard work, determination, and commitment to Austin students, he was recently awarded with a two-year contract extension as superintendent.

Business Volunteer of the Year

Our 2016 Business Volunteer of the Year is Dawn Jones. Dawn is External Affairs Manager for Intel and in her short time here in Austin, she joined the Austin Chamber Board, the APIE Board, the Skillpoint Board, and the Austin Chamber Education Council. In her day job, Dawn also provides national leadership on Intel's $300 million effort to increase diversity in technology. She was recently promoted to a new position based in Phoenix and will be missed, but we are grateful for her time and dedication to Austin.

Austin Human Capital Award

Our Human Capital Award, which we do not give out every year, is being awarded this year to Dr. Denise Trauth, President of Texas State University. Dr. Trauth has made an extraordinary impact on Central Texas' college readiness, enrollment, and success. Dr. Trauth joins previous winners recognized by the Chamber, these include Raymund Paredes, State Senator Florence Shapiro, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Bazaarvoice CEO Gene Austin.

Under Dr. Trauth’s leadership, Texas State lists these landmark accomplishments:

• Rose to become a national model for retention of college students – second in its class in the country.
• Grew to nearly 40,000 students while simultaneously raising admission expectations.
• Is now considered an emerging research institution. Texas State is well on its way to earn a place as a Tier 1 Research University.
• Initiated the College of Engineering, the school boasts of a student body of more than 1,000.
• The Computer Science department has grown by nearly 20% every year.
• Dr. Trauth has been an outspoken leader in promoting K-12 preparation.

We are excited to see the bright future for both Texas State and Dr. Trauth.