KRESA Earns National Recognition for Community Engagement Efforts

NSPRA Recognizes KRESA with Golden Achievement and Award of Excellence Honor 

Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) is proud to announce that its Communications & Community Engagement team has been recognized with a 2026 National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Golden Achievement Award for the agency's We Are KRESA Brand and Awareness Initiative. The award honors outstanding, strategic work in school public relations, communication, marketing, and community engagement. The team also received an Award of Excellence, the highest level of recognition in the Publications and Digital Media Awards category, for their KRESA 24-25 Annual Report. 

The award-winning team includes Sandy Barry-Loken, Holly McCaw, Jade Evans, Elena Cousino, Nathalie Alwane, and Destry Kiser, whose collaborative efforts have helped strengthen awareness of KRESA's programs, services, and impact across the Greater Kalamazoo Region.  

According to NSPRA, the Golden Achievement Award recognizes "outstanding, strategic work in all aspects of school public relations, communication, marketing and engagement," and this year's recipients represent "the impactful, innovative work shaping the future of school communication."  

The National School Public Relations Association is the leading organization for school communication professionals nationwide. Golden Achievement Award entries are evaluated by experienced, award-winning communication professionals and public relations practitioners from across the country.  

The We Are KRESA campaign was developed to elevate awareness of KRESA's mission and create stronger connections with families, educators, staff, partners, and the broader community. Through storytelling, strategic communications, digital engagement, and community-focused outreach, the campaign highlights the learners, educators, and programs that make KRESA a vital resource across the region. 

"We are grateful to NSPRA for this recognition and proud of the collective effort behind these awards," said Sandy Barry-Loken, Executive Director of Communications and Community Engagement at KRESA. "The We Are KRESA initiative and our annual report reflect the dedication of our team and the many colleagues, learners, families, and partners who make this work possible. We're honored to share KRESA's story and the impact of public education in our community."