Washington, D.C. (September 23, 2024) — The NEA Foundation announced today that Kent McGuire, Education Program Director for the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, will be honored with the Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education at its 2025 Salute to Excellence in Education. McGuire will be recognized for his distinguished career and many significant contributions, strengthening teaching and learning through public education and fostering more just and equitable education systems.
At the Hewlett Foundation, McGuire leads the investments of the teaching and learning and open educational resources strategies, with a focus on helping all students succeed in college, work and civic life. Previously, he served as the President and CEO of the Southern Education Foundation, an organization committed to advancing public education in the American South, with a focus on equity and excellence. Prior to that, McGuire was the Dean of the College of Education at Temple University and a tenured professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. He has also served as senior vice president at the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation, where he split his time between research projects on school reform and directing its department on education, children and youth. Additionally, he has been an education program officer at the Pew Charitable Trusts and directed the education program at the Lilly Endowment. McGuire also served as Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education from 1998 to 2001.
“There is no doubt that Kent McGuire has left an indelible mark on the landscape of public education, and especially in the pursuit of educational equity and justice for all students,” said President and CEO of The NEA Foundation Sara A. Sneed. “His devotion to the national education field has positively impacted countless students, educators, families, and policies. I am extremely pleased to honor his many contributions to society with the Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education.”
The Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education is one of several awards that will be presented at the NEA Foundation’s 2025 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, which will take place on February 14 in Washington, D.C. In addition to recognizing organizations and individuals advancing the best in public education, the Foundation will honor 48 educators from across the country with the 2025 Awards for Teaching Excellence from among which, five will receive the prestigious Horace Mann Awards. The annual Salute to Excellence in Education, often dubbed “the Academy Awards of Public Education,” attracts hundreds of the nation’s leaders and supporters of public education.
The Salute to Excellence in Education will take place at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. on February 14. Visit www.neafoundation.org for more information, and be sure to join us in person or on the livestream!
