The president of Northeast Community College was named the Nebraska Career and Technical Education Outstanding Administrative Postsecondary Leader.
Leah Barrett was presented with the honor on Tuesday, June 10, in Kearney at the Younes Conference Center South during a luncheon at the Nebraska Career Education (NCE) Conference.
The award is presented to a Nebraska postsecondary institution administrator who has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership in fostering innovation and growth of Nebraska Career and Technical Education on a local or regional basis. The award honors someone who has demonstrated a personal commitment and outstanding support for career and technical education that enhances opportunities for students and prepares them with the technical skills and knowledge as well as the employability skills leading to career success.
According to NCE, award winners have demonstrated:
- Commitment to the mission and goals of Nebraska Career and Technical Education.
- Collaboration and involvement with groups, agencies, businesses, and/or educational organizations to expand opportunities for quality career and technical education.
- Active engagement in efforts to enhance understanding of the benefits of quality career and technical education.
- Support for the efforts of CTE educators to enhance and grow their programs of study.
- Sustained participation in area/regional/state-wide activities whose purpose is to support, improve, and expand Nebraska Career and Technical Education.
“I am so honored to receive this award,” Barrett said. “Technical education is so important to our students and our families and the State of Nebraska. We are proud of what we do at Northeast Community College and look forward to our great relationship with the Nebraska Department of Education as we grow opportunities for young people to have careers in technical education fields.”
Barrett, a Wyoming native, has served as the president of Northeast Community College since January 2020.
Barrett holds a Doctor of Education in executive leadership from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Wyoming.
Prior to leading Northeast, she served as the vice president for student affairs at the Northern Wyoming Community College District in Sheridan. Barrett also served as the associate vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at SUNY Brockport from 2008-2016. She has also been employed by Boise State University, Valparaiso University, Arizona State University, and the University of Wyoming since first entering higher education in 1992.
Barrett is an engaged volunteer in Nebraska serving as the president of Nebraska Statewide Workforce and Education Reporting System/NSWERS, as a commissioner on the Nebraska Information Technology Commission, a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 7th Judicial District/County & District Court, a member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Education & Human Service Dean's Advisory Board, and a board member for the Nebraska Diplomats.
Outside of the state, she is on the board of directors for the Rural Community College Association and the NASPA Foundation Board. She has presented or been the keynote speaker for several national and regional organizations in 33 years in higher education.
Barrett Honored
Elizabeth Tegtmeier (left), president of the Nebraska State Board of Education, presents Leah Barrett, president of Northeast Community College, with the Nebraska Career and Technical Education Outstanding Administrative Postsecondary Leader Award on Tuesday, June 10, in Kearney. (Northeast Community College)
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