Cumberland County Schools (CCS) proudly announces that Dr. Lindsay Whitley, associate superintendent of CCS' Communications & Community Engagement, has been named the recipient of the North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) School Communicator of the Year award.
Dr. Whitley received the honor today during the organization’s annual Blue Ribbon Awards Brunch in Greensboro.
The School Communicator of the Year (SCOY) award, which annually recognizes one NCSPRA member for excellence in school communications, honors outstanding leadership among front-line professionals working full-time in school districts or education service agencies.
With 19 years of experience in communications and educational leadership, Dr. Whitley was selected for his impact on strengthening communications, family engagement and community partnerships across CCS. Working with his eight-member Communications and Community Engagement team, he has led several initiatives designed to increase transparency, expand family access to information and strengthen community trust.
Among his accomplishments, Dr. Whitley launched the district’s first comprehensive brand guidelines, including an upgraded logo and systemwide standards for messaging and visual identity. He also directed the redesign of the CCS district website and all 85 school websites to improve accessibility, clarity, mobile responsiveness and user experience.
Dr. Whitley established a districtwide customer service framework aligned with the Board of Education’s strategic plan and led multi-year graduation and enrollment campaigns to strengthen public confidence and strengthen engagement. He also founded Cumberland Family Academy, the district’s parent and family engagement initiative that now serves more than 100,000 participants annually through in-person, virtual and on-demand learning opportunities.
In addition, Dr. Whitley launched the Family and Community Engagement Bus, a mobile outreach unit delivering books, homework and FAFSA assistance and district resources directly to underserved neighborhoods.
Under his leadership, CCS community partnerships have expanded from approximately 140 in 2018 to more than 1,600 annually as of 2025, supporting mentoring, volunteering, financial aid and mental health resources for students and families.
Dr. Whitley has also led communications during high-profile district events including the pandemic response and emergency closures while maintaining transparency and public trust. His work in collaboration with his team has earned multiple state and national honors for excellence in school communications, including “Best of the Best” recognition from NCSPRA.
Beyond his professional work, Dr. Whitley serves as an associate minister and partners with local nonprofits to support food distribution and community outreach initiatives. He also presents at national conferences, civic events and family engagement forums promoting educational excellence.
As NCSPRA's School Communicator of the Year Award recipient, Dr. Whitley is now eligible for the national School Communicator of the Year award presented by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) during its national seminar in July.
Dr. Whitley proudly grips his award for a photo after 'the big announcement.'
