Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) continued to showcase its creativity, innovation, forward thinking and award-winning work in communications and marketing this week at the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) annual conference in San Antonio.

Themed “Viva TSPRA” as a nod to the host city, more than 800 public information, marketing and school communications professionals who serve Texas public school districts and education associations, foundation and organizations came together for professional development, resources and networking opportunities. Team members from Communications and Marketing & Client Engagement (MCE) divisions attended the conference and led sessions and exhibit activities, showcased HCDE services at a vendor table and took home a total of 54 state awards.

The total award amount is a 43% increase from the previous year (31). Additionally, the Communications team doubled its awards won compared to 2024.

HCDE also walked away with one of TSPRA’s professional awards – Chief Communications Officer Danielle Clark was named the 2025 Most Valuable Member. She’s the Department’s second award recipient in recent years, following Director of Marketing & Client Engagement Stephanie De Los Santos who earned the honor in 2022.

Department team members led three conference sessions and also participated in panel discussions and exhibit activities.

Clark co-hosted a presentation on leadership, unifying diverse personalities and strategies to become a trusted advisor at the executive level. De Los Santos and Director of Communications Lindsey Sanders led a session together on managing multi-generational teams and finding new ways to collaborate. Video Coordinator Mitzi Loera welcomed a standing-room-only demonstration of how artificial intelligence can create engaging memories at Convocation.

Loera also participated in a panel discussion on integrating AI into school PR. 

MCE staff represented the Department with a booth showcasing HCDE services and sponsored an exhibition where people could test their knowledge of AP style.

In the Star Awards competition, HCDE earned 54 awards honoring staff work in publications, newsletter (The Connector), photography, video, logo design and marketing campaigns. The total included 32 Gold Star and 17 Silver Star awards, both increases from 2024.

Two entries earned Best in Category – Creative Content Coordinator Juan Lopez won best flyer for his Head Start Job Fair collateral and De Los Santos won top program for The 2023 Education Foundation HeART of Education program booklet.