Harris County Department of Education’s (HCDE) Communications & Creative Services Communications and Marketing & Client Engagement teams joined fellow industry professionals for networking and professional development at the 2026 National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Conference, held July 19-22 in New Orleans.

Chief Communications Officer Danielle Clark received a Golden Achievement Award for the “Recover Together: Teen Addiction Campaign.”

The communications team received multiple national awards. Multimedia Manager Debra Sanchez-Treese earned Digital Media Awards of Excellence for three videos: “HCDE Graduation 2025: The Beginning,” “Danielle Clark – Barry Gaskins Mentor Awardee” and “HCDE: A Place for Hope, Healing and Opportunity.” Multimedia Content Coordinator Jessica Lieng earned an Award of Merit for her video, “2025 Scholastic Art and Writing Student Features.”

Clark was named NSPRA South Central Region Vice President, joining the organization’s Executive Board. She ran unopposed for the position, which allowed the Executive Board to affirm her without an election. In addition to her duties on the Executive Board, Clark will represent the South Central Region, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, and their respective state associations. Her three-year term begins Oct. 1.

Clark also presented at NSPRA. Her session, titled “Throw Yourself a Lifeline: Navigating Today’s School PR Storms,” showcased being your own advocate, building resilience and maintaining personal and professional peace while handling adversity through a career in school communications.

Marketing & Client Engagement Director Stephanie De Los Santos and Assistant Director Mitzi Loera, and Communications & Creative Services Communications Manager Angel Verdejo also attended NSPRA, learning strategies and tips to best serve Harris County students and families.