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Dr. Eisa Cox, superintendent of Ashe County Public Schools for four years, is the recipient of the Dr. Brad Sneeden Leadership Award, presented by the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA).
The award, according to a press release, is presented in honor and recognition of a superintendent who has demonstrated a strong commitment to lifelong learning, unwavering integrity in leadership, and the ability to move from vision into action.
Cox was selected by former recipients of the leadership award.
On any given day, you can find Cox back in preschool, meeting with students on the first day of kindergarten, helping out in the car line, or talking to students about what they love most about school.
“This recognition is a testament to Dr. Eisa Cox’s unwavering dedication to Ashe County Schools and her exceptional leadership,” said Josh Roten, chair of the Ashe County Board of Education.
This annual award is presented to a graduate of the NCSSA Superintendent Executive Leadership Development Program, a program that is designed to empower transformational education leaders for North Carolina’s public schools.
Sneeden, the award’s namesake, was serving as superintendent of Carteret County Public Schools at the time of his death in October 2008 at the age of 56. He also served as associate vice president for leadership development and director of the Principals’ Executive Program, deputy state superintendent for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and State Board of Education, and superintendent of Craven County Schools. Sneeden led with innovation and vision while never wavering from ethics of the highest order, according to the press release.
Receiving the Dr. Brad Sneeden Leadership Award is a profound honor that reflects the collaborative efforts of our entire team in Ashe County Schools. It is humbling to be acknowledged alongside the distinguished superintendents and Dr. Sneeden, whose legacy of dedicated service and integrity I strive to emulate.
I am deeply grateful to NCSSA, Mr. Jack Hoke, and my colleagues across North Carolina for their steadfast support. The insights and experiences gained from the Superintendent Executive Leadership and Aspiring Superintendent programs have laid a strong foundation for success. Heartfelt thanks to my Ashe County Schools family and the Board of Education for their unwavering support and tireless efforts on behalf of students.
Being part of the extraordinary Ashe County team, dedicated to fostering a culture of lifelong learning and growth for all, is a true privilege. I also express my deepest gratitude to my husband, Kevin, and our sons, Spencer and Wyatt, for their unwavering support and understanding of the time dedicated to this role.
Dr. Eisa Cox
Roten said under Cox’s guidance, “Ashe County Schools have flourished, becoming one of the top school systems in our state. Dr. Cox’s commitment to lifelong learning and her collaborative approach with stakeholders throughout Ashe County have consistently put our students, teachers, and staff’s best interests first.”
Jack Hoke, the executive director of NCSSA, said Cox serves as a thought leader for the NCSSA Aspiring Superintendent Program, participates in the NCSSA Superintendent Executive Leadership Program, and has been elected to serve as Chairperson of the Northwest Regional Education Alliance for 2024-25.
“She exemplifies the traits that guided Dr. Brad Sneeden’s career in educational leadership. She has demonstrated a vision for the Ashe County Schools as an educational innovator and a strong commitment to continuous improvement and the highest standards of ethical conduct,” said Hoke.
