Executive Update: April 15, 2023
Important Dates
May 4: National Signing Day
May 7-13: National Week of Service
May 8: SkillsUSA’s 58th Anniversary
May 10: Understanding the “SkillsUSA Advantage” Webinar at 3 p.m.
June 17-19: SkillsUSA Leverage, Activate and Engage Training, Atlanta
June 19-23: National Leadership & Skills Conference, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta
Aug. 15-18: State Director Association Professional Development and Training Conference, Columbus, Ohio
New SkillsUSA Team Member
We’re excited to announce that Jody Felski joined SkillsUSA’s national staff on April 10 as our new development manager in the Office of Business Partnerships and Development. Jody has a solid track record of successful leadership in fund development, grantsmanship and communications in the nonprofit sector in healthcare, education, arts and human services. She is a collaborative, strategic and seasoned professional whose career has always been focused on the well-being of others through fundraising, leadership and a commitment to hard work. Please join us in welcoming Jody to our national team!
National T-Shirt and Pin Design Winners Revealed
Congratulations to the talented winners of this year’s National Conference Pin and T-shirt Design Challenge! The T-shirt design winner is Isabella Shelton (advisor: Julie Stuart) from High Point Academy in Fort Worth, Texas. The pin design winner is Jenelle Remy (advisor: Alicia Quinn) from Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg, Mass. View the winning designs here.
Aerotek Scholarship Opportunity Available Only Until April 30
SkillsUSA has partnered with Aerotek to create the “Make Your Mark” scholarship, which will deliver multiple awards of up to $5,000 to qualified applicants. SkillsUSA members must be high school seniors planning to enroll in — or a college/postsecondary student already enrolled in — a community college, technical college, certificate program or apprenticeship in one of these career pathways: Arts, A/V and Communications (Telecommunications Cabling only); Architecture & Construction; Information Technology; Manufacturing; STEM; and Transportation. Learn more online and apply by April 30. For questions, email Megan Flinn.
Data Dive: Understanding “The SkillsUSA Advantage”
Join SkillsUSA partners and other supporters on May 10 at 3 p.m. ET for a webinar on “The SkillsUSA Advantage” report and learn how SkillsUSA experiences help create purpose, passion and skill in every student. SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Ricardo Romanillos will review data from “The SkillsUSA Advantage” report recently released by the Student Research Foundation and discuss how SkillsUSA members across all groups consistently outperform peers who are not enrolled in career and technical student organizations (CTSOs). SkillsUSA national officer Lili Valencia will also share her personal perspective on how participation in SkillsUSA and work-based experiences have informed her future. Register now and please share this opportunity with your school or state partners and supporters. For questions, contact Ricardo Romanillos.
Annual Corporation Forms – Deadline Extended to April 17
State directors — if you have not completed and submitted the Annual Corporation Form for 2023, please do so right away. This information is crucial for communicating with our corporation members throughout the year and preparing for the Annual Meeting of SkillsUSA, Inc. in June. Complete and submit the 2023 form.
Student Scholarships Available for SkillsUSA Activate and Leverage
The SkillsUSA Leadership Development Scholarship provides financial support for qualified students to participate in SkillsUSA Activate or Leverage leadership training to be held in Atlanta, June 17-19 prior to NLSC. The scholarships are funded by former SkillsUSA board president and Caterpillar executive Robert L. Flint. State directors must submit applications for their scholarship candidates by May 5.
NLSC 2023 Courtesy Corps Members Needed
SkillsUSA needs 120 or more National Courtesy Corps (NCC) members to support the 2023 National Leadership & Skills Conference. This much-appreciated group supports the technical committees and the overall conference experience, and it’s a great way for students to attend the national conference, network with industry partners and meet other SkillsUSA members from across the nation. NCC members receive free registration plus housing, local transportation, meals and entertainment. NCC participants are housed at the Georgia Tech Woodruff North Residence Hall in Atlanta. For eligibility requirements, visit the National Courtesy Corps web page. For questions, contact Tracy Whitehead. The deadline for nominations is May 16. State directors will receive a list of their state applicants to approve on May 18.
State Director Position Update
Here is the latest update in state SkillsUSA director positions. The SkillsUSA website is kept current with the latest information.
- In Missouri, Christi McElwain is no longer the state director. Roger Barnes is the interim state director (Barnes@dese.mo.gov). Please keep assistants Amy Brizendine (Amy.Brizendine@dese.mo.gov) and Linda Stinson (Linda.Stinson@dese.mo.gov) on all state director communications.
- In Kentucky, state director Kim Woodall (Woodall@education.ky.gov) would prefer to be called Kim and not Kimberly.
Due Dates
April
April 17: Annual Corporation Forms due
April 21: National Signing Day registrations due
April 28: National Anthem entries due by 5 p.m.
April 30: CareerSafe National Youth Video Safety Contest entries due
April 30: Aerotek Scholarship applications due
May
May 5: Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence applications due
May 5: Applications due for Activate and Leverage Scholarships
May 16: National Courtesy Corps nominations due
May 16: NLSC and Pre-NLSC (Activate, Leverage and Engage) registrations due
May 16: NLSC hotel reservations due
May 19: Confirm NLSC state hotel reservation block, if applicable
May 22: NLSC Travel Scholarship applications due
June
June 1: National Officer applications due
June 1: NLSC Request for Special Accommodations forms due
July
July 26: Student Research Foundation Scholarship applications due
