HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – Harrisonburg City Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Richards has been named Journalism Education Association’s 2024 Administrator of the Year.

Harrisonburg High School adviser Val Kibler says the association presents the award to administrators who have shown a dedication to journalism education.

“In my 37-year career, I’ve rarely experienced such a supportive superintendent when it comes to scholastic media,” Harrisonburg High School adviser Val Kibler said. “In fact, he is one of the most student-centered leaders I’ve ever known.”

One way Richards has shown support is by giving more than $50,000 over the past two years to the journalism program at Harrisonburg High School to fund students attending national conventions as part of the World Is My Classroom initiative that he developed that encourages students to travel and experience learning events.