Angela Cooper, Lexington County School District Two’s chief human resource and organizational development officer, has won the 2025 Herb Salinger Personnel Administrator of the Year Award.

Cooper has worked in K-12 human resources for 18 years at Lexington Two and has nearly 24 years of experience in the field.

According to a media release, Cooper has expanded teacher recruitment, with nearly 50% of the district’s new teachers coming from alternative certification pathways in the past school year. She also has implemented growth and support initiatives for new educators, including Lex2Leads leadership, which has helped reduce teacher vacancies over the years.

The national award is given by the American Association of School Personnel Administrators, whose mission is to “be the leader in the education, support and advocacy for our membership and the students they serve.”

“Dr. Cooper has one of the most brilliant minds in Human Resources that I know,” said Lexington Two Superintendent Brenda Hafner in a press release from the district. “She seeks to broaden her scope of knowledge daily on emerging personnel and education issues, and she always approaches challenges in thoughtful, researched, and innovative ways. Dr. Cooper understands that in order to grow our workforce, we must work to develop ongoing supports for our staff and recruit and retain the most excellent workforce available.”

According to the AASPA website, the Herb Salinger Personnel Administrator of the Year Award is given to a person in personnel administration who is involved in functions and programs. The recipient also must have had an impact on public education and demonstrated creativity in their approach to personnel administration.

“I am deeply honored to receive the 2025 Herb Salinger Personnel Administrator of the Year Award,” Cooper said. “This recognition reflects the collective dedication of our team to excellence not only in day to day Human Resources management but in the longer-term growth and development of our employees, who in turn will be even stronger to best serve and support our students. Together, we are working to foster a workplace environment that values and uplifts every individual.”

To be considered, nominees must be active AASPA members currently working in a personnel administrative position. Candidates are scored on five elements: professional leadership, professional contributions, leadership in AASPA, HR leadership and professional growth.

Nominees are then ranked on a one-to-four scale, with one point indicating no evidence of the elements and four points indicating distinguished performance in all five areas.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr. Cooper’s national recognition,” Quincie Moore, SCASA’s executive director, stated. “Dr. Cooper has created an environment where employees feel empowered in their roles from the very start and supported in their professional development goals. Her work for Lexington Two has contributed to building lasting careers and strengthening entire school communities.”

Cooper will be presented with the award at a conference in October.