Lexington School District Two’s Chief Human Resource and Organizational Development Officer has received a top national award from the American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA).

Dr. Angela Cooper is the winner of the 2025 Herb Salinger Personnel Administrator of the Year Award.  The national award is given in recognition of an administrator who distinguishes himself/herself on the local, state, national, and/or international level in personnel administration, and whose contributions have had a significant impact on public education, according to the AASPA’s website, noting that the winner is a skilled manager of change who is creative in his/her approach to personnel administration. 

Dr. Cooper was also selected earlier this year as the South Carolina School Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA). Her latest honor was among seven top AASPA annual awards announced last week by the organization. Dr. Cooper will be presented with the award at the group’s annual conference in October.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr. Cooper’s national recognition,” said Dr. Quincie Moore, SCASA’s Executive Director. “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.”

Dr. Cooper has been in K-12 human resources for nearly 24 years, 18 of those in Lexington Two. She has focused on expanding teacher recruitment by seeking out non-traditional candidates, resulting in nearly 50% of the district’s new teachers coming from alternative certification pathways in the past school year. Dr. Cooper has implemented comprehensive growth and support systems for new educators, including the Lex2Leads leadership development program, and has reduced teacher vacancies over the past several years, bucking national trends.

“Dr. Cooper has one of the most brilliant minds in Human Resources that I know,” said Lexington Two Superintendent Dr. Brenda Hafner.  “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.”

Dr. Cooper credited her team for keeping the focus on growth and excellence.

“I am deeply honored to receive the 2025 Herb Salinger Personnel Administrator of the Year Award,” Dr. 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.”

The American Association of School Personnel Administrators is an international organization that provides leadership in promoting effective Human Resource practices within education.  The organization serves 3,800-plus members.