The Kansas Association for Career and Technical Education (K-ACTE) was recently recognized as a 2025 bronze winner of the ACTE Quality Association Standards. Pictured from left: Clelia McCrory, Heather Campbell (KSDE), Jerica Thorne (Highland Community College), Carrie Miller (Highland Community College), Kevin Bronson (KSDE), K-ACTE President Laurali Masterson (Graham County USD 281), K-ACTE Executive Director Jamie Manhart, Marla Sterling (Coffeyville Community College), Cathy Mong (Wichita USD 259), ACTE President Robert Torres, and Natalie Clark (KSDE). Photo submitted by Natalie Clark.

The Kansas Association for Career and Technical Education (K-ACTE) and other state CTE associations were recently honored during the leadership breakfast of the national Association for Career and Technical Education’s CareerTech Vision 2025 conference in early December. 

Kansas was an ACTE Quality Association Standards 2025 bronze winner. The purpose of the Quality Association Standards (QAS) is to provide benchmarks for state associations to determine levels of performance and satisfactory service to their members and prospective members. 

The breakfast is considered “a signature event celebrating the vision, dedication, and impact of state and regional leaders in career and technical education (CTE),” according to conference information. “This breakfast brings together ACTE Board members, state association executives, presidents, directors, and honored guests to recognize outstanding achievements and foster collaboration across the CTE community. This event is an opportunity to honor the champions who drive progress in CTE, share best practices, and strengthen connections among state associations.”   

Contact Natalie Clark, natalie.clark@ksde.gov, with questions.