Lamar CISD Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens has been selected by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) as one of the top five state finalists for the prestigious Superintendent of the Year award.  

Dr. Nivens was named a finalist following interviews by a TASB committee of school board members with each of the 2025 regional winners from across the state, nominated for the statewide award by their regional education service center (ESC). 

The Region 4 Education Service Center recognized Dr. Nivens as the 2025 Region 4 Superintendent of the Year in a surprise announcement during Lamar CISD’s June School Board Meeting.  

In naming Dr. Nivens among this year’s state finalists, the TASB committee cited his extensive experience as an educator, along with his efforts to navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with Lamar CISD’s hypergrowth in recent years, and his student-centered approach to leadership. Dr. Nivens has served as the superintendent of Lamar CISD since 2021. 

“There’s so much amazing work going on in our Lamar CISD schools and classrooms, and all across our district, and it’s a tremendous honor to be able to represent Lamar CISD as a finalist in this year’s Texas Superintendent of the Year Awards,” Dr. Nivens said. 

“Our district theme for this school year is ‘We Are Lamar CISD,’ and it’s something I think about every day as I travel the district and spend time with our teachers and other employees, students, trustees, parents, and community members,” Dr. Nivens said. “Our success as a district comes as the result of our common drive and shared commitment. I’m grateful to my Board for their support and proud of what we’re accomplishing in the lives of our students and in our community.” 

The final stage of the award selection process will take place at the annual txEDCON in Houston in September, with the statewide winner announced during a special conference session on Friday, Sept. 12. 

About TASB Superintendent of the Year Award 

Each fall, the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) honors a superintendent with the Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) award, established in 1984 to recognize excellence in public school administration. Candidates must demonstrate visionary leadership, strong skills, dedication to education, and commitment to community involvement. 

The selection process begins in January with nominations from school boards, followed by regional committee interviews. Finalists from each Texas education service center (ESC) region are announced in June and interviewed by a state selection committee, which narrows it down to five finalists in late summer.