The Colorado Association for Career & Technical Administrators

We are grateful for the opportunity to highlight Dr. McConnell’s longstanding commitment to CACTE, as she is a 23 year active member of CACTA,
serving 20 years on the CACTA Board and serving in the role of Secretary for 8 years and Conference Logistics for 12 years. In addition to her service, Dr. McConnell consistently sends a contingency of Pickens administrators and teachers to CACTE yearly. Dr. McConnell came to Pickens Technical College as a logical next step in her CTE career, first as a FCS instructor and then as an urban CTE Coordinator for 5 years and CTE Director. Dr. McConnell had the daunting task of being the first female Executive Director at Pickens Technical College and for
providing stability to a technical college that had a series of short term Executive Directors. During her 13 years at the helm, Dr. McConnell has navigated massive budget cuts, a world-wide pandemic, new construction, new accreditations and being the only Area Technical College that is chartered to provide 50/50 enrollment for high school and post-secondary students. Under Dr. McConnell's leadership, Pickens Technical College consistently offers CTE programs that
are in demand programs designed to meet local workforce needs. Pickens Technical College has successfully earned two Council on Occupational Education accreditations during her tenure and Named Best Community Colleges in Colorado four times. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in Pickens Technical College programs holding national accreditations including, COARC, CODA, ACEN, PTCB, NATEF and more. Dr. McConnell’s vision includes developing a robust Office of Customized Training, Apprenticeships and Short Term Credentials, providing alternative means to offer industry based certificates such as ASEF, ICAR, Solidworks Associates Certificates, Comp TIA, ICE and EPA, Snap-On, NIMS, AWS, AHLS, Serve Safe and providing alternative solutions to industry needs. Dr. McConnell’s presence is felt at a state and local level as she is appointed to the Governor’s Colorado Workforce Development Council, Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative Board, and served on the Colorado Education and Training Task Force, and CDHE Stackable Credential Pathways Steering Committee. She has influenced CTE legislation and helped shape the vision of CTE in Colorado, serving as the Aurora Public Schools Secondary CTE Executive Director in tandem
to her current position as Executive Director of Pickens Technical College for 12 years. In regard to students, Dr. McConnell has always been a fierce advocate for CTSOs and consistently supports program chapters, district, state and national competitions and student and instructor advisory development. She has high expectations that each instructor has a vibrant CTSO chapter and therefore it’s no wonder that in 2023 Pickens Technical College students brought home 14 bronze
medals, 25 silver and 29 gold medals. Nationally students placed in the top 10 spots in SkillsUSA, DECA and FBLA. For these and many other reasons, it is with great pride that I nominate Dr. Teina McConnell for Administrator of the Year recognition. Dr. McConnell embodies Pickens Technical College Mission
statement to provide unsurpassed, equitable Career and Technical Education with the goal of preparing all students for Post-Secondary and Workforce Readiness. This visionary work takes tenacity, dedication, a deep understanding of Career and Technical Education and a fearless leader. All of this is packed into the dynamo known as our Executive Director, Dr. Teina McConnell.