Little Rock, AR, September 25, 2025 – SchoolCEO is pleased to announce that Craig Maniglia, director of communications and government affairs at Sarasota County Schools (SCS) in Florida, has been named the recipient of its 2025 Excellence in School Marketing Award. SchoolCEO, the only marketing magazine in K-12 public education, presents the award annually to honor school communicators whose innovative work pushes the field of school marketing forward. The winner was announced at the annual SchoolCEO Conference, presented by Apptegy in Little Rock.
“This recognition is not about one person; it’s a testament to the entire Sarasota County Schools Communications Team,” said Maniglia. “Their creativity, dedication, and innovative work continue to propel public education forward and amplify the incredible stories happening across our schools every day. I’m humbled to be part of a profession that uses the power of communication to make a real difference for students, families, and communities.”
“Craig Maniglia not only deserves this recognition, but he also embodies it,” said SCS Marketing Manager Torie Ewald, who nominated Maniglia. “His work strengthens SCS' voice and, more importantly, the future of its students.”
Drawing on extensive experience in the private sector with Discovery, National Geographic, and others, Maniglia has transformed the way his community views his schools, using subtlety and saturation to shift the narrative. Even in a state with universal school choice, his groundbreaking television marketing campaign led to a 26% increase in enrollment for SCS. His work has previously been recognized with the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association’s highest honor—the Supernova Award—as well as a Gold Medallion from the National School Public Relations Association.
“Craig Maniglia’s wealth of experience in communications and marketing, both in the private sector and K-12 education, have empowered him to do truly exceptional work at SCS,” said Melissa Hite, editor of SchoolCEO. “We are proud to recognize his achievements, as well as those of our other outstanding finalists.”
Four other finalists for the award were also honored:
Grace Becker
, APR - Director of Marketing and Communications, Eden Prairie Schools, Minnesota
Denyel Beiter
(Public Relations Specialist) and Bridget Licata (Communications Specialist) - Lockport City Schools, New York
Dr. Christopher Villarreal
- Director of Communications, Papillion La Vista Community Schools, Nebraska
About SchoolCEO
SchoolCEO is a research and perspectives magazine for school superintendents, communications professionals, and other K-12 leaders, powered by Apptegy. Published quarterly in print and online, it is the only magazine focused on marketing in K-12 public education. With more than 20,000 readers, SchoolCEO is leading the conversation on communications, recruitment, and branding in public education. For more, visit our About page.
About Apptegy
Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Apptegy is an education technology company partnering with school districts to simplify their communication, elevate their brand and empower every role in their organizations. For more information, visit www.apptegy.com.
Photo Credit: Apptegy
2025 ESM Award 1, Center:
Craig Maniglia
2025 ESM Award 2, Left to Right:
Denyel Beiter, Bridget Licata, Craig Maniglia, Grace Becker, and Christopher Villarreal
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Contact: Melissa Hite
Telephone: (720) 290-5921
Email: editor@schoolceo.com