NASBE Honors State Board of Education Members from Georgia, Massachusetts, and Tennessee with National Public Service Award

Alexandria, VA—The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Distinguished Service Award, recognizing exceptional contributions to education by state board members from Georgia, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. This prestigious award honors three outstanding board leaders each year and represents NASBE’s highest accolade for state board members.

Kenneth Mason recently completed his service on the Georgia Board of Education, where he served for 14 years. An active NASBE member, Mason co-chaired the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Work Group and served on the Early Literacy Work Group, Editorial Advisory Board, and Annual Conference Committee. He contributed to numerous NASBE webinars, meetings, and publications, offering insight on state preschool policy, early literacy, and CTE and college readiness.

During his tenure on the Georgia state board, Mason helped establish the Dyslexia Task Force, which supported the passage of the Georgia Early Literacy Act and the implementation of dyslexia screenings and other supports. He also held several leadership roles on the Policy and Rules Committee and the Charter and Flexibility Committee, and he is a founding member of the Get Georgia Reading Cabinet, leading the state’s collective impact for literacy in alignment with the National Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.

Passionate about elevating children, families, and teachers in the South, Mason has worked to expand access to high-quality learning environments for all students. He was a founding board member of Higher Ground Education, Inc., which helps young people in Atlanta learn computer coding and technology skills. He also teaches and leads Sojourn to the Past, a civil rights emergent experience that immerses students from diverse backgrounds in academic, transformative weeklong lessons. Mason currently serves as board chair for the Georgia Foundation for Public Education and works with the Southern Regional Education Board, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that supports southern states with training and resources to strengthen public education at every level.

“Kenneth modeled good governance and servant leadership in every vote he cast in his 14 years on the Georgia State Board of Education. His unwavering commitment for improving Georgia schools was evident at every meeting, and he was passionate about ensuring that every Georgia student had an opportunity to reach his or her full potential,” said Dr. Stanley W. DeJarnett, chair of the Georgia state board.

“Working alongside Kenneth has been a privilege. His passion for ensuring children, families, and teachers have the best educational opportunities shines through everything he does, and his dedication to educational improvement has made a lasting difference in the lives of so many Georgians,” noted fellow board member Matt Donaldson, who nominated Mason.

Michael Moriarty is completing his tenure on the Massachusetts State Board of Education after 10 years of service, during which he chaired the state’s Early Literacy Subcommittee, and was a member of the budget subcommittee and commissioner evaluation committee. Moriarty was also an active member of NASBE’s Early Literacy Working Group.

As chair of Massachusetts’s Early Literacy Subcommittee, Moriarty has had a lasting impact. His board colleagues call him “the conscience of the board” on literacy. Years before it became common in state policy, he pioneered tying budget requests to literacy programs. A final report incorporating Moriarty’s comprehensive recommendations on early literacy is being adopted by the state’s education department.

“His impact as a colleague, especially on literacy policy, will long outlast his time on the board. Michael brought clarity, persistence, and heart to the work, and for that we are deeply grateful,” said Matt Hills, vice chair of the Massachusetts board.

A lifelong resident of Holyoke, Moriarty served for 13 years on the school committee and was instrumental in the formation of the Holyoke Early Literacy Initiative. The communitywide collaborative focused on increasing the number of students who were proficient in reading by the end of third grade. He has also been a vocal advocate for arts education. In 2013, Moriarty was named executive director of a community development corporation based in Holyoke. OneHolyoke CDC is a mission-driven nonprofit that believes every resident of Holyoke should live in a dignified home and a safe, attractive neighborhood. Before attending law school, Moriarty taught Latin, English, and social studies, for five years. Now an attorney, he’ has also taught at Holyoke Community College.

Lillian Hartgrove served two five-year terms on the Tennessee State Board of Education and was twice elected as its chair. Upon her retirement in 2024, she was honored by her fellow board members as the board’s first ever Chair Emeritus.

As chair of the board’s Educator Preparation and Licensure Study Committee, Hartgrove played a key role in shaping teacher licensure assessment policies. A strong advocate for collaboration with local leaders, she fostered connections between superintendents, workforce partners, and other constituents. Hartgrove also guided the Tennessee board through the challenges of the pandemic, swiftly leading the passage of several emergency rules that allowed schools and districts to respond effectively and responsibly.

“A very important attribute of Ms. Hartgrove is her leadership approach,” said Robert Eby, chair of the Tennessee state board. “Lillian leads by example, and she has helped countless board members develop so they can be more productive contributors.”

Before joining the board, Hartgrove served as vice president of Highlands Economic Development and as vice president of Workforce Development and Education for a multicounty economic development organization. Her work led to partnerships with K-12 districts, higher education, employers, and nonprofit organizations to address college and career readiness of students in the region. She also served as president of the Board of Trustees for the WCTE-Upper Cumberland PBS TV Station and president of the UC Habitat for Humanity board. She was awarded the Friend of Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents Award in 2022 for her dedicated efforts to connect policy and practice.

“Kenneth, Michael, and Lillian have dedicated time, talent, and energy to improving education for students across the country,” said NASBE President and CEO Paolo DeMaria. “Their leadership has strengthened state boards, advanced innovative policies, and inspired colleagues and communities. We are proud to recognize their extraordinary service with the Distinguished Service Award.”

NASBE serves as the only membership organization for state boards of education. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, NASBE elevates state board members’ voices in national and state policymaking, facilitates the exchange of informed ideas, and supports members in advancing equity and excellence in public education for students of all races, genders, and circumstances.

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