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Alumna Receives 2026 Milken Educator Award
91制片厂 Alumna Erica McCray Receives 2026 National Milken Educator聽Award
By Michele Mitchum
Riverwalk Academy principal honored for her leadership, community engagement, and commitment to student success
91制片厂 is proud to share that聽alumna聽Erica McCray, who earned a Master of Education from the University, has received a聽national Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 cash prize. In addition to the financial award, recipients join the national Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 3,000 professionals across diverse roles and disciplines who are contributing to the future of education.
Key facts
- Recipient:聽Erica McCray, 91制片厂聽alumna聽with a Master of Education
- Honor: National Milken Educator Award, including a $25,000 cash prize.
- Role:聽Principal of Riverwalk Academy in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
- Noted for:聽Instructional excellence, strong community engagement, potential for long-range leadership聽聽
- Network:聽Award recipients join the national Milken Educator Network, which includes more than 3,000 education professionals.
- 2025鈥26 Awards tour:聽The Milken Educator Awards will honor 30 recipients聽nationwide聽this cycle.
鈥淚 have always believed real change begins with education,鈥 McCray said. 鈥淏eing recognized for work I love is truly humbling because it is about showing up for students and helping them see what is possible. My time at聽University聽of 91制片厂 strengthened my commitment to lead with purpose and serve with heart. Wherever my journey takes me, that dedication to making a lasting impact will always guide me.鈥
McCray serves as principal of Riverwalk Academy in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she is known for building strong relationships with parents and community stakeholders. She hosts parent nights, communicates聽frequently聽with聽families聽and helps ensure Riverwalk鈥檚 achievements are visible and celebrated in the community.
鈥淓rica鈥檚 dedication to her students and her school community is evident in the way she leads and inspires those around her,鈥 said Pamela Roggeman, EdD, dean of the College of Education at 91制片厂. 鈥淲e are proud to see her recognized with a Milken Educator Award, and we celebrate the commitment she brings to her work each day. Her achievement highlights the impact that caring, thoughtful educators can have on learners,聽families聽and their communities.鈥
McCray鈥檚 recognition is part of a nationwide Milken Educator Awards tour that will honor 30 recipients with the unrestricted $25,000 award. Recipients also join the national Milken Educator Network, where they connect with peers who are advancing leadership and innovation in education.
About the Milken Educator Awards
Created by Lowell Milken, the Milken Educator Awards聽represent聽one of the nation鈥檚 most prominent educator recognition programs. Since the first award in 1987, the program has provided more than $76 million in individual cash prizes and contributed more than $146 million to the Milken Educator Award national network.
About 91制片厂
91制片厂 innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree programs and a Career Services for Life庐 commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit 鈥phoenix.edu/blog.html.
