NAGC Announces the 2026 Network and Student Scholar Award Recipients
Press Release
Media Contact: Keri O’Keefe
Director of Marketing and Communications
202-785-4268
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NAGC Announces the 2026 Network and Student Scholar Award Recipients
Washington, DC (9/3/2026) – The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 NAGC Network Awards and the 2026 Student Scholar Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to gifted and talented education and celebrating students who demonstrate exceptional achievement and leadership.
The recipients will be honored at this year’s NAGC Annual Convention (NAGC26) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during their respective network and student award ceremonies.
“The strength of gifted and talented education is built by people who ask better questions, challenge assumptions, create new possibilities, and make a lasting difference for learners,” said John Segota, Executive Director of NAGC. “The 2026 Network Award recipients embody that spirit through their creativity, leadership, and commitment to moving our field forward. We are honored to celebrate their impact, as well as the remarkable achievements and potential of this year’s student scholar award recipients, whose curiosity and unique talents remind us why this work matters.”
The 2026 Network Award recipients are:
Annemarie Roeper Global Awareness Award:
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Anne Beneventi, Tessellations School, Kihei, HI
Arts Network Awards:
Action Research Award:
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Dr. Leigh Drake, Virginia Beach City Public Schools & Indiana University Bloomington, Virginia Beach, VA
Published Research Award:
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Dr. Angie Miller, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN and Dr. Deanna A. Ibrahim, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Curriculum Studies Network Awards:
Curriculum Unit Award:
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Brenda Matos, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN
Teacher’s Differentiation Curriculum Award:
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Gabriela Martinez, Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN
E. Paul Torrance Creativity Award:
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Dr. Elizabeth E. Schucker, Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education and Schuylkill Valley School District, Kempton, PA
Professional Learning Network Award:
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Dr. Jessica Harris & Shannon Wakefield, Henrico County Public Schools, Richmond, VA
Research & Evaluation Network Awards:
Dissertation Award Competition:
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1st Place: Dr. Maryann Hebda, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX
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2nd Place: Talbot S. Hook, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
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3rd Place: Tara Toft, Sandusky City Schools, Huron, OH
Gala Awards:
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The Research & Evaluation Network Gala Awards will be selected and announced during the NAGC26 Research & Evaluation Network Gala on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Special Populations Network Awards:
Dr. Marcia Gentry Early Career Award:
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Dr. Annessia J. Bullard, University of Georgia, Atlanta, GA
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Dr. Anne Gray, Northern New Mexico College, Santa Fe, NM
Dr. Alexinia Baldwin Gifted & _____ Award:
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Dr. Fred A. Bonner II, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
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Dr. Julia Nyberg, Purdue University Global, Chino Hills, CA
The 2026 Student Scholar Award recipients are:
Dr. Martin D. Jenkins Student Scholar Award:
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Ava George, Wilmington, NC
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Nonso Anaedozie, Baltimore, MD
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Mikayla Ejeh, Houston, TX
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Jasmine Liggins, Kalamazoo, MI
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Rayghen Judd, Hampton, VA
Honorable Mention:
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Abubakr Osman, Milwaukee, WI.
La Excelencia Latina Student Scholar Award:
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Alexa Gonzalez-Villarreal, Milwaukee, WI
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Alpha Mariana Romero Decer, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Ananya Philip, Round Rock, TX
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Andrea Amaro, Portage, MI
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Ozma Manriquez, Kalamazoo, MI
The recipients were selected through the award processes established by NAGC’s Networks and Special Interest Groups (SIGs). These awards recognize exemplary achievement and contributions across a wide range of areas within gifted and talented education.
NAGC congratulates the 2026 Network and Student Scholar Award recipients and extends its sincere appreciation to the NAGC Network and SIG members, reviewers, and volunteers whose dedication makes it possible to recognize excellence throughout the gifted education community.
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About the National Association for Gifted Children
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is the nation’s leading organization focused on the needs of gifted and talented children. Dedicated to uplifting and empowering those who support children with advanced abilities, NAGC provides energizing professional learning, impactful research, and inspiring advocacy to allow its members to work collaboratively so that all children have equitable opportunities and support to develop their gifts and talents.
