Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. is the Superintendent of the Cumberland County Schools (CCS).
Dr. Connelly has enjoyed a successful career in public education spanning over 31 years in North Carolina. From 2012 until 2018, he served as the chief of staff for the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), where he was responsible for the daily operations of the superintendent’s office and for coordinating the functions of the school system across all departments.
Additionally, he served the WCPSS for seven years as the assistant superintendent for student services, where he oversaw the school system’s alternative schools and led the development, implementation, and evaluation of special education, counseling, student, and intervention services. Dr. Connelly also has experience as a middle school and high school principal and as a high school assistant principal.
Dr. Connelly began his career in public education as a special education teacher assistant and teacher after proudly serving as an officer in the U.S. Army, including time in the 82nd Airborne Division. He also served in combat during Operation Desert Storm.
Throughout his career, Dr. Connelly has received numerous awards, including the NAACP Educator of the Year award, the Administrator of the Year award from the Harriett B. Webster Task Force for Student Success, the Raleigh/Wake Citizens Association Educator of the Year award, and most recently the NC Council for Exceptional Children 2023-2024 Felix Barker Leadership Award, 2023-2024 N.C. Sandhills Regional Superintendent of the Year Award, 2020 Dr. Sam Houston Leadership Award, 2022 NCASA Raymond Sarbaugh Leadership Award, and the 2022 Honor Society Phi Kappa Phi Award.
Dr. Connelly has given back by serving on various boards in the educational community, and has membership in the National Superintendents Association (AASA), including serving on the Governing Board, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the School Superintendents Association (AASA), NC School Superintendents Association (NCSSA), Habitat for Humanity (Wake) Board of Directors and the Wake County Board of Commissioners – Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, and the North Carolina Alliance of Black School Educators (NCABSE).
Dr. Connelly has a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina State University. After earning master’s degrees in special education and school administration from North Carolina State University, he went on to obtain a doctorate in educational leadership from East Carolina University. He and his wife, Joyce, have four grown children, nine grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
Past AASA North Carolina Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2023 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year: Dr. Donald Phipps
2022 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year: Dr. Valerie Bridges
2021 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year: Brent Williams
About the Award:
The Superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State-level winners are selected on the following criteria:
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- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement