NASHVILLE - Two veteran superintendents from Alabama and Illinois would like to become the next AASA president.
Their candidacies for the president-elect post became official upon formal approval of the AASA Governing Board on Wednesday at that body’s official meeting, a day before the start of the 2026 National Conference on Education in Nashville, Tenn.
The candidates for president-elect are:
Jennifer Kelsall, superintendent, Norridge, Ill.; and
Wayne Vickers, superintendent, Alabaster, Ala.
During the AASA conference, the two contenders will appear on stage with brief campaign remarks at the 2nd General Session of the AASA national conference on Feb. 13 followed by a one-hour presidential forum at 11:15 a.m. in Room 202-A.
Election ballots will be sent electronically to AASA members immediately following the 2nd General Session. The deadline for voting is 11:59 p.m. on March 6. Results will be made public the week of March 9, with the winner assuming office as AASA president-elect on July 1 and taking over the association’s presidency one year later.
AASA members who require a paper ballot for voting can contact Kat Sturdevant, AASA’s advocacy and governance manager, at ksturdevant@aasa.org.
Biographical summaries of the presidential candidates follow.
L. Wayne Vickers
Currently: superintendent, Alabaster City Schools, Alabaster, Ala., 2013-present
Previously: superintendent, Saraland City Schools, Saraland, Ala., 2009 – 2013
Post-Secondary Education: Ed.D. in educational leadership, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 2008; M.A. in secondary education, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1993; B.S. in science in secondary education, University of Alabama—Tuscaloosa, 1990; B.A. in history, University of Alabama—Tuscaloosa, 1989.
Memberships: AASA Executive Committee, 2023-present; AASA Governing Board member, 2018-present; AASA member since 2007
Miscellaneous: Immediate past president, School Superintendents of Alabama; Superintendents of Alabama board of directors, 2012-24); School Superintendents of Alabama member, 2007-present
Jennifer Kelsall
Currently: superintendent, Ridgewood High School District 234, Norridge, Ill., 2014-present
Previously: principal, Ridgewood High School District 234, Norridge, Ill., 2008-14
Post Secondary Education: Ph.D., Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., 2015; M.A., Governors State University, University Park, Ill., 1998; B.S., Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., 1994
Memberships: AASA Executive Board, 2024-present; AASA Governing Board, 2018-2024; AASA member, 2014-present
Miscellaneous: Illinois Association of School Administrators, 2014-present; League of Innovative Schools, 2019-present; AASA National Certification Program, 2020
See the original post from AASA NCE's Conference Daily Online.