SILVER SPRING, MD – (April 24, 2025) —- Victoria Crownover, Assistant State Director for Career Technical Education (CTE) Accountability for the Colorado Colorado Community College System, has been awarded the 2025 State Career Technical Education Distinguished Leadership Award by Advance CTE.
The State CTE Distinguished Leadership Award is given annually and recognizes current and former state CTE leaders who have a distinguished and tenured history of service of five years or more. Awardees have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to advancing a vision for high-quality and accessible CTE at the state and national levels.
“Victoria is a selfless, dedicated leader whose superpower is knowing what people need before they do. She is constantly bringing people together to connect data, policy, and funding to improve CTE experiences for all learners,” shared Colorado Community College System Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs/State CTE Director Dr. Sarah Heath. “She is a national expert in connecting CTE data to other education and workforce systems and building data literacy across all actors involved in CTE. She even invited other state leaders to our professional development events to extend her support and expertise. Colorado is very lucky to have her leadership on our team!”
Crownover has worked for the Colorado Community College System since 2008, and prior to her current role served as an internal auditor and Methods of Administration (MOA) specialist. She also taught and worked at a community college before her leadership at the state level. Victoria earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Kansas State University and a master’s Degree in International Studies from the University of Denver, as well as an industry-recognized credential as a Certified Internal Auditor. She has served as the State Associate Member Representative on the Advance CTE Board of Directors since 2019.
Victoria’s leadership is especially apparent at the U.S. Department of Education’s annual Data Quality Institute, where, in the words of former Advance CTE Board of Directors President Dr. Katie Graham, she is “ a natural mentor and problem-solver, and the first to assist colleagues in navigating complex regulations and implementation challenges.”
“Advance CTE can always count on Victoria to be at the forefront of innovative strategies for developing connective, knowledgeable, and learner-centered statewide systems both within and beyond Career Technical Education at both the state and national level. As a Board member, Victoria was a critical voice in the development of the modernized Career Clusters Framework.” stated Advance CTE Executive Director Kate Kreamer. “Her contributions have not only improved learner experiences in Colorado, but raised the national standard for data quality and analysis. We are pleased to recognize her leadership and contributions to high-quality CTE with this award.”
“Career and Technical Education changes lives, including mine, and helps build strong communities and economies,” stated Victoria Crownover. “My first Advance CTE meeting many years ago felt like a family reunion as I had the opportunity to connect with colleagues also passionate about this work, willing to share their expertise, solve big problems together, and build systems with and for learners. It continues to feel that way today and I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition from Advance CTE. I’m so thankful for the support of the organization and my colleagues for the partnership and innovation as we collaborate across the country to improve and expand access to CTE.”
Advance CTE is the longest-standing national non-profit that represents State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary, and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Established in 1920, Advance CTE supports state CTE leadership to advance high-quality CTE policies, programs, and pathways that ensure career and college success for each learner.
Media contact: Stacy Whitehouse, [email protected]
