ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Charles Powell, Assistant Superintendent at Mercer County Technical Schools in Trenton, NJ as the 2027 ACTE Region I Administrator of the Year. This award recognizes administrative career and technical education (CTE) professionals at the school, district, county, state or federal level who have demonstrated leadership in ensuring teacher and student success and have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and effective career and technical education programs.
Dr. Charles Powell is a visionary educational leader and innovator whose work is transforming Career and Technical Education (CTE) by creating meaningful pathways for student success. As Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction at Mercer County Technical Schools in Trenton, New Jersey, since September 2022, he has led initiatives designed to ensure students—known as the “Wizards”—graduate prepared for high-demand careers, postsecondary success, and lifelong achievement.
A hallmark of Dr. Powell’s leadership has been his innovative work to expand college credit opportunities for students across all career pathways. Through a strategic collaboration with Thomas Edison State University, he led Mercer County Technical Schools through the Professional Learning Review (PLR) process, a rigorous evaluation that validated the academic rigor of high school trade programs. As a result, students in programs such as Welding, HVAC-R, Army JROTC, Allied Health and Culinary Arts can now earn college credits while still in high school. These programs have also served as model programs for the State of New Jersey. By helping students graduate with both industry-ready skills and college credit, Dr. Powell has reduced barriers between CTE and higher education while helping families save on future tuition costs. His work reflects a deep commitment to innovation, equity, and expanding opportunities for student achievement.
His leadership also focuses on building strong career pathways, expanding strategic partnerships with postsecondary institutions, and increasing access to industry-recognized credentials for all students. By creating seamless transitions from high school to higher education and into the workforce, Dr. Powell helps students pursue rewarding careers while minimizing student debt. His commitment to performance-driven cultures centered on measurable student outcomes has strengthened opportunities for students across the district.
With more than 15 years of experience in education, Dr. Powell has served in a variety of leadership and instructional roles across CTE and STEM settings. Prior to his current position, he served as District Supervisor of STEM for the Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Cape May County Technical High School, Mathematics Instructor at the United States Military Academy, Mathematics Teacher at Hammonton High School, Adjunct Mathematics Instructor at Atlantic Cape Community College, and Adjunct Faculty in the School of Business at Stockton University.
Dr. Powell earned his Doctor of Organizational Leadership (Ed.D.) from Stockton University in 2019, where his dissertation focused on innovative public education funding mechanisms. He also completed the NJEXCEL Models 3 and 4 Post-Graduate Program in Educational Leadership and holds a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education along with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Teacher Education and Mathematics. His certifications include NJ School Administrator, NJ Standard Principal, NJ Supervisor, Master Teacher, and NJ Teacher of Mathematics.
His expertise in organizational leadership, strategic planning, CTE program development, and performance culture building has driven the launch of innovative programs, including expanded artificial intelligence and robotics pathways developed in partnership with The College of New Jersey. These programs ensure students gain the technical and academic skills needed to compete in an evolving workforce.
Dr. Powell’s commitment to advancing CTE reflects his belief that career and technical education is one of the most equitable and powerful pathways to career success. Through his leadership, he continues to strengthen industry-aligned programs, foster collaboration between education and business, and inspire future CTE leaders, ensuring every student can graduate ready to thrive in a dynamic world.
Powell is one of five finalists for the 2027 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on December 2, at 6:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, The Army, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit their webpage.
