Mississippi Names Cory Uselton Superintendent of the Year
The Mississippi Association of School Administrators selected the DeSoto County Schools leader for the 2026-2027 academic honor.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Administration
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Cory Uselton, who currently serves as the superintendent of DeSoto County Schools, has been named the 2026-2027 Mississippi Superintendent of the Year. The award was granted by the Mississippi Association of School Administrators.
Why it matters
The annual recognition highlights the accomplishments and leadership of administrative figures overseeing the education of students across the state of Mississippi. It serves to identify exemplary leaders within the local educational system.
Cory Uselton currently holds leadership roles including serving on the Mississippi Department of Education's Superintendents' Advisory Council and chairing the board of trustees for Northwest Mississippi Community College.
The players
Cory Uselton
He is the current superintendent of DeSoto County Schools and a multi-award-winning educational administrator in Mississippi.
Mississippi Association of School Administrators
This professional organization is responsible for selecting the annual superintendent of the year.
Mississippi Department of Education
This state agency oversees public education and maintains the Superintendents' Advisory Council on which Uselton serves.
Northwest Mississippi Community College
This institution is a public community college where Uselton chairs the board of trustees.
The details
Uselton is a veteran administrator who previously received the 2012-2013 DeSoto County Schools Principal of the Year award and the 2013 Administrator of the Year title for Mississippi's First Congressional District. His leadership experience also includes his role as the president-elect of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents.
Timeline
2012-2013: Uselton named DeSoto County Schools Principal of the Year.
2013: Uselton named Administrator of the Year for the First District.
2015: Uselton named Mississippi High School Principal of the Year.
2020: Uselton received the Southaven Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year award.
2026-2027: Period for Mississippi Superintendent of the Year award.
Culture Shift
The award follows the long-standing tradition of recognizing administrative excellence within the Mississippi Department of Education's educator evaluation standards. This designation reflects an ongoing societal emphasis on professional development and career progression within the public education sector.
For residents and families in DeSoto County, this recognition highlights the ongoing administrative leadership currently overseeing local schools. It confirms the professional standing of the district's superintendent as a top-tier educator within the state infrastructure.
The takeaway
Professional recognition in education often reflects years of sustained service across various leadership tiers. Communities can track the career trajectories of local officials to better understand the stability and experience levels of their school district governance.
Further reading
For more information on the educational leadership environment in the state, visit Mississippi Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox13.
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