(KL:ZA) Peru Student Education Association (PSEA) President Megan Brown was recently presented the Outstanding Local Leader Award at the National Education Association’s (NEA) Student Program Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

 

Brown was also recently honored by the Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) with their Capitol District Leader Award.

 

A special education and early childhood education major from Syracuse, Brown was selected for the NEA honor from more than 60,000 members involved in 1,100 college and university chapters. The award recognizes her dedication and leadership skills as the Peru Student Education Association (PSEA) president throughout the 2011-12 membership year.

 

Brown was also recognized last year by the NEA, earning the Jeffrey “J.D.” Miller Outstanding Underclassman Award at the organization’s National Student Leadership Conference in Chicago.

 

Brown said, “I continue to be ever grateful for the honors awarded to me that recognize my dedication to the association. My singular objective for my first term as PSEA president was to increase member engagement in our activities. PSEA has grown and flourished with a little push and new direction. Our members’ desire to do more, be more and take ownership of our group is the truest indicator of my success as a leader.”

 

Associate Professor of Education and PSEA Advisor Dr. Judith Ruskamp said, “Megan continues to lead with exemplary dedication and commitment to the field of education and the Peru State Student Education Association. As one of our own, we are very proud of the fact that she continues to play an integral role on the Peru State campus as a difference-maker.”

 Brown organized and led several PSEA events during her tenure as president, including:

·         8 to Great Leadership Seminar, in which campus leaders engaged in an alternative character education program;

·         American Education Week Project, which involved PSEA members helping Calvert Elementary (Auburn, Neb.) make thank-you cards for their teachers;

·         Scholastic Book Fair, profits from which are used to buy books for area schools;

·         Reading Buddies Program, where PSEA members read to toddlers at the Peru Day Care once a month;

·         Water Warrior Welcome Back Social;

·         and the Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash, where more than 1,500 area students attended to watch interactive skits and celebrate reading.

Brown also attended events within the association, including the SEAN Fall Conference/Outreach to Teach, Leadership Retreat, Spring Conference, Delegate Assembly and Collective Bargaining Conference. She also attended the Nebraska State Education Association’s Capitol District Senator Dinner and Delegate Assembly.

 She is the daughter of Burke and Dee Brown of Lincoln and John and Mary Robison of Syracuse.