TASA names LU doctoral student as 2023 recipient of Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship
December 14, 2022 | by Shelbe Rodriguez
The Texas Association of School Administrators has named the 2023 recipients of its Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship, which recognizes the leadership of Dr. Johnny L. Veselka, who dedicated nearly 44 years of service to the association, including 32 years as TASA’s executive director. Annually since 2014, the award is given to outstanding doctoral students pursuing careers in educational leadership, with particular emphasis on the superintendency. 
The recipients were selected from among a pool of applicants by the TASA Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship Committee, a group of Texas school superintendents and other public school district administrators.
Amy Francisco, director of Communications & Marketing at TASA said, “A school administrator, Matthew Neighbors, is one of the two recipients. He is the executive director of secondary education in Galveston ISD. Mr. Neighbors is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from Lamar University."
Matthew Neighbors, executive director of secondary education in Galveston ISD, is working toward his doctorate in educational leadership from Lamar University. Neighbors said his role is "coalescing teams of people and encouraging them to achieve more than they think is possible inspires me to lead. It is also part of my vision to promote an educational institution which impacts the community in positive ways. Having a growth mindset — both students and staff — is a necessity. Achieve. Impact. Grow. These are the driving forces behind my desire to be a superintendent."
Recipients of the award will receive a $2,500 scholarship and will be recognized during the 2023 TASA Midwinter Conference, to be held in Austin January 29-February 1.
The recipients were selected from among a pool of applicants by the TASA Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship Committee, a group of Texas school superintendents and other public school district administrators.
Amy Francisco, director of Communications & Marketing at TASA said, “A school administrator, Matthew Neighbors, is one of the two recipients. He is the executive director of secondary education in Galveston ISD. Mr. Neighbors is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from Lamar University."
Matthew Neighbors, executive director of secondary education in Galveston ISD, is working toward his doctorate in educational leadership from Lamar University. Neighbors said his role is "coalescing teams of people and encouraging them to achieve more than they think is possible inspires me to lead. It is also part of my vision to promote an educational institution which impacts the community in positive ways. Having a growth mindset — both students and staff — is a necessity. Achieve. Impact. Grow. These are the driving forces behind my desire to be a superintendent."
Recipients of the award will receive a $2,500 scholarship and will be recognized during the 2023 TASA Midwinter Conference, to be held in Austin January 29-February 1.