Lori Colbert, Ed.D. '23 EPOL, was named the South Cook Region Elementary Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principal's Association (IPA). Colbert is the principal at Barack Obama School of Leadership and STEM in Park Forest, Illinois.
Colbert is one of 20 principals from regions throughout the state of Illinois who were recognized by a selection committee. Regional award winners move on to the statewide competition. State winners are selected by an Awards Selection Committee made up of past IPA presidents, the IPA State Diversity & Equity Chair, and a representative of Horace Mann. State winners are recognized annually at an Awards Ceremony held in conjunction with the Education Leaders Annual Conference every October.