WEST COLUMBIA – Dr. Angela Cooper, Lexington School District Two’s Chief Human Resource and Organizational Development Officer, has earned national recognition for her leadership and innovation in public education.
Cooper has been named the 2025 Herb Salinger Personnel Administrator of the Year by the American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA). The award honors administrators who have made a significant impact at the local, state, national, or international level through excellence in school personnel leadership.
She is one of just seven educators nationwide to receive a top AASPA award this year. Cooper will be honored at the organization’s annual conference in October.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr. Cooper’s national recognition,” said Dr. Quincie Moore, executive director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA). “Her work has helped create a supportive environment where school employees feel empowered and equipped to succeed.”
Earlier this year, Cooper was also named South Carolina School Administrator of the Year by SCASA.
With nearly 24 years of experience in K-12 human resources—including 18 in Lexington Two—Cooper has become a leader in innovative hiring and retention strategies. Under her leadership, nearly half of the district’s new teachers in the past year came from alternative certification pathways. She has also expanded programs that support and grow educators, such as Lex2Leads, the district’s leadership development initiative.
“Dr. Cooper has one of the most brilliant minds in Human Resources that I know,” said Lexington Two Superintendent Dr. Brenda Hafner. “She approaches every challenge with research, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to innovation. Her work is helping build a workforce that’s prepared to serve students at the highest level.”
Cooper credited the honor to the collective efforts of her team.
“This recognition reflects our shared commitment to excellence—not just in day-to-day operations, but in building long-term growth for our employees,” she said. “When we invest in our staff, we invest in our students.”
AASPA is an international organization with more than 3,800 members, dedicated to advancing effective HR practices in education.
