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The Imperial County Office of Education (ICOE) is proud to announce that Dr. Todd Finnell, County Superintendent of Schools, has been honored with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the California IT in Education (CITE) association. This distinguished award recognizes individuals who have made significant, lasting contributions to the field of education technology in California.
With a career spanning 34 years, Dr. Finnell has been a leader in education, serving in various roles, including classroom teacher, counselor, administrator, and faculty member at San Diego State University. His work has helped prepare the next generation of educators while advancing the integration of technology in both K-12 and higher education.
Dr. Finnell’s impact extends beyond traditional K-12 education. He served as Vice President for Student Services, Technology, and Research at Imperial Valley College, where he advocated for access and equity while strengthening collaboration between K-12 and higher education institutions. His expertise in educational technology continues to shape policies and initiatives, including his role on the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where he influences broadband infrastructure and adoption strategies.
Currently, Dr. Finnell serves as the President-Elect of the California County Superintendents and will assume the presidency in 2025-2026. He also serves on the boards of the California K-12 High-Speed Network (K12HSN) and the Fiscal Crisis Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), in addition to his involvement in various regional and local education initiatives.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award and have been blessed to be surrounded by amazing people throughout my career,” said Dr. Finnell. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the education community, and I am excited to continue working towards a brighter future for our students.”
As part of this recognition, Dr. Finnell was inducted into the CITE Hall of Fame during the 2024 CITE Conference held in San Diego, CA. The Lifetime Achievement Award highlights Dr. Finnell’s lifelong commitment to advancing education technology, positively impacting the lives of students and educators across the region and beyond.
California IT in Education (CITE) is a nonprofit professional membership association dedicated to supporting IT professionals working in schools. CITE’s mission is to lead, develop, and support education technologists and organizations to foster student success. The organization provides high-quality resources, professional learning, and a strong support community for its members. For more information, follow CITE on Facebook and Instagram.
