Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman has been honored with the 2026 STEM Spark Award by the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA), recognizing her dedication to advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and workforce development.
Coleman, a former educator, emphasized the transformative power of education, stating, "I am honored to receive the STEM Spark Award. I know from my time in the classroom that education is the key to providing transformational change for our families." She highlighted STEM education's role in preparing Kentucky students for jobs in the state's manufacturing and aerospace sectors.
Her initiatives include creating Kentucky's first "Ag Education Week," bipartisanly partnering to integrate agriculture into curriculum, and leading efforts to enhance student mental health resources, expand broadband access, and strengthen STEM innovation through economic growth.
Scott Johns, chief commercial officer at Sapphire Gas Solutions, praised Coleman's understanding of the future of energy, noting, "Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman understands that the future of energy depends not only on technology, but on developing the workforce that will power it." He added that her support for STEM education and renewable energy demonstrates her grasp of this crucial connection.