The Minnesota School Public Relations Association (MinnSPRA) honored Minnesota’s best school communications professionals and leaders who champion the profession at its 2026 spring conference, “Center Stage,” April 29-30.
Celi Haga, APR, chief of staff and executive director of strategic communications for Eastern Carver County Schools, received MinnSPRA’s highest honor — the School Communicator of the Year Award. She is among the candidates now vying for the National School Public Relations Association’s (NSPRA) School Communicator of the Year Award, which will be presented this summer.
MinnSPRA’s School Communicator of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary school PR leader who demonstrates a commitment to strengthening relationships between their district and its constituents.
Haga has served the Eastern Carver County Schools community since 2019. An advocate for public education, she said she believes strongly in the role of effective communications in elevating the work educators and staff do daily to improve outcomes for every child.
In nominating Haga for this award, Eastern Carver County Schools Superintendent Dr. Erin Rathke wrote, “Celi Haga is a mission-driven leader who exemplifies the power of strategic communication in public education… She has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to connect, influence and inspire across all levels of an organization — from community stakeholders to school board members to state legislators.”
A frequent presenter at national seminars and conferences, Haga brings more than 25 years of public and private sector experience in public affairs, government relations and communications to the role. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College and an MBA from Alverno College.
In addition to her work in Eastern Carver County Schools, Haga currently serves as president on the MinnSPRA Board of Directors, where she leads implementation of the organization’s strategic plan and advocates for public education through public relations leadership.
She is also an active leader in her community, chairing the Carver County Community Development Agency and serving as president-elect of the Chaska Rotary Club.
As Minnesota’s 2026 School Communicator of the Year, Haga advances to compete for the 2026 National School Communicator of the Year Award, which will be presented at the NSPRA National Seminar, held July 19-22 in New Orleans.
