Congratulations to Tracy Habisch-Ahlin, Director of Communications for the Hudson School District, who has been named WSPRA's 2024 Mary Pat Pfeil School Communicator of the Year!

Tracy was chosen by the WSPRA Board of Directors from three exemplary nominations representing school public relations professionals throughout the State of Wisconsin. This award recognizes the outstanding leadership and contributions of active, front-line school communicators who work full-time in school districts or education service agencies. Nominations focus on four areas: Leadership, Communication, Professionalism and Community Involvement.

Bev Hagen, Community Education Program Specialist at the Hudson School District, shared the following during the announcement of the award:

Tracy’s journey to school communications is unique. In 2006, she was elected to the Hudson School District Board of Education. She came into that role as a small business owner and children’s advocate. As a board member, she participated in the work of the Long Range Planning and Policy committees, as well as the board’s strategic planning initiative. 

During this time, the Hudson School District embarked on a comprehensive communication plan. In the summer of 2007, Tracy resigned from the board to apply for the district’s newly created communications position. 

She was selected from a field of 15 applicants and 3 finalists to fill this position. Her work experience, education, and commitment to including all voices at the table, especially those individuals or groups most impacted by a decision, provided her with a strategic and systems-oriented lens, which proved to be a significant asset in providing effective communication services.

As the leader of a one-person school communications shop, Tracy has lived all the roles of a school PR professional. She has been involved in multiple capital and operational referendum campaigns, two rebranding campaigns, and a website redesign. She has designed and implemented community engagement initiatives related to school start times, long-term facility planning, and strategic planning. She is responsible for the district's school safety preparedness and response plans in coordination with emergency response and the WI Office of School Safety. Tracy collaborates with district departments and school leaders to implement communication goals, coordinates internal and external communications, supports building level communications, manages the district’s social media platforms and web site and, in the past year, launched a variety of podcasts. She also supervises the district’s community services programs, including Community Education and Before and After-School Child Care. 

Throughout the years, the scope of Tracy’s communications role has changed. However, one thing has remained constant for her: Communication is about relationship building and most importantly, it is about supporting the work that needs to be done each and every day, for each and every student. 

Tracy is a resilient and courageous leader. A seasoned communicator who is committed to transparency and understands that trust is a critical currency for school districts. She is a champion for our school community. A professional who is always willing to help, serve and share her knowledge. She is a person who is actively involved in and cares about the Hudson community. 

Finally, Tracy’s commitment to school communications is also evident through her service to WSPRA. She has been on the WSPRA Board of Directors for 8 years, including serving as President, a role she led with resilience and adaptability during the challenges of COVID.

Tracy’s husband, Bill, and their daughters, Tess and Cally, were present for the announcement, as well as the superintendent of Hudson Schools, Dr. Nick Ouellette.