A man in a blue suit speaks into a microphone

Zachary Stumbo, state homeless coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Education, was honored by the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) on Nov. 3 with the 2025 McKinney-Vento State Coordinator of the Year. Photo provided by NAEHCY

Zach Stumbo, state homeless coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), has been named the 2025 McKinney-Vento State Coordinator of the Year by the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY).

The prestigious award was presented on Nov. 3 during NAEHCY’s annual national convention held in Dallas, Texas. This national recognition honors state coordinators who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and commitment to improving educational outcomes for children and youth experiencing homelessness.

“His leadership and commitment to advancing the rights and educational success of children and youth experiencing homelessness exemplify the spirit of the McKinney-Vento Act and the mission of NAEHCY,” the NAEHCY awards committee wrote in a letter praising Sumbo’s work.

Since assuming the role of state homeless coordinator at KDE, Stumbo has led transformative efforts across Kentucky to improve identification processes and ensure students experiencing homelessness receive the support they need to succeed. Under his leadership, Kentucky achieved an 87.6% graduation rate for students experiencing homelessness in 2024, well above the most recent national average of 69.3%, according to the National Center for Homeless Education.

Stumbo’s dedication is also deeply personal. As a former unaccompanied homeless youth during his junior and senior years of high school, he brings lived experience to his work.

“I stand before you as living proof that McKinney-Vento students are a great investment of our time, resources, and energy,” Stumbo said during his acceptance speech. “Because when we get it right, graduation rates rise, engagement grows and absenteeism fades.”

Visit KDE’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth program webpage to learn more about supporting students experiencing homelessness in Kentucky.