Warrendale, PA - Printing Industries of America (PIA) proudly announces Michael DeAcosta, graphic communications instructor at the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, PA as the recipient of the 2015 Education Award of Excellence.
 
The PIA Educational Awards of Excellence recognizes a graphic communications educator for their distinguished educational service and for significant programs, projects, or accomplishments that are a direct result of their leadership. 
 
For over 25 years, Michael worked in the print education field. In 2002 DeAcosta began teaching graphics at The Milton Hershey School, a cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for children from families of low income. Since then, he has successfully led the process of getting his program accredited by the PrintED program administered by the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation. He created an exceptional curriculum and impressive facilities including a computer design lab and a large lab area for presses, screen, and finishing areas. Because of his efforts, students who have taken the national PrintED assessment tests have passed with outstanding results.
 
“I have visited over 40 schools in 20 states during the last three years. They are not all equal in the equipment and software they use or the instructors and professors that teach within the labs,” said Michael Stinnet, PrintED National ETZ and nominator of DeAcosta. “Some stand out—Michael is one of these instructors. As an educator, I believe he is in the top 10 percent of the instructors I have been working with.”
 
DeAcosta will receive the honor at the 68^th TAGA Annual Technical Conference, March 20–23 in Memphis TN. The conference brings together researchers, industry professionals, and educators from around the world to discuss innovations and present papers on research and innovations in imaging methods, workflow, and production systems. For more information on the conference, visit tagaatc.printing.org.