Michael Moriarty Recognized with 2025 Distinguished Service Award

HOLYOKE — The National Assoc. of State Boards of Education (NASBE) recently announced that Michael Moriarty, executive director of OneHolyoke CDC and a longtime advocate in the movement to advance early literacy in the Commonwealth, is a recipient of NASBE’s 2025 Distinguished Service Award, recognizing exceptional contributions to education.

This prestigious award honors three board leaders annually, this year from Massachusetts, Georgia, and Tennessee, and represents NASBE’s highest accolade for state board members.

Moriarty recently completed his tenure on the Massachusetts State Board of Education after 10 years of service, during which he chaired the state’s early literacy subcommittee, and was a member of the budget subcommittee and commissioner evaluation committee. He was also an active member of NASBE’s early literacy working group.

Prior to chairing Massachusetts’ early literacy subcommittee, Moriarty pioneered tying budget requests to literacy programs, years before it became common in state policy. A final report incorporating Moriarty’s comprehensive recommendations on early literacy is being adopted by the state’s education department.

According to Matt Hills, vice chair of the Massachusetts board, “his impact as a colleague, especially on literacy policy, will long outlast his time on the board. Michael brought clarity, persistence, and heart to the work, and for that we are deeply grateful.”

A lifelong resident of Holyoke, Moriarty also served for 13 years on the city’s School Committee and was instrumental in the formation of the Holyoke Early Literacy Initiative, a community-wide collaborative that focused on increasing the number of students who were proficient in reading by the end of grade 3. He has also been a vocal advocate for arts education.

Since 2013, Moriarty has served as executive director of OneHolyoke CDC, a mission-driven nonprofit that believes every resident of Holyoke should live in a dignified home and a safe, attractive neighborhood. Before attending law school, he taught in Holyoke for five years, in subjects including Latin, English, and social studies. As an attorney, he has also taught at Middlesex Community College and Holyoke Community Colleges.

The two other recipients of NASBE’s Distinguished Service Award are Kenneth Mason, a member of the Georgia Board of Education, and Lillian Hartgrove, a member of the Tennessee State Board of Education.

According to NASBE President and CEO Paolo DeMaria, “Kenneth, Michael, and Lillian have dedicated time, talent, and energy to improving education for students across the country. Their leadership has strengthened state boards, advanced innovative policies, and inspired colleagues and communities. We are proud to recognize their extraordinary service with the Distinguished Service Award.”