Today, One Acadiana (1A) recognized the Iberia Parish School District as the recipient of the 2026 One Acadiana ConnectEd Award, honoring the district’s leadership in expanding career-connected learning opportunities and preparing students for success in the workforce.
Presented through One Acadiana’s ConnectEd initiative, the award recognizes community partners making a significant contribution to the initiative’s goal of strengthening connections between business and education.
The Iberia Parish School District earned this year’s recognition for building a district-wide Workforce Development Program that connects students with employers, strengthens workplace readiness, and creates pathways from high school into meaningful employment.
Through the program, students are employed as interns by local businesses, work alongside industry professionals, and participate in structured classroom instruction designed to reinforce workplace skills and professional expectations.
The program’s inaugural year has already demonstrated measurable success, including:
- Nine students completed the Workforce Development Program
- Five students hired into full-time roles
- 90+ student applications received for the 2026-2027 school year, reflecting growing interest in career-connected learning opportunities.
“This recognition reflects what is possible when education and industry work together with a shared purpose,” said Jennifer Regard, CTE Supervisor for the Iberia Parish School District and Principal of the Iberia Parish Career Campus. “Our Workforce Development Program is creating opportunities for students to earn valuable credentials, develop in-demand skills, and graduate prepared for college, careers, military service, and lifelong success. The impact extends far beyond our classrooms—it strengthens our local workforce, supports our business community, and helps build a brighter future for Iberia Parish. We are honored to receive the 2026 ConnecEd Award and remain committed to preparing students for the opportunities of tomorrow.”
The award was presented during One Acadiana’s ConnectEd Update held on August 27, where business, education, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the initiative’s progress over the past year and the work being done across the region to better align classroom learning with real workforce needs.
“The Iberia Parish School District has set a powerful example of how schools and employers can work together to prepare students for success,” said Troy Wayman, President and CEO of One Acadiana. “Their Workforce Development Program embodies exactly what ConnectEd is designed for—building meaningful connections between business and education to strengthen our talent pipeline and support our key industries. By giving students the chance to earn, learn, and gain valuable workplace experience before graduation, Iberia Parish is helping prepare the next generation of our workforce. Their leadership and commitment to career-connected learning make them a deserving recipient of the 2026 One Acadiana ConnectEd Award.”
At the event, One Acadiana released the ConnectEd 2026 Report, outlining key outcomes of the initiative including:
- 22 Industry Roundtables convened since 2021, with 127 participating employers representing 96 companies
- 4 educator professional development programs completed since 2024, with 72 participating educators representing 10 school systems
- $50,000 grant from the Manufacturing Institute awarded to 1A to launch a new employer-led talent pipeline for advanced manufacturing, Acadiana FAME
Strengthening connections between business and education remains one of One Acadiana’s strategic priorities as employers seek skilled talent to support expansion and investment across the region. Through ConnectEd and the launch of Acadiana FAME, One Acadiana continues to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline by connecting employers, educators, and students around shared workforce priorities that support long-term economic growth.
Learn more about 1A ConnectEd, read the full 2026 report, and watch the initiative highlight video at OneAcadiana.org/ConnectEd
About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the chamber of commerce for Lafayette and leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. The organization is recognized as one of four across the country to hold both an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) accreditation and a five-star U.S. Chamber of Commerce accreditation. With more than 850 investors, members, and partners, One Acadiana serves as the voice of the regional business community. The organization is located in the city of Lafayette and serves a region of nearly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at OneAcadiana.org.