#WeLeadComms: Kristyn Cathey

Texas-based communication leader Kristyn Hunt Cathey, APR, is today’s #WeLeadComms recipient. 

Kristyn always knew she would use her voice for good. As a child, she often received “Talks too much” on her report card. Now she realizes that it was a sign pointing her in the direction of her future! 

She excelled in English, speech, drama, dance, and band in school, and during her senior year, she took the leap into the broadcast journalism program and wrote for the campus newspaper. She earned a scholarship from the National Association of Black Journalists in 1997, right out of high school, which took her to Chicago for its annual conference. It was there that she realized her passion could become her purpose. Upon graduation from Southern A&M University in 2001, she made the difficult decision to turn down an opportunity to return home to Port Arthur, Texas, to be a TV news reporter and instead attend graduate school. She graduated in 2003 and returned home in 2004 to take a position as an instructor at Lamar University, the same college her mother had graduated from and worked. For five years, she taught communications courses, earning high marks from both students and her staff, but she still didn’t feel fulfilled. “I knew that I didn’t want to be like my mom and earn my doctorate, so I had to pivot,” she said. She found a speech teaching position in her old school district, but it was her former high school principal, turned assistant superintendent, Dr. Melvin Getwood, who told her to remain patient because the right position was on the horizon, and it was! That position was the Media/Communications Specialist, a one-person role and one that was new to the district. 

For the next 11 years, Kristyn grew, personally and professionally, and it was during that time that she began her foray into TSPRA leadership and began working on her APR. “The APR process took me a LONG seven years,” she said. “I got married, had a baby, lost everything in Hurricane Harvey, worked through COVID, failed the test the first time around, transitioned to a new role in another city that required me to commute for 45 minutes with our young son, moved into a new home, and FINALLY passed the test in July 2022; so, I would say that is perseverance!” Sadly, one month after moving into their new home, she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer, but with the support of her family, co-workers, and her faith, she didn’t miss a beat. “I learned how much support I truly had when I was at my lowest,” she said. 

She used her voice to advance to the next level in February 2023, when she presented to what would soon be her new superintendent, Dr. Anthony Mays. “I had no idea that I would meet the person who would help to change my life that day, but I’m glad that I did,” she said. After two years as the Director of Communications, she transitioned to a new role in August 2023 that would allow her to lead her own team, which was a major milestone in her life. Another major milestone was her induction as TSPRA’s first Black president in 2024; which was a three-year term. “I knew from the moment I became aware of TSPRA that one day I would lead the organization, and I am so grateful for that opportunity,” she said. “If a girl from a small town that started in a one-person department can do it, anyone can!” Kristyn was recently named the 2026 Texas School Communicator of the Year, joining an elite group of school communicators recognized from across the country. “There were times during my career that I wasn’t sure if this is what I was supposed to be doing or if I was on the right path, but I am clear, now more than ever, this is my purpose.” 

Kristyn is entering her fourth year as the Chief of Communications & Public Relations in Alief ISD on the southwest side of Houston and will conclude her three-year term as president of the Texas School Public Relations Association in February 2027. She is an active member of NSPRA and PRSA. She and her husband, Harry, have been married for nearly 11 years, and they are parents to two busy “boys,” Harrison, who will be entering fourth grade this school year,  and Snoopy, their Boston Terrier, who is 7 months old! When she isn’t busy putting out fires at work, she enjoys watching horror movies and old judge shows, playing soccer with her son, traveling, getting a good massage, and trying out different foods with her husband! 

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