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Seahawk in front of Hoggard Hall
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Office of Partnerships and Engagement

Departments & Offices

The Office of Partnerships and Engagement in the Watson College of Education oversees five units that engage in partnership, outreach, and collaborative activities with schools, industry, and community organizations.

The Office includes:

  • P-12 School-University Partnership (PDS, Professional Experiences, Isaac Bear Early College)
  • STEM Education and Engagement (CESTEM, STEM SENC, Jr. Seahawk, Center for Assistive Technology)
  • UNCW’s Community College Collaborative (UNCW/3C)
  • MarineQuest
  • The Betty Holden Stike Education Laboratory & Curriculum Materials Center

The primary purpose of the Office of Partnerships and Engagement is to intentionally engage in collaborative relationships that enhance teaching and learning in southeastern North Carolina. The office is home to many of Watson's regional partnerships, on-campus centers, school collaborations and outreach initiatives.

Professional Development System Our nationally-recognized school-university partnership with 11 school districts and more than 2,000 teachers gives students classroom experience and supports the needs of teachers, schools and districts in our region. Learn about PDS
Professional Experiences Our Professional Experiences Office coordinates thousands of field placements and hundreds of internships in area schools each year. This gives future teachers the opportunity to experience a variety of supportive, professional settings during their educational journey. Learn About Professional Experiences
Community College Collaborative Our community college-university partnership was created in 2019 to develop strong future leaders for North Carolina’s community colleges and strengthen higher education offerings in the state. Learn about UNCW/3C
STEM SENC STEM SENC convenes, collaborates, and builds connections with people, organizations, schools and businesses in 13 counties to provide access to STEM learning opportunities for students, families, and educators Learn about STEM SENC
CESTEM The Center for Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (CESTEM) supports K-12 educators to enhance STEM education through professional development, a technology loan program, and regional STEM competitions for K-12 students. Learn More About CESTEM
Center for Assistive Technology WCE’s Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) partners with CESTEM to provide STEM opportunities for exceptional learners and serves as a lending site for AT equipment for individuals with disabilities. Connect with CAT
Betty Holden Stike Education Laboratory The Ed Lab is a distinguishing feature of WCE’s Teacher Education program. Our on-campus lab gives future teachers an opportunity to teach children in a supervised setting before beginning field placements in local school classrooms. Connect with the Ed Lab
Curriculum Materials Center The Curriculum Materials Center, located next to the Ed Lab, connects educators to teaching resources and empowers users to think creatively and explore new ways to engage students in learning. Visit the CMC
MarineQuest MarineQuest is the official marine science outreach program for UNCW, WCE and the Center for Marine Science. For 45 years MQ has provided exciting academic enrichment opportunities for young people interested in the marine environment. Explore MarineQuest
Isaac Bear Early College Isaac Bear Early College High School is located on the UNCW campus. The school offers challenging academics, research and community service projects, and the opportunity to earn up to 60 college credits before graduating from high school. Visit IBECHS
Junior Seahawk Academy Watson is home to the Junior Seahawk Academy, a summer program designed to encourage middle school students’ interest in STEM, health and education careers. Learn More About Jr. Seahawk

MarineQuest Summer 2026 Registration & Weekend Programs

MarineQuest Summer 2026 registration is open! Visit the MarineQuest website to explore summer enrichment programs for all ages! March 28: MarineQuest Weekend Programs, each month we explore a different marine science topic and discover fascinating facts. Have fun and get messy doing science, eating pizza, and creating art!

Visit the MQ website for additional dates & details!
Marinequest students learn Paddleboarding and fish netting along the Cape Fear river basin as part of their Summer Camp.

March 14: Regional SeaPerch Competition

CESTEM will host the Wilmington Regional SeaPerch Competition on Saturday, March 14th.

visit the CESTEM website
Two children driving a remote controlled device in the water

March 19 & 20: 3C Aspiring Leaders Summit

WCE’s Community College Collaborative will host a 2026 Aspiring Leaders Summit at Wayne Community College on March 19th and 20th.

Visit the 3C website
UNCW Pillars at the west entrance of campus

March 23-27: CMC Book Fair

Join us in the WCE Atrium for the CMC Scholastic Book Fair. More information, including a WCE Family Night event can be found on the CMC website!

Visit the CMC website
Participants looking at books at the book fair

March 24 & 25: Author Showcase

The Betty Holden Stike Education Laboratory will host an Author Showcase featuring writings and illustrations from K-6 students and WCE tutors currently participating in spring semester Ed Lab tutoring program. The showcase will take place beginning at 3:30 and 5:00.

Two children writing in a pamphlet

March 27: PDS Professional Learning Day

The Watson College of Education Professional Development System is proud to welcome over 150 partnership teachers and university supervisors for a day of professional learning on Friday, March 27th. This year’s theme is Inspiring Educators in a Changing World.

Classroom of people watching a slideshow presentation

April 25: UNCW STEM Expo

Dive into discovery at the Coastal & Marine STEM Expo hosted by the University of North Carolina Wilmington as part of North Carolina Science Festival!

View more events here
Youth using a UV light on marine organisms

June 10: BWF Math Connect Summit

CESTEM will host a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Math Connect Summit on Wednesday, June 10th. More information will be available soon!

3D printed Pi day memorabilia

June 11: Soar Into STEM Conference

CESTEM will host its annual Soar into STEM Conference on Thursday, June 11th. This year’s theme is Lead the Adventure.

Visit the CESTEM site
The STEM Learning Cooperative hosted the 2023 NC Science Festival event entitled "Full STEAM Ahead: Science Meets Art For All"

June & July 2026: Junior Seahawk Sessions

Jr. Seahawk summer sessions will be offered 6/29-7/2 and 7/7-7/10.

Register today!
Junior Seahawk Academy session for two youths to learn about and interact with Sphero Robots

Contact Information

Assistant Dean
Somer Lewis
lewiss@uncw.edu
910.962.7244

Director
Vacant
Sayed Hall 156A

Assistant Director
Jenn Hatch Knight
Sayed Hall 157
910.962.4246
knightjh@uncw.edu

Program Associate
Misty Cayton
Sayed Hall 156
910.962.4173
caytonm@uncw.edu 

Assistant Director
Stephanie Glowa
Sayed Hall 150A
910.962.3086
glowas@uncw.edu

Licensure and Internship Coordinator
Logan McKnight
Sayed Hall 150B
910.962.2796
mcknightl@uncw.edu

Alternative Licensure Support & Placements Coordinator
Nicole Geczi
Sayed Hall 150C
910.962.3561
geczin@uncw.edu

Field Experience Coordinator
Tonnia Rodriguez
Sayed Hall 150C
rodriguezt@uncw.edu 
910.962.3360

Director
Dr. Denise Henning
910.859.4889
henningd@uncw.edu

Director
Dr. Heddy Clark
910.962.3639
clarkhk@uncw.edu 

Administrative Associate
Gianna Geiss Feder
Administrative Associate
910.962.3287
geissg@uncw.edu

Phone: 910.962.2640
Marinequest@uncw.edu
Main Office: 626 MacMillan Ave. 
MarineQuest Lab: Center for Marine Science, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane
Subscribe to MarineQuest Explorer

Director
Somer Lewis
Sayed Hall 160
910.962.3731

Lead Coach
Courtney Townsend
Sayed Hall 129
910.962.3633
townsendc@uncw.edu

Administrative Associate
Angela Yenco
Sayed Hall 126
910.962.3633

Lead Coach
Shenicka Williams
Sayed Hall 127
910.962.3362
williamssaa@uncw.edu 

Library Specialist
Tonia McKoy
Sayed Hall 127
910.962.2856
mckoyt@uncw.edu

Coordinator & Liaison
Frances Carter
Sayed Hall 131
910.962.2095
carterf@uncw.edu