Watson Chronicle

Angela Housand has served as associate dean of WCE’s Office of Academic Affairs, Program Support & Student Success since 2018 and Andrew Ryder has served as chair of WCE’s Department of Educational Leadership since 2020. In July, both will return to faculty positions. On April 22, WCE hosted a reception to thank them for their leadership and many contributions to the College!

On May 9, the Watson College held a celebration for all fall graduates and their families. The event featured food, a photo booth and Watson’s famous cupcake tower!

The Watson College hosted an event to honor spring 2025 Ed.D. graduates on May 8. Congratulations to new Drs. Carrie Brewington, Stephen Crowder, Benita Davis, Daniel DuLany, Robert Felker, Bobby Garcia, Ivana Hanson, Terry Locklear, Onegaa McGhee, Sonya Parker, Douglas Thumm and Michael Swofford!

The WCE PDS Office has introduced a series of “author talks,” giving faculty an opportunity to highlight their recent publications and discuss their application in our P-12 classrooms, schools and districts. Dr. Amy Moody, Dr. Nirmal Ghimire and Dr. Kimberly Jamison were featured presenters at the inaugural event held on May 8.

In May, WCE Professor Ray Pastore spent a week at Camp Johnson - Marine Corps Combat Service Support School – working with Marine instructors in a Train the Trainer course. “I’m honored to support those who shape the next generation of leaders,” he said. “ Their insight, experience, and professionalism made it a truly valuable experience.”

This year’s event, hosted by WCE in partnership with The Public School Forum of NC, featured a presentation on NC’s Top Educational Issues, a panel discussion on wellness and resilience, and spotlight presentations featuring IBEC’s Future Teachers Career Academy, Onslow County Schools’ Regional Skills Center, Topsail Middle School’s Family and Consumer Sciences and SEA-Tech’s SparkLab.

On May 1, Watson College Dean Tracy Linderholm, faculty and students enrolled in WCE’s Secondary Education programs (undergraduate and MAT) took time to celebrate the successful completion of their internships after the students’ final seminar meeting on campus!

More than 100 students from 17 area schools participated in a Future Teacher Conference at the Watson College on April 11. The events, held each semester, give high school and community college students an opportunity to visit campus and learn more about education programs at Watson.

Isaac Bear students competed in their first NC National History Competition in Greensboro in May. Anah Stough and Kayligrace Moody (performance) and Lily Atwill (documentary) – led by teachers Kitt Starnes and Morgan Mannion – took second place honors and will move on to National History Day Competition.

Barrington Irving and his team at the Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS) gave students from Laney High School a behind-the-scenes tour of operations at Wilmington National Airport on April 30. The event was part of a pre-apprentice program in aviation supported by STEM SENC with funding from a Burroughs Wellcome Fund grant.

IBEC students Camille Still & Payton Krisanda, 10th graders, presented a project about developing environmentally safe surf wax to Peter Fritzler's Honor Seminar. Developed for the Science Fair, the students explained their motives, processes, and trials of developing the product! Way to go!

After several weeks of practice, Virgo's Girls on the Run had their first run at UNCW on Saturday, May 17! GOTR is an afterschool program that empowers young girls and inspires them to be joyful, healthy and confident.