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Watson Chronicle

Welcome to the Watson Chronicle! Here, you'll find the latest updates, stories, and articles for the Watson College of Education. Stay connected. Explore our news below!

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Message from the Dean

We are pleased to share a personal message from Watson College Dean Tracy Linderholm about the work of the college and her outlook for the 2025-26 academic year.

Message from the Dean
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UNCW Dedicates Sayed Hall Following Historic Gift

UNCW’s Education Building has a new name — Sayed Hall. University officials named the building in honor of Dr. Yousry Sayed and his wife, Linda ’78, ’85M.

UNCW Dedicates Sayed Hall Following Historic Gift

New WCE Leadership Team

The Watson College has a new leadership team! We’re pleased to introduce Associate Deans Heidi Higgins and Symphony Oxendine, Assistant Dean Somer Lewis and Department Chairs Martin Wasserberg and Kevin McClure.

New WCE Leadership Team

Welcome to New Faculty

The Watson College is pleased to introduce nine new faculty members. Please join us in welcoming Julie Bacak, Patti Brooks, Travis Howard, Megan Kybartas, Julia Lynch, Meredith Moates, Michael Morrow, Randall Wells and Amanda Young to UNCW!

Welcome to New Faculty
${newsImageAlt} WCE Offers New Residency Programs UNCW’s Watson College has introduced new certificate programs for Middle Grades and Special Education residency teachers seeking NC licensure. WCE Offers New Residency Programs
${newsImageAlt} New Certificate in AI and Emerging Tech UNCW’s Watson College has launched a 12-credit online graduate certificate to help professionals harness AI and other disruptive technologies to create meaningful learning experiences in classrooms and workplaces. New Certificate in AI and Emerging Tech
${newsImageAlt} Lessons Learned New Music Education Publication A new book, “Lessons Learned” features lesson plans written by the first cohort of students in UNCW’s Graduate Certificate in Music Education and their instructors. Lessons Learned New Music Education Publication
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STEP-IN Partnership Creates Pathway for Teachers

UNCW is pleased to announce a partnership with six North Carolina Community Colleges that provides a pathway for students in rural areas to pursue a high school teaching career. An event to celebrate the new Secondary Teacher Education Partnership Initiative (STEP-IN) was held June 3 at UNCW’s Watson College of Education.

STEP-IN Partnership Creates Pathway for Teachers

Upcoming Events

Each semester the Watson College hosts Preview Day and Future Teacher events for prospective students interested in a teaching career. Conferences, professional development events and other educational programs are also held throughout the academic year for teachers, community college leaders and the broader community.

Upcoming Events
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TWJN Spreads the Joy

Through the Teaching with Joy Network, local educators are discovering how bringing joy into classrooms strengthens connections, inspires students, and reaffirms the power of teaching.

TWJN Spreads the Joy
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UNCW Introduces Inclusive Futures Program

This fall, UNCW welcomed five students to the first cohort of the Inclusive Futures Program, a two-year, non-degree undergraduate program for students with intellectual disabilities.

UNCW Introduces Inclusive Futures Program

Recognitions

${newsImageAlt} Christine Liao Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award Christine Liao, professor of Art Education at UNCW’s Watson College of Education, has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for the 2025-26 academic year. Christine Liao Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award
${newsImageAlt} D.C. Virgo Welcomes New Principal Chris Glover has been appointed Principal at D.C. Virgo. Dr. Glover most recently served as Principal of Fort Hill Community School in Virginia. He began his new role on May 30. D.C. Virgo Welcomes New Principal
${newsImageAlt} Ray Pastore Awarded Grant for Esports AI Ethics Project UNCW’s Ray Pastore and SRU’s Seth Jenny have received a grant to develop global AI ethics guidelines for esports. Ray Pastore Awarded Grant for Esports AI Ethics Project

Education Building Named Sayed Hall

UNCW’s Education Building is now Sayed Hall, named in honor of Dr. Yousry Sayed and his wife, Linda ’78, ’85M. A dedication ceremony was held on Sept. 5 to celebrate the naming and the Sayeds’ transformative $25 million gift to the university.

Sayed Hall dedication

WCE Kicks Off the New Academic Year!

In August, Watson College faculty and staff gathered for a Welcome Breakfast to celebrate the start the academic year, meet new colleagues, and take a Watson Wednesdays group photo!

Watson College of Education Faculty and Staff

WCE Welcomes New ELC Students

The Student Success Center hosted a welcome dinner for the 2025-2026 Education Learning Community (ELC). The evening was full of celebration, inspiration, and connection as the students began their first semester at UNCW.

2025-2026 Education Learning Community (ELC)

WSLs Participate in Involvement Carnival

Watson Student Leaders represented WCE at UNCW’s Involvement Carnival on August 26, helping new and returning students explore student organizations and campus opportunities.

Watson Student Leaders at the UNCW Involvement Carnival

Dean Linderholm Presents at OLLI

Dean Tracy Linderholm spoke at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on September 12, sharing highlights of the Watson College’s work with lifelong learners.

Dean Linderholm at the OLLI

Tutoring Begins in the Ed Lab

Each semester, WCE students gain hands-on experience by tutoring children in the on-campus Ed Lab before beginning field placements in local school classrooms.

Ed Lab tutoring begins

Future Teachers Career Academy

This year, 28 students are participating in the Future Teachers Career Academy at Isaac Bear Early College. Teaching with Joy Network members Denise Ousley, Hannah Moon and Haley Miles were featured speakers at the FTCA meeting on Sept. 5!

Denise Ousley speaks with FTCA students at IBEC

Wings Up at D.C. Virgo!

UNCW volunteers visited D.C. Virgo on Sept. 12 during the Wings Up for Wilmington service event – painting, cleaning and helping to create a beautiful, inspiring learning environment.

UNCW volunteers at Virgo

Ability Blooms Brings Flowers to Campus

WCE Special Education students and TYPA participants are working together in the Ability Garden outside Sayed Hall. This fall, they’re creating vibrant bouquets for campus delivery though Ability Blooms.

Learn More & Order!
TPYA Ability Garden

MarineQuest Serves 1,300+ Students this Summer

MarineQuest made waves this summer, hosting marine science camps for over 1,300 students, ages 4-17. Visit the MarineQuest website for upcoming fall events and programs!

MarineQuest camps

Junior Seahawk Celebrates 20 Years

UNCW’s Junior Seahawk Academy marked its 20th year this summer with 59 middle-grade students exploring STEM, health and education topics in camps held in June and July.

Junior Seahawk participants for 2025

CESTEM Hosts Busy Summer of Learning

This summer, CESTEM hosted conferences for 225+ teachers, supported 2,884 students through its Technology Loan Library, and led six professional development workshops for educators. Visit the CESTEM website for information on upcoming events.

CESTEM conference participants

WCE Students Explore Education in Italy

Eighteen WCE students joined Laura Szech and Courtney Townsend for a short-term study abroad in May, visiting schools and exploring the culture in Bologna, Perugia and Florence.

WCE students in Italy

Study Abroad in the Netherlands

In June, 13 travelers – including undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students, along with a local teacher – joined Denise Ousley and Amy Garrett Dikkers on a study abroad trip to the Netherlands. The group explored schools and culture through the lens of refugee and immigrant experiences in Amsterdam, Apeldoorn, and Rotterdam.

Students study abroad in the Netherlands
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Explore More Watson News

Looking for past editions of the Watson Chronicle? Look no further! Check out the Watson Chronicle from September 2013- March 2023 in our library archives.