Message from the Dean

Greetings from the Watson College of Education!

I hope your academic year is off to a strong and inspiring start.

As we gathered in August for our annual “Welcome Back” breakfast, we had much to celebrate. As just one example, our summer outreach programs were vibrant and impactful: MarineQuest served over 1,300 students with hands-on marine science experiences; the Junior Seahawk Academy celebrated its 20th year with 59 middle-grade students; and CESTEM hosted conferences and workshops that supported educators across the region.

A highlight of the summer was the renaming of our Education Building to Sayed Hall, honoring Dr. Yousry Sayed and his wife, Linda ’78, ’85M. Their transformational $25 million gift, including $5 million to support teacher recruitment and retention, is the largest in UNCW’s history. We were proud to welcome students back to Sayed Hall in August and to officially celebrate the building dedication in September.

We began the academic year with a restructured leadership team designed to support our mission and strengthen support for students, faculty and staff:

• Heidi Higgins, Associate Dean for Teacher Preparation, Assessment & Accreditation
• Symphony Oxendine, Associate Dean for Graduate Education, Professional Programs, Faculty Affairs & Research
• Somer Lewis, Assistant Dean for Partnerships & Engagement and Director of the Betty Holden Stike Ed Lab
• Martin Wasserberg and Kevin McClure as new department chairs

At D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy, we also welcomed Principal Dr. Christopher Glover and Assistant Principal Jeremiah Johnson, under the continued leadership of Executive Director Rachel Greer.

We’ve begun work on a new Strategic Plan to align with UNCW’s goals, strengthen our programs and provide clear priorities that will guide our work in the years ahead. Listening sessions with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners will be an important part of the process, and we look forward to sharing updates as the plan takes shape.

This semester, we welcomed the first cohort in our MAT in Special Education and launched the Kenan Trust TA2Teacher Program, providing scholarships for teacher assistants becoming licensed educators. These initiatives are part of our broader efforts to grow the educator pipeline.

Looking ahead, we’re launching certificate programs in January to support residency teachers seeking licensure—flexible, non-degree pathways that provide more options for educators entering the profession through alternative routes. We're also excited to join STEP-IN, a partnership with six NC community colleges, offering students in rural areas a clear path to becoming high school teachers.

One infectious initiative, Teaching with Joy, led by Denise Ousley, Robert Smith, and the TWJ Network, has already reached 1,800 educators through professional development sessions, leadership retreats, and beginning teacher orientations. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of connection, inspiration, and joy in the classroom—and in the work we do to support educators.

We are also growing our graduate and professional academic offerings. We introduced a B.S. in Workforce Learning and Development last year, and this January, we’ll offer a new graduate certificate in AI and emerging technologies in education. By next fall, pending approval, we hope to launch a Master of Science in Evaluation and Organizational Learning, an interdisciplinary program to meet evolving workforce needs.

As we begin the year, we remain committed to providing transformative learning experiences, strengthening partnerships, and preparing educators to lead with purpose and passion. Thank you for your continued support.

Wishing you a successful and joyful year ahead!

Best,
Tracy