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Watson College of Education News

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

Recent Posts

Winebrake Appointed President of Coastal Carolina University 

Dr. James J. Winebrake, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, has accepted the position of President at Coastal Carolina University. He...

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...

Sophia Foster

Sophia Foster is Pender County Schools’ Beginning Teacher of the Year. Ms. Foster is enrolled in WCE’s MAT program. She teaches at...

D.C. Virgo's Positivity Project

The Positivity Project is making an impact at D.C. Virgo! We are pleased to share a story written by fifth grade teacher Colette Fraley that shows...

Ashton Allgood-Batten ’11M

Ashton Allgood-Batten ’11M has received the North Carolina Science, Mathematics and Technology Education (SMT) Center’s 2025...

Dr. Jeffrey Ertzberger

Jeff Ertzberger, WCE’s Director of Technology, retired from UNCW in April following a 32-year career in education, including 23 years at...

Bethany Meighen ’15 Ed.D.

Bethany Meighen ’15 Ed.D. has been selected to serve as the 13th President at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia. She will begin her...

WCE Alums Named NHCS Educators of the Year

Desiree Traylor ’14 is New Hanover County Schools’ Elementary Educator of the Year, Benjamin Lord ’22M is Middle School and...

Dr. Hengameh Kermani

Hengameh Kermani joined the faculty at UNCW in 1995, and has served as coordinator of WCE’s Education of Young Children program for nearly...

Shelby Morge Receives BOT Teaching Excellence Award

Shelby Morge has received the 2025 Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Award, the most prestigious award conferred at UNCW.

Congratulations to May Graduates

In May, the Watson College of Education celebrated the achievements of our most recent graduates!

Dr. Robert Smith

Robert Smith will retire in June after a 34-year career at UNCW. At a celebration event in April, faculty announced the Dr. Robert Smith...

UNCW's Ed.D. in Higher Education Ranked 23rd Nationally

UNCW’s Doctorate in Educational Leadership has been ranked 23rd in the nation on a 2025 list of the best Ed.D. programs in Higher Education...

Maggie West '24

Maggie West graduated from UNCW in May 2024 with a BA in Biology and is currently pursuing her MAT in Secondary Education from the Watson College....

Upcoming Events

Join us for the Teach and Lead Conference on June 11 and CESTEM’s PK-12 STEM Education Conference on June 24. And, Save the Date for our next...

Kevin McClure Authors Book on Higher Education

A new book by Kevin McClure titled “The Caring University: Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace after the Great Resignation” will...

WCE Celebrates Master Teachers

Members of the 2022-2025 cohort of PDS Master Teachers were recognized at the PDS Partnership Teacher Celebration on May 1.

Dennis Kubasko Receives Outstanding Science Leadership Award

Dennis Kubasko has received the 2025 NCSLA Herman and Emma Gatling Award for Outstanding Science Education Leadership in North Carolina.

Denise Ousley-Exum Named WCE's Murphy Distinguished Scholar

Denise Ousley-Exum has been appointed as the Murphy Distinguished Scholar in the Watson College of Education.

STEM SENC Receives Corning Grant

Tiffany Lindstrom, Corning senior product engineer, has received a $1,000 Corning Employee Vibrant Community Grant for STEM SENC. The check was...

Sheri Conklin Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Sheri Conklin is the WCE recipient of the 2025 Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award. Dr. Conklin is an associate professor of...

UNCW Celebrates Faculty Awards Ceremony

UNCW Celebrates Faculty Awards Ceremony

Morgan Esposito ’25

Morgan Esposito’s dream of becoming a teacher has been a lifelong passion, and her journey at Watson College of Education has brought that...

UNCW Awards Honorary Doctorate to Philanthropist Linda Sayed

Linda Sayed ’78, ’85M will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during UNCW’s Spring 2025 Graduate Commencement Ceremony,...

UNCW to Delay Classes, Operations on Feb. 20

The university is continuing to closely monitor the current weather conditions. Because of the potential for inclement weather, UNCW will delay...