School of Education Elevated to College of Education

UNC Pembroke’s School of Education has officially become the College of Education, following approval of the name change by the University of North Carolina System. The change reflects the growth of its academic programs and its expanding role in preparing teachers, school leaders and counselors across North Carolina.

The new designation reflects decades of growth for one of UNCP’s foundational academic units, which today serves more than 1,400 education majors and has more than 4,700 alums working in North Carolina school districts.

The transition to the College of Education is also closely tied to UNCP’s history. Founded in 1887 as a normal school to prepare American Indian teachers, the university has maintained teacher preparation as a central part of its mission for more than a century.

“Educating teachers to serve this region has been at the heart of UNCP’s mission since our founding, and that work remains as important today as ever,” Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings said. “The transition to the College of Education reflects how this work has grown over the years — through new programs, partnerships and opportunities to serve our students and the communities that depend on them.”

Today, the College includes four departments offering undergraduate and graduate programs ranging from elementary and special education to professional school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, the Master of Arts in Teaching and the Master of School Administration. The Principal Preparation Program also experienced significant growth after transitioning to an online format.

Its impact is reflected not only in the number of graduates serving North Carolina schools but also in their achievements. Over the past five years, 45 education alumni have earned distinctions such as Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year.

Dean Tracy Mulvaney said the new designation acknowledges the College's evolution and the contributions of faculty, staff, students and graduates.

“Our growth reflects the confidence that students, school districts and community partners have placed in UNCP,” Dr. Mulvaney said. “We are a critical pipeline preparing educators and leaders who are making a difference in classrooms and schools across North Carolina. Becoming a college recognizes the scope of that work and positions us to build on it.”

The College also maintains close partnerships with school districts, clinics and community organizations, providing students with practical experience while helping ensure graduates are prepared to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

“We don’t train teachers, leaders and counselors alone,” she said. “All those partnerships with schools and clinics are intentional and well-developed partnerships.”

Dr. Zoe Locklear, former provost and founding dean of the School of Education, said she was pleased to see the unit reach the milestone. Locklear said the transition represents the culmination of years of work to expand and strengthen UNCP's educator preparation programs.

“This new status is another significant milestone in the historical achievements that have occurred in the professional education preparation programs delivered by the school,” Locklear said. “It is a remarkable achievement that speaks to the hard work and commitment of the faculty and staff to ensuring that the school, now college, maintains an outstanding reputation throughout the region and state.”

Mulvaney said the new designation represents not an endpoint, but another step in the College’s continued growth.

Future priorities include expanding paid undergraduate teacher internships, developing new advanced programs, strengthening partnerships with school districts and community organizations and responding to evolving workforce needs across North Carolina.

“There is so much opportunity here, and there is so much heart,” Mulvaney said.