Dr. Andrew G. Houlihan has been Superintendent of Union County Public Schools (UCPS) since 2016. In 2022, Education Week recognized him as a national Leader to Learn From for his strategic leadership, continuous improvement strategies and focus on student safety both during and coming out of the pandemic. In addition, he was named the 2022 Superintendent of the Year for the Southwest Regional Alliance (Region 6) and was a finalist for the North Carolina State Superintendent of the Year.

Prior to joining UCPS, he served in numerous roles within the Houston Independent School District including Chief Academic Officer, Chief School Officer and Elementary Principal. In addition to his work in HISD, Dr. Houlihan served in various leadership roles in the Austin Independent School District as well as the Director of the Education Leadership Institute at the International Center for Leadership in Education. 

Dr. Houlihan began his career as a second-grade teacher at AB Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Houlihan is a NC Teaching Fellows graduate of Elon University. He earned his Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University and his Doctorate in Education at the University of Texas at Austin.

• Phone: 704-296-0766
• Email: andrew.houlihan@ucps.k12.nc.us
• Instagram - @AGHoulihan
• Twitter - @AGHoulihan

• Named 2022 and 2025 Southwest Regional Superintendent of the Year
• Named an Ed Week Leader to Learn From
• Received $3.7 million School Climate and Transformation Grant from U.S. Department of Education
• Moved four schools out of low-performing status under North Carolina Accountability Model
• Named 2019 Sandy Hook Promise Start with Hello District Winner
• Redirected funding to support strategic academic initiatives, such as literacy, personalized learning and college/career readiness
• Developed a plan to address social and emotional learning and educator self-care
• Developed Strategic Improvement Plan for six low performing schools
• Led collaboration with the Board of Education to develop a five-year strategic plan
• Streamlined budgeting process to be more efficient
• Expanded Dual Language Programming
• Acquired $27 million federal Teacher and School Leader Incentive Grant aimed to improve teacher/leader development
• Successfully executed bond campaign, resulting in receiving $54 million for seven projects