The Southwest Education Alliance (Region 6) has selected Dr. Andrew G. Houlihan as the 2022 Regional Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Houlihan was chosen by his peers, which includes superintendents from 11 counties in the southwest region. 

“I am extremely humbled by this honor and I am proud to be Superintendent of Union County Public Schools,” Houlihan said. “We are truly Team UCPS and I share this recognition with our entire community, especially our teachers, administrators, students and the Board of Education.” 

Dr. Houlihan will now represent the southwest region in the state-level competition and compete for the A. Craig Phillips State Superintendent of the Year award.

“The Board of Education is extremely proud of our Superintendent,” said Board of Education Chair Melissa Merrell. “Under Dr. Houlihan’s leadership, we have seen academic gains, expanded opportunities for students and staff, strengthened key partnerships and enhanced student support services. We are extremely grateful for his leadership during the past year as we faced unprecedented times. He is truly a model for superintendents and is very deserving of this award.”

Reeves McGlohon, Executive Director of the Southwest Education Alliance said “Congratulations on this honor. It is a recognition that is both earned and deserved. Your tenure with Union County Public Schools has been filled with accomplishments. While you consistently talk about the ‘team’ working to provide opportunities for students in UCPS, teams need leaders and your leadership has clearly made a difference in the school system.”

Dr. Houlihan has worked in education for more than 25 years and has served as Superintendent of Union County Public Schools since August 2016.

Highlights from Dr. Houlihan’s tenure as UCPS Superintendent:

• Developed and implemented a school-turnaround model for identified schools that resulted in exiting several schools from low-performing status under the North Carolina Accountability Model
• Received $3.7 million School Climate and Transformation Grant from U.S. Department of Education
• Acquired $45 million federal Teacher and School Leader Incentive Grant aimed to improve teacher/leader development
• 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
• Named 2019 Sandy Hook Promise Start with Hello District Winner
• Led collaboration with the Board of Education to develop a five-year strategic plan
• Expanded Dual Language Programming
• Named a 2019 Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association

Published May 27, 2021