The Southwest Education Alliance (Region 6) has selected Dr. Andrew G. Houlihan as the 2025 Regional Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Houlihan was chosen by his peers, which includes superintendents from 11 school districts in the southwest region.
“I want to thank my colleagues for this recognition and I humbly accept it; however, I don’t do this work alone,” Houlihan said. “Team UCPS is not just an expression. I work with some of the best educators and leaders in this state and I share this honor with our Board of Education, teachers, administrators, students and our entire community. I am blessed to serve as superintendent in this incredible school district.”
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.
In his eighth year as superintendent of Union County Public Schools, Dr. Houlihan has led efforts to increase academic achievement, expand educational opportunities for students, strengthen business and community partnerships and enhance student support services across the district.
“Dr. Houlihan is very deserving of this honor,” said Board of Education Chair Kathy Heintel. “He is a strong leader and a strategic thinker who is always focused on what is best for students. The Board of Education is extremely proud of him and his accomplishments. We are grateful for his leadership and vision as UCPS continues to be one of the highest performing districts in North Carolina.”
Reeves McGlohon, executive director of the Southwest Education Alliance said “It’s a special honor when a district leader is recognized by their peers. They understand the job and know the challenges of being a superintendent. Dr. Houlihan is to be commended for the quality of educational opportunities that are available in Union County Public Schools. This is a well-deserved honor.”
Dr. Houlihan has worked in education for more than 25 years and has served as Superintendent of Union County Public Schools since August 2016.
Under his leadership, UCPS has launched three K-12 engagement/instructional strategies—health sciences academy, sustainable energy academy and agtech academy. In addition, students in all clusters now have access to dual language programming. Dr. Houlihan has also worked to increase the number of school social workers, therapists and school resource officers across the district. 
Highlights from Dr. Houlihan’s tenure as UCPS Superintendent:
- In 2023, student achievement ranked first in overall grade-level proficiency and graduation rate among the 12 largest school districts in North Carolina.
- Developed and implemented a school-turnaround model for identified schools that resulted in exiting seven out of 13 schools from low-performing status under the North Carolina Accountability Model in 2023.
- UCPS currently ranks third in the state for the number of CTE credentials earned.
- Launched Next Stop: TeachUCPS, a teacher pipeline initiative to grow teachers and provide a roadmap that removes financial barriers for pursuing a teaching degree.
- In partnership with Wingate University, launched and expanded Wayfind, a free college-access and mentoring program that is now available at four middle and four high schools.
- Served as chair of the Southwest Education Alliance superintendent’s committee for two years.
- Named 2022 Ed Week Leader to Learn From
- Named a Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association.
- Named 2019 Sandy Hook Promise Start with Hello District winner.
- Voters approved bond referendums in 2016, 2020 and 2022 for renovations and replacement schools.
To learn more about Union County Public Schools and Dr. Houlihan, follow @AGHoulihan and @UCPSNC on social media.
04/17/2024
