UMO launches new School of Education to address teacher shortage

MOUNT OLIVE — In response to ongoing teacher shortages and educational leadership gaps across North Carolina, the University of Mount Olive (UMO) has officially launched a new School of Education, expanding its capacity to train and support future educators and school leaders.

Previously a division within the School of Arts and Sciences, the education department now operates as an independent academic unit under the leadership of Amanda Bullard-Maxwell, appointed as the inaugural dean. The shift allows for more focused decision-making, resource allocation, and responsiveness to the state’s evolving educational needs.

UMO President H. Edward Croom called the change both “timely and strategic,” citing the university’s goal to be a central player in preparing highly effective, classroom-ready teachers for the state. “With this new structure, UMO will have greater autonomy and focus, positioning us to better respond to the teacher shortage and leadership needs in our state,” Croom said.

The new School of Education will encompass UMO’s full range of teaching programs including undergraduate degrees, online licensure and non-licensure options, graduate programs, and a newly launched Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership, which provides a pathway to superintendent licensure in North Carolina.

The curriculum is tailored to today’s diverse classrooms. Students complete fieldwork, including tutoring, observations, and practicum teaching, integrated directly into their coursework. The program also prepares students for licensure exams, such as the Praxis, while offering training in educational technology, collaboration, and ethical practices.

“The UMO School of Education will continue to work closely with local districts, including initiatives like our Homegrown Teacher Academy in Duplin County,” said Bullard-Maxwell. “We believe in building pipelines that encourage future educators to return to and remain in the communities they know best, especially in rural areas where teacher shortages are greatest.”

With the launch of a dedicated School of Education, UMO aims to strengthen its teacher preparation programs, expand grant and partnership opportunities, and develop long-term solutions to the state’s education workforce challenges.

“This is more than an academic shift — it’s an investment in the future of our schools and communities,” said Bullard-Maxwell.