Tracy Linderholm

Tracy Linderholm has been appointed dean of the Watson College of Educationat the University of North Carolina Wilmington after a nationwide search, according to a news release.

Linderholm joins UNCW with 16 years of administrative experience, including most recently as associate dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University. She previously served at the University of Florida as associate director for the School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education and program director of the Educational Psychology doctoral program. 

Provost James J. Winebrake stated int he release, “I believe Dr. Linderholm's leadership experience in the education field, her demonstrated commitment to community engagement and her passion for supporting students, faculty and staff will enable the Watson community to flourish in the coming years.”  

In her role as associate dean, Linderholm led a number of successful initiatives for Georgia Southern University’s College of Education, according to the release. These initiatives led to significant student enrollment increases; expanded external research funding; new scholarship opportunities for faculty; and additional support from donors to support student success.  

“I am honored to have been selected as incoming dean of the Watson College of Education,” said Dr. Linderholm. “Watson College has a long tradition of providing high-quality, innovative programming that promotes student success. I look forward to continuing that tradition by forging new collaborations with school, community and campus partners.” 

Linderholm holds a doctoral degree in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota Minneapolis. She also earned a master's degree in psychology from California State University Sacramento and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas. She has held positions in higher education since 2000.