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Robeson’s Freddie Williamson selected as 2025 N.C. Superintendent of the Year

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Courtesy of North Carolina School Superintendent's Association

Freddie Williamson, superintendent of the Public Schools of Robeson County, was named the Burroughs Wellcome Fund 2025 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year at an awards ceremony on Thursday.

The award is presented by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA), the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA), and the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA). The state award ceremony and selections process is sponsored by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF).

“In honoring the dedicated leaders vying for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year Award, we celebrate the commitment to excellence in education that shapes the future of our students,” BWF President and CEO Louis Muglia said. “Their unwavering passion and innovative leadership inspire us all to strive for a brighter tomorrow in our state’s public schools.”

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Williamson has worked in public education for more than 40 years. He held the position of superintendent in multiple North Carolina school districts before joining his current district in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his work, he prioritized equity and advocating for underserved students, the award press release said. 

“To the Public Schools of Robeson County, what an honor it is to serve that great district as we continue to push forward, and it’s been said so much, … it means a lot that we can serve kids and that we can make a difference in their lives every single day,”  Williamson said.

The honoree of the award is selected for exhibiting outstanding leadership while serving K-12 schools. In addition to recognition, the honoree also receives $5,000.

According to the press release, this is Williamson’s second time being recognized. He was named the 2016 Superintendent of the Year while working in Hoke County Schools. 

Jack Hoke, NCSSA’s executive director, spoke about Williamson’s leadership while presenting him with the award.

“It is a great honor to present Dr. Freddie Williamson with this award,” Hoke said. “Dr. Williamson has been a champion for children throughout his career as an educator. He is a great professional and held in high regard by those in his community and statewide by his peers.”

The 2025 North Carolina Regional Superintendents of the Year, who were nominees for this state award, were also recognized as such at the ceremony:

  • Dr. Tanya Turner, Perquimans County Schools
  • Dr. Eric Bracy, Johnston County Public Schools
  • Dr. Freddie Williamson, Public Schools of Robeson County
  • Dr. Aaron Woody, Asheboro City Schools
  • Dr. Andrew Houlihan, Union County Public Schools
  • Dr. Aron Gabriel, Newton-Conover City Schools
  • Dr. Will Hoffman, Madison County Schools

As the awardee, Williamson will represent the state for the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year Award. The announcement will be made during the American Association of School Administrators’ National Conference on Education in March.

“If ever a time in the history of public education that we need to be united — one team, one goal — is now. Not for political reasons, not for recognition, but for the very future of this great nation and the very future of families yet to come,” Williamson said.