INTERIM PROVOST DR. ZOE LOCKLEAR, who served the UNCP community for 32 years, has retired.

“I feel joyous, thankful, sad, appreciative and humbled,” she said. “I've had an incredible career doing the work that I've loved: serving UNCP, the public schools of North Carolina, working with incredible colleagues across this great state, helping young people become teachers –– especially teachers of children with special needs –– preparing principals, particularly for school districts in southeastern NC.” 

Locklear is making history for the university as the first-ever administrator to earn provost emeritus status.
“When her university called, she returned from retirement to lead once again, through what turned out to be one of the most challenging times our university has faced as we navigated a global pandemic,” Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings said in a press release.
“Her commitment to UNCP is inspiring. I’m honored we were able to award her as provost emeritus, signifying her impact and dedicated leadership to our university.”

Some of Locklear’s accomplishments include establishing a birth-kindergarten education program; a licensure program in English as a Second Language (ESL); a licensure program in academically and intellectually gifted education; and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree. She assisted in reestablishing the Masters of School Administration (MSA) program, as well. 

UNCP’s School of Education’s undergraduate and graduate programs received accreditation, thanks to Locklear. She played an integral part in the formation of assurance agreements with Tuskegee University’s Pre-Veterinary Program, Methodist University’s Physician Assistant Program as well as N.C. State University’s College of Engineering and College of Veterinary Medicine.
On her last day, the school’s Board of Governors approved two degrees – a Master of Occupational Therapy and bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity – that Locklear sought approval for alongside other faculty members.
“The university has meant so much to my family. My husband, Thomas, and I raised our children, Matthew and Elizabeth, around this campus, and that was a beautiful thing,” Locklear said. “We have all benefited from my life's work in so many ways, and I am so grateful. My heart is full, but I'm satisfied. I've worked hard and have loved it, but it's time for a slower, kinder, gentler pace.”