Brianna Williams Returning to Her Roots and Strengthening Rural Schools
April 13, 2026
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
TYRRELL COUNTY – When Brianna Williams returned to the University of Mount Olive in the fall of 2025 as a member of the inaugural Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership cohort, it felt less like starting a new academic chapter and more like coming home. A 2002 UMO graduate and former collegiate basketball player, Williams has always believed strongly in the potential of rural communities. Today, as the newly appointed Superintendent of Tyrrell County Schools, she is working every day to strengthen opportunities for students and educators in one of North Carolina’s smallest districts.
Williams grew up in neighboring Hyde County, where tight-knit schools and community connections shaped her early understanding of education. Those same qualities are what drew her to Tyrrell County Schools and made the superintendent role feel like a natural fit. “Coming to Tyrrell County felt like coming home for me,” she said. She believes that knowing the people you serve, understanding their history, and having shared experiences as a rural student creates a powerful foundation for leadership. The district is now entering a new planning cycle and recently secured a $62 million needs-based capital grant to build a PreK through grade 13 consolidated campus. For Williams, these efforts represent important progress in strengthening rural education.
Her path to district leadership began in the classroom. After graduating from UMO with a biology major and a chemistry minor, Williams earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from East Carolina University. She taught high school science for 11 years in Greenville and Wake County, also coaching basketball and volleyball. Encouraged by administrators who believed in her potential, she completed her master’s in school administration and stepped into roles as Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, and later High School Principal. In 2025, she moved to the Tyrrell County Schools central office as Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Soon after, she was named Interim Superintendent, and by October, the interim title had been removed.
Throughout her career, Williams has drawn on the influence of teachers, principals, and mentors who guided her along the way. Many of those lessons began at UMO, where she found professors and staff who invested time, attention, and encouragement during her undergraduate years. She remembers them by name and credits them with helping her gain confidence as a learner and leader. “I can not say enough about my Biology major professors. They were the BEST. I would put my undergraduate education up against anyone anywhere,” she said. Even while competing as a student-athlete, she stayed actively involved in campus life. She served in student government, participated in clubs and organizations, led the Tri Beta Science Organization during her senior year, and represented UMO nationally as part of the Division II SAAC committee. One of her most memorable experiences was attending the NCAA Men’s Final Four and appearing on national television.
Her decision to return to UMO for doctoral study grew from her connection to the institution. “I started the program because it is at the University of Mount Olive, and I care so much about this University,” she explained. She was also drawn to the program’s structure, which is taught by experienced practitioners working in eastern North Carolina school districts. For Williams, the coursework has already been helpful in her day-to-day leadership. She describes it as challenging and meaningful. While raising a busy four-year-old and leading a district keep her schedule full, she finds energy in learning alongside her cohort. “There is pressure, but the excitement outweighs it,” she said.
Family remains her strongest support system. Her parents, Eunice and Olian Williams, still live in Hyde County and have encouraged her throughout her life. Her husband, John Hagen, shares her love for northeastern North Carolina, and together they are raising their son, Julian, who brings joy and perspective to every day. Williams is grateful for the help of her extended family as she balances professional duties, leadership responsibilities, and doctoral coursework. “I could not do any of this without John. My family is extremely proud and excited for me,” she said.
As superintendent, she is focused on improving student achievement, strengthening instructional support, building community trust, and preparing for the construction of the new PreK through 13 school campus. She hopes to grow enrollment by bringing families back to the district and making Tyrrell County Schools the first choice for local students.
For current UMO students or aspiring educators, Williams offers sincere advice rooted in her own experience. “Jump in head first. Do not wait for opportunities to find you,” she said. “Look for experiences that will help you grow. Find mentors who lead with integrity. Learn everything you can about building relationships. No one leads alone.”
When she thinks about the day she will earn her Ed.D., she sees it not only as a personal milestone, but also as an achievement that will strengthen her ability to serve her district. “This will be the capstone for my professional academic journey,” she said. “I will use everything I learn to support the students, staff, and community I serve.”
For Brianna Williams, returning to UMO is more than an academic step. It is a full-circle moment that honors where she started, where she is now, and where she hopes to help rural education go next.
About UMO
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
