ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. –   Onslow County School Board Officials started their board meeting Tuesday morning with a vote to welcome the school district's new superintendent Dr. Barry Collins.

• Collins spent the majority of his 30 year education career working primarily out of Onslowand Jones County Schools
• Prior to assuming his current position, Dr. Collins served as the director of human resources for the Jones County Schools
• Collins says he has two priorities once he starts his job March 1, the budget as well as providing proper resources to students and staff for mental health

A White Oak High School graduate himself, Collins spent the majority of his 30 year education career working primarily out of Onslow and Jones County Schools.  He began his career in public education as a math and science teacher at Northwoods Park Middle School in Onslow County.  

“It's pretty incredible. It has been very humbling, certainly an honor and privilege to be selected by the great board, said Collins. "We have great staff and wonderful students here in Onslow County, and I'm a product of that and my family is as well.”

Since 2007, Collins served as the associate superintendent responsible for human resources and student services for the Onslow County Schools. Prior to assuming his current position, Dr. Collins served as the director of human resources for the Jones County Schools.

Dr. Collins earned his Bachelor’s Degree in middle grades education from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, a Masters in Educational Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University.

Dr. Collins is happily married to his wife of 26 years, Denise, and they have three children.

Collins says he has two priorities once he starts his job March 1, the budget as well as providing proper resources to students and staff for mental health.