THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT PEMBROKE

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP), a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System, boasts a spirited community of more than 7,676 students, 5,439 of whom are undergraduate students and 2,237 graduate students. 

UNCP is a historically minority-serving institution (HMSI), a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI) and the only state-designated historically American Indian University in North Carolina. With 878 full-time faculty and staff, the University offers more than 150 pathways to graduate and undergraduate degrees. The average class size is 17, with a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 14-to-1. The University is comprised of the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health Sciences, which includes the McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing, the Thomas College of Business and Economics, the School of Education, The Graduate School, the University College, which assists in first-year student transition and the Esther G. Maynor Honors College. The University recently added the College of Optometric Medicine to house the state’s first public Doctor of Optometry program and plans to enroll its first class in fall 2027.

With nearly 4,000 students living on or near campus, UNCP offers a robust student experience. More than 120 clubs and organizations, including 20 Greek organizations, keep students connected to campus and engaged in the community. More than 1,750 students participate in club and intramural sports each year. The Office of Campus Recreation also offers outdoor, fitness and summer recreational programs. In addition to programming efforts, the office manages the Campbell Wellness Center, Aquatics Center, auxiliary gym, racquetball and tennis courts and disc golf course. Together, these facilities serve over 90,000 individuals annually. 

UNCP excels in intercollegiate athletics, boasting 16 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II men’s and women’s teams, as well as a Spirit Squad. Conference championships, national rankings and NCAA tournament bids are frequent. 

Affordability and value have earned UNC Pembroke inclusion in national rankings such as U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges and Universities. Named the most diverse regional University in the South, UNCP has a commitment to excellence that earned the institution a spot in the 2025 Top 20 Public Universities South list and a number eight ranking for Best in Social Mobility. UNCP also earned top U.S. News recognition for its undergraduate nursing, business, computer science and psychology programs. 

UNC Pembroke is an educational institution whose core mission clearly identifies excellence in teaching and learning as a value and ideal. With substantial growth and change over the last decade, the University has an opportunity to define anew what academic excellence means and how to leverage its unique characteristics, strengths, programs and heritage to shape and deliver a distinctive and enriching educational experience that mirrors systematically increasing higher levels of performance from students and faculty.

Over the past 10 years, UNCP has experienced remarkable growth in student enrollment, in part resulting from the tuition buy-down program for undergraduates, the North Carolina Promise Tuition Plan, adopted by the North Carolina General Assembly during the 2016 session. NC Promise dramatically lowers the cost of tuition to $500 per semester and $2,500 per semester in-state and out-of-state, respectively. Simultaneously, the University has maintained its deep commitment to diversity while raising academic requirements for the institution. The University has been challenged to manage that growth effectively while improving retention and graduation rates, a priority clearly outlined in the University's strategic plan and an expectation of the UNC System president. 

While maintaining a connection to its rich American Indian history and traditions, the University today serves a broad base of students from diverse races, ages and backgrounds. With a wide array of undergraduate and graduate degree offerings, dedicated faculty and a diverse community of cultures, ideas and organizations at their fingertips, UNCP students are poised to excel in life. 

Mission Statement

Founded in 1887 as a school for the education of American Indians, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke now serves as a distinctly diverse student body and encourages inclusion and appreciation for the values of all people. UNC Pembroke exists to promote excellence in teaching and learning, at the graduate and undergraduate levels, in an environment of free inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration and rigorous intellectual standards. 

Our diversity and our commitment to personalized teaching uniquely prepare our students for rewarding careers, postgraduate education, leadership roles and fulfilling lives. We cultivate an intentional perspective, rooted in our service to and appreciation of our multi-ethnic regional society, which prepares citizens for engagement in global society. Students are encouraged to participate in activities that develop their intellectual curiosity and mold them into responsible stewards of the world. 

UNCP faculty and staff are dedicated to active student learning, engaged scholarship, high academic standards, creative activity and public service. We celebrate our heritage as we enhance the intellectual, cultural, economic and social life of the region. 

Vision Statement

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke will challenge students to embrace difference and adapt to change, think critically, communicate effectively and become responsible citizens. Working from a strong foundation in the liberal arts, we will increase opportunities to infuse our curriculum with interdisciplinary innovation while promoting undergraduate and graduate research as well as international opportunities. 

Core Values Statement

The faculty and staff of UNC Pembroke are guided by accountability, innovation, service, integrity, communication, collaboration and the following set of core values: 

1. The commitment to serving the local region.
2. The creation, exploration, evaluation and articulation of ideas.
3. The value of a liberal arts foundation as the basis of self-realization and lifelong learning.
4. The importance, honor and integrity to learning and leadership as we educate students to be stewards of the world. 
5. The appreciation of the American Indian history of the University and local community. 
6. The appreciation of diversity and respect for the dignity and worth of every individual.
7. The commitment to prepare graduate and undergraduate students to succeed in an ever-changing and increasingly technological global environment.
8. The accessibility of education leads to the enhancement of the economy and culture in the region. 
9. The maintenance of a sustainable, safe, healthful, attractive and accessible campus. 

Accreditation

UNCP is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Individual programs also hold prestigious accreditations including: the McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing, the Social Work program, the School of Education, the Clinical Mental Health program, the Professional School Counseling program, the Department of Art and the Department of Music. UNCP’s Thomas College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction held by only 6% of business schools.

The Community

The UNCP campus is located in the Town of Pembroke, which is in the coastal plains of southeastern North Carolina. Historically, the regional economy has largely depended on tobacco and textiles. Today, the service sector, healthcare, education and government are the major sources of employment in the region along with agriculture, agribusiness, construction and light manufacturing. With a population of approximately 3,000, Pembroke is the historic home of the University and the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The town is the site of seasonal tribal events and governance. With easy access to major highways, Pembroke is convenient to most metro areas in North Carolina and nearby states, coastal beaches and the famous golf courses of Pinehurst. Located 12 miles away, Lumberton, the county seat, is a city of approximately 19,000 and is a hub of shopping, banking, healthcare and government operations. Lumberton is located at the crossroads of I-95 and I-74/U.S. Highway 74. UNC Pembroke’s faculty and staff reside in Robeson County or within 45 minutes of the university in communities including Pembroke and Lumberton as well as Laurinburg, Fayetteville, Pinehurst and Southern Pines.  

UNCP Chancellor: Robin Gary Cummings, MD

Dr. Robin Gary Cummings took office as the sixth Chancellor of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke in July 2015 after being elected by the Board of Governors of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System. 

During his leadership, UNCP has increased access to high-quality education through the NC Promise Tuition Plan, expanded academic opportunities through institutional partnerships and the launch of new programs, enhanced the University's role in regional economic development and set records for philanthropic giving. With Chancellor Cummings’ vision for the University, UNCP is advancing its vision of changing lives through education and broadening its impact across southeastern North Carolina and beyond.   

Chancellor Cummings earned his undergraduate degree in zoology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a James M. Johnston Scholar and founding member of the Carolina Indian Circle. He then attended Duke University Medical School as a UNC Board of Governors Medical Scholar and Henry J. Kaiser Merit Scholar, earning the Sandoz Award for Basic Science Research and the National Library of Science Award. After receiving his medical degree in 1983, he interned in surgery and completed residencies in general surgery and cardiac surgery at Duke University Medical Center. During this period, he earned a National Research Service Award, enabling him to complete a two-year research fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery.  

Dr. Cummings practiced cardiothoracic surgery at the Pinehurst Surgical Clinic and Moore Regional Hospital, where he chaired the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Section of Cardiovascular and General Surgery. After retiring from surgery, he remained active in the work of the hospital, serving on the Moore Regional Hospital Board of Trustees and chairing the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital Foundation. He subsequently served as medical director and executive director of Community Care of the Sandhills, a regional healthcare organization that case-managed 75,000 Medicaid patients across seven counties and coordinated services provided by more than 100 primary-care practices.  

In March 2013, Dr. Cummings joined the NC Department of Health and Human Services as Director of the NC Office of Rural Health and Community Care. Six months later, he was named Deputy Secretary for Health Services and Acting State Health Director. In February 2014, he was given additional responsibility for the Division of Medical Assistance, overseeing Medicaid delivery for more than 1.8 million low-income parents, children, seniors and people with disabilities who cannot afford health care.

Active in professional and civic activities, Chancellor Cummings is a former chair of the UNC Pembroke Board of Trustees, chaired the UNCP Foundation Board and served on the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Visitors. The founding chair of the NC American Indian Health Board, he also has chaired the Commission on NC Indian Health and served on the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities and the NC Rural Center Board. He currently serves on the UNC Health Southeastern Board of Trustees and the BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Foundation Board. His honors include the 2016 John. L. Sanders Student Advocate Award from the UNC Association of Student Governments, the 2014 Presidential Award from the NC Academy of Family Physicians, the Visionary Award from NC Prevent Blindness and the 2019 Jim Bernstein Community Health Career Achievement Award.

Chancellor Cummings is married to Rebecca Godwin Cummings, a Pinehurst realtor. They are both Pembroke natives and members of the Lumbee Tribe. Together they have four children and four grandchildren. 

UNCP Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs: Diane Prusank, Ph.D.

Dr. Diane Prusank brings over 30 years of experience at public and private education institutions into her role as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UNC Pembroke. 

Before joining UNCP, Dr. Prusank was Provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Westfield State University. Dr Prusank joined Westfield State in 2008. She served as a professor of communication before ascending to roles as Dean, Chief of Staff to the President and Provost. In her administrative roles, she managed a budget of $35 million, oversaw a division with more than 300 employees and secured funds for capital projects, including a $20 million grant for a major building renovation. 

Earlier in her career, she served as program director, Dean and assistant Provost at the University of Hartford, where she launched the first office for Faculty Technology and Development. While serving as Dean of Graduate Studies, she worked with a team of faculty and staff to help establish a Doctor in Physical Therapy degree program. 

Dr. Prusank earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communication from Illinois State University and her Ph.D. in communication from the University of Oklahoma. She and her husband—Dr. Robert Duran, a professor emeritus at the University of Hartford—share three children: Collin, Hailey and Christopher. 
 

DEAN, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 

The College

The UNC Pembroke College of Arts and Sciences is home to fourteen academic departments, two programs, the School of Southeast American Indian Studies (SAIS), over 200 enthusiastic faculty, and about 3,000 of UNCP’s total undergraduate and graduate student body. We believe that education changes lives, and UNCP offers a vibrant student experience that prepares them to be market-ready in a field of their choice. At UNCP students are taught by professors in small class-size settings and receive the personal attention necessary to be equipped for the challenges of the 21st century. They produce their own research, engage in study abroad and other travel and internship opportunities, attend and present at research conferences, and network with employers and world class experts while building bonds with fellow students and faculty that will last a lifetime.

 Academic Departments

• American Indian Studies
• Art (NASAD Accredited)
• Biology
• Chemistry and Physics (Approved by ACS)
• English, Theatre, and World Languages
• Geology and Geography
• History
• Mass Communication
• Mathematics and Computer Science (seeking ABET)
• Music (NASM Accredited)
• Philosophy and Religion
• Political Science and Public Administration (seeking NASPAA)
• Psychology
• Sociology and Criminal Justice

Programs

• Health Careers Access Program (HCAP)
• Interdisciplinary Studies Program (BIS)

Graduate Degree Programs

• Graduate Program in Art Education
• Graduate Programs in English Education
• Graduate Program in Mathematics Education
• Graduate Programs in Public Administration
• Graduate Programs in Science Education
• Graduate Programs in Social Studies Education

Recent Highlights

Over the past 5 years, the College administrators and faculty have worked steadily to increase student success through the addition of academic programs, the creation of interinstitutional collaborations, and the funding of program and research grants that provide unique student opportunities. 

In 2022, the College launched a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree meeting student demand for this lucrative career path. In addition, the institution earned the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) distinction from the National Security Agency and established the Cyber Defense Education Center. As a result, the computer science program has thrived as seen by enrollment growth and the interest of outside collaborators such as the National Security Agency with whom we have a CRADA and an active partnership in our capstone courses. 

As a regional institution located in a rural community, the interest in agriculture is significant. We established the UNCP Agricultural Center for Research, Education, and Sustainability (ACRES), which involves a partnership across the College of Arts and Sciences and the Thomas College of Business and Economics and focuses on community impact. Faculty in the biology department are currently proposing the adoption of a B.S. in Agriculture program, and we are supporting workforce development in our collaboration with the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein and North Carolina State University.

Our faculty are actively pursuing both research and program grants to support original research experiences for students. We were recently awarded almost a million dollars from the Mellon Foundation to continue our REACH program designed to give students in the humanities the skills and research experience to pursue and succeed in graduate school. At present, these Fellows are pursuing impressive projects around the recognition of indigenous peoples. Faculty in Biology, Chemistry and Physics oversee our RISE and COMPASS programs, each geared towards supporting undergraduate research experiences in STEM, as well as a biomanufacturing training program located in the UNCP Biotechnology Research and Training Facility. This 5,000 sq. ft. facility consists of laboratories for fermentation, chemistry, molecular biology and other life science technologies. The facility has the capacity to address research problems in all sectors of biotechnology: agriculture, manufacturing, environmental and biomedical. Beyond our student programs, faculty are currently funded by organizations such as the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and National Science Foundation. 

Collaborations with educational partners include recently established early assurance agreements with the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and ECU School of Dental Medicine, which provide pathways to success in top professional schools. 

The visual, performing, and literary arts are well represented within the College and community. The A.D. Gallery serves as a venue for student and faculty exhibitions, along with traveling exhibitions by regional, national, and international artists. The gallery hosts biennial exhibitions by Native Americans, including such artists as Ryan RedCorn and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. Our beautiful campus, as well as parks in neighboring communities, display outdoor sculpture designed and made by students and faculty. The Music Department presents over 75 student and professional performances each year in Moore Hall Auditorium and the Givens Performing Arts Center, which also houses our Theatre program. Our newly renovated TV station is a learning laboratory for the televisual arts. Comic Culture produced by UNCP students and faculty in our studio occupies the only regular time slot for a UNC school on North Carolina pbs.org.  The Aurochs, our student literary magazine, publishes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and art by UNCP students. Moreover, Pembroke Magazine has been printed annually since its founding in 1969; its editors have included former Poet Laureate of North Carolina, Shelby Stephenson, who served as editor from 1979 until his retirement in 2010. The magazine’s acceptance rate for the current tissue is 4.3 percent. 

The Position

The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences reports to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, serves on the Provost Council, and leads the largest College at UNCP. The Dean provides visionary leadership, strategic planning and operational management to advance the College's mission. The next Dean of Arts and Sciences will lead and inspire all stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to student success. The Dean will foster a collaborative cultural environment that aligns with the core values of UNC Pembroke. A successful candidate will cultivate an environment where innovation is nurtured and actualized to advance the College. UNC Pembroke is a purpose-driven University, and the next Dean will appreciate and strengthen its distinctive history of service to others, which is a vital component of UNCP’s identity. 

 Collaborative and Innovative Leader

The Dean will play a pivotal role in advancing the College's commitment to a strong liberal arts education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels while balancing the external pressures in today’s higher education context. This includes championing the values of critical thinking, creativity, ethical reasoning and global awareness as core elements of the University's general education curriculum. The next Dean will partner with department chairs and faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences on disciplinary curriculum innovation, encouraging progressive pedagogical approaches and program design that reflect the needs of today’s students and their career goals. We expect the next Dean to invest in the development of department chairs and faculty, providing resources, mentoring and initiatives that support teaching excellence, scholarship and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Student Champion

A key priority for the Dean will be supporting and expanding initiatives focused on student success, including, but not limited to, enrollment, retention and graduation rates. The Dean will work collaboratively with the College's faculty and administrators to extend support for high-impact practices, enhance advising and create pathways to degree completion, addressing academic and non-academic barriers to student persistence. The successful candidate will foster an inclusive, supportive environment for diverse student populations, ensuring that all students are well-prepared for success in their careers and communities. Through these efforts, the Dean will position the College as a leader in academic excellence, innovation and student-centered outcomes.

Steward of Resources

The Dean will work with Associate Deans and Department Chairs to manage a complex budget and oversite of an inventory of equipment and facilities. The Dean is expected to monitor resources to ensure proper maintenance, health and safety needs and to advocate for service, improvements and replacement as warranted. The Dean serves as the advocate for the College in the yearly budget process, assessing and presenting the needs of the College while promoting and encouraging opportunities for external funding. 

 

Requirements          

Required and preferred qualifications include the following: 

• Candidates for the position of Dean must have an earned doctorate.
• Record of excellence in teaching and significant scholarship such that the candidate will qualify for tenure and rank in one of the academic departments of the College. 
• At least five years of leadership experience in higher education, preferably at the department chair level or above. 
• Experience working with diverse populations, including traditional and adult learners through programs delivered via multimodalities
• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of shared governance.
• Strong communication skills including active listening, conflict management, professional presentations critical thinking, problem-solving, verbal and written communication.
• A collaborative leadership style that sustains an environment of innovation and accountability
• Experience managing program review, academic portfolio review and/or accreditation processes
• Ability to inspire and connect diverse stakeholders with a shared vision for the College
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex and constrained budgets
• Experience with, and commitment to, external funding for research, curricular development and/or student success initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to implement and assess student success initiatives

 

Preferred qualifications include the following: 

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a variety of units including enrollment management, advancement and student success
• Exhibit a cheerful, positive, loyal, team-member attitude toward the purposes, programs, policies and goals of the University.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize competing deadlines in a high-volume, fast-paced environment and to switch between tasks if required. 
• A strong record of recruitment, retention and mentorship of faculty and department chairs

How To Apply    

 

Buffkin/Baker is assisting The University of North Carolina at Pembroke with this search. Inquiries, nominations and applications may be directed to: 

Pelema Ellis, Ph.D., | pelema@buffkinbaker.com or uncpdeanartsci@buffkinbaker.com

Applications should include a 1) current CV and 2) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described above. 

Priority consideration will be given to materials received by the preferred submission date of January 9, 2025. 
 

Search Committee

 

Committee Chair: W. Stewart Thomas, Ph.D. CPA, CGMA, Professor | Finance/Accounting/ITM

Siva Mandjiny, Ph.D., Professor | Chemistry – Director | Biotechnology Center

Carla Rokes, M.F.A., Professor | Drawing

Jamie Myers, Ph.D., Associate Professor | History/American Indian Studies

Lawrence Locklear, Ph.D., Director | Southeast American Indian Studies – Adjunct Associate Professor | American Indian Studies

Mark Milewicz, Ph.D., Professor | Political Science/Public Administration

Kenethia Fuller, Ph.D., Assistant Professor | Sociology/Criminal Justice

Cyndi Miecznikowski, Ph.D., Associate Professor | English – Director | First-Year Composition

Haitao Zhao, Ph.D., Assistant Professor | Mathematics/Computer Science

Holden Hansen, M.F.A., Professor | Theatre/English

Derek Oxendine, Ph.D., Dean | University College – Associate Vice Chancellor | Student Sucess

Jamee Hunt Freeman, M.B.A., Director | Undergraduate Admission

Search Timeline

 

Late October 2024: Search committee charge and kickoff meeting

Mid-November 2024: Position profile complete and opportunity posted

January 9, 2025: Application materials due

Late January 2025: Semi-Final interviews

Week of February 10, 2025: Finalist on-campus interviews