Five New Members Join UNC Pembroke Alumni Association Board
The UNC Pembroke Alumni Association has welcomed five new members to its Board of Directors, bringing a range of professional experience and a shared commitment to strengthening connections between the university and its alumni.
The new members are Heath Pierce ’97, Danny Cook ’93, Nancy Hunt ’86, ’02, Jessica Lancaster ’24, ’26 and Crystal Collins ’93.
Each brings experience in banking, business, education, community health, insurance, analytics and community service. Their three-year terms began July 1.
“We are excited to welcome five new members to the UNCP Alumni Association Board of Directors,” said Dr. Rebekah Lowry, director of Alumni Affairs. “We are grateful for their willingness to serve, their leadership and their commitment to UNCP and our alumni community. We have a dedicated board whose members share a passion for UNCP, and we look forward to a great year ahead and a bright future for BraveNation.”
Heath Pierce
A Pembroke native and 1997 UNCP graduate, Pierce earned his degree in business and has spent nearly three decades working in banking, investments and wealth management.
Pierce’s connection to UNCP is deeply rooted. Both of his parents are also UNCP graduates, and he credits the university’s education, relationships and experiences with helping shape his career.
Danny Cook
Cook is president of Cook Insurance Services, which he founded in 1999. A Lumberton resident, he has built a career in insurance and risk management and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UNCP and a master’s degree in risk management and insurance from Florida State University.
His professional designations include Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow, Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager.
Cook is also active in the Robeson County community. His affiliations include First Baptist Church, Kiwanis of Robeson-Lumberton, the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce, Lumberton Rescue & EMS and UNC Health Southeastern, where he serves on the Board of Trustees.
Cook and his wife, Kim, have been married for 35 years and have two daughters and one granddaughter.
Nancy Hunt
Hunt is a lifelong educator, community health leader and advocate for Robeson County. After earning her degree in education from UNCP, she began her career with the Public Schools of Robeson County, where she dedicated herself to educating and supporting students and families.
She later transitioned to community health with UNC Health Southeastern, focusing on health education, chronic disease prevention, community engagement and connecting residents with resources and preventive services.
Today, Hunt continues that work through ‘The Weigh Forward: Robeson County,’ a community health initiative supported by the American Diabetes Association Obesity Division. She develops and leads programs that bring health education, screenings, resource navigation and wellness opportunities directly into neighborhoods, schools, churches and community organizations.
Jessica “Jess” Lancaster
Lancaster is a Total Rewards Analyst and a proud UNCP alumna who began her journey at the university as an adult learner.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Lancaster moved to North Carolina in 2009. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2024. She completed her MBA requirements with a concentration in business analytics over the summer and will participate in Fall Commencement in December.
Although she completed her undergraduate degree online, Lancaster remained active in the UNCP community. She served as a member-at-large on the Thomas College of Business and Economics Dean's Student Advisory Board and represented the college as a Student Government Association senator.
Her commitment to service extends beyond UNCP. Lancaster is a mentor with Wayfinders, a Family Engagement Council Fellow at Sugar Creek Charter School and treasurer for Girl Scout Troop 2633, all in Charlotte.
Lancaster and her husband of nearly 15 years have six children and a three-year-old grandson.
Crystal Collins
A Robeson County native, Collins lives in Lumberton with her husband, Alex. The couple has twins, Mason and Brittney, and are enjoying life as empty nesters.
Collins is vice president and business development officer for First Bank in Lumberton, where she has spent her career helping businesses and organizations achieve their financial goals through relationship-focused banking. She is committed to building strong partnerships and supporting economic and community development throughout the region.
A proud UNCP graduate, Collins is actively involved in the Robeson County community and values service and leadership. She is also a graduate of the NC School of Banking at UNC Chapel Hill and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU.