UNCP’s Irene Pittman Aiken Named to Conference of Southern Graduate Schools Executive Board

Irene Pittman Aiken, PhD, dean of The William Howard Dean Graduate School at UNC Pembroke, has been elected to the Executive Board of the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS).

Her election took place during the CSGS Annual Meeting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which brings together graduate deans and senior academic leaders from across the southern United States to address key issues shaping the future of graduate education.

Dr. Aiken's election to this position is further evidence that graduate programs at UNCP are not just growing in enrollment, but also in reputation across the region

“The quality of our graduate programs and the positive impact they are having on our students is second to none. Dr. Aiken's service on the CSGS Executive Board strengthens our commitment to innovation, student success and workforce-aligned graduate education,” said Dr. Prusank.

CSGS is a regional affiliate of the Council of Graduate Schools and serves as a leading forum for collaboration, policy development and professional leadership in graduate education. As a member of the executive board, Aiken contributes to conference planning, organizational governance and strategic discussions focused on graduate student success, academic innovation, and workforce-aligned education. She previously served in this role from 2022 to 2025.

“Serving on the Executive Board of the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools strengthens UNCP's voice in regional and national conversations about graduate education,” Dr. Aiken said. “It also allows me to bring back timely insights on student success, professional development and workforce-aligned education that directly inform how we design and support UNCP's graduate programs.”

During the February conference, Dr. Aiken played a visible leadership role, including moderating the New Deans' Breakfast. The event supports newly appointed graduate deans as they navigate the complex responsibilities of graduate education leadership. The session brought together new leaders from across the region for mentorship, shared learning and community building.

“The relationships built through CSGS provide direct access to peer institutions, shared initiatives, and emerging practices in graduate education,” Aiken said. “Those connections help strengthen UNCP's graduate programs and better prepare our students for diverse career pathways.”

In addition, Aiken served as a conference presenter, co-leading a session with colleagues from Texas State University focused on graduate professional development and career preparation. The session highlighted strategies for supporting diverse graduate student career pathways across institutional contexts.