UNC Pembroke News

Transforming Healthcare

A Shared Vision: Transforming Healthcare, One Story at a Time

Shannon Cummings doesn’t remember a time when her father was healthy. From the moment she could read, she was by his side — helping manage his medications, keeping track of appointments and eventually driving him to dialysis treatments.

Candid moments from Pembroke Day 2024
October 08 Mark Locklear

UNCP to host 35th annual Pembroke Day

Pembroke Day, an annual celebration showcasing area businesses, student organizations and community nonprofits, will be held Thursday, October 16, 2025, on the campus of UNC Pembroke.

University officials cut the ribbon on the Outdoor Sports Complex on September 12, 2025

UNC Pembroke Celebrates Official Opening Of Outdoor Sports Complex

Officials at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke announced the grand opening of the Outdoor Sports Complex on Friday afternoon.

Kelvin and Karen Sampson with family

Kelvin and Karen L. Sampson Champion the Next Generation of Braves

Even while leading one of the most unforgettable seasons in recent college basketball history, University of Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson and his wife, UNCP Trustee Karen L. Sampson, made time to give back to their roots.

Erica Little and Panelists Dr. Ronnie Bell and Dr. Jada Brooks
March 05

Community Health & Wellness Symposium Addresses Critical Health Issues

For Chyna Hammonds, a graduate student in social work at UNC Pembroke, the Community Health & Wellness Symposium wasn’t just another academic event — it was a revelation.

Healthy Start Robeson continues to serve the community after 25 years
July 19

Healthy Start Robeson at UNC Pembroke celebrates 25 years

Matthew Miles didn’t know what to expect like most first-time parents. His wife, Tiara, didn’t experience significant issues during her pregnancy. But that quickly changed during an unexpected cesarean delivery. “Some parts of the delivery were terrifying,” Miles said. “It was really scary at times.”

Dr. Veronica Hardy
February 22

UNCP awarded $500,000 grant to address racial disparities in maternal, infant health

UNC Pembroke has been awarded a three-year, $500,000 grant to reduce racial disparities for expecting and parenting mothers in rural southeastern North Carolina. The grant was awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina as part of the company’s effort to decrease racial disparities in maternal and child health care in North Carolina by 50 % in five years. Funding will support the Health Equity Project, which is designed to improve maternal health through service provider education.

High tunnel
December 06

UNCP partners with Farm Bureau to expand agriscience research

Eric Schwarz gained insight into agricultural practices of third-world countries while serving in the military. When he retired, Schwarz decided to enroll in the emerging Agriculture Science program at UNC Pembroke to study ways to make farming practices more sustainable. Today, Schwarz spends his time conducting research, growing hydroponic lettuce and investigating tomato cultivars inside a new 70-feet long high tunnel in the campus garden area.

November 19

UNC Pembroke Awarded $510K Grant to Expand Community Health Worker Initiative

UNC Pembroke has been awarded a $510,000 grant in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to expand the state’s Community Health Worker (CHW) Initiative. The funds are part of the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities.

Dr. Bryan Sales (left) and students share a vision for smarter agriculture
November 12

Sustaining the Land through Smarter Agriculture

Sustainability, heritage and community drive agricultural education and research at UNC Pembroke. UNCP students, faculty and area farmers work collaboratively to build sustainable agricultural practices, teach the agricultural workforce for the next generation and work toward a healthier population deeply connected to the land.  Watch a PBS video to learn more about smarter agriculture: https://www.pbs.org/video/sustaining-the-land-through-smarter-agriculture-cpez60/