UNC Pembroke News

Riley Fox
February 02

Brewington, Fox named Maynor Honors Scholars

Justus Brewington and Riley Fox exemplify all the qualities that UNC Pembroke values in the Esther G. Maynor Honors College, which is designed to attract top students. They are both well-rounded student scholars, highly driven and community focused. Fox, a student-athlete, not only excels in the classroom but on the field as a member of the softball team.

Anthonia Oladeji
January 27

UNCP senior’s personal battle inspires career in healthcare

Anthonia Oladeji dreamed of becoming a child and adolescent psychiatrist. But after being diagnosed with an endocrine disorder when she was 17, Oladeji discovered a new career path. Frequent trips to the doctor piqued her curiosity about pharmacy. “It prompted me to want to learn more about the drugs I was being prescribed,” said Oladeji, a senior chemistry major at UNC Pembroke. “My long-term goals are to create better treatments for endocrine diseases and help improve the lives of others.”

 Cedric Turner-Kopa
January 27

UNCP alumnus among first Peace Corps volunteers to return overseas

UNC Pembroke alumnus Cedric Turner-Kopa is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020. The Peace Corps suspended global operations and evacuated nearly 7,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Allen
January 27

Alumni to headline UNCP Distinguished Speaker Series

The upcoming guests for the 2022-2023 Distinguished Speaker Series at UNC Pembroke features a trio of former student leaders turned successful alumni. The series continues on February 7 with North Carolina Supreme Court Judge Trey Allen, Calstain Ganda, Real African Art museum founder, and Veronica Hatton, an educator with the state’s public schools.

Kaitlan Smith, PhD candidate in the Department of Pharmacology at the UNC School of Medicine
January 25

Grad Student Kaitlan Smith Reflects on Lumbee Heritage While Embarking on Curiosity-driven Science

From UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine Newsroom: "Pharmacology graduate student Kaitlan Smith [UNCP alumna] was recently awarded a diversity supplement from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to study the effects of aging and necroptosis. She shares her resilient journey into scientific research while reflecting on her Lumbee roots."

UNCP Mace
January 24

UNCP announces Chancellor’s, Honors List for Fall 2022

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke has released the Chancellor’s List and Honors List for Fall 2022. Chancellor’s List To qualify for the Chancellor’s List, a student must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.7 (out of 4.0) while taking at least 12 semester hours; none of the 12 hours may be Pass/Fail.

Dr. Amber Rock holding aquatics sampling gear
January 24

Biology's Amber Rock is the Focus of Brave Minutes Podcast

Dr. Amber Rock has mentored undergraduate students in aquatics research ever since joining the Biology faculty five years ago.  Take a listen to what she has to say about her research — click on 30 Brave Minutes.

January 24

UNCP partners with NCDPI to increase mental health providers in schools

UNC Pembroke is collaborating with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to increase the number of school-based mental health providers. NCDPI was recently awarded a $5.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help bolster the pipeline of school counselors, social workers and mental health clinicians.

 Cecilia Holden giving the keynote speech during Fall Commencement
December 10

UNCP awards 1,181 degrees at Fall Commencement

Eric Perez Velazques was beaming with pride moments after crossing the stage during Fall Commencement at UNC Pembroke on Saturday. Velazques became the first in his family to earn a college degree, a reality he thought unattainable while growing up in neighboring Columbus County.

December 09

Best Practices in Advising First-Year Students: Identifying and Addressing the Needs of the At-Risk First-Year Student Population

Dr. Crystal Walline, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Abstract In February of 2022, over 125 members of the Advising First-Year Students (AFYS) Advising Community gathered to discuss best practices in advising first-year students. During the discussion, the needs of three different student populations were considered: