UNC Pembroke’s OPTIMISE Program Receives $2.3 Million Grant Renewal to Expand Rural Behavioral Health Workforce
The Department of Social Work at UNC Pembroke has secured a four-year, $2.3 million federal grant renewal to continue and expand the OPTIMISE program. The program trains graduate students to serve in integrated behavioral healthcare settings across rural North Carolina. The award comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program.
Sheila Cummings, Carlos Berdecia, Dr. Anna Clark, John Squier Appointed to Board of Trustees at UNC Pembroke
UNC Pembroke has welcomed four distinguished leaders to its Board of Trustees: Sheila Cummings and Colonel (Ret.) Carlos E. Berdecia, appointed by the UNC Board of Governors, and Dr. Anna O. Clark, appointed by North Carolina Senate President Phil Berger. Together, they bring a wealth of experience in healthcare, military service and the aerospace engineering sector to support the university’s continued growth and mission.
UNC Pembroke Computer Science Student Earns NASA Recognition for Cybersecurity Discovery
NASA recently recognized a UNC Pembroke computer science student for his exceptional cybersecurity skills. Shirsendu Mondal received a formal letter of appreciation from the agency's Vulnerability Disclosure Program for identifying and responsibly reporting a security vulnerability in one of NASA's digital systems.
Exploring the World Through Art: How One Professor’s Travels Enrich Her Classroom
For many students, learning about art history means flipping through textbooks or viewing digital images. However, for students in Dr. Beata Niedzialkowska’s class at UNC Pembroke, art history comes alive through her firsthand experiences visiting some of the world’s most renowned museums.
BraveAlert System Maintenance on July 11
UNCP will be conducting routine maintenance on the BraveAlert Emergency Notification System on Friday, July 11.
Professor James Hudson Named 2025–26 Faculty Fellow with Carolina Asia Center, UNC Institute
Dr. James Hudson, associate professor of history at UNC Pembroke, has been selected as a Minority-Serving Institutions Faculty Fellow for the 2025-26 academic year. The fellowship, a joint initiative of the Carolina Asia Center and the Institute for the Arts and Humanities at UNC Chapel Hill, supports faculty at minority-serving institutions pursuing research related to Asia.
Alumna Magally Ortiz-Rojas selected as UNC System Presidential Scholar
Magally Ortiz-Rojas, a recent UNC Pembroke graduate, has been selected as a presidential scholar for the UNC System's prestigious 2025–2026 academic year cohort — an elite honor reserved for some of the most accomplished and promising young leaders across North Carolina's public universities.
Dr. Elizabeth Wyles named Associate Dean of the College of Optometric Medicine
As UNC Pembroke prepares to launch its new Doctor of Optometry program, the university has named Dr. Elizabeth Wyles as associate dean of the College of Optometric Medicine. A nationally respected educator, clinician and leader in optometric education, Dr. Wyles brings over two decades of experience shaping the future of eye care.
BraveAlert System Maintenance on July 8
UNCP will be conducting routine maintenance on the BraveAlert Emergency Notification System on Friday, July 8.
Beloved Outdoor Drama Strike at the Wind! Ignites Spirit, Storytelling
The curtain is again rising on Strike at the Wind!, the iconic outdoor drama that tells the story of Lumbee hero Henry Berry Lowrie. As the summer season returns to the Lumbee Tribe's cultural center amphitheater, audiences can expect powerful storytelling, community collaboration and a few exciting changes — both on and off the stage.