UNC Pembroke News

March 04

UNCP receives First-Gen Forward national designation

UNC Pembroke was among 53 institutions nationwide selected by the Center for First-Generation Student Success 2022-2023 First-Gen Forward cohort. First Gen-Forward is the nation's first recognition program acknowledging higher education institutions for their demonstrated commitment to first-generation student success. UNCP is being recognized for improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students. Selected institutions receive professional development, community-building experiences, and a first look at the Center's research and resources.

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.

Volleyball team and their honored faculty and staff posing for a picture on the volleyball court
February 07

Volleyball team honors Biology faculty trio

Biology faculty Crystal Walline, Meg Zets, and Nicolas Negrin Pereira are making a big difference in the classroom. Last fall, student athletes in their classes honored them during the UNCP volleyball team’s Faculty and Staff Appreciation night. The September 28th event recognized 15 faculty and staff across the campus who made positive impacts on the lives of student athletes. Students who bestowed certificates of appreciation on Biology faculty were Taylor Osborne (Dr. Walline), Abby ("Abigail") Spencer (Prof. Zets), and Kaitlyn Pressley (Dr. Negrin Pereira).

Winter Commencement 2021
December 11

1,014 cross the stage at Winter Commencement

Aaron Woods’ eyes welled up with tears as he spotted his parents seated inside the English Jones Center gymnasium during the processional minutes before his name would be called at the Winter Commencement at UNC Pembroke. At that moment, the Pembroke native reflected on the personal obstacles he had overcome in his decades-long journey to graduation.

Dr. Kennard DuBose
December 02

UNCP awarded $950K grant to establish addiction recovery center

UNC Pembroke has been awarded a $950,000, three-year grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust to create the Southeastern Prevention and Addiction Recovery Resource Center (SPARC) within the College of Health Sciences. Expanding on the current efforts of the Robeson County Health Care Corporation (RHCC) and Robeson County District Attorney’s Office, SPARC will provide a community-based effort to address the immediate and long-term substance use and recovery needs in the county.

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.

October 29

UNCP awarded grant to establish a counselor-in-residence program

UNC Pembroke has been awarded a $78,000 mental health grant to create a counselor-in-residence program. A full-time counselor will live in the residence halls and provide counseling services there. UNCP is among 12 UNC System institutions to receive grant funding to increase behavioral health capacity and strengthen mental health resources available to students starting this fall.

October 04

UNC Pembroke Awarded $300K DOJ Grant to Enhance Sexual Violence Prevention and Advocacy Efforts

UNC Pembroke received a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVM) to support the university’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Advocacy Program. The grant will help the university expand its efforts to proactively prevent and respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking on campus. The funds will be spread over three years.

Family of the late Dr. Joseph Oxendine
October 01

UNCP renames building in honor of Chancellor Emeritus Joe Oxendine

Chancellor Emeritus Joe Oxendine helped transform UNC Pembroke and his legacy lives on in his commitment to education, his community and the university he cherished. One of the major accomplishments during his tenure was the official name change to UNC Pembroke. The Board of Trustees voted last week to rename West Hall in honor of Oxendine. The 40,840-square-foot state-of-the-art facility recently completed a $13.6 million renovation and will be known as the Dr. Joseph B. Oxendine Administrative Building.

Jermecka Hamilton Covington
September 27

Adjunct nursing professor honored with state award

UNC Pembroke Clinical Assistant Professor Jermecka Hamilton Covington has been named the 2021 Rookie of The Year by the North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA). The annual award is given by the NCNA board of directors to a nurse who has been a member less than two years and excels at promoting a positive image of nursing and the professional organization to peers and consumers.