The Black & Gold

September 30 | Issue 4 | Black & Gold 2020

Alumni & friends,

Welcome to the Black & Gold Report, a weekly digest of UNC Pembroke news and information! Our faculty, staff, students and nearly 30,000 alumni all over the world never cease to amaze us with stories of resilience, determination and commitment to make their world a better place.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter to learn more about how UNCP, along with our alumni and friends, is making a difference on campus and in the communities we serve.

Your support and friendship makes that possible and sustains our university into the future. Thank you for all you do for this university and the students.

Sincerely,

Robin Gary Cummings, MD

Chancellor

Changing Lives Through Education

COVID-19 UPDATE

As UNCP navigates these unprecedented times in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are keeping the health and safety as well as the educational priorities at the forefront of our operational focus. The university is currently offering instruction in a mix of online, hybrid and traditional face-to-face settings. We are closely monitoring the situation on campus daily, and you can follow our progress, plan, case reporting and updates at COVID-19 Updates.

Due to COVID-19 health and safety restrictions in place, the university has postponed plans for Homecoming 2020 and may consider some virtual opportunities for engagement. Read more

HAPPENING ON CAMPUS

UNC Pembroke elects new board leadership, student representative

Now more than ever, effective leadership is playing a pivotal role at college campuses across the country. This fall, long-time board member Patrick Corso of Southern Pines takes the helm as the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the university, filling a critical leadership role.

Joining Corso as newly elected officers of the Board of Trustees are Allen Jamerson as vice chair and Allison Harrington as secretary. New SGA President Cotrayia Hardison will assume the student seat on the trustees.

Kelvin Jacobs appointed general counsel at UNC Pembroke

Kelvin Jacobs, an experienced attorney with a strong commitment to serving the community, has been named general counsel at UNC Pembroke.

Jacobs joined UNCP in 2015 as assistant general counsel. In that role, he provided legal advice to academic and administrative offices across campus, negotiated university contracts and oversaw grievance proceedings. In October 2019, he was asked to serve as the university’s interim general counsel.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Niakeya Cooper'01

Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education 2001

Niakeya Jones Cooper serves as executive director of the Robeson County Housing Authority. She provides leadership for all aspects of the housing authority's operations including administration, management, strategic development, and financial control.

Prior to joining RCHA in February 2017, she served as the Health Education Division director for the Robeson County Department of Public Health for nearly 15 years. In that capacity, Cooper established several partnerships and programs for the county. She managed a portfolio of projects aimed at addressing the social determinants of health to reduce health inequities.

UNC Pembroke's Story

Each student is an individual at UNCP. Our students get a chance to make names for themselves to stand out in a warm and welcoming community that wants them to succed and experience a rare combination of opportunities, cultures and ideas that can’t be found anywhere else.