The Black & Gold

January 29 | Issue 18 | Black & Gold 2021

Alumni & friends,

Welcome to the Black & Gold, 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

UNCP, county health department partnership strengthens during pandemic with testing, vaccination efforts

From the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials at UNC Pembroke have remained committed to protecting the health of the campus and the community. Key partnerships have made that possible and new efforts underway have the potential to bring additional testing and vaccines to the campus and community.

Since face-to-face classes resumed last August, thousands of individuals have been tested for the coronavirus on UNCP’s campus in a massive undertaking that would not have been possible without the collaboration and combined efforts from the Robeson County Health Department.

HAPPENING ON CAMPUS

UNCP School of Business ranked among Best 1-Year Online MBAs

The School of Business at UNC Pembroke began offering an accelerated version of its online MBA program in 2017, allowing students to complete the program in one year.

Since that time, UNCP has experienced a surge in enrollment, from 134 students to nearly 1,100 students today. The jump represents an unprecedented 700% increase making it one of the nation’s fastest-growing programs. The online MBA program is not only attracting some of the top distance learners in the business environment, the nation’s experts are also taking notice. In its most recent publication, College Consensus ranked UNCP among the best one-year, online MBA programs in the country for 2021.

UNCP’s Phoenix Locklear accepted into Physician Assistant program at Methodist University

Phoenix Two Feathers Locklear, a Fall 2020 UNCP graduate, has been accepted into the Physician Assistant program at Methodist University.

During his time at UNCP, Locklear was heavily involved in the Health Careers Access Program (HCAP) designed to increase the number of minorities who are trained, educated and employed in the health profession. He served as HCAP co-vice president.

A first-generation college student from Pembroke, Locklear earned a degree in biology with a focus on DNA synthesis. He graduated with cum laude honors.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Marcy Bishop-Lilley, MFA

Marcy Bishop-Lilley is a Career Coach and supports the College of Visual Arts and Design and the College of Music. Marcy earned an M.F.A. in Painting and Drawing from the University of North Texas and a B.A. in Art Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She likes helping UNT students by facilitating an environment in which students can find and acknowledge their strengths to pursue their dreams.

Choose to be a BRAVE

What makes UNCP special? Heritage, opportunity, affordability and quality academics on a supportive campus committed to the success of each student. Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do, you can Get There From Here.