The Black & Gold

March 20, 2021 | Issue 22 | 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 make that possible and sustain 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, Richmond Community College partnership strengthens teacher pipeline

A new partnership between UNC Pembroke and Richmond Community College will create a seamless path for aspiring teachers to become part of the state’s teacher pipeline. The initiative is designed to recruit teachers who have a desire to serve their communities. Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings and RCC

President Dale McInnis launched the Growing Your Own Teachers partnership during a signing event at RCC last week.

The agreement allows RCC students to complete either an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation degree before transferring to UNCP to complete a major in the Educator Preparation Program (EPP). The two associate degrees are new to RCC.

“This partnership is a step forward to promote a pipeline of well-trained, experienced and educated teachers who will return to Richmond and Scotland counties, to educate the teachers, the doctors, the engineers, the scientists–the leaders of tomorrow,” Cummings said.

HAPPENING ON CAMPUS

UNCP to host Dr. Michael Osterholm, COVID-19 Expert

The Office of Campus Engagement and Leadership and the College of Health Sciences at UNC Pembroke are hosting Health Talk: Special Event with Dr. Michael Osterholm on April 15, 2021 at 7 p.m. via Facebook live and YouTube live.

The event is available to all who would like to view.

An internationally recognized expert in infectious disease epidemiology, Dr. Osterholm comes to UNCP to discuss the very latest news about COVID-19, vaccines and the effects of the pandemic on our nation and the world.

Dr. Osterholm is an epidemiologist, COVID-19 expert and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and formerly served as a COVID-19 advisor to United States President Joe Biden. Osterholm previously served as a State Department science envoy for health security and as an epidemiologist for the state of Minnesota. Osterholm earned his doctorate in environmental health from the University of Minnesota in 1980 and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

UNCP School of Education welcomes new advisory board members

Scotland County schools superintendent Takeda LeGrand has been elected chair of the School of Education Advisory Board at UNC Pembroke.

Dr. LeGrand was among the new officers seated during last week’s meeting. Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Marvin Connelly was elected vice chair and Anita Alpenfels, executive officer for Human Resources with Moore County Schools, will serve as board secretary. Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings and Interim Provost Zoe Locklear were present to greet board members.

“I am delighted to serve as chair of the School of Education Advisory Board at UNCP. The vision, enthusiasm, strategic priorities, leadership and commitment to Southeastern North Carolina exhibited by the School of Education Dean Loury Floyd, Chancellor Cummings and the entire SOE confirmed my decision to be a part of this awesome collaboration. I anticipate the alignment of resources, similar goals and innovative ideas will lead to great outcomes and partnerships for our learners and communities,” LeGrand said.

Alumni Spotlight: Leanna Jacobs '20

UNC Pembroke graduate Leanna Jacobs advanced closer to a career in medicine with her recent acceptance into the Physician Assistant program at Methodist University.

Jacobs said the continual support and encouragement from her professors and mentors were the keys to her success while earning a biology degree at UNCP.

“They made me push harder because they knew my end goal was PA (Physician Assistant) school,” she said. “While stepping into this next chapter of my life, I feel grateful because my UNCP experience provided me the foundation to take on the challenges of PA school.”

Before graduating from UNCP in Spring 2020, Jacobs was a member of the prestigious Esther G. Maynor Honors College and a standout student-athlete, competing all four years as a thrower on the Women’s Track and Field team.

About UNCP in Spanish

Native Spanish-speaking families can now learn more about what UNCP has to offer in their first language! Special thanks to Drs. Ana Cecilia Lara, Mabel Rivera and Jose Rivera for making this possible!