UNC Pembroke announces 2025-26 OPTIMISE Rural NC trainee cohort
Fifteen graduate students at UNC Pembroke have been selected for the 2025-26 OPTIMISE Rural NC cohort, a yearlong training experience that prepares future behavioral health professionals to serve in rural communities across southeastern North Carolina. The cohort includes MSW, MSOT and MAEd Counseling students who were chosen through a competitive process.
Each trainee receives a $25,000 stipend to support their education. They will complete extensive, practice-focused training throughout the year. The goal is for students to develop the skills necessary to deliver integrated, trauma-informed, and accessible care in medically underserved areas.
Over fall break, the program hosted an immersive training day that paired the 15 trainees together with more than 25 community partners. The group worked through experiential sessions on trauma-informed care, health care workforce resiliency and accessible care.
“By learning and training together, these students are developing the collaborative skills our communities need. Their commitment to serving in medically underserved areas makes it clear that interprofessional education is a direct investment in healthier and resilient rural communities,” said Dr. Cindy Locklear, associate professor of social work and project director for OPTIMISE.
“As an individual who is from a rural community with limited resources, I feel honored and excited to be part of this year’s cohort because it offers the chance to make a real impact while gaining professional experience. I’m eager to work alongside others who share a passion for improving rural health,” said MSOT student Geena Gary.
OPTIMISE Rural NC is housed at UNC Pembroke and supported by a federal Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training grant. In July 2025, the program received a four-year, $2.3 million renewal that expands interprofessional training and adds occupational therapy as a partner discipline.
2025-26 OPTIMISE Rural NC trainee cohort
- Mary Behrensen, MSOT student
- Toni Blackwell, MSOT student
- Meagan Bullard, MAEd (Professional School Counseling) student
- Melissa Carrillo, MSW student
- Christan Chavis, MSW student
- Kenyonna Deese, MSW student
- Cheyenne Eckard, MSW student
- Geena Gary, MSOT student
- Mallory Haney, MSOT student
- BreeAnna Johnson, MSW student
- Makayla Locklear, MSW student
- Melia Locklear, MSW student
- Hallie Maynor, MSW student
- Erika Nicholson, MSOT student
- Nichole Peters, MSOT student