UNC Pembroke News

Wendy Locklear ADOBE Clouds
June 30 Mark Locklear

UNCP Student Participates In National Adobe-AISES Leadership Program

Wendy Locklear, a rising senior pursuing an American Indian Studies degree at UNC Pembroke, was one of only 100 Indigenous college students nationwide selected to participate in Adobe's AISES CLOUDS program, an initiative designed to cultivate leadership opportunities and strengthen digital skills among Native students.

montage of images representing various aspects of the COMPASS program

NSF Renews Nearly $2 Million for UNCP's COMPASS STEM Program

After helping dramatically improve retention and graduation rates among STEM students, UNC Pembroke's COMPASS program has received nearly $2 million in renewed funding from the National Science Foundation to support future generations of scientists, researchers and healthcare professionals.

Donavin Hansberry
May 20 Mark Locklear

UNCP’s Donavin Hansberry Champions Mental Health Literacy Through Advocacy and Education

Determined to help others recognize warning signs and start conversations earlier, Hansberry and longtime friend Jayden Haggler founded Shift Toward Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to improving mental health literacy, particularly among young people. The organization, established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, focuses on providing educational resources, creative storytelling and community engagement to address “mental health deserts” — communities with limited access to resources and awareness.

A group of six UNC Pembroke REACH participants pose and wave beside a koala exhibit during a trip to Australia

UNCP REACH Fellows Turn Research into Career Pathways and Community Impact

UNC Pembroke REACH Fellows are using archives, oral histories and community storytelling to preserve overlooked histories while opening doors to graduate school, national internships and careers in public humanities.

UNCP student Shelley Chavis stands in front of her poster.

UNCP Students Find Inspiration and Opportunity at Glaxo Conference

For decades, the GlaxoSmithKline Foundation has touched the lives of women across the state by encouraging outstanding scholarship and professional development and by providing one-on-one mentoring to navigate careers. Glaxo's Women in Science Scholars are selected from among the best and brightest students at 30 universities across the state. UNC Pembroke's Shelley Chavis, a biology major, and Kathryn Bering, a chemistry major, joined dozens of women during the annual scholars' conferences last October and April.

Eugenie Amidou
May 08 Mark Locklear

Eugenie Amidou Caps Standout Career at UNCP with Academic, Athletic Honors

Eugenie “Genie” Amidou arrived at UNC Pembroke with a dream shared by many young soccer players growing up in Canada — the opportunity to compete in the United States.

Michela Gritti and Sean Hancock_regional writing award winners
April 30 Mark Locklear

UNCP Students Win First Place in Regional Journalism Competition

Two UNC Pembroke student journalists are earning regional recognition for their storytelling and commitment to the craft, proving that impactful journalism can thrive even in the smallest of newsrooms.

Jaylen Jones
April 27 Mark Locklear

Composing His Future: UNCP’s Jaylen Jones Heads to Top Jazz Graduate School

Sitting on stage during his senior recital, tenor saxophonist Jaylen Jones found himself in a moment that once felt far out of reach —performing original compositions, confident in his sound and certain of his path.

Dr. Bryan Sales examines a plant with a student and local farmer in a field.

UNC Pembroke to grow next generation of agricultural leaders with new degree

Beginning in fall 2026, UNC Pembroke will offer a new Bachelor of Science in Agriculture — a program designed to prepare students to lead the future of farming while strengthening one of the region’s most vital economic engines.

Mia Baca stands beside their coral sculpture in an indoor campus setting at UNC Pembroke. The piece features twisting, branch-like coral forms in soft white, peach and blue tones, visually reflecting the beauty and fragility of ocean life.
April 22 Adrielle Cooper

UNCP Student Uses Art to Raise Awareness About Coral Reefs

Mia Baca’s coral reef artwork draws viewers in with beauty, then asks them to look closer at the realities of pollution and climate change.