UNCP Celebrates Inaugural Cohort of the Exceptional Executive Assistant Certificate Program
The University of North Carolina Pembroke recently marked an important milestone in employee development as 21 staff members completed the university's inaugural Exceptional Executive Assistant Certificate Program, a new initiative designed to strengthen administrative leadership and build community across campus.
The semester-long program, created by the Office of Human Resources, was designed around themes of self-awareness, career ownership and confidence-building The program provided participants with structured opportunities to reflect on their strengths, values and growth while building a supportive community across departments.
Angela Revels, assistant vice chancellor for Human Resources, praised the cohort's dedication.
“The program emphasizes that participants have the power to shape their own careers,” Revels said. “They are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and set boundaries that reflect their personal values, reinforcing a sense of ownership over their professional journeys. Through self-reflection tools, confidence-building techniques and practical career-empowerment strategies, the program equips participants to thrive both personally and professionally.”
Participants described the experience as both transformative and restorative. Jennifer Carter, administrative support associate for Mass Communication and Geology and Geography, said the sessions sparked both personal and professional reflection.
“The speakers were all fantastic,” Carter said. “The Human Resources staff did a good job bringing in different speakers with varied stories. It refreshed me. I've been in the same department almost 20 years, and it caused me to stop, step back and reflect on how I was doing my job. Listening to other participants' experiences was refreshing and helped me appreciate the varied roles across campus.”
Allison Cummings, administrative support associate for the Occupational Therapy Department, found the program to be deeply meaningful.
“One thing I loved is that I finally got to meet people I'd only seen online or spoken to on the phone,” Cummings said. “We laughed, we cried, we talked. My biggest takeaway was the importance of self-care — it doesn't happen often. When we met for those couple of hours, everything felt manageable. We all have similar issues, and now I feel comfortable picking up the phone and calling any of those ladies for help.”
“We are more than coworkers. We are family.” Cummings said.
Inaugural Cohort Participants
- Alisha Anyachonkeya – Student Affairs
- Allison Cummings – Academic Affairs
- Amy Oxendine Craft – Academic Affairs
- Asa Lowry – Academic Affairs
- Audria Cummings – Academic Affairs
- Bridget Jones – Academic Affairs
- Cathy Coyne – Academic Affairs
- Craiganna Ellis – Finance & Administration
- Devan Britt – Student Affairs
- Emilee Jacobs – Academic Affairs
- Emily Jo Oxendine – Academic Affairs
- Jamie Oxendine – Finance & Administration
- Jennifer Carter – Academic Affairs
- Joceyln Graham – Office of the Chancellor
- Kim McMillan – Advancement
- Lucinda Callahan – Student Affairs
- Michelle Locklear – Enrollment Management
- Nicole Beverly – Academic Affairs
- Phyllis L. Smith – Enrollment Management
- Tawanna Locklear – Enrollment Management
- Winter Locklear – Academic Affairs