UNC Pembroke News

DNP Hooding Ceremony

UNCP to Award First Doctoral Degrees, Marking a New Chapter in University History

As the lights rise inside Givens Performing Arts Center tonight, eight nurse leaders will step onto the stage and into the history books. Their doctoral hoods, symbols of perseverance, scholarship and service, mark a moment 138 years in the making for the University of North Carolina Pembroke.

Shane Henderson
December 09 Adrielle Cooper

Graduate student, fourth-grade teacher Shane Henderson receives Milken Educator Award

Shane Henderson, a fourth-grade teacher at Pittsboro Elementary School and a graduate student in UNC Pembroke’s Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program, has been named a Milken Educator Award recipient.

John Oxendine performs onstage at the Lumbee Tribal Cultural Showcase
December 08 James Bass

A Day of Culture and Connection for Thousands at GPAC’s Lumbee Showcase

For a heartbeat, the audience sat in silent anticipation. Thousands of elementary students leaned forward in their seats and strained to make out figures on the darkened stage of the Givens Performing Arts Center.

Dr. Daniel LaDu
December 05 Mark Locklear

UNC Pembroke Welcomes Dr. Daniel LaDu as Adolph Dial Distinguished Scholar of American Indian Studies

As UNC Pembroke strengthens its role as a leader in American Indian education, the university recently appointed archaeologist and scholar Dr. Daniel LaDu as the Adolph L. Dial Distinguished Scholar — a milestone that signals new opportunities for collaboration, research and student engagement.

staff members pose with their Exceptional Executive Assistant certificates
December 05 Mark Locklear

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.

Dr. Jaime Martinez
December 05 Adrielle Cooper

UNCP faculty featured in statewide historic sites video project

Two UNC Pembroke faculty will appear in new video materials produced for North Carolina State Historic Sites.

Wanda Sullivan

A.D. Gallery Announces Winter Exhibition, Wanda Sullivan: Cultivated

The A.D. Gallery at UNC Pembroke is pleased to announce its 2025–2026 Winter Exhibition, Wanda Sullivan: Cultivated, a vibrant and contemplative body of work by painter and educator Wanda Sullivan.

Miss Lumbee Taylor Davis stands in front of the UNCP letters while holding the head of the mascot, Brave Hawk
November 25 Chad Locklear

From BraveHawk to Miss Lumbee: Taylor Davis Finds Strength in Heritage and Hope

From BraveHawk mascot to Miss Lumbee 2025, Taylor Davis has never stopped finding strength in her voice—and her culture. A cancer survivor and proud UNC Pembroke alumna, she shares how heritage, healing and a little sparkle helped her rise.

Chemistry Students Conduct a Lab Experiment

UNC Pembroke Awarded Second Nature Catalyst Grant to Advance Clean Energy Innovation

The University of North Carolina Pembroke is taking a significant step forward in clean-energy research thanks to a Catalyst Grant from Second Nature, a national nonprofit committed to accelerating climate action in higher education.

Winter Commencement

UNCP Announces Keynote Speakers for Historic Winter Commencement

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke will make history next month as it confers the institution’s first-ever doctoral degrees during Winter Commencement