UNCP alumna Keyla Bell breaking barriers in law enforcement
With her recent promotion, Maj. Keyla Bell is the highest-ranking female in the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The UNC Pembroke graduate is only the fourth female to rise to major since the North Carolina State Highway Patrol was founded in 1929. Bell is also the first American Indian to wear the gold oak leaf cluster shoulder patch.
New agriscience program offers innovative career opportunities for UNCP students
After discovering UNC Pembroke’s emerging agriculture science program, Katina Oxendine was inspired to return to her alma mater—this time with hopes of transforming her passion for medicinal plant research into a career. UNCP first offered the new degree program to biology students during the 2019-2020 academic year. It was developed to prepare students to enter the agricultural industry at any level and emphasizes the importance of agriculture and connects students to the rich agricultural history of the community.
UNCP alumni relive memories during 50th reunion
Gary Locklear and Tim Brayboy enjoyed long and distinguished careers in the legal field and education, respectively. Locklear is a retired Robeson County Superior Court judge. Brayboy spent three decades with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Both credit UNC Pembroke for providing the foundation for their success. Locklear and Brayboy were among the guests who attended a luncheon as part of UNCP Homecoming at the chancellor’s residence in honor of those who graduated more than 50 years ago.
UNC Pembroke alumni magazine wins state award
UNC Pembroke's alumni magazine was awarded the Award of Excellence at the North Carolina Public Relations Society of America's (NCPRSA) annual InSpire Awards ceremony. UNCP Today won the Bronze Award in the magazine category. The annual awards recognize the best public relations campaigns and tactics for the previous year in North Carolina.
UNC Pembroke welcomes new members of the Board of Trustees
Four new members–Michelle Ingram, Randall Jones, Kenneth Robinette and Dana Hunt-Locklear–have joined the Board of Trustees at UNC Pembroke. Ingram was appointed by the North Carolina Senate president pro temp. The UNC Board of Governors appointed Jones and Robinette. Each has been appointed to a four-year term. Locklear, the Student Body President, will serve as an ex-officio member of the board for 2021-2022. “We are honored to welcome our four new members of the Board of Trustees,” said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings.
UNCP graduate earns national student veteran leadership award
Taja Glasco struggled to find her footing when she enrolled at UNC Pembroke following her career as a pharmacy specialist in the Army. “The military can be a great career, but it is hard to remember how to be a civilian again,” she said. Glasco didn’t take long to find her way after becoming acclimated with the Academic and Military Outreach Office and the resources it offers student veterans. Glasco eventually stepped into a leadership role and began lending a hand to other veterans at UNCP.
Alumna Savannah Thompson finds early success with NBC Sports
Savannah Thompson is living out her dream. She’s combining her lifelong love for golf with her passion for video production as an associate producer for the Golf Channel at NBC Sports–one of the nation’s most recognized broadcasting companies. Thompson works on several shows, including Golf Today and Golf Central. This summer, she got the opportunity to do field production for the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. In her line of work, she has rubbed shoulders with the sport’s biggest names, the likes of Rory McIlroy.
Alumna Randi Dagenhart named UNC System Presidential Scholar
Randi Dagenhart, a Fall 2020 graduate of UNC Pembroke, has been selected as a UNC System Presidential Scholar for the 2021-22 academic year. Dagenhart will serve a one-year appointment and provide a wide range of professional functions for the UNC System Office. She will have the opportunity to interact with President Peter Hans, his senior leadership team and the UNC Board of Governors. She will experience firsthand how education legislation and university policy affect current students and faculty systemwide.
Paging Dr. Woriax
Article written by Mark Locklear First published in the spring 2021 edition of UNCP Today Surgeons must possess a unique blend of skills and characteristics to be successful; they need more than just medical knowledge. While still early in her career, Dr. Hannah Woriax is quickly accumulating those skills.
Five alumnae complete Doctor of Pharmacy program at Wingate University
Five UNC Pembroke alumnae recently graduated from Wingate University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program. Alex Miles Locklear, Megan Stevens Kwasnik, Sharon Ayioka, Brooke Chavis and Ashley Arcara were among the Spring 2021 graduating class. Arcara and Chavis graduated from UNCP in 2016. Kwasnik, Ayioka and Locklear earned their UNCP degrees the following year. Ayioka, a native of Kenya pursuing a career as an ambulatory care pharmacist, credits her UNCP professors Rachel Smith and Maria Santisteban for her academic success.