Five UNC Pembroke leaders have been selected for the UNC System’s BRIDGES Academic Leadership Program for Women.

It was the largest number selected from UNCP in the 30-year history of the program. A kickoff meeting was held September 9-10 at the Rizzo Center in Chapel Hill.

“An institution our size made it a priority to invest in the leadership development of women,” said Dr. Loury Floyd, dean of the School of Education and BRIDGES alumna. “BRIDGES has an excellent reputation and works to assist women in developing skills and dispositions needed to lead North Carolina higher education institutions in various capacities.” 

BRIDGES is a professional development for women at North Carolina universities and colleges, designed to help them strengthen their academic leadership capabilities. The program, conducted over four weekends, includes small group discussions, panels, case studies, formal presentations, and opportunities to interact with academic leaders from public and independent colleges and universities.

UNCP participants included: Drs. Mabel Rivera, director of accreditation and reporting; Summer Woodside, social work department chair; Cindy Locklear, interim MSW program director; Serina Cinnamon, social studies education program director; and Gretchen Robinson, inclusive education department chair.

Angela Revels, assistant vice chancellor for Human Resources, is a fellow alumna and serves with Floyd on the advisory board. The 2022 cohort theme is ‘Leading in a Time of Transformation.’

“The theme is so fitting as we continue to lead and emerge from global impacts.”

Revels said. “BRIDGES is a great professional development opportunity for UNCP faculty and administrators to position themselves, personally and professionally, for great leadership opportunities ahead and thanks to the university for its investment in our workforce.”