The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
News Release
Office of University Relations
P.O. Box 1510
Pembroke, N.C. 28372-1510
910.521.6249
Contact: Amber Rach
amber.rach@uncp.edu
www.uncp.edu/relations
910.521.6863
HCOP
7.9
July 2009
Photo ID:
From left: Dakota Jacobs, Anna Goings, Datoya Brown, Dalton Brooks, Olivia Bullard,
Jessica Oxendine and Jessica Smiling (Not in picture Kayla Jacobs)
UNCP’s HCOP graduates a class of eight
PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Summer Science Enrichment Program of UNC
Pembroke’s Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) graduated a class of eight high
school students at a luncheon on July 22.
The students finished a three-week program designed for rising high school
seniors and college freshmen who wish to pursue careers in medical or health-related
professions.
Dr. Bobbie Stanley, a Cary, N.C., dentist and 1988 UNCP graduate, was the
keynote speaker at the luncheon.
Dr. Stanley graduated from Magnolia High School in rural Robeson County. She
attended college at North Carolina State University until the federal government
discontinued her scholarship program, she said.
“It turned out that coming home and going to UNCP was the best thing that could
have happened to me,” Dr. Stanley said. “UNCP has a great Biology Department and
small classes.”
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The dentist offered tips on being successful:
“If you find your passion in life, then financial rewards will find you.
“Write down goals for yourself that are measurable and dated. Review them often
and rewrite them if needed.
“Remember where you came from. Keep God and family first.”
With instruction from veteran UNCP science faculty members like Dr. Siva
Mandjiny in chemistry, Dr. Velinda Woriax in biology and Dr. Bill Brandon in physics,
Dalton Brooks said he learned a lot.
“It was hands-on science, which I really liked,” said Brooks, who will attend
UNC-Chapel Hill with an eye on dental school. “I learned some new things and got
refreshed on others.”
“We try to push them into experiences in science that they may not receive until
later in college,” said Sheila Brayboy, HCOP director. “A lot of training is compressed
into a short time.”
The students also got instruction in writing. Datoya Brown, who will attend
Fayetteville State University in the fall, said she wrote six papers and made a PowerPoint
presentation.
“It was good experience because they taught us what college professors want,”
Brown said. “I’m not nervous about college; my sister goes to UNCP.”
UNCP composition instructor Greg Sampson taught the class. He said students
who excel in science are often hesitant about writing.
“They came in saying, ‘we’re not going to write anything are we?’” Sampson
said, laughing. “I gave them exposure to what college English will be like.”
The luncheon was attended by parents and family members. Dr. Woriax said
college students still require nurturing.
“Parents, encourage your college student to come home,” she said. “By being
with them, you will know how they are doing.”
Vonda Graham, a school counselor at South Robeson High School, taught the life
skills class.
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Students in the program included:
Dalton Brooks – a Lumberton High School graduate who will attend UNC-Chapel
Hill;
Datoya Brown – a Fairmont High School graduate who will attend Fayetteville
State University;
Olivia Bullard – a senior at Purnell Swett High School who plans to attend East
Carolina University;
Anna Goins – a senior at Purnell Swett who plans to attend UNCP;
Coty Jacobs – a senior at Purnell Swett who plans to attend UNCP;
Kyla Jacobs – a senior at the Information Technology High School who plans to
attend UNCP;
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Jessica Oxendine – a senior at Purnell Swett who plans to attend UNC-Chapel
Hill; and
Jessica Smiling – a South Robeson High School graduate who will attend UNCP.
Besides Summer Science Enrichment, other HCOP programs include a primary
care job shadowing program and a middle school science program.
For more information about HCOP, please call (910) 521-6590 or email
hcop@uncp.edu.