Lumbee Legend - Chancellor Robin Cummings
Dr. Robin Gary Cummings was born and raised in Pembroke, where he grew up on a small family farm just three miles from University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP). The son of a Methodist minister and the second youngest of nine children, his upbringing in a rural community deeply shaped his lifelong commitment to expanding access to education and healthcare - especially for underserved populations.
In July 2015, Dr. Cummings returned home to serve as the sixth chancellor of UNCP. Under his leadership, the university has significantly expanded access to higher education through initiatives such as the NC Promise Tuition Plan, strengthened academic partnerships, and enhanced its role in regional economic development. His tenure has been marked by record enrollment growth, increased philanthropic support, a strong focus on student success, and a deepened connection between the university and the Lumbee community. He has also
championed diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness while guiding the institution through major challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Cummings earned his undergraduate degree in zoology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before attending Duke University School of Medicine, where he received his medical degree in 1983. He completed his internship and residencies in general and cardiac surgery at Duke University Medical Center.
He went on to practice cardiothoracic surgery at Pinehurst Surgical Clinic and Moore Regional Hospital, where he held leadership roles including chair of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
In 2013, Dr. Cummings joined the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as Director of the Office of Rural Health and Community Care. He later served as Deputy Secretary for Health Services and Acting State Health Director, eventually overseeing Medicaid services for more than 1.8 million North Carolinians. His work focused on improving healthcare delivery systems across the state.
A dedicated public servant, Dr. Cummings has held numerous leadership roles, including chairman of the UNC Pembroke Board of Trustees, chair of the UNCP Foundation Board, and member of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Visitors. He is also the founding chair of the NC American Indian Health Board and has served on several statewide boards supporting health, rural development, and community advancement.
Dr. Cummings and his wife, Rebecca Godwin Cummings, a Pinehurst realtor, are both natives of Pembroke and proud members of the Lumbee Tribe. They have four children: Amy, Adam, David, and Mark.
Originally preparing for a lifelong career in heart surgery - a profession he loved - Dr. Cummings’ career path pivoted toward healthcare leadership and public service. His journey ultimately led him back home in 2015 to lead the very university he passed each day as a child on his school bus route to Pembroke Elementary School.
His life reflects a powerful legacy of service, resilience, and purpose. As he has said in a previous interview, “I have a lot of faith in man’s ingenuity and our ability to figure things out. Once we put our minds to something, we can figure out ways.” That mindset continues to guide his leadership and impact across southeastern North Carolina and beyond.