About the Executive Director

Niakeya Jones Cooper, Executive Director

Niakeya Jones Cooper is the Executive Director of the Robeson County Housing Authority (RCHA). She provides leadership for all aspects of the housing authority's operations including administration, management, strategic development and financial control.

Prior to joining RCHA in February 2017, she served as the Health Education Division Director for the Robeson County Department of Public Health (RCDPH) for nearly 15 years. In that capacity, Niakeya established several partnerships and programs for the county.  She managed a portfolio of projects aimed at addressing the social determinants of health to reduce health inequities. In addition to providing grant management and project oversight, she has represented the agency on a local, state and national level by presenting her innovative work at numerous meetings and conferences.   

She has received several nominations and awards for her work, including the Jeanne Palmer Health Educator Excel Award and the North Carolina Prevention Award for Excellence in Health.

Niakeya received her Bachelor's degree in Community Health Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and obtained her Master’s Degree in Management from Troy University.

Since Joining the RCHA team, Niakeya has successfully completed the Executive Director Education Program (EDEP). The program consists of a series of ten courses designed to reinforce the technical, managerial and strategic competencies required of a successful executive director. It is Sponsored by the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA) in partnership with the Center for Government Services at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Also, during her tenure, she has been dedicated to promoting policies and practices designed to help Robeson Housing Authority thrive. Some new initiatives include: revamping the Resident Advisory Board, tenant outreach projects, online rent payment, “My Waiting List” a call-in feature for applicants, online applications, technology upgrades, continuing education program for employees; updated personnel, finance and housing policies and the implementation of several standards of operating procedures.  

For the fiscal year 2017- 2018, Robeson County Housing Authority was designated a High Performing Agency on the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) which is conducted annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Niakeya is a member of several professional associations, including the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA), Carolinas Council of Housing Redevelopment & Codes Officials (CCHRCO), Eastern Carolinas Council of Housing Redevelopment & Codes Officials (ECCHRCO), and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.