First Monday AN UPDATE FROM THE PROVOST | december 2025

A Message from Dr. Chris Buddo

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues, With the holiday season upon us and the end of the semester clearly in sight, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for the work you do every day at ECU as we drive student success, service, and regional transformation. I am just barely one year into my tenure as provost and, in that short time, the higher education landscape has changed dramatically and continues to evolve on a daily basis. From research and budget challenges to the opportunities and pitfalls we face with AI, change - and rapid change - seems to have become a regular part of our everyday life on campus. Change is not just a part of our external environment. In response to this rapid-change environment, we have embarked on a series of initiatives that, when complete, will significantly change the face of ECU. There are operational changes such as the POSO or IT reorganizations. There are structural changes, such as mergers and college reorganizations, and there are programmatic changes, such as program reviews, curtailments, and new program proposals. This is a lot. It is a lot for me, and I know it is a lot for you. Change means uncertainty and uncertainty breeds anxiety. While I don’t know that I could say or write anything to ease the anxiety we all feel, it is important to name it and to recognize it is a significant part of what we are all experiencing at this time. Understanding that these are uncertain times, though, does not mean we should be paralyzed from charting our own future. What gives me hope and makes me optimistic is my certainty that ECU is resilient. It is resilient because of you, our faculty and staff. You are the backbone of everything we do and, in my twenty years at ECU, I cannot remember a time when faculty, staff, and administration were so fully aligned on the need to prepare for the future. We all agree that the time for action is now. We may have different ideas about what that action looks like, but we also have the structures in place to make sure all voices are heard and that all constructive ideas have an opportunity to see the light of day as we work together to build the best future for ECU. With so much change, we may not agree on every solution. We may not get everything right. But I am committed to staying engaged and working together to finding the best outcomes. I hope you will also commit to being an engaged partner in these efforts. In the meantime, I hope that over the holidays you will take the time to relax, enjoy family and friends, take care of yourself, and return recharged for a new semester of teaching, learning, research, creative activity, clinic work… and change.

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BY THE NUMBERS

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AROUND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS SERVICES

SASS Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Lunch and Fall Engagement Events Student Academic Success Services (SASS) welcomed more than 120 students to the Pirate Academic Success Center for its annual Thanksgiving lunch, honoring their commitment and involvement throughout the fall semester. Staff from the Pirate Academic Success Center, Connect for Success, the STEPP Program, GEAR UP NC, and the Success Learning Communities collaborated to create a warm and festive gathering where students enjoyed a full holiday meal. Along with good food and conversation, students were invited to pause and reflect on their accomplishments and the progress they’ve made this semester. The celebration highlighted the spirit of gratitude, community, and support that defines the Pirate experience. The Thanksgiving gathering is just one of many engagement events offered throughout the fall semester to foster student belonging. Additional activities, such as game nights, registration support sessions, and holiday celebrations provide meaningful opportunities for students to connect with ECU and with one another. Special thanks go to Tezra Egleton, Rose Bogue and Summer Edwards for their expertise and support in facilitating mental and financial health workshops for GEAR UP NC and Success Learning Community students.

One ECU. One BIG Celebration! Mark Your Calendar - ECU EXCELS January 23, 2026, Main Campus Student Center Ballrooms The campus community is encouraged to attend the campus-wide celebration recognizing first-semester freshmen and transfer students who have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This year’s event is organized by a campus committee with representatives from both Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. To learn more about ECU Excels, read about last year’s celebration.

ECU CONNECT

The final ECU CONNECT faculty survey is active until December 8. For students who’ve had a great semester, this is a moment to celebrate their progress. For students with strong academic potential, consider recommending future graduate studies or identifying them for campus academic employment. Faculty are also welcome to raise individual flags at any time by logging into ECU CONNECT and selecting specific students outside of the survey period.

November 2025 Super Pirates This month, the ECU CONNECT team recognizes our faculty November Super Pirates. Their dedication to utilizing ECU CONNECT not only enhances the student experience within the classroom but also contributes to the success of our campus community. Congratulations to the November Super Pirates for effectively using ECU CONNECT, ECU’s early alert system! Your dedication to supporting student success and timely communication makes a real difference. Thank you for helping keep Pirate Nation on course!

• Thomas Harriott College of Arts and Science: Kiya Bolds, Debra McGowan, Ryan Kirk
• College of Business: Robin Ashley, Ravi Paul, Yusef Ewais
• College of Fine Arts and Communications: Marlayna Locklear, Jami Rhodes-Galloway, Samuel Gingher
• College of Health and Human Performance: Amanda Muhammad, Katherine Klimchock, Alana Freeman
• College of Engineering and Technology: Jennifer Andriot, Zhili Gao, Christopher Cone
• College of Nursing: Linda Bolin, Jimi Lynne Modlin, Gina Firnhaber
• College of Allied Health Sciences: Oyinlola Babatunde, Imani Gilbert, Abigail Croom
• College of Education: Melissa Hudson, Erin Kessel, Tim Dameron

Looking ahead, surveys for Spring 2026 will be deployed on the dates listed below. Faculty will receive notifications through ECU CONNECT & their ECU email when the surveys are available, and we encourage everyone to participate!

Spring 2026 ECU CONNECT Survey Dates

Pirate Academic Success Center (PASC)

PASC Highlights Academic Support Services at 2025 First-Generation Celebration

Pirate Academic Success Center (PASC) in partnership with ECU CONNECT, proudly supported the 2025 First-Generation Celebration by hosting an information table that connected students with valuable campus resources. At the table, First-Gen students learned more about the wide range of academic support services offered by PASC and had the chance to spin the prize wheel for giveaways. Swag items included cups, magnets, prize packs, and t-shirts, adding fun and energy to the event. PASC is committed to supporting First-Gen students by providing the tools and guidance they need to thrive academically and professionally. This commitment was further highlighted at the First Gen Graduate Recognition Celebration, where current PASC tutor Arhemy Franco-Gonzalez was pictured with her parents (above, right) after receiving her First-Generation stole. A Biology major, Arhemy tutors Chemistry, Biology, and Physics at PASC, exemplifying the leadership and dedication of First-Gen scholars. We salute Arhemy and all First-Gen graduates for their achievements and contributions to the Pirate community.

PASC Now Accepting Spring 2026 Tutored Course Submissions! The Pirate Academic Success Center is excited to invite faculty to submit courses for tutoring or study group support for the Spring 2026 semester! If you’d like your course to be considered, please email Dr. Elizabeth Coghill at coghille@ecu.edu by Monday, December 15. Be sure to include the course number, the specific sections you’d like covered, and the names of any students you’d like to recommend as potential tutors. Recommended tutors should have earned an A in the course, hold a 3.0+ ECU cumulative GPA, and demonstrate strong communication skills. Submitting your requests early helps us build the strongest support possible for your students. Thank you for partnering with us to elevate Pirate student success!

OFFICE OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS

ECU’s Ninth Annual International Award Ceremony was held at the Main Campus Student Center on November 19. At the ceremony, five faculty members received awards for their contributions to campus internationalization.

• Dr. Laura Levi-Altstaedter (Department of Foreign Language and Literatures, Harriott College of Arts and Sciences) was recognized with an Achievement in International Teaching Award for her commitment to creating transformative global learning experiences through her leadership of the Summer in Buenos Aires program and her development of innovative virtual exchange and intercultural curriculum initiatives. She continues to strengthen ECU’s global reach by expanding access to international engagement and by mentoring students and training faculty both on campus and abroad.
• Jessica Teague (School of Theater and Dance, College of Fine Arts and Communication) was recognized with an Achievement in International Teaching Award for integrating global perspectives into dance education through her leadership of study abroad programs in Kenya and Amsterdam, virtual exchanges with Dance Centre Kenya, and extensive international teaching residencies. She continues to strengthen ECU’s global arts footprint by building long-term international partnerships and expanding students’ cultural skills, collaborative capacity, and intercultural understanding.
• Dr. Mamadi Corra (Department of Sociology, Harriott College of Arts and Sciences) was recognized with an Achievement in International Research and Creative Activity Award for his years of internationally focused scholarship on migration, including his 2022 book African Immigrants in the United States and more than 35 peer-reviewed publications. His leadership roles, global collaborations, and service to the field—including as Associate Editor of Migration and Society and as Sociology Program Director at the National Science Foundation—underscore the wide-ranging impact of his work on understanding migration, inequality, and global social dynamics.
• Dr. James Loudon (Department of Anthropology, Harriott College of Arts and Sciences) was also recognized with an Achievement in International Research and Creative Activity Award for his global primatological research, including work in Bali’s Ubud Monkey Forest and South Africa’s Cradle of Humankind, as well as his influential studies on microbiome transmission, human–wildlife interactions, and primate nutritional ecology. He continues to advance understanding of primate behavior, human evolution, and ecological dynamics while providing transformative field experiences for ECU students.
• Dr. Sarah Maness (Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance) received the Achievement in International Service and Engagement Award for her Fulbright Specialist work at ESPOL in Ecuador, where she delivered workshops on psychological preparedness and mass-violence response and helped build capacity among faculty, staff, and health professionals. She continues to advance ECU’s mission of global service through strengthened institutional partnerships, new international collaborations, and ongoing scholarly and community engagement.

Two ECU staff members and a member of the UNC System Office also received recognition at the International Award Ceremony for their contributions to campus internationalization.

• Dr. Dennis McCunney (Center for Student Success, Division of Student Affairs) received the Staff Award for Achievement in International Service for his leadership of service-based study abroad programs in Jamaica and Ireland that provide students with meaningful community engagement and intercultural learning. He continues to advance international engagement at ECU through student mentorship, research on service-learning outcomes, professional contributions, and the development of long-term partnerships that support global education and cross-cultural understanding.
• Erin Eatman (Office of University Counsel) received a Campus Internationalization Champion Award for her work supporting the university’s recruitment and retention of international faculty and staff by managing all processes related to H-1B sponsorship. Through Erin’s guidance, collaboration, and commitment to regulatory compliance, she has expanded opportunities for global talent to thrive at the university.
• Bridget Bishop, who serves as Associate General Counsel for the UNC System, also received a Campus Internationalization Champion Award for her work in providing expert immigration guidance to multiple ECU staff members. As a key liaison to institutions across the System, she has helped strengthen support for international students, scholars, and faculty while improving consistency in immigration processes across institutions. Her guidance and expertise have made her a valuable partner in advancing campus internationalization efforts.

Eighteen students received top level study abroad scholarships through the Thomas W. Rivers Foreign Exchange Scholarship Fund. Applications for a second round of funding for this year are due January 15. Contributions to the Rivers Foreign Exchange Scholarship Fund can be made through the Global Affairs Advancement portal.

Four international students received scholarships for their academic accomplishments and their commitment to serve the Eastern North Carolina region.

• Otisia Bryan, from Jamaica, is working toward her master’s degree in construction management.
• Rashell Khemani, from Singapore, is an undergraduate student in Biology.
• Stefany Panayiotou, from Cyprus, is completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance.
• Greta Olivia, a Sociology student from Italy, was awarded the Paul and Peggy Gemperline Graduate Student Award.

INSTITUTIONAL PLANNING, ASSESSMENT AND RESEARCH

Institutional Assessment Review Committee As part of ECU’s commitment to an ongoing, comprehensive, and integrated research-based planning and evaluation process to continually improve institutional effectiveness, Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research (IPAR) organizes faculty and staff volunteers from across campus to serve on the Institutional Assessment Review Committee (I-ARC) each fall. The task of the I-ARC is to provide feedback to a sample of units on their annual assessment reports. This year, the I-ARC reviewed 2024-25 assessment reports from 78 educational programs and 16 support units. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the following individuals who contributed their time and expertise to the I-ARC this year.

• Academic Affairs – Jennifer Baysden, Bill Mallett
• Brody School of Medicine – Rich Franklin, Brig Willis
• Chancellor’s Division – Kimrey Miko
• College of Allied Health Science – Ann Mannie, Roman Pawlak, Matthew Walenski
• College of Business – Shelly Warren Brantley, Scott Dellana, Jenna Lee, Laura Madden, Holly Winkler
• College of Education – Rachel Bass, Holly Fales, Kristen Gregory, Monica Headen, Ranji JohnBull, Sarah Sconyers
• College of Engineering and Technology – Gerry Gao, Jason Yao
• College of Fine Arts and Communications – Mary Tucker-McLaughlin
• College of Health and Human Performance – Cari Autry, Susannah Berry, Kylene Dibble, Lisa Frederickson, Jeff Pizzutilla
• College of Nursing – Donna Roberson, Jennifer Sugg
• Institutional Planning, Assessment and Research – Cyndi Bellacero, Kristen Dreyfus, Danyell Harmon, Yihui Li, Jeanette Morris, Susan Morrissey
• Student Affairs – Kathy Hill, Ashleigh Taylor, Shawna Thompson
• Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences – Amy Shannon, Nehad Elsawaf, Ken Ferguson, Kerri Flinchbaugh, Javier Lorenzo, Olga Smirnova

OFFICE FOR RESEARCH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGAGEMENT

ECU School of Dental Medicine postdoc Chukwudi Ubah has been selected as a member of the National Postdoctoral Association’s (NPA) Postdoc Council for the 2026-2027 term. The council provides advice on postdoctoral affairs and issues to the NPA Board of Directors and the executive director to further the mission of the NPA. “I feel humbled and proud to be elected to serve the whole community of postdocs in the United States,” Ubah said. “Most importantly, having a postdoc from ECU elected as part of the Postdoc Council puts our name on the national map and speaks to ECU's strategic plan of "Future Focused & Innovation Driven.” Other members selected for the prestigious council are from colleges and schools of medicine at Yale University, Baylor College, University of Alabama and University of Virginia.

Licensing and Commercialization The Innovator of the Month was established by the Office of Licensing and Commercialization to recognize faculty that have developed novel innovations that can have a major impact on eastern N.C. and beyond. Nominees are selected by members of the ECU Patent Committee, which chose Dr. Brandon Schultz, professor in the Department of Psychology, for this month’s spotlight. Schultz, in collaboration with Ohio University, has developed ATHEMOS, a video game and real-world intervention package designed to help middle school students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) strengthen their organization, scheduling and note-taking skills. By blending gameplay with evidence-based behavioral strategies, ATHEMOS creates an engaging environment where students can practice executive function skills in both digital and real-world contexts. The program is currently being advanced from a PC-based prototype to a cross-platform mobile experience, expanding accessibility and impact for students, parents and educators. Do you have an idea or innovation that can have impact? Contact us.

Licensing analyst Dr. Sirin Cakir has been selected to receive the Howard Bremer Scholarship from AUTM, the professional trade organization of technology transfer professionals. Launched in 2002, this prestigious scholarship honors emerging professionals in the field of technology transfer who demonstrate exceptional promise, a commitment to professional growth, and a dedication to advancing innovation. The award recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of Howard Bremer, a driving force behind the Bayh-Dole Act and a pioneer in university technology transfer whose legacy continues to inspire collaboration between research, industry and society. As part of the scholarship, Sirin will receive registration and travel reimbursement to attend the 2026 AUTM annual meeting in Seattle, Washington, where she will be recognized during the plenary session. In addition, she will gain access to specialized training opportunities and connect with leaders shaping the future of university innovation worldwide. This achievement highlights ECU’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of innovation leaders.

Undergraduate Research Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) award applications for Spring 2026 will open on Dec. 15. URCA awards can provide funding up to $2,000 to support faculty-mentored research and creative projects in the areas of biomedical sciences, social sciences, STEM, and arts and humanities. The spring deadline to apply is Jan. 16, 2026. Learn more and view the current and past URCA awardees and their mentors at the URCA website. The Office of Undergraduate Research and REDE recognize the invaluable mentorship and teaching given to students by their faculty mentors. The ECU Brinkley-Lane Scholars will present the results of their community-engaged research collaborations with our 2025-2026 Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy (EOSA) faculty on Friday, Dec. 5 from 1 - 4 p.m. in Willis Auditorium. These presentations will showcase research projects developed and executed by our EOSA faculty with their community partners, graduate students and the Brinkley-Lane Scholars. The Office of Continuing & Professional Education This upcoming semester, the Lifelong Learning Program will partner with nine faculty members and five university departments to bring enriching programming to its members and the community. Recent Programing Parker Murphy and Lauren Kerlin from the Coastal Studies Institute came to the Willis Building to present “Fantastic Flies,” a lecture and program on backyard ornithology. Participants learned about identification methods and created a bird feeder to help attract birds to their backyards. Mark Webster with ECU ITCS presented “Avoiding Cyber Scams” to the Lifelong Learning Program. Participants learned techniques to identify and avoid phishing and fraudulent attacks. Lifelong Learners got in tune with Rebekah Spann from the ECU School of Music’s Music Therapy program for “Harmonizing Health.” Participants learned practical ways to incorporate music into their daily routines and explored the many benefits of music for a healthier, more balanced life. The Lifelong Learning Program will wrap up the year with its annual Holiday Dinner and Concert. Members will have dinner in the Green Room at the Croatan and will then travel to Oakmont Baptist Church for the Greenville Choral Society’s Holiday Performance. ECU Economic Development Academy The ECU Economic Development Academy serves seasoned economic developers and those new to the field by providing, relevant and affordable continuing education opportunities as well as an accessible credentialing program. The Academy is composed of the North Carolina Certified Economic Developer Program and the Honors Seminar in Economic Development. Legal Framework for Economic Developers in North Carolina – Dec. 10: Register for Course The GlasStation Glassblowing Experiences In collaboration with the ECU GlasStation and the ECU SOAD, the CPE office is offering a range of glassblowing experiences for the public to make their own glass creation. Ranging from floppy bowls to garden balls, get a chance to work hand in hand with one of the instructors as they guide you in making your creation. Materials Symposium ECU SOAD Continuing and Professional Education teams up annually with the School of Art and Design to host the Materials Topics Symposium. Students host this event that brings in artists and metalsmiths from across the United States. Interwoven: Material Topics Symposium – Jan. 16-18 Interwoven explores the intricate connection that binds us materially, conceptually and communally. In metalsmithing, we interweave techniques, traditions and materials. Intricate patterns revealed through piercing, fine wires coiled into filigree, links forged into chains, disparate elements soldered into cohesive forms. These physical acts of joining mirror the invisible threads that link us as artists — through mentorship, collaboration, shared histories and collective growth. 21st Century Leadership Program The 21st Century Leadership micro-credentialing program is a seven-course series focused on developing critical capabilities needed to grow an individual's impact as a leader. It is designed to equip current and aspiring leaders with the understanding, skills and tools to lead strategically. They will learn to build a team or organization that is goal-focused and vision-driven while creating an environment for people to thrive, grow and contribute. For more information or to sign visit the 21st Century Leadership Program website. Career and Technical Education The Career and Technical Education administrator has the responsibility of implementing a high quality CTE program that prepares all students to be college and career ready. To succeed, the program administrator must provide effective leadership in the areas of accountability; fiscal management and compliance; curriculum and instruction; community involvement and partnerships; and human resources. Understanding the internal and external influences of each aspect allows the CTE administrator the ability to develop and implement a comprehensive CTE vision and strategic plan that prepares all students for post-secondary education and career success. This course will look specifically at each aspect and how they relate to the local CTE program. Microcredentials Through ECU ECU’s Office of Continuing & Professional Education is seeking proposals from faculty and staff for microcredentials at ECU.

FACULTY SENATE

2025 - 2026 Faculty Senate meeting dates are as follows:

• December 2, 2025
• January 27, 2026
• February 24, 2026
• March 31, 2026
• April 21, 2026
• April 28, 2026 (2026/2027 Organizational Meeting)

For more about ECU Faculty Senate, click HERE.

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COLLEGE UPDATES

ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

Lucy Hess, an Occupational Therapy master’s student, and Skylar Moody, CSDI Speech-Language Pathology master’s student, were recognized at the Office of Global Affairs International awards ceremony. They received significant awards from the Thomas W. Rivers Foreign Exchange scholarship to aid in funding their participation on the 2026 spring break collaborative service-learning trip to Dominica. Students from OT and CSDI will travel with faculty to Dominica to provide therapy services and training facilitated by Therapy Abroad. Hannah Harris, CSDI Speech-Language Pathology master’s student, also received a photo contest award for the “Servire” category. She submitted a photo from her 2025 Dominica trip of the team presenting school supplies to teachers and students at Castle Bruce Primary School. We are so proud of these students for choosing to engage in global education.

Dr. Jessica Glauber, a 2024 graduate of our Physical Therapy program and a clinician with BYoung Physical Therapy in Raleigh, was on campus earlier this month to speak with PT students about the unique injuries that affect dancers and strategies to help those injured athletes to get back on their feet again.

Kelsey Arnold, Courtney Frycz and Anna Horne joined Dr. Lauren Turbeville at the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association state conference in Charlotte to present on their research project – Integrating Standardized Assessment and Intervention: Clinical insights from the Power Over Parkinson’s Program and the use of the Performance Assessment of Self-care Skills (PASS). And while they were there, Dr. Turbeville just happened to win the NCOTA Award for Outstanding Practice in Education.

Communication Sciences and Disorders students in our Language Development course visited the Nancy Darden Child Development Center to bring classroom concepts to life. They rotated through four classrooms, observing children from infancy to age five. With observation forms in hand, students made thoughtful comparisons across age groups—connecting theory with practice in a meaningful way. The day was filled with learning, laughter and lots of fun—for both students and children alike.

ARTS & SCIENCES

Maritime archaeologist selected for national lecture series

Dr. Jennifer McKinnon, professor in the Department of History and Program in Maritime Studies, has been selected as an Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) Lecturer for 2025-26. The mission of the institute is to promote archaeological inquiry and public understanding of the material record of the human past to foster an appreciation of diverse cultures and our shared humanity. They support archaeologists, their research and the dissemination and ethical practice of archaeology. The AIA educates people of all ages about the significance of archaeological discovery and advocates for the preservation of the world’s archaeological heritage. McKinnon will give her invited lecture on, “Underwater Archaeology of a WWII Pacific Battlefield: The Battle for Saipan,” in Cleveland, Ohio, in April. Discover more about McKinnon, her upcoming discussion and the AIA. ECU’s GRPI awarded $1.65 million to continue research

East Carolina University’s Gambling Research Policy Initiative (GRPI) has received an extension of a half-million-dollar grant that ended in August of this year. The new $1.65 million funding from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will support GRPI’s next three years of research into gambling behaviors and risks. GRPI’s mission is to increase public awareness of gambling behaviors, risks and harms by studying a broad range of populations and groups. Read the full ECU News article. Anthropology student internship turns into full-time job, ongoing collaboration with ECU

Haley Dixon, anthropology graduate student and undergraduate alumnus (’24 BA), is a perfect example of how Harriot College provides students with the skills necessary for their careers and builds partnerships beyond ECU. Last summer, the Department of Anthropology aligned with SWCA Environmental Consultants, who hire archaeologists and scientists from across the country — including several ECU anthropology alumni — to provide a summer internship for Dixon. The internship was organized through Senior Cultural Resources Team Lead and Principal Archaeologist Matthew Jorgenson, who is also an ECU anthropology alumnus ('01 MA). Dixon received outstanding field experience and cultural resource management (CRM) training, working across the region to assist with a broad array of projects. She came away with skills, encouragement, a positive experience — and a job! When she graduates this December, Dixon will begin full-time CRM archaeology work with SWCA. Dixon’s experience will benefit future students majoring in the Department of Anthropology as well. In fact, she represented the department so well that SWCA and anthropology are ensuring ongoing internship experiences for one or two ECU anthropology students each summer. Further, SWCA will assist with CRM guest lectures and provide consultation to the department as they continue to align the curriculum with industry needs. “There is tremendous growth in CRM archaeology right now, and we're hopeful that this might be the first of many such arrangements as we seek to continue as a regional leader in training CRM archaeologists,” said Dr. Chad Morris, chair of the department. Criminal Justice and Criminology recognizes Pitt Community College for long-time partnership

The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology recently recognized Pitt Community College with an award for its partnership with ECU, which provides internship opportunities for ECU undergraduates completing their final semester. The internships with PCC allow ECU students to earn a bachelor’s degree and Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certification. Read more in this Daily Reflector article. Harriot College students receive ECU Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity awards

ECU’s fall 2025 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Awards (URCA) were announced recently. The awards support faculty-mentored research or creative projects undertaken by undergraduate students who serve as a PI or Co-PI. The financial support includes funds for student salaries, supplies and travel. This year, Jaida Hernandez Dones (right), who is majoring in physics and mathematics, and Greta Bublitz (left), who is majoring in chemistry and German — both of whom are mentored by Dr. Juan Beltran-Huarac, associate professor in the Department of Physics — are just two of the 21 students from six departments in Harriot College who won URCA awards.

BRODY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

This month, the medical school highlights transitions and successes that reflect our mission to serve eastern North Carolina and the nation. We are committed to leadership in education, and forever and always, service to our region and state. A New Chapter for a Proven Leader: Dr. Jason Higginson Retires from Navy Service

Leadership forged in the most demanding environments is now focused on shaping the future of medical education in eastern North Carolina. Dr. Jason Higginson, executive dean of the Brody School of Medicine, retired as U.S. Navy captain on Dec. 1 after 26 years of service — a career he will always remember for its purpose and service, not his rank. From delivering care in remote villages to commanding medical operations at Guantánamo Bay during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Higginson’s Navy tenure spanned extremes. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal, but his greatest takeaway was leadership. “They teach you how to manage people, eliminate bias, and implement processes that are consistent and coherent,” he says. “I would not be executive dean without that formation.” Raised on a ranch in northern Los Angeles County, Higginson discovered pediatric medicine while working in a shelter for homeless teens. After earning his medical degree from UCLA and completing residency at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital-Oakland, he joined the Navy inspired by his sister’s service as a helicopter pilot. Humanitarian missions aboard hospital ships and senior roles in operational medicine followed. Higginson came to ECU in 2012, drawn by Brody’s mission to serve eastern North Carolina. Today, as chief health officer for ECU Health and a practicing neonatologist, he is focused on leading Brody through a transformative era fueled by historic state investment. “One physician can make a difference,” he says — and so can one leader. Brody Bonds – Family Traditions of Love and Medicine Begin Here

When Mark Hess and Suzanne Powell arrived at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine in the mid-1980s, they expected rigorous coursework and long hours — not a lifelong partnership. They met in line at Ragsdale Hall while searching for housing and soon discovered a shared circle of friends, intramural volleyball games and oyster roasts along the Tar River. “Medical school is so intense,” Mark recalls. “You’re working long hours with these people. Friendships can grow into partnerships.” For the Hesses, that partnership became marriage on Easter weekend in 1984. Four decades later, history repeated itself. Their son, Justin Hess, walked through Brody’s doors on Day 1 of orientation and met Aubrey Allen — his future wife. “It floored us,” Suzanne said, laughing about the barbecue dinner when Justin announced they were officially dating. Last month, ahead of alumni weekend, ECU News Services highlighted the Hesses along with two other couples who met on Day 1 of orientation, Brandon and Olivia Money Mills, who married more than a decade ago and now have three children. Another couple, Jake Richardson and Alissa Davis, plan to marry this summer before entering residency together. Like his parents, Justin found that shared challenges and countless hours of study forged deep bonds. “If you can spend 16 hours studying with someone and still want to hang out, that creates such a connection,” he said. Justin and Aubrey married in Greenville in 2018 so their classmates could attend, then matched together for residency at the Medical College of Georgia. Today, Justin is an ophthalmologist in Winston-Salem, and Aubrey is a dermatologist practicing alongside Suzanne at Davie Dermatology — a testament to Brody’s enduring sense of family. Scholarships Surpass $1 Million, Light the Way for Brody Students

Scholarships do more than ease financial burdens — they open doors to service and possibility. This year, the ECU Health Foundation awarded 109 scholarships totaling more than $1 million, a milestone celebrated at the annual scholarship luncheon earlier this month. The event’s keynote speaker, Dr. Mary Raab, reflected on her own journey as a young student whose dreams were made possible by a donor’s generosity. Raab and her late husband, Dr. Spencer Raab, helped launch Brody’s oncology division and establish the Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center, shaping care for thousands across eastern North Carolina. “It was because of a generous donor that I was given an opportunity that changed my life,” Raab told attendees. Among the students honored was Alexis Moore, a fourth-year medical student and recipient of the Dr. Mary Kathy Lawrence and Dr. Art Klose Scholarship. A former high school science teacher, Moore said her award represents “time that we can dedicate to fully learning, to fully caring, and to growing into compassionate, capable physicians.” Scholarships remain central to the medical school’s mission of training doctors for North Carolina, especially in underserved communities. That mission is expanding with a $265 million state investment in a new Center for Medical Education, set to open in 2027, and a recent $1 million pledge from the Golden LEAF Foundation to equip advanced learning spaces. “Healthy rural communities need access to excellent physicians, and no one does that better than ECU,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, dean of the school and CEO of ECU Health. Servire 2X — Brody Scholars are doubly responsible for giving back

Earlier this fall, second-year student and Brody Scholar Hailey Lewis led a high school student visit to the medical school that included a stop at EastCare, the air ambulance service, the Interprofessional Clinical Simulation Center, and labs and classrooms. The visitors came from a Wilmington-based nonprofit called Camp Schreiber that gives disadvantaged students who demonstrate, as Lewis put it, “superior need and ambition,” experiences and community they might not have otherwise. “This is a special day for me because this is a volunteer effort I participated in as a high school student,” she said. The Brody Scholars Program provides full tuition and fees and most living expenses for four years of medical school. It requires scholars to perform and report on acts of outreach and service. The day began at about 8:30 a.m. and wrapped after lunch was provided and closing remarks were made. In the simulation lab, students were given demonstrations with basic diagnostic equipment such as pulse oximeters, Stop the Bleed instruction and practice with a laparoscopic surgery simulator. “I’m super excited to see all the things that may come out of today,” Lewis said. “Everything I’ve seen so far is something new,” said Ma’lay Bunting, a sophomore at John T. Hoggard High School in Wilmington. “I’ve never been here, never seen anything from here, but it’s really good to learn.” “I’m grateful to the Brody family for supporting me in this project,” Lewis said. Recognitions

Two people affiliated with the medical school — one student and one staff member — took home awards at the university’s third Three-Minute Thesis competition. Elody Bensch is a doctoral candidate in Dr. Morgan Milton’s lab and the grand champion of the competition. As such, she’ll compete at the regionals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her presentation was titled “Biofilms: A Sticky Situation.” Meanwhile, the People’s Choice award went to Daniel Stevens in the Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development.

Jon Sweetin, a curriculum management administrator in the Office of Medical Education, traveled to Mexico City to compete at the North, Central American and Caribbean Masters Track & Field Championship where he snagged two gold and two bronze metals. He threw hammer, discus, weight and shot put. At 50, it was his first gold medal in international competition. A coach at several levels, he said both his athletes and his own children are interested in improving as track and field athletes, and so, despite not having competed in decades, three years ago, he began again. “Lead by example,” he says.

Dr. Jennifer Stahl, associate division chief for pulmonary and critical care medicine and the Dr. Robert and Jon Shaw Distinguished Professor, is the school’s latest Mission Champion. “Our mission as Brody physicians is to deliver expert health care to eastern North Carolina while simultaneously teaching the future physicians of our community. We’re all mission champions here at Brody,” she said.

BUSINESS

STUDENT SUCCESS Students practice networking for their futures Sometimes, all you need for an opportunity is to know someone. Faculty and staff in ECU’s College of Business know about the importance of networking and have developed a semi-annual program to help students get to know area business leaders and companies. Https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/11/12/partnership-highlights-emerging-international-opportunities-3/ Students recognized for outstanding academic achievement

Earning a degree from ECU’s College of Business is an accomplishment. But earning that degree while being considered one of the top of your class is another thing. Those high-achieving COB undergraduate and graduate students were honored with induction into the Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) Honor Society on Nov. 12. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/11/17/students-recognized-for-outstanding-academic-achievement/ Entrepreneurship students inducted into nationally ranked school

Forty-seven ECU students have been inducted into the Miller School of Entrepreneurship. The induction ceremony came only two days after the Princeton Review ranked the Miller School of Entrepreneurship as the 29th best entrepreneurship undergraduate school in the nation. The Miller School is the only such ranked entrepreneurship school in North Carolina. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/11/18/entrepreneurship-students-inducted-into-nationally-ranked-school/ Collegiate DECA chapter hosts inaugural pitch competition The spirit of competition filled the Main Campus Student Center ballrooms on Nov. 10 as East Carolina University’s Collegiate DECA chapter hosted its first Can You Beat a Business Major? pitch competition featuring a $1,000 winner’s prize in each of four categories. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/11/14/collegiate-deca-chapter-hosts-inaugural-pitch-competition/ Partnership highlights emerging international opportunities

ECU’s COB is developing a study abroad program with Universidad ESAN’s Graduate School of Business in Lima, Peru. As part of this partnership – including faculty exchange opportunities – visiting faculty member Merzthal spent several days at ECU. He gave a presentation to dozens of ECU students, faculty and staff on “Resilient Peru: From Ancient Civilizations to Global Competitiveness.” He highlighted the country’s vast natural resources and agribusiness. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/11/11/partnership-highlights-emerging-international-opportunities/ AIS students explore potential internships, careers

A world leader in data and artificial intelligence hosted more than a dozen College of Business students late last month. East Carolina University Association for Information Systems (AIS) students visited SAS headquarters in Cary. The students took part in SAS’s Discovery Day, meeting with employees, learning about internship opportunities and participating in one-on-one resume reviews with SAS recruiters. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/11/12/partnership-highlights-emerging-international-opportunities-2/ Leadership conference builds business leaders

Nearly 1,100 East Carolina University College of Business students had the opportunity to learn from business leaders and share their own acquired skills during the 10th annual Business Leadership Conference on Oct. 23 in the Main Campus Student Center. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/10/30/leadership-conference-builds-business-leaders/ Blueprint to Success: Leaders Inspire Students to Be Authentic The Isley Innovation Hub was packed Wednesday night as students, faculty and staff filled the space for the Blueprint to Success Panel, hosted by East Carolina University’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO) Club. Panelists Richard Twilley ’89, Lynn Lane, and Dave Fussell ’90 shared their personal journeys, lessons learned and honest advice about finding success by being authentically yourself. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/10/28/blueprint-to-success-leaders-inspire-students-to-be-authentic/ RMI students gain industry insights at IIANC Young Agents Conference

Six students from ECU’s Risk Management and Insurance program — Jennifer Ayala-Lopez, Darian Chamblee, Kenna Early, Bashira Morfoh, Gabby Pinon, and Josiah Stuckey — joined RMI professor Dr. David Pooser at the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina’s Young Agents Development Conference, held Oct. 23–24 in Charlotte. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/10/30/rmi-students-gain-industry-insights-at-iianc-young-agents-conference/ Students attend Council for Supply Chain Management Professionals international conference

Dr. John Kros, the Vincent K. McMahon Distinguished Professor in the College of Business’ Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, recently attended EDGE, a supply chain conference and exhibition, along with students Avery Steffensen and Winston Smith. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/10/20/students-attend-council-for-supply-chain-management-professionals-international-conference/ RMI students polish professional skills at fall etiquette dinner sponsored by AmWins The Fall 2025 Risk Management and Insurance Etiquette Dinner, held at Julep Contemporary Kitchen inside the Greenville Hilton, was a tremendous success. Sponsored by AmWins, the evening offered Gamma Iota Sigma members an elegant opportunity to refine their professional presence and dining etiquette. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/10/20/rmi-students-polish-professional-skills-at-fall-etiquette-dinner-sponsored-by-amwins/ Student: Whitley McCoy

From creating mentorship opportunities for East Carolina University honors students to leading the Business Scholars Program, Whitley McCoy has made her mark as a dedicated leader within ECU’s Honors College and College of Business. https://news.ecu.edu/2025/11/04/student-whitley-mccoy/ Captain of the Ship is from the COB

Roz Burgess was named ECU’s 2025 Captain of the Ship during Homecoming, an honor recognizing exceptional leadership, spirit, and service to the Pirate community. As Roz would say, “You’re never too young to leave a legacy.” We are so proud of you, Roz Burgess!! ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Father and son Pirates share homecoming tradition

Burney and Eric Rivenbark carry individual stories of how they arrived at East Carolina University, but they are both Pirates, inextricably bonded by their great affection for their alma mater. The father and son alumni share a new, unique status as co-grand marshals of this year’s homecoming parade. https://news.ecu.edu/2025/11/12/father-and-son-pirates-share-homecoming-tradition/ REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION Non-finance professionals add finance knowledge to their toolbox Sometimes the job you have isn’t what you were trained for. In those instances, learning on the job doesn’t always help you thrive. So, for those without a financial background, the ECU College of Business’s Office of Expert Services (OES) helped them add some new financial/accounting knowledge to their skillset. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/11/18/non-finance-professionals-add-finance-knowledge-to-their-toolbox/ Crisp and G.R.I.T: Serving Overlooked Small Businesses As you know, Pirates have grit, and now business owners and entrepreneurs in eastern North Carolina have G.R.I.T. too! The Grow, Repay, Invest, Transform (G.R.I.T.) Fund is a new nonprofit microloan program positioned to assist small business owners who historically have faced compounded issues of accessing capital. The Crisp Center will work with the G.R.I.T. Fund to provide technical assistance to borrowers. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/11/05/crisp-and-g-r-i-t-serving-overlooked-small-businesses/ Twilley Academy of Sales Announces Strategic Partnership with Celonis The Twilley Academy of Sales at East Carolina University (ECU) is excited to welcome Celonis, the global leader in process mining and process intelligence as its newest strategic partner. This collaboration underscores ECU’s commitment to advancing sales education through innovative industry partnerships that expose students to cutting-edge technology and real-world applications. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/10/20/east-carolina-universitys-twilley-academy-of-sales-announces-strategic-partnership-with-celonis/ FACULTY AND STAFF Taillon’s research makes mark in classroom and with consumers

With artificial intelligence (AI) set to play an increasingly significant role in our world, Dr. Brian Taillon wants his students not only to be familiar with the technology but also to use it to their advantage. Taillon is doing this by researching the use of AI pedagogy in his Arthur Graduate School classes. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/10/30/taillons-research-makes-mark-in-classroom-and-with-consumers/ ECU designer receives national honor

Attention to detail with a little flair has the COB designer in the national spotlight. COB Visual Arts Specialist Emily Leach received the University & College Designers Association (UCDA) Design Award of Excellence in Pasadena, California, at the 55th annual UCDA Design Awards. https://business.ecu.edu/news/2025/11/13/partnership-highlights-emerging-international-opportunities-4/

DENTAL MEDICINE

Students, residents, faculty and staff provided care for 30 veterans during the second ECU Smiles for Veterans event held in Ross Hall, on Veterans Day. The event, held in the school’s first-floor Service Learning Center, joined past or scheduled events across the state at the community service learning centers, serving veterans from in and around those communities. The program is one of the school’s original initiatives for caring for special populations.

During the ECU Smiles for Veterans event on campus on Veterans Day, Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, secretary of the N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, visited Ross Hall today to see our students, residents, faculty and staff in action. During her visit, she talked with current students about their educational journeys and discussed opportunities for connecting more of our state's veterans with access to oral health care.

The school’s annual Family Day event was held in Ross Hall on Nov. 1. More than 100 parents, family members and friends joined their students to tour Ross Hall, learn about dental school, participate in a Dental CSI activity and even try their hand at some procedures in the simulation lab. The event, sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs, was also made possible in part through a generous gift in memory of Claudia Mae Lynne Mattocks.

Dental faculty member Dr. Sukyung Moon will present, “Oral Care for the Elderly” tomorrow, sponsored by ECU’s Office of Healthy Aging. Moon is special care dentistry faculty and a clinical assistant professor. To RSVP, visit https://bit.ly/3JMD7QE.

Members of the school community attended the Old North State Dental Society 2025 Fall Meeting in November in Charlotte. Some of our team also participated in “Blueprint to the White Coat,” a pre-dental program that equipped prospective dental students with resources and mentorship as they begin their dental school journeys.

EDUCATION

Two teams of faculty members have been named as College of Education Rural Education Institute Fellows, a program that will support development of initiatives and proposals for extramural funding leveraging COE faculty assets to benefit students, families, schools and communities in the region. Dr. Xi Lin, adult education associate professor, and Dr. Steve Schmidt, adult education professor, are working on the development and implementation of a program designed to help address unemployment and underemployment issues faced by parents and children in rural school districts in eastern North Carolina. Dr. Rebecca Clark-Stallkamp, instructional technology assistant professor, and Dr. Kristin Burnette, special education assistant professor, will examine how accessibility is currently implemented and supported in rural K-12 schools across eastern North Carolina.

The Center for STEM Education held supper clubs for local educators that provides high-quality professional development and community-building. The 21 selected teachers and community STEM leaders will meet monthly from September to April. One of the recent supper clubs allowed educators to explore STEM kits and tools that can be used in classrooms.

Nine College of Education faculty were recognized at the university’s Faculty Author Recognition Awards ceremony. They are Dr. Christy Howard, Dr. Anne Ticknor, Dr. Vanessa Irvin, Dr. Carrie Lee, Dr. Matt Militello, Dr. Martin Reardon, Dr. Kathy Spencer, Dr. Lynda Tredway and Dr. Guili Zhang.

The ECU New Teacher Support Program coaches hosted a regional conference bringing together nearly 80 beginning teachers for a full day of professional development. Teachers traveled from Pitt, Tyrrell, Martin, Hyde, Craven and Beaufort counties to participate, creating a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Smith receives ASEM honors Dr. Raymond L. Smith III, associate professor in the Department of Engineering, received a pair of honors during the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) International Annual Conference in Boise, Idaho. Smith was named an ASEM fellow, one of the highest honors conferred by the society. He also received the Merritt Williamson Award for best international annual conference paper. Read more HERE.

Design Dive connects students, industry Dozens of design students hoping to sketch out their futures connected with industry professionals during Design Dive at the Main Campus Student Center. The Architectural Technology Club, a student organization in the College of Engineering and Technology, put on the event for the first time with a goal of bringing the next generation of creative thinkers, makers and visionaries together with industry representatives. Read more HERE.

Tech Transfer Day highlights opportunities More than 170 representatives from 33 community colleges across the state came to the Main Campus Student Center for Technology Systems Transfer Day, an event that highlighted ECU’s technology programs that cater to community college students and adult learners. Read more HERE.

Event celebrates partnership, students

A signing day ceremony celebrated a decades-long partnership between ECU’s Department of Construction Management and Barnhill Contracting Company, while also highlighting four students who are taking their skills to work in various roles with the company. Read more HERE.

Robotics team wins national competition

ECU’s robotics team in the College of Engineering and Technology won the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering national student robot competition in Memphis, Tennessee. The team of technology systems, engineering and computer science students finished second in 2023 and 2024, and has placed no worse than third since their last victory in 2019.

FINE ARTS & COMMUNICATION

Communication hosts high schoolers

The School of Communication (SOC) hosted its Eastern North Carolina High School Media Workshop with the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association on Oct. 27. This was the 16th year of the event, a great way to introduce high school students to ECU. The SOC hosted 12 schools from as far away as Onslow County, with 163 participants. We welcomed Brian Bailey, sports director for WNCT 9 On Your Side, who gave a fun and educational opening keynote address. He shared history of WNCT and the equipment he used at the beginning of his now 40-year career, plus the modern technology he uses today. He recommended that students “learn everything you can possibly learn” and take as much English as they can. For the rest of the morning and early afternoon, students chose from 12 different workshops over three sessions, covering topics for yearbook students, story ideas, illustrations, podcasting, photography, and more. Leading the sessions were Bailey, ECU SOC faculty, and communication instructors from other schools. We caught up with students Marlee and Deidra from Kinston High School afterward, who said they really enjoyed the session “Ask Better, Write Better” for yearbook students, presented by Elizabeth Luna from Wake Tech. Check out the highlight reel on the SOC Instagram account for more from these students and some of the day’s sessions.

Art and Design celebrates student artists The fall semester brings joy and art as we celebrate award winners from the annual School of Art and Design (SOAD) Juried Undergraduate Exhibition and Graduate Student Exhibition. Undergraduate art was on display in Gray Gallery (Jenkins Fine Arts Center) during October, and the graduate art remains on display in Faulkner Gallery (Joyner Library) through Dec. 19.

We congratulate the following undergraduate art students:

• Best in Show: Jay Cain, “Baby Steps”
• Second Place: Cameran Lynch, “Strutting Down the Spiral: Remembering the Paddock Club”
• Third Place: Noah Eubaks, “Guillo-Ring”
• Friends of SOAD: Sydney Spellman, “Freedom Hill: Through their Eyes” and Clay, “Teeth Box Container”
• Nell Cole Graves Ceramic Award: Lily Langdon, “Tommy”

Merit Awards:

• Tyshawn Jones, “Stankonia”;
• Danielle Swart, “Reflection No 1”;
• Sariah Caldwell, “Strong Heart”;
• Skylar Malmud, “Midnight Flight”;
• Phoebe Gupton, “Unphinished”;
• Arthur Freeland, “Complexity/overwhelm”;
• Hannah Thomas, “Button Nook”;
• Caitlin Swearengen, “Basil the Fairy”;
• Kayla Cordy, “Glass Hallway.”

We congratulate the following graduate students:

• Friends of Joyner Library Purchase Award: Paul Edwards, “Chaos #2”
• College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean’s Merit Award: Stacy Bolkovac, “Heart Strings #3”
• School of Art and Design Director’s Award: Tansy Obryant, “Process 1”
• School of Art and Design Award: Heather Fraccalvieri, “The Man Nodding Yes, Yes”

We also thank our art jurors! Artist, sculptor, muralist, and illustrator Dare Coulter juried the undergraduate exhibition and gave an inspiring artist talk. Artist, marketing and communications director at the Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft Elizabeth Steiner juried the graduate exhibition. Congratulations to all students who exhibited art this semester!

Faculty scholarship benefits music students

School of Music (SOM) undergraduate and graduate students alike are experiencing big benefits thanks to the Beatrice A. Chauncey Endowed Scholars Program. The SOM was able to start giving scholarships from the program during the 2024-25 academic year, doubling the school’s ability to give student scholarships. “Bea” Chauncey served the SOM as a teacher and mentor for decades, and in 2011 committed a $500,000 gift to the school. She died in 2017 and officials discovered her gift was far greater, totaling $5.2 million. Significant is that the Chauncey scholarships are available to any SOM student, no matter their concentration, and that they are available to both undergraduates and graduates. Fewer awards typically benefit graduate students, and both the numbers and anecdotes show Chauncey’s generosity already is boosting Master of Music enrollment, increasing from 33 in fall 2023, to 39 in fall 2024, to 46 in fall 2025. Read more in this ECU News story about the Chauncey award and its benefits, and hear from recipients Alejandro Oliveros, a second-year master’s student in choral conducting, and Cadence Shevy, a sophomore violin performance major.

GRADUATE SCHOOL

The Graduate School recently held its 12th annual Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on November 3, 2025, giving 44 graduate students the challenge to present their research in just three minutes using a single static slide.

• Grand Champion: Elody Bensch (PhD student in the Biomedical Sciences), for her presentation titled “Biofilms: A Sticky Situation,” which explored how bacteria form resilient biofilms that resist antibiotics
• First Runner-Up: Maeve Schumacher (PhD student in Health Psychology program)
• People’s Choice Winner: Daniel Stevens (EdD student in the Educational Leadership program)
• Team Award (“Department Cup”): Kinesiology department, with seven student presenters and strong mentorship from faculty in KINE.

Elody Bensch will now go on to represent ECU in a regional 3MT competition at the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

We are pleased to have a dedicated team of moderators and judges, each bringing valuable expertise and leadership to our event. Moderating the heats are Beth Byrd, holding a BS in Communication (2010) and an MA in Teacher Education (2011); Charlie Justice, with a BS in Industrial Technology and an MBA (1991), retired faculty and ECUAA Board member; and Greg Hedgepeth, who earned a BS in Economics (2008) and a Certificate in Web Development (2012), and serves as Director of Communications at NC State University. Serving as judges are Katrina Arnold, Doctor of Education (2017) and Director of Developmental Education at Pitt Community College; Regan Crowley from Wine & Design Greenville; Neil Dorsey, with a BS in History (1965) and a Masters of Education (1966), Emeritus Member of the ECUAA Board of Directors; Troy Dreyfus, BS in Communications (1994), Executive Director of Downtown Greenville Partnership; William James Dye, BS in Political Science (2004), ROTC Commander in the Air Force and ECUAA Board Member; Anthony Enoch, Bachelor’s in Social Work (1994) and Master in Public Administration (1998), Rehabilitation Case Manager and ECUAA Board Member; Brandie Fintchre, Finance degree (2000), ECU Foundation Board member and First Citizens Bank professional; Kia Hewett of Open House Baking; Eric Rivenbark, BS in Business (1997) and Master’s in Business Administration (1999), Senior Director of Major & Planned Gifts at Coastal Carolina University and Chair of the ECUAA Board; Catherine Jordan, BS in Communications (2008); Abigail Lind, MA in English (2013), of Abigail Grace Writing; Craig Marshall of Nothing Bundt Cakes; Amanda Miller, MA in Communication, of Mavis Consulting; Chris Tomasic, BS in History (1987) and Graduate Education degree (2014), ECUAA Board Member; and Sharon Justice, BS in Business Administration (1987) and Masters in Business Administration (1990), Founding Director of Justice Leadership. Their collective knowledge and commitment enrich our program and ensure a rigorous evaluation process.

Link to full article published by News Services: Student researchers tackle three-minute challenge, ECU News (Nov 7, 2025)

Beyond Graduate School & Beyond the Professoriate

Please inform your master’s and doctoral students and your faculty of our two new virtual career training platforms: Beyond Graduate School (BGS) and Beyond the Professoriate (BTP). With our new subscription, your students (Master’s students: BGS; Doc students BTP) will be able to enjoy educational sessions, information, and more! Please encourage students and graduate faculty to activate their FREE account in the appropriate portal. Our “Beyond” website has more information along with the links to join the portal. The Center for Graduate Career Success hosts these e-learning platforms and provides a wide variety of boot camps, workshops, and webinars to assist graduate students with career development. Links to their BGS and BTP educational offerings are also on our new Beyond website. Questions about student or faculty accounts can be directed to gradsuccess@ecu.edu.

Don’t miss these upcoming events:

• December 8 -11, 2025, 12:00 - 12:45pm Beyond the Professoriate webinar series, How to Decide Between an Academic and Nonacademic Career. Register HERE.
• December 10, 2025, 2:00 - 2:30pm Beyond Graduate School webinar, How to Use Your Master’s to Change Careers. Register HERE.

Graduate & Professional School Fair The Graduate School recently hosted its Graduate & Professional School Fair on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the lawn of the Main Campus Student Center. The event was free and open to a wide audience, not just ECU students and alumni, but anyone considering a graduate degree or professional certification. Representatives from 16 of ECU’s own graduate and professional programs were present to discuss admission requirements, application processes, and program details. In addition, recruiters from seven other universities also attended, giving prospective students a broader view of available grad-school opportunities. Dr. Debra Jackson, Dean of the ECU Graduate School, emphasized that the fair was “a perfect opportunity to gather information and make informed decisions about your future,” regardless of whether someone is interested in a master’s, doctoral, or professional program. The fair offered attendees a chance for meaningful face-to-face conversations with program representatives, helping them explore different educational pathways and better understand what steps they would need to take to pursue advanced studies.

North Carolina Council of Graduate Schools Annual Conference

Graduate School Staff and administrators attended the NCCGS Annual Conference on November 13–14, 2025, hosted by the Graduate School at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The theme for the conference was “Graduate Education in a Time of Transition.” The gathering began Thursday evening with a reception at the Weatherspoon Art Museum in Greensboro, and culminated on Friday, after a full day of sessions, combining opportunities for learning, discussion, and institutional collaboration. Attendees engaged in a broad and timely set of topics. The morning opened with a session titled “Turning First Impressions into Enrollments – Rethinking Inquiry Response in Graduate Education,” which examined how incoming graduate inquiries are handled and how that can impact recruitment and enrollment. Another early plenary titled “Building Belonging and Fostering Well-Being: A Holistic Approach to Graduate Student Support”, addressed graduate student wellness, exploring systemic strategies to support the “whole student” and improve outcomes. Throughout the day, participants could choose from parallel sessions exploring a variety of important themes. Notably, the conference tackled modern challenges, including how to harness new technologies. The experience provided fresh ideas around admissions and recruitment, student support and wellness, program evaluation, and the use of emerging tools, especially around online education and AI-assisted workflows. Having staff at this event also allowed us to engage with peers from across North Carolina’s higher ed community, build networks, learn what others are doing, and bring back actionable strategies for our own graduate programs.

HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE

Students in Dr. Ruby Yeh's class collaborated with the Nancy Darden Child Development Center to plan and implement STEAM Week activities. These human development and family science students in the birth–kindergarten teacher preparation program facilitated engaging learning experiences with 3- and 4-year-old children in the NDCDC.

The Department of Human Development and Family Science co-sponsored this year’s Collaborative Family Healthcare Association's conference in Raleigh, where CFHA student memberships were provided and several ECU medical family therapy students received scholarships. The Excellence in Research and Evaluation Poster Award went to: Betul Küçükardalı Cansever for Integrating Protective Experiences in ACEs Screening: An Adult PACEs Plan Intervention in Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Distance education students met in person for hands-on experience and to create their final sewing project under the direction of Dr. Alana Freeman, program coordinator for family and consumer science education. Practicing these career and technical education skills helped prepare students for professional paths, including as FACS teachers, in fashion design, textile manufacturing and entrepreneurship.

Dean Bromfield and the College of Health and Human Performance invite you to view the November issue of Impact in Motion, HHP’s digital newsletter.

Dr. Priti Desai was joined by ECU child life alumni and current students studying child life at the 2025 WakeMed Child Life Conference. Of the six sessions at the conference, the speakers for four of the sessions were ECU child life alumni.

Kelli Russell and Dr. Alice Richman mentored 11 Maternal and Child Health Scholars, Training, and Enrichment Program Scholars to participate in the American Public Health Association annual meeting in Washington, D.C., including partnering with Scholars from George Washington University for networking with a common goal of improving the lives of women, children and families. Leslie Sanchez, Richman and Drs. Lei Xu and Leslie Cofie also represented ECU’s Department of Health Education and Promotion and presented at the conference.

The Department of Kinesiology was victorious at the 12th annual ECU Three-Minute Thesis competition, earning the most points to win the 3MT Department Cup. KINE had seven presenters: Darius Lawton, Jarah Newton, Siri Pederson, Kaitlin LoVerme, Darius Ragland, Gillian Tiralla, Ace Blalock. Faculty mentors were Drs. Nick Broskey, Bhibha Das, Zachary Domire and Joe Stock.

The School of Social Work partnered with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction to host a reentry simulation for senior undergraduate students. These students got to experience the real-world challenges faced by individuals returning to society after incarceration. Following the simulation, a panel of social workers shared their experiences working in correctional settings, highlighting their critical roles in supporting justice-involved clients, addressing barriers to reentry and promoting successful reintegration through advocacy and community-based support.

Dr. Kayla Reed Fitzke and Kim Smith are ECU’s representatives on the OneOp inter-university cooperative agreement project. They helped OneOp earn several awards at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences conference for its 2024 Military Family Readiness Academy — the application was titled “Expanding Professional Readiness Through the Military Family Readiness Academy.” Fitzke said: “The behind-the-scenes work that goes into a successful multi-state, interdisciplinary collaboration — spanning nine different universities and multiple disciplines — that included working with our Department of Defense subject matter experts, may be what I’m most proud of regarding the 2024 MFRA. Together, we delivered high-quality, research-informed professional development that represents the full spectrum of Family and Consumer Sciences Extension.”

HONORS

The Honors College had 11 students present at the 2025 State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium.

Honors College student and ECU Health volunteer Mattox Piscorik received the North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award. This award honors the true spirit of volunteerism in individuals and groups who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer services.

Brinkley-Lane Scholar Roz Burgess won Captain of the Ship during ECU’s Homecoming celebration.

First-year students attended a leadership panel facilitated by Honors College Lead Mentor Whitley McCoy. Panelists were: Lynn Lane, Honors College Advancement Council chair; Lily Faulconer, Brinkley-Lane Scholar alumna, Honors College Advancement Council member and attorney at Ward and Smith; Dr. Todd Fraley, dean of the Honors College; Dr. LaNika Wright, associate vice chancellor for student well-being and dean of students; and Daniel Walker, Brinkley-Lane Scholar alumnus and ECU SGA president.

Twenty-eight Honors College students were recipients of Undergraduate Research & Creativity Awards for the fall 2025 semester.

Three Brinkley-Lane Scholars attended the annual USPAA conference in Omaha, Nebraska and led a discussion on the Brinkley-Lane Scholars Roundtable, our student leadership group, and the collaborative approach to scholar development that it holds.

INTEGRATED COASTAL PROGRAMS

Researchers and staff from the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) recently accompanied a team from the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) offshore to document a newly deployed National Science Foundation (NSF) Pioneer Array observing buoy. Using drones and autonomous underwater vehicles, the team captured photos and video footage of the buoy in action. This buoy is the first of its kind to incorporate a wave energy converter (WEC) as a partial power source. Integration of WEC technology on the buoy will provide power for vital ocean and atmospheric observations, which previously experienced a 30% power deficit from wind and solar. The project is a partnership between CSI researchers Drs. Mike Muglia (Coastal Studies) and Eric Wade (North Carolina State University), as well as Sandia National Labs, NREL, and NSF.

Dr. Qubin Qin, assistant professor in the Department of Coastal Studies and assistant scientist at the Coastal Studies Institute, recently co-authored a new paper published in Geoscientific Model Development titled “NAAC (v1.0): a seamless two-decade cross-scale simulation from the North American Atlantic Coast to tidal wetlands using the 3D unstructured-grid model SCHISM (v5.11.0)”. The paper provides one of the first fully validated, multi-decadal, truly cross-scale coastal ocean models that connects offshore dynamics to tributaries, tidal creeks, and wetlands within a single seamless 3-D SCHISM framework, a capability previously unattainable in coastal modeling.

Assistant Research Scientist Sean Charles (Co-PI), working with collaborators in DEEP and supported by the National Park Service, is part of a research effort examining how Shackleford Banks’s wild horses find and use freshwater in a rapidly changing coastal environment. By monitoring ponds, seeps, and horse-dug wells across the barrier island—and pairing those measurements with trail-camera observations—the team is uncovering how drought, storm surge, and saltwater intrusion influence where and how long these iconic horses can access drinkable water. Their findings are providing critical insight for future wildlife management and conservation as climate-driven hazards continue to reshape North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Read more HERE.

Integrated Coastal Sciences Ph.D. candidate Yicheng Xu successfully defended his dissertation, “Integrated Assessment of the Emerging Risks of High-Tide Flooding.” His work integrates GIS modeling, survey data, and qualitative analysis to understand the social and spatial dimensions of coastal flood risk and adaptation. The first chapter of Xu’s dissertation, “A Global Systematic Review of Socio-Economic Impact Assessments of High-Tide Flooding,” was recently published in Frontiers in Human Dynamics. This paper synthesizes global studies that quantify how high-tide flooding affects infrastructure, property, and communities, and highlights major research gaps and the need for standardized approaches to assessing everyday coastal flooding impacts.

JOYNER LIBRARY

The Open Education Network highlighted Jeanne Hoover, head of scholarly communication, with an instructor profile.

Kayla Hathaway led Joyner Library in hosting the annual first-floor takeover event, giving students and ECU faculty, staff and families the opportunity to participate in silent disco, pumpkin painting, video games, trivia and other games in the library.

Girl Scout Cadette Troop 786 visited for troop members to earn their bookbinding badge. They enjoyed making zines about the history of “Women & The Book,” and had the opportunity to bind their own pamphlets under guidance from conservator Larry Houston and his associate.

ECU was well represented in Winston-Salem at the 66th Biennial Conference of the North Carolina Library Association. Allison Kaefring presented “Campus Reads: A Digital Public Domain Book Club.” Charlotte Fitz-Daniels presented about the uniqueness of library art and managing the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery. Alston Cobourn and Jennifer Daugherty presented “Student assignments hiding in the Archives.” Daugherty and Kristen Daniel led a poster session about assessment in Special Collections instruction. Brandon Stilley and Angela Whitehurst presented “Reimagining Services: Charting a Bold Journey to Transform Research & Instructional Services for a R1 Future.” William Gee and Lacey Rogers presented “We Love You, but We’re Separating: Surviving a Department Reorg.” Gee and James Stroud presented “Write Like a Student: Using AI to Rewrite Library Notifications, Webpages, and FAQs.” And Patricia Dragon served as a moderator of a panel session.

Academic Library Services director Jan Lewis presented at the EDUCAUSE conference in Nashville as part of a panel on the topic, “Ctrl+Alt+Innovate: Transforming the Curriculum with AI.”

Joyner Library hosted the 18th annual School of Art and Design Graduate Student Art Exhibition reception in the Faulkner Gallery. The following awards were announced:

• Friends of Joyner Library Purchase Award: Chaos #2, by Paul Edwards. Cotton weaving;
• SOAD Award: The Man Nodding Yes, Yes, by Heather Fraccalvieri. Oil on canvas;
• SOAD Director’s Award: Process 1, by Tansy O’Bryant. Ceramic;
• College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean’s Merit Award: Heart Strings, by Stacy Rodgers. Oxidized Copper.

John Dunning and Patrick Cash led three community presentations for Carteret County public libraries. They are curators of the exhibit, “In Their Footsteps: Exploring World War II Through Archival Records.” Joyner Library hosted the 15th annual ECU Main Campus Faculty Author Book and Alternative Textbook Awards, honoring authors and editors who published a monograph between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

LAUPUS HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY

On Nov. 18, Megan Inman presented to the Medical Library Association’s Collection Development Caucus on “Navigating AI Integration in Health Sciences Libraries: Perspectives, Practices, and Evaluation Tools.”

The Laupus Library History Collections recently hosted Brody School of Medicine alumni as part of ECU Homecoming activities. Materials on display included yearbooks, composite photos, casual photos from while the alumni were in school, artifacts and rare books. For a special curated experience for faculty, students, or members of the community, reach out History Collections employees at hslhistmed@ecu.edu.

In October, the Country Doctor Museum hosted a mobile mammography event on site at our museum in Bailey, NC. Eighteen women were screened for breast cancer at the clinic. Thank you to our employees who were able to serve at this event.

The 19th Health Sciences Author Recognition Awards ceremony featured 100 authors honored for their work. In all, they produced two books, 15 book chapters and 248 journal articles. Authors represented the entire ECU Health Sciences Campus.

Soph Myers-Kelley and Kerry Sewell are part of a group of authors of the paper, “Body habitus considerations in US anatomical body donation programs—Perspectives and practices from program guidelines.” The paper was published by the American Association of Anatomy.

NURSING

During Homecoming weekend, the College of Nursing hosted its annual Homecoming Reception to honor our incredible Pirate Nurse, students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and friends, and to commemorate the Class of 1975 on their 50th anniversary. During the Homecoming reception, the Pirate Nurse Alumni Council, led by Chair Ashley Elks, presented the inaugural Pirate Nurse Decade Awards to three of our outstanding Pirate Nurses: Daniel Hill for Regional Impact, Ashley Jensen for Clinical Practice, and Minerva Romero for Nursing Leadership. Although Dr. Ashley Jensen, recipient of the Clinical Practice Award, was away celebrating her wedding, we made sure she still had her moment and recreated the event just for her.

Last week undergraduate Honors College students intending to apply to professional healthcare programs participated in a course taught this semester by Drs. Amy Gross McMillan and Denise Donica from the College of Allied Health Sciences. Students met on the Health Sciences Campus, to learn from representatives from various healthcare professions. Dr. Mitzi Pestaner gave an overview of the nursing profession and led a panel of College of Nursing faculty and students, to include Drs. Mary Jo Nimmo, Jennifer Perry and Taylor Richardson and students, Samantha Willard and Morgan Eisenzimmer, to discuss their roles and the opportunities available to nursing students after graduation.

The College of Nursing made a strong showing at the 48th Biennial Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Convention in Indianapolis. Our Beta Nu Chapter proudly received its 17th Sigma Key Award, recognizing excellence in leadership, operations, membership engagement and philanthropy. We’re tied for the most Key Awards globally, a true testament to our chapter’s legacy of excellence. Kudos to our outstanding faculty and students - Drs. Thompson H. Forbes III, Mitzi Pestaner, Alexis Spence, Mark Hand, and Caden McIntire - for their impressive podium and poster presentations, and congratulations to the BetaNu leadership and members on their achievements.

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