First Monday AN UPDATE FROM THE PROVOST | SEPTEMBER 2025

A Message from Provost Chris Buddo

It gives me a great deal of pleasure to welcome the campus to a new academic year. After something of a quiet summer, 5th Street has certainly come back to life. There is much to be proud of as we welcome our latest group of Pirates to campus: new students as well as new colleagues and friends. Our people are the heart of this institution, and it is always exciting to welcome everyone home.

This issue of First Monday highlights the great work in teaching, research, creative activity, and service that continued during the summer months. Whether it was faculty hosting an experience abroad, mentoring students on a research project, serving their profession, engaging in scholarly research, or teaching through the summer months, Pirate Nation continues our mission of student success, regional transformation, and service throughout the year.

Even as your great work continues to shape lives and transform our region, all of higher education faces significant headwinds. ECU is not immune. While this fall we are excited to welcome our largest incoming class in three years, demographics and continued skepticism around the value of a college degree make it clear that continued enrollment growth is not sustainable. When you add budget challenges at the state level and disruptions in federal funding sources, it seems clear that ECU, like many other institutions, stands at a crossroads.

I believe that ECU can weather this storm, but in order to do so, we must act quickly, decisively, and courageously. Last week, you heard about our plans for action. I want to reiterate that we all have a role to play in charting the course forward. That course will involve many difficult decisions, but we must take those decisions from an institutional, mission-driven perspective that includes all aspects of university operations.

Specifically in Academic Affairs, we will need to think carefully about our academic offerings: do they serve the needs of our students? Do they serve the needs of society? Do they demonstrate academic excellence, and do they propel our mission forward? These are the critical questions we will have to ask of every program.

As we prepare for leaner times, we must do everything we can to sustain our enrollment. We will not be able to recruit our way out of the demographic cliff, but we can mitigate its impact if we remember every interaction that every person on campus has with a student or a potential student (in the classroom, in the dining hall or dorm, or out on our beautiful grounds) is an opportunity to change a life. This is a superpower and my sincere ask is that you use it wisely!

Those of you who have been here as long as I have might say, “I have seen this before. Just sit tight and it will pass.” It is true that we have seen difficult times in the past. It is also true that this is different from the past. Without decisive action at every level of the university, this will not simply pass.

By facing our challenges head on, we are striving to position ECU for continued greatness into the next century. I hope you will join us.

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AI @ ECU

East Carolina University is proud to introduce the AI @ ECU website - a centralized resource designed to support faculty, students, staff, and researchers in navigating the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. This initiative aligns with ECU’s strategic commitment to innovation and responsible AI integration across disciplines. Discover curated resources for teaching, learning, research, and professional development, and contribute to a growing community of AI-literate scholars and professionals. Visit ai.ecu.edu to learn more and get involved.

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BY THE NUMBERS

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IPAR DATA BYTE

Did you know that since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of ECU students taking at a mix of face-to-face and online classes (a.k.a. “hybrid students”) has increased substantially? Between Fall 2019 (6,797) and Fall 2024 (11,811) the number of students taking both in-person and online classes increased 74%. Visit our Students dashboard to view more information about ECU’s enrolled students.

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AROUND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS SERVICES

Student Academic Success Services (SASS) hosted a two-day Academic Bootcamp for Success Learning Community students designed to help them acclimate to college life before classes begin.

Facilitated by Reva McCloud, SASS Associate Director for Learning Communities, the Academic Bootcamp offered Learning Community students an early introduction to essential college readiness tools. These included first-week strategies, effective note-taking, Canvas navigation, and a “College 101: What to Expect in a College Classroom” session. Students also gained valuable insights during a “Real Talk” discussion with PASC Peer Success Coaches and experienced a simulated college lecture led by Brittany Thompson, a Communications Instructor in the College of Fine Arts and Communication.

Beyond academics, students had the opportunity to explore campus buildings and classrooms before their first day, connect with peers, collaborate with mentors, and build community. This helped foster a sense of belonging and confidence as they transitioned into the semester. In addition, parents had the opportunity to engage with the SASS team following an early student move-in, extending the LC support network even further.

SASS Success Learning Communities is a year-long program designed to support first time freshman successfully transition to ECU. Find more information about the Success Learning Community program HERE.

During the week of August 20–26, the Pirate Academic Success Center (PASC) hosted an outreach table inside Dowdy Student Stores to connect and welcome new and returning students as they picked up their textbooks, school supplies, and Pirate gear.

PASC student staff shared valuable information about the free academic resources available to help Pirates succeed, such as tutoring, peer academic success coaching, study groups, and study skills coaching. Students walked away not only with textbooks in hand but also with knowledge about tools to support their academic journey at ECU.

PASC Turns 17!

Join PASC students and staff as we celebrate 17 years of service to the ECU student community! Campus partners and students are all welcome on Friday, September 12, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM at the PASC (Pirate Academic Success Center).

Help us celebrate with refreshments and a Resources Fair featuring:

• Joyner Library
• Laupus Library
• Pre-Professional Advising
• Financial Wellness Hub
• Connect for Success
• Learner360

Come enjoy the festivities and learn more about the resources that support student success!

ECU CONNECT continues to grow as a tool for enhancing student success and strengthening connections across campus. Several new features and initiatives have recently launched that expand the ways faculty, staff, and campus partners can support students:

• Campus Living Attendance Outreach: Campus Living continues its proactive work by visiting freshmen who receive attendance flags. This “door knocking” initiative ensures that students receive early, personal engagement and support to address challenges before they escalate.
• Student Well-Being Referrals: A new referral option allows faculty and staff to connect students directly to the Center for Student Success, which receives the alerts and connects students with the appropriate campus partners who specialize in supporting well-being needs. This ensures students receive timely assistance and care from the right offices and resources.
• Instructor Office Hour Referrals: ECU CONNECT now includes the ability to refer students back to their professor’s office hours, encouraging stronger academic engagement and reinforcing the critical role instructors play in student success.
• One-Way Texting: ECU CONNECT now offers one-way texting, providing another multimodal communication channel. This feature helps ensure students receive important updates and reminders in real time, supplementing email and in-platform messages.
• Updated Communication Templates: All communication templates sent to students and stakeholders through ECU CONNECT have been updated to improve clarity, consistency, and alignment.

Fall 2025 Semester Surveys

ECU CONNECT notifications can be submitted through themed semester surveys or manually at any time. Available flags include concerns related to course grade performance, attendance, or other academic issues. Faculty can also use the platform to refer students to a wide range of campus resources.

To learn more about ECU CONNECT and explore available resources, visit our website or contact Dylan Moore.

ACADEMIC ADVISING AND SUPPORT

Congratulations to Brandon Jones, Academic Advisor for the College of Allied Health Sciences, who completed the NAAHP (National Association of Advisors for Health Professions) Leads Program in June 2025. NAAHP Leads is a premier leadership development program for pre-health advisors. It aims to develop enlightened, progressive, adaptable, and competent leaders who ensure vitality, sustainability, and the relevance of the pre-health advising profession and leadership within NAAHP and regional organizations. Brandon completed the National & Regional Leadership Track which focuses on preparing future national and regional leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in their advising position, on their campus and in both the regional and national associations. Additionally, as part of the NACADA (National Academic Advising Association) Mentorship Program, Brandon was invited to present to advisors at The Ohio State University on creating a welcoming environment for students, "Welcome Without Words: Creating Connection through Space."

OFFICE OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS

The 18th Annual Global Partners in Education (GPE) Conference was held at Université de Tours in France this past May. GPE is an ECU led membership organization comprised of approximately 50 institutions in more than 30 countries that all participate in our award-winning virtual exchange programming including the Global Understanding and Global BEEHIVE courses. At the conference, faculty and staff from ECU and partner institutions networked and participated in workshops and knowledge building. At the GPE award ceremony, Dr. Ewa Silver (Department of History) was recognized with a Rosina Chia Instructor of Excellence Award. Participants also explored French culture through various activities and events organized by the host institution.

The Office of Global Affairs co-hosted Study NC’s second annual Mountains to Coast counselor tour this summer. On July 10, ECU hosted high school counselors from the Bahamas, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, South Africa, and Vietnam on both main and health sciences campus. Special thanks to Guyla Evans in Clinical Laboratory Sciences for proudly showing off their facilities and discussing their programming with our visitors. Additional thanks to Grace Chen (Department of Biology), Lee Grubb (College of Business), Ricky Castles (Department of Engineering), and Jason Denius (CET Student Success Center) for spending their evening having dinner with our guests and discussing how students are academically supported in their programs and professionally prepared to enter the workforce.

The Office of Global Affairs is organizing an international site visit for two academic advisors or other ECU staff members charged with supporting student success to expand participation in full-semester study abroad programs. The site visit will include stops at Manchester Metropolitan University, Université de Tours and the ECU Tuscany campus. Travel will take place during spring break 2026. All associated travel expenses will be covered by the Office of Global Affairs. Supervisor’s written approval is required to be considered. The deadline for application is October 1. For more information and to apply, visit our ECU Staff International Site Visit website.

Congratulations to Cathy Knudson on winning the inaugural Study NC Global Impact Award. In her role, Cathy has transformed how we support international students here at ECU from recruitment through graduation. She's expanded our services to include academic support, professional development and a calendar field with cultural and social programming. These efforts have had a measurable impact on both student success and our campus climate.

Global Affairs bids farewell to Katie Erickson, Director of Education Abroad, after serving for 14 years in this capacity and as Assistant Director. Katie has led the office through a period of strong growth in international mobility and has handled numerous challenges with grace and professionalism. We bid Katie a fond farewell and wish her the best in her new endeavors.

Upcoming Global Affairs Events and Activities:

• International Happy Hour: September 11, 5:00 - 6:30PM, Pitt Street Brewing Co. (630 S. Pitt St.)
• Study Abroad Fair: October 2, 11:00AM - 2:00PM, MCSC Lawn
• International Awards applications/nomination deadline: October 10

OFFICE FOR FACULTY EXCELLENCE

A group of faculty from a variety of health related disciplines across campuses gathered to kick off a Course Redesign program focused on Interprofessional Education (IPE). Supported by the ECU Truist Leadership Center and developed in collaboration with Chris Lysaght (College of Allied Health Sciences IPE Director), this intensive program focuses on integrating an emphasis on student leadership capacity building throughout a selected course. The institute launched with a one-week retreat in June. Faculty selected for the program include: Jennifer Bennett (Brody School of Medicine), Thompson Forbes (College of Nursing), Taneet Ghuman (School of Dental Medicine), Christine Habeeb (College of Health and Human Performance), Kelli Jones (College of Nursing), Jennifer McDougal (College of Allied Health Sciences), Kelley Reinsmith-Jones (College of Health and Human Performance), and Kate Willson (College of Allied Health Sciences). The 2025 summer cohort also included Brig Willis, the Brody School of Medicine Associate Dean of Medical Education, and was facilitated by Laura Mangum (College of Education). During the retreat guest speakers Marianne Montgomery (Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences), Cynthia Bellacero (Institutional Planning, Assessment, and Research), and Melanie Jackson (Research, Economic Development and Engagement) visited for collaborative sessions, along with several alumni and students – Casey Gerard, Devika Ghosh, Madison Kennedy, Kelsey Rivenburgh, and RJ Rivenburgh.

The Office for Faculty Excellence is excited to announce a new member of our team – Instructional Specialist Tori Jackson. Tori is skilled in creating engaging educational content and environments, as well as integrating instructional methodologies with technology. Tori will be able to provide teaching support, instructional design support, facilitate training, and create resources related to all things “teaching.” Check out the OFE Teaching Series to register for sessions Tori will be offering this fall. One-on-one consultation services are available by request on the OFE website. Tori can also be reached by email at jacksontor25@ecu.edu. If you have any free time, stop by the OFE in Joyner Library to meet our newest team member!

OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

As of August 4, the Office of University Scholarships has relocated to the Erwin Building. Our office continues to administer the programming for the Access Scholars, but this academic year we are excited to have the Chancellor’s and Voyagers Scholars joining the OUS family. This year there are 119 Access Scholars, 104 Chancellor’s Scholars, and 11 Voyagers Scholars. With our move to the Erwin Building, we have lounge and study spaces for our scholars!

RESEARCH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, & ENGAGEMENT

The Office of Research Development invites all ECU faculty to participate in a series of engaging research development events this semester. These sessions will connect you with valuable resources, potential collaborators, and opportunities to advance your research goals. We look forward to seeing you there!

LUNCH AND LEARN SERIES:

Data Security and Your Research

Ever had a bot hijack your research survey, flooding your dataset with fake responses and wasting valuable time? Learn how bots infiltrate digital surveys, spot red flags, and evaluate which fraud prevention strategies actually work. This session explores real-world challenges and offers practical tools for detecting suspicious activity, understanding the limits of CAPTCHA and IP filters, and addressing ethical issues around incentives and data integrity.

• Thursday, September 11, 12-1PM
• Main Campus Student Center, Room 307
• Presenters: Dr. Lori Ann Eldridge (Health Education and Promotion), Neil Gilbird (UMCIRB), Christiana Shoopman (Research Integrity and Compliance), Gary Wallace (ITCS), Josh Wagoner (ITCS)
• REGISTER to attend (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01988004884676bdabd9c4bac7ef1f1e)

Connecting Your Expertise with Industry, Government and Regional Needs

Explore pathways and partnership opportunities with HALO and LAS - programs that connect academia, industry, and government to turn ideas into real-world impact through partnerships, funding opportunities, and innovation-driven projects. Presenters will also share ways to leverage your expertise to educate the region through microcredentials and workshops to drive regional transformation.

• Tuesday, September 16, 11:30AM-1PM
• Bate Building, Room 1400
• Presenters: Dave Loomis (College of Business) and Keith Wheeler (Office of National Security and Industry Initiatives)
• REGISTER to attend (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/0198994db0f07780bc3ca27720708292)

Proposal Writing Workshop

Research, Economic Development and Engagement (REDE) will host a three-day, in-person Proposal Writing Workshop focused on pursuing funding opportunities, including foundation, federal and state sources. Participants will receive expert guidance from the Offices of Research Development and Corporate and Foundation Relations, along with insights from campus experts on identifying funding opportunities and building strong grant teams. The program will also feature presentations on fostering collaboration and project evaluation.

The workshop will be held on three successive Friday afternoons at the Life Science and Biotechnology Building, room 2002. A detailed schedule will be provided to registrants. Snacks and lunch will be provided each day. Participation in all three sessions is highly recommended.

• September 19, 26 and October 3, 12-5PM
• Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building, Room 2002
• Presenters: Dr. Mary Farwell (REDE), Terah Archie (Corporate and Foundation Relations), Jeanne Hoover (Academic Library Services), Dr. Heather Wright (Communication Sciences & Disorders), Dr. Stephanie Wallio (Psychology), Cara Gohn (Office for Faculty Excellence)
• REGISTER to participate by Friday, September 12 (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019899519c98794e82c1a68ac4810f99)

STEM@Starlight is a regional intellectual exchange group designed to facilitate interaction and collaboration among ECU faculty, staff, students and the public. The series is hosted by the Office of Research Development and funded by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Events are open to the public.

STEM@Starlight: New Startup Faculty Meet and Greet

Join us as we welcome new startup faculty members to ECU! There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and time for networking. We’ll hear three-minute talks on the research focus of our new faculty members starting at 5:30 p.m.

• Monday, September 29, 5-7PM
• Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building, Room 1006, 101 E. 10th Street
• REGISTER to attend (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01989ecd8a8e79798bd6e859e1b19941)

STEM@Starlight: Healthy Aging Series: Part Two - Physical Activity & Successful Aging: From Lab Benches to Community Centers

Join us for an engaging evening focused on how physical activity supports healthy aging. In this second installment of the Healthy Aging Series, Drs. Bhibha Das and Joseph Houmard from ECU’s Department of Kinesiology will share how their research – from lab-based studies to community programs – helps people age well and stay active. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided. Come enjoy great food, insightful conversation, and practical knowledge you can take home.

• Tuesday, October 21, 5-7PM
• Willis Building Auditorium, 300 E. 1st Street
• Presenters: Drs. Bhibha Das and Joseph Houmard from the Department of Kinesiology
• REGISTER to attend (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/592b4837066048808e3cdcb58f24b802)

Questions about any of these events? Contact Dr. Mary Farwell, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Development.

In 2023, REDE launched the Sponsored Activities and Research Catalyst Program (SPARC) to support scholarly activities that strengthen proposals for competitive external funding. The program is designed to spark new ideas, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and expand the scope of ECU research and creative activity.

This spring, a faculty peer review committee selected the 2025 SPARC awardees. Nearly $80,000 was awarded to nine faculty teams across campus. Their projects reflect the breadth and depth of ECU’s scholarship, from advancing health sciences to exploring cultural history.

2025 SPARC Award Recipients:

• Eric Anderson, Biology
• Erick Green, School of Art and Design
• Robert Hughes, Chemistry
• Laura Mazow, Anthropology
• Lok Pokhrel, Public Health
• Jonathan Reid, History
• Adrienne Steiner-Brett, School of Music
• David Tulis, Physiology
• Xian Wu, Pharmacology and Toxicology

Please join us in congratulating these faculty members for their innovative projects and in recognizing the role of SPARC in helping ECU faculty advance research with impact.

URCA Applications Due September 26

Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) award applications are now open. 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, as well as arts and humanities.

The fall deadline to apply is September 26. A virtual information session will be held on September 10 for those with questions. Learn more at GO.ECU.EDU/URCA.

Registration Open for Innovation Academy

Registration is now open for the Innovation Academy, a structured program that helps early-stage faculty innovators transform their ideas into market-ready products or services and explore potential development partnerships. Sessions begin September 23 and conclude with a pitch event on November 11.

Through fireside chats, presentations, and interactive activities, participants gain the tools and guidance needed to strengthen their concepts. Between sessions, assignments such as customer interviews and validation exercises will help move ideas closer to reality.

Teams that complete the program receive $5,000 in funding to support customer discovery, prototyping, and proof-of-concept work.

Space is limited. Register by noon on Wednesday, September 12.

Commercialization Grant Writing Workshop, September 30

The Office of Licensing and Commercialization is hosting a virtual Commercialization Grant Workshop on Tuesday, September 30, 3-5PM. The workshop will help faculty researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators learn how to secure funding that supports the transition of ideas from the lab to the marketplace. The workshop will provide practical guidance on developing competitive proposals through identification of appropriate commercialization activities such as market research, prototyping, and customer discovery.

Register to attend by noon September 19.

ECU’s Office of Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) supports non-credit continuing education courses for university faculty and for industry partners. If you would like to offer non-credit continuing education courses, please contact our office to discuss options.

Featured CPE Offerings:

• Nursing Education Educator Development (NEED) - September 8 - November 14 - register online
• ECU Economic Development Academy: Data & Analytics for Economic Developers in North Carolina – September 17 – register online
• ECU Economic Development Academy: Organization, Operation, and Strategy for Economic Developers in North Carolina – November 12 – register online
• Glassblowing Experience: Glass Garden Balls – September 20 – register online
• Glassblowing Experience: Glass Paperweight – September 26, October 18 – register online
• Glassblowing Experience: Candy Dish – October 4 – register online

Lifelong Learning Program (LLP)

Registration is open for Lifelong Learning Program fall sessions, trips, and events. View the catalog and register online. Open to those 18 and older, the program offers affordable learning experiences in a relaxed atmosphere, without entrance requirements, exams, or grades.

Featured LLP Offerings:

• Washington Waterfront, Estuarium and Historic Boat Tour – September 19 – register online
• Aging Smart with Everyday AI – September 24 – register online
• Kayaking at the Alligator National Wildlife Refuge Friday – October 10 – register online
• Digital Photography: Understanding Your Camera – October 30 – register online

Propose a Course: Lifelong Learning is possible because of our wonderful and dedicated volunteer instructors. If you have an interest in volunteering your time to share your knowledge, hobby, interest or skill, please complete the course proposal form online.

In March of 2024, East Carolina University partnered with the Institute for Defense and Business (IDB) to support professional training programs for military, government, and industry leaders. IDB is a nonprofit organization that has been providing executive education and leadership development for more than 25 years. This year, between June and August, ECU helped facilitate training for 167 participants, with another 200 expected to complete programs in September. ECU is proud to serve as the certifying institution for this impactful program.

Learn more about IDB's advanced and executive programs online.

FACULTY SENATE

2025 - 2026 Faculty Senate meeting dates are as follows:

• September 16, 2025
• October 7, 2025
• November 4, 2025
• December 2, 2025
• January 27, 2026
• February 24, 2026
• March 31, 2026
• April 21, 2026
• April 28, 2026 (Organizational Meeting for 2026-2027)

For more about ECU Faculty Senate, click HERE.

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COLLEGE UPDATES

ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

East Carolina University's Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program received its 10-year re-accreditation, a necessary requirement to continuing our mission of educating the most capable occupational therapists in the nation.

The accreditation assessors noted the following strengths in the department:

• “The program is commended for infusing a holistic approach to occupational therapy education, emphasizing professionalism, hands-on activities, 'soft skills,' and flexibility from admissions through clinical coursework. Their innovative interview process acknowledges the multiple intelligences of successful occupational therapy practitioners. Faculty use reflective advisement to develop student strengths, producing well-rounded graduates with strong clinical competence and exceptional interpersonal skills.”
• “The program is recognized for providing students with opportunities to develop organizational skills, communication, and professional skills in an authentic setting. Students build confidence and professionalism through experiences in the student-run clinic. These student attributes earn high praise from clinical and community partners.”
• “The program is applauded for its emphasis on affective learning which is modeled throughout the curriculum. As a result, occupational therapy students view the therapeutic use of self as a critical component of the intervention process and are enabled to build meaningful therapeutic relationships that facilitate client engagement and positive outcomes.”

The program received no suggestions, areas of concern, or areas of noncompliance.

In North Carolina, Occupational Therapy education means Pirate Occupational Therapy.

Mystie Spargo, a Speech Language Pathology student from the Matanuska Valley, about 45 minutes north of Anchorage, Alaska, is one of the newest members of a cohort of students who make up a unique partnership between ECU and the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Spargo was on the Health Sciences Campus for the first week of classes for orientation to her first year in the Speech Language Pathology program.

“The classes are asynchronous so I can pop in when it's live. That flexibility for my family is fantastic - I don't have to uproot. I don't want to leave Alaska,” Spargo said.

The lifelong Alaskan lives the summer months at her off-grid homestead with her husband and two kids - growing food, fishing and exploring the nearby mountains in preparation for a long winter that she plans to fill with therapy sessions in regional schools.

“Anchorage is lacking severely in speech language pathologists, and we need more in villages, too. What happens in a lot of clinics is that you'll work with kids or adults in town, but also, you'll have opportunities to meet up with patients over Zoom,” Spargo said. “It can still be problematic. It's hard to do telehealth with speech sometimes over Zoom, so sometimes SLPs will actually fly people to villages.”

And being a Pirate in wilds of Alaska?

“ECU is in partnership with the University of Alaksa, who are the Seawolves, so I'm like a hybrid Pirate-Seawolf, this monster of the sea. I absolutely love it,” Spargo said.

Over the summer, the Department of Nutrition Sciences’ Farm2Table program sponsored Kids Culinary Camp, where young people from across the region were invited to explore culinary techniques and learn to cook new foods at the kitchen in the Health Sciences Building.

The kids did a great job making falafel, and a whole host of other interesting dishes during their time at camp.

Outreach opportunities like these are the ways we make North Carolina healthier – by giving young people exposure to health-promoting foods and the skills and experiences to know how to prepare their own meals.

ARTS & SCIENCES

New Department of Earth, Environment and Planning (DEEP)

This spring, East Carolina University Chancellor Philip Rogers officially approved a request to merge two departments within the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences. The Department of Geography, Planning and Environment and the Department of Geological Sciences are now officially the Department of Earth, Environment and Planning. The new department enthusiastically celebrates student achievements while prioritizing the sustainability of our communities and the Earth.

“I am immensely proud of the time, thought and care our faculty devoted to developing this new unit,” said Dr. Allison Danell, dean of the college. “Throughout this nearly two-year process, the earth, environment and planning faculty and staff have remained steadfast in their commitment to student success. From the outset, they recognized a shared priority: putting our environment and communities first while creating a welcoming space for learners to engage, contribute and grow.”

Read more about the benefits of the merger in this ECU News article.

Harriot College names maritime archaeologist Dr. Nathan Richards Distinguished Professor

Dr. Nathan Richards, professor in the Department of History and Program in Maritime Studies, has been appointed to the prestigious rank of Harriot College distinguished professor. Richards is the college’s 26th distinguished professor, which was announced at the annual college convocation on Aug. 22. “The support of Dean Danell and her selection committee means so much, and the support of history department chair Dr. Tim Jenks and my colleagues leaves me speechless. This wasn’t something I thought would ever happen to me,” Richards said.

Read more about Richards’ Distinguished Professorship and the excellence he provides in teaching and advising, research and creative activity, and professional service.

Physics alumnus co-authors paper on nanoparticles that help identify cancer cells

Dr. Juan Beltran-Huarac, assistant professor in the Department of Physics, is providing excellent mentorship of the next generation of biomedical physics researchers. His graduate student, Samuel Minier (’24, MS in physics with a concentration in medical physics), recently published his first research paper in collaboration with Beltran-Huarac and other scientists. The paper appears in the American Chemical Society’s journal, Applied Materials and Interfaces. Minier and his collaborators show how stimuli-responsive nanoparticles — activated by pH, light and magnets — are reshaping cancer imaging and treatment, specifically concerning breast cancer. They have examined nanoparticles that are more effective in breast cancer imaging and may lead to earlier detection of cancer cells. Read the paper on the ACS Publications website.

History and chemistry professors, Zipf and Walker, on leave for prestigious fellowships

Harriot College faculty continue to be honored at a national level for their expertise, including most recently Dr. Karin Zipf, professor in the Department of History, and Dr. Joi Walker, professor in the Department of Chemistry. Zipf, whose research focuses on Southern United States history with an emphasis on marginalized peoples, including incarceration, eugenics and forced labor, is on scholarly leave for the 2025-26 academic year as a recipient of a National Humanities Center Fellowship. The center, located in the Research Triangle Park, is one of the most prestigious independent research institutes in the world, and the only one dedicated exclusively to the humanities. “The opportunity is amazing,” Zipf said. “It allows me to fulfill a major professional goal.” Read more about Zipf’s fellowship on the ECU website.

Walker is on scholarly leave from ECU to serve as the Kinnear Chair Distinguished Visiting Professor in Chemistry at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland. Walker’s research centers on the broad question of how to integrate science practices into the teaching and learning of undergraduate chemistry, including transforming undergraduate lab courses, increasing access to undergraduate research, and team science and mentoring strategies for undergraduate research. During her time so far at USNA, Walker has taught an introductory chemistry course and a corresponding lab and worked with faculty to modify the existing curriculum to incorporate team science strategies developed at ECU. Next, she and her colleagues will scale up these efforts to transform the curriculum across 10 laboratory sections involving 200 midshipmen. The faculty will leverage Walker’s expertise and the research gathered from this pilot project to continue curricular modification over the next two years. “It is exciting to work across institutions, and I hope to develop a partnership between ECU and USNA faculty that continues after my appointment,” Walker said. Learn more about Walker.

Mathematics collaborates with College of Business Learning Assistants (LAs)

Mathematics instruction in Harriot College means business – business majors, that is. ECU Department of Mathematics welcomes hundreds of intended business majors in their MATH 1065 College Algebra classes each semester. This fall, the faculty are also welcoming more seasoned business majors as Learning Assistants (LAs) to work alongside them, thanks to support from the College of Business (COB).

LAs are students who have successfully completed MATH 1065 and are dedicated to helping their near peers do the same by facilitating active learning and problem-solving during class meetings. Select sections of MATH 1065 are being offered face-to-face for intended business majors this semester, and LAs will be right there with them, helping them to build confidence in a class that may cause anxiety or frustration. “Thanks to the open dialogue and partnership between COB and Harriot College, we are taking positive steps to support student engagement, and increased student persistence and success will surely follow,” said Allison Danell, Dean of the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences.

Cole Villagomez, a senior majoring in finance with a minor in economics, said being able to help students succeed in Math 1065 is very rewarding. He shared that he himself struggled with math in the past and relied on peer support. “I’m very grateful to be able to give back and provide that same support for students,” he said. “I think having LAs in the class is a critical piece to their success, because we’re able to give students an extra perspective and approach.”

BRODY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

This summer, the Brody School of Medicine celebrated milestones of history, leadership, and research innovation. Taken together, our news coverage and joyful announcements demonstrate the school’s singular role in the East as a regional catalyst for advancing health care and wellness and a national leader in medical education, discovery, and service.

More Than a Decade of Distinction

The Distinction Tracks program at the Brody School of Medicine has quietly shaped medical education for more than ten years, offering students a personalized, enduring path to study leadership and policy, research, service and more in medicine.

“The Distinction Tracks are one of the main reasons I applied to Brody,” said Olivia Joyner, a second-year student who has chosen the service-learning path. “My goal was never to be a physician, period. It is to be a physician who works with a certain population and who advocates for XYZ.”

This summer, that 10-year mark was spotlighted by ECU News Services in a package that included photos and videos.

“We want to help students pursue their passions and deepen their knowledge, and leadership is key,” says Dr. Brigham Willis, associate dean for medical education. “Every physician, whether they want to be or not, is a leader — in their community, in their system, in their profession. We train for that.”

This summer a new Distinction Track was added, medical humanities and ethics.

“Medical humanities is meant to improve patient care,” said Dr. Sheena Eagan, who proposed the track she now directs. “It improves care by giving physicians an empathic perspective grounded in the personhood of the patient, but the other important part is the physicians themselves.”

Changing health outcomes for the region

The Department of Public Health at the medical school reflected on 20 years of regional and statewide impact in the summer issue of East magazine. In the last two decades, more than 600 MPH alumni have emerged from 76 of North Carolina’s 100 counties. Many serve in public health agencies at local, state, and federal levels. Notably, two alumni and one faculty member have held leadership spots in the North Carolina Public Health Association.

“There were compelling health disparities in our geographical area,” says Doyle “Skip” Cummings, a pharmacist, Berbecker Distinguished Professor of Rural Medicine and co-director of E-CARE, the primary care practice-based research network. “They existed and still exist. (And) there was evidence that not many public health directors in our region had a graduate degree in public health.”

“We’ve placed dozens of our graduates in leadership in public health agencies and offices” throughout the state, says Dr. Suzanne Lazorick, who chairs the department. “And we’ve continually collaborated with our medical students to give the next generation of primary care physicians a deeper understanding of the persistent challenges to health in rural communities.”

Dean Michael Waldrum elected to chair of the American Association of Medical Colleges

In a distinguished accomplishment, Dr. Michael Waldrum, dean of the Brody School of Medicine and CEO of ECU Health, was elected board chair of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) effective November.

Dr. Waldrum has served ECU Health as CEO since 2015 and was named dean of the medical school in 2021. His new national role follows years of leadership with the AAMC, including chairing the Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems. Serving as chair puts Dr. Waldrum at the fore of academic health leaders nationwide, a distinction that reinforces Brody’s influence on the future of medical education and policy, especially for rural and underserved communities.

Community and economic health the focus of Rural Health Symposium 2025

Eastern AHEC and ECU hosted its eighth Rural Health Symposium in Greenville last month, drawing attendance from across eastern North Carolina and beyond.

The two-day event explored challenges and solutions unique to rural communities, with sessions on age-friendly health systems, PFAS, veterans’ health, emergency services and more. Dr. Alice Bonner of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement highlighted the importance of age-friendly systems that focus on “what matters — mentation, medication and mobility” to improve outcomes for older adults.

Organizer Mildred Carraway framed the spirit of the symposium this way: “The thing that sets this conference apart is the collaboration … the networking. We’re asking, how do we improve care? How do we improve communities in eastern North Carolina, which is why we have such a wide group here.”

The gathering also served as fertile ground for partnerships, with funders, policymakers, and providers connecting to launch new projects and collaborations — demonstrating Brody’s mission-driven commitment to the health of the region

Research momentum builds as federal grants come in for two Brody researchers

Two Brody School of Medicine researchers received major new federal grant awards this summer.

• Dr. Eman Soliman (above, left) secured $381,000 from the NIH to study efferocytosis — the brain’s ability to clear dead and damaged cells after traumatic brain injury. “This award makes a big difference in what we can accomplish and how quickly we can move things forward,” she said. The goal: improve long-term recovery outcomes by restoring healthy brain repair processes.
• Dr. Isabelle Lemasson (above, right) received $224,000 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to explore the role of annexin A1 expression in HTLV-1 infection. The work builds on her previous Brody Brothers Endowment-funded research and could ultimately lead to therapies to eradicate the virus.

These awards and others highlight Brody’s dual commitment to medical education and translational research, advancing knowledge while building hope for patients.

Welcoming a new associate dean and promoting an assistant professor

This summer, the medical school welcomed Dr. Afrah Ali, a nationally acclaimed leader in simulation education, as its new Associate Dean of Clinical Simulation. Dr. Ali joins ECU from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she completed a simulation fellowship and served on the emergency medicine faculty.

And it announced the appointment of Dr. Justin Edwards as the inaugural Dr. James G. Jones Distinguished Professor of Family Medicine. Originally from Goldsboro, Dr. Edwards is a graduate of ECU and of the Brody School of Medicine. He has been a faculty member in the Department of Family Medicine for 16 years. Dr. James G. Jones was the founding chair of that department. The professorship was created to recognize “a faculty member who demonstrates vision, leadership, commitment to teaching medical students and residents, a history of training physicians who will meet the health care needs of the state, and the compassionate care to improve the health and well-being of the region.”

BUSINESS

STUDENT SUCCESS

COB standouts build skills during summer internships

Not content to relax by the pool, many students in the College of Business use the summer to build new skills, gain valuable work experience and make career connections by participating in internships. Above are four who have challenged themselves in roles with nationally recognized companies.

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College MAP camp marks 10th anniversary

East Carolina University and its College of Business (COB) recently hosted 23 high school students from across North Carolina for EY (Ernst & Young)’s College Mentoring for Access and Persistence (MAP) program summer camp. It marked the 10th anniversary since the first camp at ECU.

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Summer Innovation Academy showcases future entrepreneurs

The Miller School of Entrepreneurship’s annual Summer Innovation Academy brought over 30 middle and high school students across eastern North Carolina to learn the basics of entrepreneurship and how to launch a business. The eighth annual weeklong camp (July 21-25) took place in the Isley Innovation Hub.

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Gaining a global business perspective

At the conclusion of the Spring 2025 semester, three groups of East Carolina University College of Business students had the opportunity to study abroad for a few weeks. The students studied in Ireland, South Korea, China and Germany. They had their own unique experiences, but many had a similar takeaway: the study abroad trip allowed them to gain experience in their chosen major and reinforced that they’re each walking the right career path.

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REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION

Regional professionals complete leadership microcredential program

Twelve eastern North Carolina professionals gathered in the Isley Innovation Hub on Aug. 15 to celebrate the completion of the 21st Century Leadership microcredential program, a series of workshops designed to give participants opportunities to grow their leadership skills for the benefit of the individual and their companies.

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Collaborating for community impact

The Crisp Small Business Resource Center is collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students from the College of Business, the College of Health and Human Performance, and the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences to help implement CORE strategic plans in two eastern North Carolina communities: Roseboro and Nashville.

On Monday, July 11, the research team visited Roseboro to collect data and feedback on current iterations of the town’s destination marketing and social media marketing plans. On Friday, July 18, the team traveled to Nashville’s Friday Night Farmers’ Market to engage with residents and visitors and assess the town’s current destination marketing efforts.

RESEARCH

Study investigates perceptions surrounding corruption

Corruption occurs in the business world, but how do people feel about it? That’s the basis of research conducted by College of Business professor Dr. Max Stallkamp and the subject of an article, “Does it matter where you bribe? MNE bribery, social norms and legitimacy.”

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Study reveals how businesses used trade credit to manage financial risk

As COVID-19 reshaped the economic landscape, ECU Finance Professor Thanh Ngo studied how U.S. firms adjusted their trade credit policies to protect liquidity. Her research found that during times of uncertainty, many companies tightened their credit terms — requesting faster payments from customers while facing shorter payment windows from suppliers. The study also revealed that firms with strong financial flexibility or government contracts weathered the storm with fewer changes. Ngo’s findings offer timely insights for finance professionals seeking to build resilient, crisis-ready strategies.

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FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDS

Kus honored for 25 years of service

In May 2000, Karen Kus began working at East Carolina University. In the 25 years since, she’s made an impact in the lives of countless College of Business students, working with students and helping them succeed in and out of the classroom.

Kus was recently honored for reaching 25 years of service to ECU. She is a previous winner of the Centennial Award for Excellence in Service. Congratulations on reaching the 25-year milestone Karen and thank you for all you do in the college.

Christian honored with Lead with Passion Award

Dr. Cal Christian, Chair of the Department of Accounting, received the 2025 Lead with Passion Faculty Award from ECU Student Life. Presented during the annual Student Life Retreat, the award recognizes faculty who foster inclusive, student-centered learning environments. Dr. Christian’s commitment to student success continues to make a lasting impact.

Brown nominated for NCACE Outstanding Professional Award

Lee Brown, director of the Cunanan Center for Professional Success, has been nominated for the Outstanding Professional Award by the North Carolina Association of Colleges and Employers (NCACE). The nomination recognizes his innovative programming, strong leadership, and commitment to career development for students.

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Schwitzgebel honored for leadership, legal service and scholarship

Gregg F. Schwitzgebel III, was recently named an honorary lifetime member of Omicron Delta Kappa and received the ECU chapter's Circle of Impact Award for his leadership and legal service. Earlier this year, he was awarded a scholarship to attend the 2024 Appellate Judges Educational Institute Summit in Boston. With more than 30 years of experience in law, government, and education, Schwitzgebel continues to mentor, teach, and contribute to the legal community.

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DENTAL MEDICINE

Preparing Tomorrow’s Dentists

The school welcomed 50 prospective students from across the state in June for the annual Preparing Tomorrow’s Dentists initiative through the school’s Office of Student Affairs that is part of a pathway for participants to get a hands-on perspective of dental school. Many participants have gone on to become ECU dental students.

Mary Beth Wadford, director of student services for the dental school, said the program is part of the school’s efforts to help familiarize interested students at various educational levels with the dental school.

“They get a behind-the-scenes look at dental school to see what it’s like,” Wadford said, “and they talk to students and see what they’re doing, what it’s like to be in a lecture hall and what it’s like to be in a lab.”

Dogwood Health Trust invests in western counties

The school aims to increase sustainability and provide more patient access in western North Carolina through a grant from Dogwood Health Trust. The three-year, $593,000 grant invests more than $85,000 in Patient Care Funds and more than $425,000 in salary support for existing and additional positions at the Sylva and Spruce Pine community service learning centers (CSLC). The grant will ensure that more uninsured individuals receive services and allow the centers to provide competitive salaries in hiring clinical staff and practice management positions.

“There is a shortage of dentists in western North Carolina, and this directly affects the well-being of many residents, especially children. This investment will help more people gain access to oral health care while also expanding the oral health workforce, two things we care deeply about,” said Channah VanRegenmorter, program officer for health and wellness at Dogwood Health Trust.

Lindauer becomes school’s first clinical professor emeritus

Dr. Paul Lindauer was appointed clinical professor emeritus this summer, the school’s first faculty member to be awarded emeritus status upon retirement. Lindauer served as clinical professor and division director of endodontics in the Department of Surgical Sciences for 11 years before retiring at the end of June. He also served as assistant dean for academic success. Highlights of his career while at ECU include completion of the certificate in Health Professions Education and a master’s degree in Adult Education with the ECU College of Education in 2016 and 2019, respectively.

Lindauer was a Fellow with the ADEA Leadership Institute in 2019-2020 and received the Outstanding Faculty Award from the school’s Classes of 2016 and 2024 and was a “coater” at four White Coat Ceremonies. Dr. Lindauer was named a Fellow with the American College of Dentists in 2018 and was elected to the OKU National Dental Honor Society in 2024. He received the Four Corners Study Club Faculty Leadership Award in 2017 and the ECU Creed Award for Integrity in 2024. Dr. Lindauer has actively participated in organized dentistry and served as a delegate or alternate delegate with the American Dental Association representing the NC Dental Society since 2018. He retired earlier this year.

Summer Research Scholars present at forum

Summer Research Scholars and first-year dental students Delaney Hill, Leighton Wood and Kenya Hester presented their research posters during the Brody School of Medicine's 28th Annual Distinction Track and Summer Scholars Research Program Poster Forum.

The Scholars arrived in June and spent time learning under Dr. Alexandre Vieira, associate dean for research, before beginning research alongside their respective faculty mentors. The three will also have a chance to showcase their work at the dental school’s annual Celebration of Research and Scholarship in 2026.

McCarlie named assistant dean for academic success

Dr. Wallace McCarlie has been named assistant dean for academic success and chair of the Student Progress Committee. He also serves as director of the Division of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and as clinical associate professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine in 2007 from the University of Nevada–Las Vegas, a Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Science in 2010 and a certificate in Orthodontics from Indiana University in 2012. He received a graduate credential in Education in the Healthcare Professions from ECU in 2016.

Dr. McCarlie has served at the national level in orthodontic educational leadership position, including the Chair of the American Dental Education Association Section on Orthodontics (2015-16). He also served as President of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Society of Educators (2019-20). Under the AAO’s Council on Education, he served on the Commission of Dental Accreditation Education Subcommittee (2021-2023) and completed an Academic Administrators Management Program in 2022.

15th Fall Convocation

The school ushered in the new academic term with the 15th annual Fall Convocation on Aug. 18, with Dean Dr. Greg Chadwick empowering the audience across the state to fulfill the school’s mission.

“Our mission, vision and values remain firm, and we believe that’s why most of us are here today, because of that mission, vision and values — and to improve the oral health of the people of North Carolina, especially those in rural and under-resourced communities,” he said. “We are preparing leaders who understand the importance of being part of primary health care and to help change the conversation about the value of health and the role that oral health plays in primary care.”

Provost Dr. Chris Buddo delivered the keynote address, reminding the school community that their efforts improve the lives of patients in communities that need them.

“Your work continues to elevate the school as a beacon of excellence, innovation and service,” he said. “The ECU School of Dental Medicine is not just a place of learning. It’s a force for good in our state. From our pioneering community service learning centers that bring care to rural and underserved areas around the state to our commitment to training dentists who understand the unique needs of North Carolina’s communities, this school has redefined and continues to push the boundaries of what it means to be a public institution of higher learning. You are not just educating future clinicians; together, you are building health care communities.”

Class of 2029 Orientation

The 54 members of the Class of 2029 enjoyed a week in August packed with activities and events as they began their dental school journeys. The class spent time getting to know one another, navigating school policies and schedules and meeting fellow students along with residents, faculty and staff who will guide them along the way.

Alumni Highlights

• Dr. Sarah Kinsley ‘16/AEGD ‘17 attended the school’s ECU Smiles for Veterans at CSLC-Brunswick County last month, where she worked with current AEGD resident Dr. Ashton Poole. The event was one of the Smiles for Veterans events held across the state to provide low-cost oral health care for veterans who need it. Alumni, colleagues, residents, faculty, staff, students and friends team up to make the days a success.
• Dr. Amanda Stroud ’15 delivered the keynote address during the school’s Convocation ceremony in May for the Class of 2025. “Education is something to be shared,” she said. “It was shared with you throughout the last four years; it’s something that is now your responsibility to share. So please take that education, craft it and make sure to pass it on to the next generation of dental professionals.” Stroud said the dental profession offers multiple avenues for service. “Get involved in your profession,” she urged. “You’ve already been so involved with your advocacy, your outreach, crafting meals for those who need it, working in the Missions of Mercy clinics for the state, doing clean-up around town. You’ve done all these things. Please continue to be involved. Your profession is who you are, and we’re all here to make dentistry great.”
• Alumni, colleagues and friends gathered at the Footbridge Dental Clinic in Burnsville this in August to care for veterans, in honor and memory of Dr. Dean Stacy, retired director of the CSLC-Spruce Pine, who passed away earlier this year. Stacy was also a longtime dentist in western North Carolina and volunteered in dentistry across the state and around the world. The event reflected his spirit of service to his community and profession.
• Dr. Jacob Brotzman ‘21 visited with the school’s chapter of the American Student Dental Association recently to share his experience building his practice from scratch. He shared insight into the challenges faced in creating a new practice and is one of many alumni who return to Ross Hall to share their experiences in order to benefit current students and residents.
• Dr. LaJoi Wiggins ’17 joined Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry this summer and is working to make oral health care more accessible, compassionate and effective for children, including those with complex needs. Wiggins completed advanced residency training at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital and the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. She also specialized in pediatric dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University and earned a master’s degree.

EDUCATION

The college hosted a First Day of Class celebration to welcome our students back to ECU. Students were able to meet each other as well as faculty and staff to learn how to get connected with the college. We even had a special guest — PeeDee!

Our educational leadership and library science students had the chance to study abroad this summer in Colombia with Drs. Karen Jones and Rita Soulen!

Drs. Loni Crumb and Holly Fales attended the launch of the Rural Educator Ecosystem: Community of Learners during the Regional Hub Network Summit in Minneapolis. This is a three-year initiative funded by planning grants to establish or strengthen rural teacher corps programs.

Drs. Jerry Johnson and Loni Crumb were featured speakers at the Rural Summit 2025, hosted by University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education. The summit spotlighted the cultural richness, resilience, and innovation within rural communities — and our faculty were front and center in those conversations. Dr. Crumb shared insights on rural mental health with her session, “From Classroom to Community: Rural Mental Health in Focus,” while Dr. Johnson offered a compelling outlook with “Why Rural Matters 2025: A Preview and a Forward Look.”

This summer, East Carolina University’s College of Education hosted Summer Ventures for 50 high school juniors and seniors from across North Carolina. Students were able to participate in one of five courses:

• DNA Fingerprinting with Dr. Eric Anderson, teaching assistant professor in biology
• Neuroscience with Dr. Tuan Tran, associate professor in neuroscience
• Forensic Anthropology with Dr. Christopher Wolfe, assistant professor in anthropology
• Construction Engineering with Dr. Carol Massarra and Dr. Tianjao Zhao, assistant professors in construction management
• Discrete Mathematics with Dr. Susan Mattingly from J.H. Rose High School

In late May, nearly 30 College of Education faculty members gathered for “The AI Educator’s Toolkit: Transforming Teaching and Learning,” a transformative three-day professional development workshop led by Dr. Todd Finley, Dr. Kristen Gregory, Dr. Xi Lin, Dr. Ken Luterbach and Sarah Sconyers. These five COE faculty and staff members are part of the Artificial Intelligence Teaching and Research Institute (AITRI). The workshop aimed to equip educators with the knowledge and tools to integrate AI into their classrooms, research and academic programs. It was promoted by the Center for STEM Education and funded by the college. During the three days, participants explored how AI can enhance student engagement, support scholarly work and drive innovation through breakout sessions and hands-on activities.

East Carolina University has been selected as a partner institution in a national center dedicated to improving teacher education and educational leadership in rural areas. The University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) Center for Innovative Rural Collaborative Leadership Education (CIRCLE) will establish and emphasize research-practice partnerships through engagement with schools, businesses and community organizations.

Two East Carolina University professors will investigate the ways that educator preparation programs (EPPs) can prevent burnout in new teachers through a four-year research project supported by a $250,000, first-time grant from the Belk Foundation. Professors and co-primary investigators Drs. Mary Cate Komoski and Julie Stanley designed THRIVE (Teacher Health and Resilience in Vital Early-Career Years) as a mixed-methods study exploring how burnout unfolds in preservice and early-career teachers across North Carolina. The work is a collaborative project between the College of Health and Human Performance (HHP), where Komoski works as an assistant professor of human development and family science (HDFS), and the College of Education (COE), where Stanley works as an assistant professor of elementary education. The Belk Foundation investment will launch THRIVE and fund the first two years of the project. During this time, Komoski and Stanley will recruit participants, conduct surveys and focus groups, and identify potential funding partners for the remainder of the project.

Three days of community building, lesson planning and college life. That’s what 104 high school students from 35 North Carolina counties experienced on East Carolina University’s campus June 18-20 through the Pirate Institute for Regional Aspiring Teachers and Educators (PIRATE) program. During the free, three-day program, participants engaged in hands-on workshops, interactive sessions led by faculty and mentorship from ECU College of Education students and alumni who serve as leaders. They were able to learn all that the university has to offer and what their life might look like as an ECU education major.

This summer, the ECU Center for STEM Education hosted a successful Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI), welcoming 289 educators from 28 states and 14 countries. Offered in an interactive online format, the APSI featured 12 rigorous courses for AP teachers designed to strengthen instructional practices and support student success. Thanks to support from the North Carolina legislature and the College Board, 75 teachers received full or partial funding through grants and waivers. Under the leadership of director Ann McClung, the institute continues to expand access to high-quality professional development for teachers around the world.

The college launched annual awards to highlight the accomplishments of faculty, staff and students. These awards were given out at the end of the 2024-25 academic year, and the winners were:

• Undergraduate Student Excellence: Erynn Shallington
• Master’s Student Excellence: Michelle Maher
• Doctoral Student Excellence: Christian Walker
• Public Service: Dr. Shanita Brown
• Regional Transformation: Dr. Catherine Schwartz
• Scholarship & Creative Activities Excellence: Dr. Tanya Christ
• Staff Excellence: Hailey DeSutter and Jo Melnyk
• Student Success Teaching: Dr. Carrie Lee and Akira Hall
• College Anchor: Dr. Dionna Manning, Toni Tucker, Dr. Janeé Avent Harris, Sarah Sconyers
• Dean’s Award: Dr. Holly Fales

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

George appointed interim dean

Dr. Stephanie George, a professor in the Department of Engineering, was appointed interim dean of the College of Engineering and Technology on Aug. 1. George stepped into the role with the retirement of Dr. Harry Ploehn, who had served as dean of the college since 2017. Read more HERE.

Symposium inspires STEM educators

About 250 K-12 teachers attended the STEM Symposium on Aug. 7. The educators participated in labs and hands-on experiences conducted by ECU faculty and staff. The goal was to provide fun and engaging lessons the teachers can incorporate into their lessons to inspire their students to consider college degrees and careers in STEM. Read more HERE.

Agreements support tech transfer students

The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program had four bilateral agreement signing ceremonies with Fayetteville Tech, Blue Ridge, Pitt and Martin community colleges this summer. The agreements offer guaranteed admission to the BSIT program for qualifying transfer students. The agreements are designed to help transform the region by supporting adult learners where they live.

Tech upgrades to benefit students

The Department of Technology Systems upgraded labs and classrooms in the Science and Technology Building this summer with more than $500,000 in new computer equipment, providing students the latest technology with which to learn. Read more HERE.

Engineering students help amputees

Four engineering students helped a nonprofit missionary group headed by two ECU alumni develop a protective attachment for prosthetic feet that will help amputees in Africa. Read more HERE.

Pharma conference highlights industry

The Eastern Region Pharma Center’s Spring Pharma Conference in June highlighted industry growth while providing workers an opportunity to “find pharma knowledge.” Nearly 300 people from more than 100 pharmaceutical and life sciences companies and organizations throughout the state attended the two-day event. Read more HERE.

FINE ARTS & COMMUNICATION

STUDENT INTERNSHIPS

We celebrate every student who participated in an internship during the summer of 2025, and recognize several of our School of Communication students who shared their stories with us:

• Sophomore Rebekah Bishop worked as a gameday intern for the Winston-Salem Dash, a minor-league baseball team. Her roles included greeting fans as Petey Poblano (in orange), checking in VIP attendees, and running promotional tables. “Every day I have done something different, and every day is a new promotional event.”
• Sophomore Jake Howard interned with Umstead Pines at Willowhaven in Durham. He handled daily operations behind the counter, including checking in golfers, setting tee times, answering the phone, and coordinating with outside staff. “I have always enjoyed working and learning from (boss Fran James) how to be the very best I can be while at work.
• Senior Candon Johnson interned as a reporter with the Bladen Journal, the local newspaper near his hometown in Bladen County. He wrote stories and made photos. “It really allows me to stretch my creative and problem-solving muscles as I’m often covering many things at once, and trying to get my name out there as a journalist.”
• Junior John Meese worked as a door-to-door sales representative for Green Pest Management in New Castle, Del. He is interested in sales as a career, and enjoyed learning more about it. “I knock anywhere from 80 to 100 doors a day, and my personal goal is to sell at least one contract a day.”

ALUMNI SUCCESS

We congratulate CFAC alumni on their successes during the summer months:

• School of Theatre and Dance (SOTD) alum Lisa Cordileone ’04 premiered her short film, “Crazy as a Loon” at the OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival in downtown Durham. The short is a proof of concept for the TV series “Committed.” Cordileone and her producing partner, Shaan Dasani, also joined a festival panel discussion about filmmaking in North Carolina.
• SOTD alum Micah Jeremiah Mims ’09 is performing in the ensemble and as understudy for Lion in the Broadway tour of “THE WIZ,” with shows scheduled through next May. It stopped this summer at the Durham Performing Arts Center.
• School of Art and Design alum Heath Wagoner ’11 and his silver work were featured in The New York Times Style Magazine, alongside several retailers to whom he sells his work. Wagoner also appears on the Wallpaper* USA 400, the guide celebrating people in the U.S. who are shaping our creative landscape.
• SOTD alum Marisha Wallace ’07 returned to Broadway in the role of Sally Bowles in the revival of “Cabaret” at the Kit Kat Club, headlining the show with Billy Porter. The production’s run started in July and will close on Oct. 19.

FACULTY PERFORMANCE

Many of our faculty members work not only as educators, but also fine arts professionals and performers. We congratulate these and all faculty professionals for sharing their talents with the ECU community and beyond.

• From the SOTD, Trent Blanton acted in a reading of the new, Broadway-bound musical PERIPHERAL (by Mark Aaron James and Sarah Elizabeth Grace, and directed by Sean Daniels) during a workshop at the Roundabout Theatre Co. in New York City.
• From the School of Music (SOM), Emanuel Gruber recorded the Bach Cello Suites 1-3 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath. He also collaborated with Bridge Records on new recordings of Beethoven music for Cello and Piano, with an expected release this fall.
• From the SOM, Christine Gustafson coached chamber groups; gave masterclasses, lessons, and a presentation; and performed with ECU, University of Taipei, and DMajor Music Studio students in Taiwan. She also performed and taught as flute faculty for the Global Summer Institute of Music in Austria; ECU clarinet student Richard Schuster also attended as a performing participant.
• From the SOTD, Rebecca Simon returned for the summer to The Forestburgh Playhouse in Forestburgh, N.Y., working as the season’s dialect coach and working on multiple productions, including “Boeing Boeing.”
• From the SOM, Kwan Yi performed at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts in Davis, Calif. as part of the Mondavi Center Presents series and Curtis on Tour; and at Holley Hall in Sarasota, Fla. and Neidorff-Karpati Hall in New York City, premiering works by Sean Friar and Marc Migó. Yi expects a fall release of his first solo album.

GRADUATE SCHOOL

In July, the Graduate School welcomed Paul Russell as Interim Assistant Dean for Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Management. Paul brings a wealth of experience in graduate education, enrollment strategy, and student support. Most recently, he served as the Interim Director for Undergraduate Admissions here at ECU where he oversaw the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and worked towards meeting the university’s strategic enrollment goals.

In this interim role, Paul will lead graduate admissions, enrollment planning, and yield initiatives in close collaboration with the Graduate School Dean and academic leadership across campus. His work will be deeply collaborative, focusing on strengthening partnerships with departments, faculty, and staff to ensure we continue to attract, enroll, and support a vibrant and talented graduate student community. We look forward to his contributions and partnership during this pivotal time for our graduate programs.

The Graduate Council held elections for the Executive Committee, welcoming Tom Raedeke (Health and Human Performance) as Chair, Julie Linder (Nursing) as Vice-Chair, and Sandra Warren (Education), Michael Dingfelder (Arts and Sciences), Jean-Luc Scemama (Arts and Sciences), and Ian Hines (Allied Health Sciences) as Members at Large. Thank you to all who agreed to be nominated.

Leave of Absence

During the 2024-2025 Academic Year, the Graduate Council and a working group of graduate councilors spent time reviewing the current Leave of Absence policy in the Graduate Catalog, along with its implementation processes. Through conversations with campus partners such as the Registrar’s Office, the policy has been updated and a new process exists for students who need to pause their studies for up to two semesters (excluding summers). Once a graduate student’s request for a leave of absence is approved by their Graduate Program Director and the Graduate School, the student is enrolled in ALOA 6999 (master’s & certificate students) or ALOA 7999 (doctoral students). These zero-credit, zero-cost courses allow the student to keep their record active, allowing them to register for courses in their return semester without reapplying to the university. Questions about the policy can be directed to the Graduate School or Associate Dean, Kathy Cox.

Beyond Graduate School & Beyond the Professoriate

The Graduate School is excited to launch access to two new virtual career training platforms for graduate students: Beyond Graduate School (for master’s students) and Beyond the Professoriate (for doctoral students). Both tools offer access to on-demand trainings, a unique interview library, and job search strategies designed to help master’s and doctoral students successfully launch an academic or non-academic job search.

Faculty/Staff Lunch & Learns are held via Teams on alternating Tuesdays at noon. These sessions are designed to help faculty and staff stay informed on policy- and procedure-related issues relevant to graduate education. Register by clicking on the dates below.

• September 2 - Faculty Support for Three-Minute Thesis: How to Help Your Students & the Grad School
• September 9 - Grad Fair Information for Participants and Potential Participants
• September 16 - ECU Connect: Helping Students Get Engaged with Academics

Graduate School Fair

The Graduate School will hold its annual Grad Fair on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from Noon-3pm on the Main Campus Student Center Lawn. Multiple ECU programs as well as programs at other universities will be represented. Please encourage your high-performing undergraduate students to stop by the fair to learn about their options for earning a graduate degree.

HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE

The Family Therapy Clinic on 10th Street held an open house for student and community engagement and to raise money for the Hannah Bailey and Jackie Mastromauro Memorial Fund. This fund is utilized to help pay session fees for community members who need therapy services, but might face financial hardship, lack of health insurance, severe mental illness, trauma or substance use.

Dr. Bhibha Das secured for ECU’s Listen, Breathe, Move study, which features student-led research opportunities, to be selected for funding by the Parkinson’s Foundation’s community programs initiative that supports programs in 38 states. Department of Kinesiology chair Dr. Tony Kulas said: “This award not only contributes to ECU’s mission priority for regional transformation, but it also contributes to student success as it will provide students with rich and impactful community-based research experiences.”

Dr. Stephanie Richards (health education and promotion) and students traveled to Highlands Biological Station in Highlands to team with Western Carolina University as part of an NIH-supported project to further understand impacts of La Crosse virus and other aspects of mosquito biology.

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

Victor Armstrong, School of Social Work alum and current advisory board member, was honored in Chicago for being named the 2025 NASW National Social Worker of the Year.

Two in HHP, Dr. Ollie Taniyev and Dr. Ericka Biagioni, received their first funding awards at ECU. Taniyev was funded through the Engagement Scholarship Consortium for the project: Let’s play pickleball: An intergenerational approach to promoting social connections and community engagement. Biagioni, a postdoctoral scholar and registered dietitian, earned her research award for the project: PRECIOUS: PREnatal Choline and Infant Outcomes Study. This work, which will utilize a theory-driven choline nutrition education intervention to evaluate the influence of prenatal choline intake on maternal and infant health outcomes, was selected and is funded by The Gerber Foundation.

Doctoral candidates Taylor Kinney and Mackenzie Hoey shared about their insight and interdisciplinary research experiences to incoming HHP graduate students during the GradVenture event. This emphasized how the college has a strong community of support for students and to promote their overall well-being, productivity and peer contacts.

Dr. Lindsey Oakes, with the Department of Recreation Sciences and Sport Management, led a summer ice cream social at The Scullery, which promoted for self-advocates with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to share the results from their photovoice project and discuss action steps with community members and leaders. The pop-up exhibit also was featured in downtown Greenville as part of a First Friday Artwork.

HHP’s 2025 summer study abroad experiences:

• Fashion forecasting and international consumer behavior - Milan Prague;
• Global health - Switzerland, France, Italy;
• International sport and culture - Australia;
• Exploration of cultures in human and natural environments - Spain Morocco;
• Sport science in soccer - England, Scotland;
• Early childhood education - Italy;
• Global health - Ghana.

Department of Health Education and Promotion faculty members hosted a poverty simulation at Laupus Health Sciences Library in partnership with Brody medical students. The session aimed to build empathy, raise awareness and deepen understanding of the challenges families near the poverty line face — shaping a more informed future workforce.

Department of Kinesiology faculty and students presented at the Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics in Stockholm, Sweden. HHP’s presenters were: Constantin Heinemann, Mackenzie Hoey, Brittany Trotter, Dr. Nick Murray, Madison Weeks, Kaitlyn Wojciechowski, Thomas Demirjian, Yousef Qadumi, Nikole Gilman, Steven Philpott, Stacie Ringleb, Dr. Zac Domire, Alex Vadati, Kendall Nelson.

Health education and promotion faculty member and former ECU baseball student-athlete Brian Cavanaugh delivered a guest lecture to about 30 freshman athletes as part of the Summer Session II Bridge Program. Cavanaugh shared practical insights on setting goals and developing positive heath habits to support their transition to campus lie.

Dr. Stacy Warner's book — Building Community Via Sport: A Better Together Society — uses Warner’s sport experiences and local sport narratives to detail her research establishing the Sport and Sense of Community Theory, and the role of sport in fostering community, health and cohesion. The book also honors Dr. Nelson Cooper, Dr. Jimmie Grimsley and Eva Price.

HONORS

The Honors College welcomed 268 students to ECU this fall. Their first few days on campus were busy from move-in, Honors On Board, meeting their mentors and the official Honors College Pinning Ceremony. This year the Honors College student population grew from admitting 200 students to 250 incoming first-years.

This year was the official launch of the CREWS mentors program through the Honors College. The program pairs our 36 mentors, who are current upperclassmen in the Honors College, with the incoming students in small groups of 7-8. During our welcome activities, we hosted a Meet Your Mentor event at Mamie Jenkins where the first-year students could talk with their mentor and meet each other, as well as receive their honors t-shirt. Special thanks to senior Whitley McCoy, who leads the mentors program and helped bring it to life.

Also this year, the Honors College welcome 20 new Brinkley-Lane Scholars from eight North Carolina counties as well as Arkansas and Ghana. These 20 students were able to briefly go to Ocracoke Island for the Holloman retreat before returning to Greenville due to evacuation for Hurricane Erin, where they continued their retreat activities.

The Honors College is proud to welcome Kasey Perkins as a member of staff. Kasey serves as the Outreach & Engagement Coordinator where she will work with Margaret Turner on admissions and recruitment initiatives, lead efforts to strengthen alumni and parent engagement and coordinate strategic recruitment and advancement initiatives. Kasey graduated from ECU and Honors in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management. Prior to returning to the Honors College, Kasey was a Community Engagement Coordinator at ECU Health where she connected with various community organizations to help bring healthcare access and education to rural communities throughout eastern North Carolina.

Many Honors College students participated in internships and research this summer. Four of these students were highlighted in a recent ECU News story:

• Annaleise Darrohn, nursing major, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Caleb Spruill, biology/chemistry/public health majors, Duke University School of Medicine
• Kara Dubois, neuroscience & psychology majors, Medical College of Georgia
• Parker Lee, communication major, Greenville Utilities Commission

First year Brinkley-Lane Scholars and members of the BLS Roundtable visited the ECU Community School to cheer on the K-12 students as they started their first day of class on Monday, August 25. They had handmade signs and gave out plenty of high fives and encouragement.

Brinkley-Lane Scholars and Honors College students Daniel Walker and Katie Council began preparing for their tenure as Student Government Association president and vice president. Daniel was also sworn in to the ECU Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.

Current student Jonah Dickerson was recently awarded the Congressional Award Gold Medal for his outstanding volunteer service. You can see a video of Congressman Don Davis recognizing Jonah on the House floor where he gives a shoutout to ECU.

Honors student Lensey Cabral is combining her passion for dentistry and service through her initiative, Smiles Across Sampson. Inspired by her community’s needs, she raised funds to provide elementary schools in Sampson County with oral hygiene supplies and educational materials. Cabral hopes to expand the project to middle and high schools in the future while continuing her studies at ECU.

Recent alumni Lauren Garcia attended the National Environmental Health Association’s annual educational conference where she was awarded the undergraduate winner of the student research competition for her Signature Honors Project on “Evaluating Treatment Efficacy of a Novel Nano-Antibiotic against Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Planktonic and Biofilm Forms in a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Model.”

Honors alumni Hannah Blackburn, Maranda Byrd and Danielle Werts were part of a team that partnered with nonprofit Lev Legacy in Kinston to develop a protective attachment for a prosthetic foot that will be used by amputees in the Ivory Coast.

Brinkley-Lane Scholar and Honors College student Caramia Landis is helping address Dare County’s workforce housing crisis by leading data analysis and hosting community forums to dispel misconceptions. Through her research and engagement, Landis is giving residents a clearer picture of the challenges essential workers face and exploring solutions for affordable housing.

INTEGRATED COASTAL PROGRAMS

The first publication from Megan Geesin’s ICS Ph.D. dissertation research was recently published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. The article is part of a special issue titled Coastal Adaptation Through Nature: Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) Research, and it examines the use of drones for monitoring engineered oyster reefs and evaluates the use of different uncertainty thresholds for detecting changes to coastal morphology and vegetation. Georgette Tso (ICS Ph.D. Candidate), Dr. Siddharth Narayan (Coastal Studies), Dr. Rachel Gittman (Biology, Coastal Studies Institute), and Dr. Hannah Sirianni (Earth, Environment, and Planning) are also among the authors of the article which can be found HERE.

Drs. Nadine Heck (Coastal Studies), Lela Schlenker (previously Coastal Studies Institute), Samantha Farquhar (recent ICS PhD graduate), and Jim Morley (Biology) authored a recently published study entitled, “Environmental drivers of shrimp abundance: comparing insights from local ecological knowledge and empirical modeling”. The paper, which can be found HERE, compares LEK data collected from fishers with modeling outputs and discusses the implications for using both sources as an approach for fisheries management.

Dr. Reide Corbett (ICP Dean) was recently featured in CBN news article “Coastal Erosion Accelerates Nationwide, Outer Banks on the Frontline.” The publication was timely as it aligned with the approach of Erin in the mid-Atlantic. Though the storm stayed offshore, impacts along the Outer Banks included erosion, high surf, and storm surge.

Janie Sanborn, an undergraduate student at the University of Virginia who participated in the 2024 C2C REU program hosted at the Coastal Studies Institute and organized with the Water Resources Center, won the Blaxter Award for best student poster at the 48th annual Larval Fish Conference that took place in Quebec City, Canada from June 15-19. Janie’s poster was titled “Larval sablefish exhibit geographical shifts in spawning distributions in response to interannually variable environmental conditions”. This research was co-supervised by Associate Professor Rebecca Asch (Biology) and post-doctoral researcher Katherine Dale, with Martina Van Etten (a 2023 Glaxo-Smith-Kline Foundation intern) as a co-author.

In mid-August, members of CSI’s Oceanography and Marine Hydrokinetic Energy Lab attended the 2025 University Marine Energy Research Community (UMERC) Annual Conference in Corvallis, Oregon, held jointly with the Pacific Ocean Energy Trust’s (POET) Ocean Renewable Energy Conference. Research Technician and ICS PhD student Lindsay Wentzel, along with CSI Research Scientist Trip Taylor, were recognized for giving one of the best presentations at the conference. Their research, titled “OpenCTD as a Low-Cost Tool for Small-Scale Wave Energy Characterization and Future Development as a Wave-Powered Instrument,” won a presentation award from UMERC. Additionally, Lab Postdoctoral Scholar Caroline Lowcher received a UMERC poster award for her work, “Applications for a Swivel-based Mooring System that Improves System Reliability for Marine Energy Devices”. These honors highlight the lab’s innovative contributions to advancing marine renewable energy research.

From August 10–14, 2025, a group of ECU graduate students took part in the 2025 Challenge at the Coast at the Coastal Studies Institute. The five participants — Sarah Radel (ICS PhD), Alexandra Stevenson (ICS PhD), Autumn Robinson (IDPBBC PhD), Garrett Maggio (IDPBBC PhD), and Katie Wagner (M.S. Biology) — are members of the third cohort of the Coastal Community Environmental Data Scholars (CCEDS) National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship (NRT) program. This prestigious program, supported by the NSF under Award No. 2125684, aims to expand the use of data science in addressing real-world environmental challenges facing coastal communities.

This year’s Challenge at the Coast, an intensive team-based summer research experience, focused on marine renewable energy. The students partnered with Jennette’s Pier and its director, Mike Remige, to explore opportunities for educating the thousands of visitors who come to the pier each year about the renewable energy projects currently being implemented on site.

Faculty mentors Dr. Mike Muglia (Coastal Studies Institute), Dr. Rosana Nieto Ferreira (Earth, Environment and Planning, and director of the Integrated Coastal Science PhD program), Dr. Randall Etheridge (Engineering), and Dr. Stephen Moysey (Earth, Environment and Planning) guided the team throughout the challenge. In addition to technical mentorship, the participating faculty taught students about teamwork, the design thinking approach to community-engaged science, and renewable energy technology.

The student team focused on exploring opportunities to teach the thousands of visitors who come to Jennette’s Pier each year about the renewable energy projects being implemented at the pier. Over the course of just four days, they developed a suite of educational resources — including an interactive learning tool, an introductory video, modules on solar, wave, wind, wastewater treatment, and geothermal energy, a wind energy game, and a scavenger hunt — along with cleaned and organized wind energy data for use in future outreach. These deliverables provided Jennette’s Pier with multiple, easy-to-implement tools to engage the public in renewable energy education.

Mike Remige emphasized that the student team came to the first meeting “absolutely prepared,” and was very impressed and grateful that in such a short period they were able to generate multiple practical deliverables that closely matched his vision for the project.

In June, George Bonner (CSI’s NC Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) Director) and Dr. Mike Muglia (Coastal Studies) presented on “Powering NC’s Blue Economy” at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras, NC. They provided updates on NCROEP and the Atlantic Marine Energy Center (AMEC) research and testing programs at the Museum’s Salty Dawg Speaker series.

In July, AMEC Environmental Manager, Amy Thompson (CSI), and George Bonner participated in the TEAMER Facility Workshop at University of Michigan. The workshop provided an opportunity to collaborate with Department of Energy marine energy test facilities and researchers across the TEAMER network. Later in July, Thompson also attended an Ocean Observing Initiative (OOI) Acoustics workshop at the University of Washington.

Also in July, Lauren Kerlin (Coastal Studies Institute) and Ryan Page represented the NCROEP and engaged with students at the 4H Electric Congress at UNC Wilmington. Page supported the NCROEP as part of a NC State Rural Works engineering internship supporting marine energy testing program and completing a Business Plan. He shared his research at the NCSU Summer Research Symposium.

In August, Dr. Lindsay Dubbs (Coastal Studies Institute), George Bonner, and Lauren Kerlin supported AMEC Marine Energy Short Course at Univ of New Hampshire. 27 students representing 18 universities, including ECU, participated in week of interdisciplinary courses and group projects. The course included visits to Shoal Marine Lab. CSI will host the AMEC Short Course in Summer 2026.

Throughout the summer, Dubbs also led Sea Turtle Entanglement Workshops to collaborate with stakeholders and explore approaches to derisking sea turtle hazards for marine energy deployments. Additionally, she and Dr. Linda D’Anna (Coastal Studies) led a marine energy stakeholder engagement workshop in August at the 2025 UMERC Annual Conference at Oregon State University.

This summer, CSI Interns visited the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project and received updates from Dominion Energy on the construction of the site as well as information about the environmental protection measures currently in place.

JOYNER LIBRARY

ECU’s new faculty orientation included lunch for faculty members and librarians in the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery. Library representatives presented about a range of resources and services, and new faculty members participated in tours to learn more about specific library departments and services.

A published article by ECU library authors about how users access electronic resources received nationwide exposure via an infoDOCKET announcement. This stems from multi-year research conducted by authors Patricia Dragon, Jan Mayo, Ann Carol Stocks and Rebecca Tatterson.

About 100 study rooms on the second and third floors were renovated recently with improved lighting, new carpet and work surfaces, fresh paint, task lights, improved ergonomics, backpack storage options and wall protection features.

Interlibrary loan with Academic Library Services provided materials to more than 1,600 libraries during the past two years. This included to each of the other UNC System institutions, to 25 in-state public libraries and to libraries in 13 countries, including South Africa, Australia, India, Sweden and New Zealand. An ECU News feature details more about the success of interlibrary loan at Joyner and Laupus.

A summer renovation in the Teaching Resources Center resulted in the space successfully transforming to better serve as a model school library. The space is a learning lab for aspiring and current educators, featuring a new librarian/teacher collaboration area, redesigned collections, enhanced instructional spaces, a practice classroom for preservice teachers, story time area for children and improved access to educational technology tools.

New compact shelving was installed to significantly increase storing space for special collections. This new area will house more than 12,000 manuscript boxes.

Jennifer Daugherty is leading another genealogy workshop series during the fall 2025 semester in Joyner Library. These are in-person events scheduled for Sept. 23, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, each from 5:30-7 p.m. in Room 1618. The cost is $25 per session and purchases are available online via the Friends of Joyner Library.

University History and Records staff and The East Carolinian staff advisers collaborated to curate an exhibit on our first floor to help celebrate 100 years of TEC. This exhibit features items and covers from Teco Echo to East Carolinian to Fountainhead to The East Carolinian.

Library employees Alston Cobourn, Jennifer Daugherty, Charlene Loope and Vatoyia Gardner earned grant awards from The State Library of NC. Their projects: "LSTA EZ Planning Grant- Designing for Impact!" and "LSTA EZ Grant- Pop-Up Teacher Resource Center.”

The exhibit, “In Their Footsteps: Exploring World War II Through Archival Records,” will be featured on the library’s first, third and fourth floors into December. The exhibit aims to tell the story of the war from an American perspective via photographs, records, diaries, oral histories, film, posters and other artifacts. This includes items related to major battles and trials faced by prisoners of war, and local elements like life on the home front in eastern North Carolina.

Jeanne Hoover and Bryna Coonin represented ECU Academic Library Services in publishing an article in the Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly Communication about faculty understanding of scholarly research metrics.

LAUPUS HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY

Director Beth Ketterman and Research Librarian Jamie Bloss participated in the World Library and Information Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, in August and shared information about an IMLS-funded grant project connecting public libraries and medical libraries during a lively poster session.

The Laupus Research and Data Services team is partnering with ITCS, OFE, and the Writing Center to offer on-demand workshops which cover high-demand topics in research, data, and writing. This new service will launch in the fall semester and is open to all ECU students and researchers. Sessions will be delivered virtually and scheduled to fit each learner’s availability, making it easy to learn anytime, anywhere.

ECU’s Country Doctor Museum is partnering with Cancer Services of Eastern NC to host a Breast Cancer Screening Day at the museum on Monday, October 27, 2025, from 9 a.m – 4 p.m. Call 877-318-1349 to schedule an appointment, call the Country Doctor Museum for assistance, or make an appointment online.

Please join us in congratulating Megan Inman for receiving the 2025 Louise Darling Award for Distinguished Achievement in Collection Development in the Health Sciences. The full criteria for the award includes overall distinction or leadership within collection development, production of a definitive publication related to collection development, the teaching of collection development, for the development of an extraordinary national information resource or collection in any format (e.g. printed materials, audiovisuals, electronic files, etc.) or for any other collection development activity deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, the Awards Committee, and the Louise Darling Award Jury.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Louise Darling Award from the Medical Library Association,” Inman said. “Being recognized alongside such accomplished peers in health sciences librarianship is both humbling and inspiring. This award is not only a personal milestone, but also a reflection of the collective effort and support of my colleagues at ECU and throughout the health sciences library community. I’m honored to be part of this field and excited for the continued opportunities to learn, grow and contribute.”

Marlena Rose, MLIS, AHIP, library professor and assistant director of collections and historical services, recently participated in the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians, where she had the opportunity to learn from leaders in and out of the field of librarianship alongside a cohort of academic librarians from around the world. Walking and learning on the historic grounds of Harvard and touring the Widener Library were an inspirational setting for learning with fellow library leaders. Financial support for this opportunity came from the AASHL Leadership Scholarship, East Carolina University and Harvard GSE, as well as funding through a Continuing Education Scholarship Award from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-259195-OLS-25).

NURSING

One of the highlights of being connected to so many world-class health care organizations in eastern North Carolina is getting out of the building and visiting with Pirate Nurses who are doing the hard work of transformation of health care delivery.

Ashley Elks, the chair of the Pirate Nurse Alumni Council, and Katy Locke, our director of alumni affairs, spent time with Pirate Nurses at CarolinaEast recently, to thank them for their commitment to Pirate Nursing, and to recruit more to CarolinaEast’s Pirate Nurse Network chapter. PNN is a collection of grassroots organizations at many hospitals and clinics across the region that helps our graduates with mentorship and networking.

Dr. Michael Jones, the College of Nursing’s associate dean for engagement and professional development and executive director for advancement, has been selected to serve as chair of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Access, Connection, and Engagement Leadership Network (ACELN).

“I am honored to now lead this important network, which provides a collaborative forum for academic nursing leaders focused on engagement, professional development, community-building and strategic communications,” Jones said.

The network supports the sharing of best practices, development of resources, and advancement of national efforts that foster access and connection within nursing education.

Jones is also serving the second year of his term as co-chair of the AACN Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) Symposium Planning Committee. The next ACE Symposium will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2026 serves as AACN’s signature gathering for academic leaders committed to building vibrant academic environments, promoting institutional identity, and advancing innovative engagement strategies.

Over the summer students from the Conetoe Family Life Center in Conetoe, visited the Health Sciences Campus for a summer camp, where they met with faculty and staff and got to tour our classrooms and experience the high-fidelity simulators that give our nursing students as close to real world experience as possible before taking on their clinical experiences.

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