First Monday AN UPDATE FROM THE PROVOST | February 2026

A Message from Provost Chris Buddo

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

As we begin February, I want to provide updates on several important Academic Affairs fiscal health initiatives currently underway. These efforts reflect our commitment to strategic resource allocation and organizational effectiveness.

Consolidation and Reorganization Efforts

• Department of Coastal Studies Transition:

Following the October 29 faculty vote to dissolve the department, we are on track to complete the transition of the Department of Coastal Studies into the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences by July 1, 2026.

• Unified College Formation:

Significant progress continues on the formation of a new college from the College of Health and Human Performance and the College of Allied Health Sciences. In November and early December, the Unified College Task Force considered input from surveys distributed to all faculty and staff in CAHS and HHP, explored possibilities for a name for the new college, and identified programs from which further input was needed regarding their future administrative location. During January, faculty and staff in these programs were invited to engage in listening sessions and follow-up surveys to inform the task force’s understanding of departmental insight to the formation of the new college. As of February 2, the task force has submitted it’s preliminary report, sharing potential name options and units to make up the new college. The Final Report and transition plan from the task force is due March 6 and will lay out the work of establishing the new college, ensuring it is fully effective July 1, 2026. Beyond that date, the second phase will include determining the final administrative structure for units within the new college.

• Libraries Merger:

The Libraries Merger Steering Committee was charged with developing a plan for merging Academic Library Services with Laupus Library under a single administrative unit. Their report and recommendations were submitted January 30. Following acceptance and finalization, implementation work will 5continue through the spring semester, with the merged library unit becoming fully effective July 1, 2026.

Academic Portfolio Review and Optimization (APRO)

The APRO Committee was charged on October 8 and has maintained an intensive review schedule. After requesting additional program information on October 31, the committee sent program memos on November 19 to deans, chairs, and directors outlining which programs would need to provide additional feedback. Following a campus forum on December 12, the APRO Committee sent memos to programs identified in Category 2 (30 programs) to meet with the Committee January 21 - 23 to provide additional information and programs in Category 3 (50 programs) will provide action updates by May 15. To date, 26 programs self-identified to curtail or discontinue.   The APRO Committee will meet weekly in February to finalize the report before sharing ahead of the February 27 meeting to present its report on these 30 programs to the Oversight Committee and EPPC. The Oversight Committee will release decisions in early April. We are grateful to the faculty and staff who have worked collaboratively throughout this process. Each of these initiatives represent careful, thoughtful work by many dedicated faculty and staff across our institution. I am grateful for the professionalism and commitment demonstrated throughout these processes.

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BY THE NUMBERS

STUDENT ATHLETE PERFORMANCE SNAPSHOT - FALL 2025

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AROUND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

LEARNER OPERATIONS

After a campuswide evaluation process involving 75 faculty and staff from spring 2023 through summer 2024, ECU selected Salesforce Education Cloud as the Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) platform for Academic Affairs. The resulting Pirate360 initiative brings together key tools designed to create a more connected, student‑centered ecosystem across advising, experiential learning, and learner engagement.

Pirate360 includes the following components:

• Pirate360 – ECU’s CRM platform supporting the learner journey, integrating interfaces for advising, experiential learning, and the student-facing learner portal.
• Advising360 – Advisor-facing interface for student records, scheduling, appointment management, documentation, tasks, deep‑linked resources, and more.
• Experiential Learning360 – Coordinator-facing interface for managing experiential learning activities, supporting documentation, tracking, approvals, and compliance reporting for institutional requirements.
• Learner360 – Student-facing portal for scheduling, submitting support requests, and accessing key academic resources.

Undergraduate professional advising centers began adopting Advising360 in Fall 2025, with additional centers adopting in February 2026. This phased approach supports ECU’s broader goal of consolidating key operations and creating shared processes that strengthen coordination between faculty, staff, and students. Beginning in early Spring 2026, learners will be able to request assistance directly through the Learner360 portal. Using the “Get Help” feature, students can submit support requests to connect with the appropriate members of their Success Team—including both faculty and staff—for questions related to advising or experiential learning. These requests generate an email notification so faculty and staff can respond in Outlook by using “Reply All,” ensuring a consistent process that supports transparency, timely follow‑up, and a complete record of interactions. Training materials will be provided to affected faculty and staff in advance of this change. Faculty and staff will receive additional information and training on Advising360 and Experiential Learning360 during Spring 2026 in preparation for full implementation in Fall 2026, with further details provided by the Office of the Provost.

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

Recruitment, Yield, and What’s Ahead Undergraduate Admissions has spent the fall and early spring actively recruiting exceptional Future Pirates across North Carolina and beyond. As we move into yield season for Fall 2026, our team is also intentionally building a strong recruitment pipeline for Fall 2027 and future classes. Our admitted student programming officially kicked off in January with Inside Pirate Nation virtual events and continues this spring with Pirate Nation Bound Admitted Student Days on February 2, 9, 23, and 27. These experiences help admitted students and their families connect with ECU’s academic excellence, student life, and the sense of belonging that defines Pirate Nation. In addition, Undergraduate Admissions will host From Junior Year to Pirate Nation on February 7, a special on-campus experience designed for high school juniors. This event includes a campus tour, Honors College information, and the opportunity to attend an ECU men’s basketball game - introducing students early to the academic opportunities and Pirate spirit that make ECU home. All Hands-on Deck! Pirates Aboard - ECU’s Biggest Admissions Event On Saturday, March 21, ECU will host Pirates Aboard, our largest admitted student event of the year. This signature experience is designed to help admitted students clearly envision themselves at ECU - academically, socially, and as part of the Pirate Nation. Faculty and staff play a critical role in this event by showcasing ECU’s academic programs, student involvement opportunities, and Pirate spirit. Undergraduate Admissions is currently reaching out to departments that have participated in the past. An email with a Qualtrics registration survey was sent last week. If your department did not receive this message, please reach out to admissions@ecu.edu, as staffing and roles may have changed. Deadline to register for Pirates Aboard: March 1 Step aboard and help us demonstrate why ECU is the right place for the next incoming class of Pirates. Partnering on Prospective Student Events Undergraduate Admissions is eager to support departments that may be hosting Spring, Summer, or Fall events that serve prospective students or their families. If your area has upcoming programming that should be included in our campus visit and recruitment planning, please contact ugcampusvisit@ecu.edu so our team can coordinate and help amplify these opportunities.  

STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS SERVICES

This is the second ECU CONNECT survey for the term and is part of our continued focus on early intervention and proactive student support. Your responses help us better understand how you are doing at this point in the semester and allow us to connect you with the appropriate campus resources at the right time. ECU CONNECT is designed to identify potential concerns early and ensure students receive timely guidance, outreach, and support from campus partners. By sharing your feedback, you help us respond more effectively and connect you with resources that can support your academic progress and overall success. Thank you for taking a few moments to complete this survey, your responses play an important role in helping us support you throughout the semester.

• Survey - Support: Connecting Students with Resources
• Open Date - February 2, 2026
• Deadline 1 - February 11, 2026
• Deadline 2 - February 18, 2026
• Close Date - February 27, 2026

January 2026 Super Pirates Congratulations to the January Super Pirates for effectively using ECU CONNECT, ECU’s early alert system! Your dedication to supporting student success and timely communication makes a real difference. Thank you for helping keep Pirate Nation on course!

• Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences: Shelby Harris, Edmund Wall, John Tucker
• College of Business: Kathryn Carroll, Holly Winkler, Navi Pooni
• College of Fine Arts and Communication: Michael Catalano, Tucker Tucker, Deborah Thomson
• College of Health and Human Performance: Wendy Whisner, Reeve Kennedy, Elizabeth Bjornsen
• College of Engineering and Technology: Colby Sawyer, Bill McClung, David Batts
• College of Nursing: Annessa Beaman, Donna Roberson, Sandi Eubanks
• College of Allied Health Sciences: Jacqueline Dodge Evans, Kayla Sears, Deirdre Larsen
• College of Education:  Jessy Pearsall, Laura Mangum, Lynnly Martin

Student Pairings & Term-Based Relationships Please note that ECU CONNECT operates on a term-based model. All student relationships must be re-established each semester to ensure accurate outreach and reporting. If you have a specific group of students you would like to be paired with in ECU CONNECT for the current term, please contact Dylan Moore at mooredy22@ecu.edu. Dylan is happy to assist with setting up or reissuing these relationships to ensure you continue receiving alerts, tracking items, and relevant communications for your students.

OFFICE OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS

Congratulations to our two selected participants for inaugural Global Affairs International Site Visit Program: Dr. Jeffrey Skibins, Associate Professor of Recreation Sciences and Sport Management, and Jessica Rogers, Senior Academic Advisor for the School of Art and Design. During the visit, participants will engage with faculty and administrators at University of Tours (France) and Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) with the goal of promoting semester exchange programs upon their return.   Dr. Skibins plans to integrate international opportunities within his department’s “Welcome to the Major” events and to develop course assignments that connect students with partner institutions. Ms. Rogers will explore art-focused curricula at each institution to identify course equivalencies aligned with ECU programs, working to reduce barriers for students by embedding international options into their academic pathways.

Global Affairs welcomed 15 new international students from 12 countries for spring 2026. Seven of the students will spend one semester as exchange students at ECU as part of their study abroad experience from their home university. Eight students will earn bachelor's or master's degrees from ECU.

COIL has officially launched at ECU! Building on our existing virtual exchange expertise, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a flexible way to add meaningful global experiences into existing courses. Explore what's possible on our new COIL website and check out the recording of our recent COIL Info Session.   We're also excited to introduce our inaugural COIL Champions: Sachiyo Shearman, Christy Rhodes, Ruby Yeh, and Laura Levi Altstaedter. Each have COIL experience and are ready to share examples, practical tips, and lessons learned with fellow ECU faculty.    Feeling inspired? COIL Project Development Grant applications are now open and due February 13, 2026. For questions or to work through an idea, email virtualexchange@ecu.edu. We’re looking forward to chatting with you.    Upcoming Events: Join us for our monthly International Social Hour on February 12 at Pitt Street Brewing Company from 5:00-6:30 PM.

OFFICE FOR FACULTY EXCELLENCE

Spring 2026 Faculty Leadership Fellows Faculty from several disciplines gathered in January to kick off the Spring 2026 Faculty Leadership Fellows program.  Supported by the ECU Truist Leadership Center, and coordinated by Marina Alexander (College of Health and Human Performance), this intensive semester-long program provides the opportunity for faculty to work together in small teams to explore and integrate principles of student leadership skill development in a selected course. Faculty selected for the program include: Navid Bargrizan (College of Fine Arts and Communication), Abigail Croom (College of Allied Health Sciences), Danielle Dietz (College of Education), Yusef Ewais (College of Business), Jerry Gao (College of Engineering and Technology), Devlyn McCreight (College of Education), Carla Pastor (Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences) and Morgan Rich (College of Fine Arts and Communication). 

OFFICE FOR RESEARCH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGAGEMENT

STEM@Starlight   STEM@Starlight’s Healthy Aging Series: Part 3 Matters of the Heart: Heart Health with Aging Tuesday, Feb. 10, 5-7 p.m. Willis Building Auditorium, 300 E. First St. How do we keep our hearts healthy as we age? Guest Speakers: Dr. David Michael (ECU Health) and Dr. Lisandra de Castro Braz (ECU Physiology) will lead a research-informed presentation with helpful tips on heart-healthy living. Enjoy tasty appetizers and beverages and take-home tips for a stronger heart! STEM@Starlight events are free and open to the public. For more information and registration, visit the STEM@Starlight website.     Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy   Take your academic and community engagement to the next level! Apply to be part of the next Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy (EOSA) cohort.   EOSA is a community of passionate scholars and campus leaders who are committed to making a positive impact on society. The program encourages and supports faculty as they collaborate with a regional partner in an effort to solve a problem that will improve the quality of life for community members across the region.   Apply Today! Application deadline: March 6 Questions? Contact us at communityengagement@ecu.edu.     Licensing and Commercialization   Innovator of the Month: Dr. Eduardo Leorri   The Innovator of the Month was established by the Office of Licensing and Commercialization to recognize faculty that have developed novel innovations that can have a major impact on eastern NC and beyond. Nominees are selected by members of the ECU Patent Committee, which chose Dr. Eduardo Leorri, associate professor in the Department of Geological Sciences and associate dean of planning for the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, for this month’s spotlight.   Leorri has developed a novel AI educational tool that transforms the way individuals learn a foreign language while simultaneously enhancing the grading and review process for instructors. By combining interactive learning features with intelligent assessment capabilities, the tool allows learners to practice, receive feedback and improve in real time. The platform’s capabilities improve learning outcomes, reduce administrative burden, and create a more efficient and engaging language education experience for both students and instructors.   Do you have an idea or innovation that can have impact? Contact us.     Undergraduate Research   The Office of Undergraduate Research and the ECU Water Resources Center are pleased to offer students and faculty access to ForagerOne. This web-based platform helps students connect with faculty or staff who are willing to mentor students through research or creative projects. It is free for all ECU students, staff, and faculty. The faculty specialize in many different disciplines such as the arts, biomedical sciences, humanities, social sciences, and many more! Take the opportunity to create your profile in ForagerOne today and start your journey into connecting making lasting connections. From the ForagerOne Log In screen, select East Carolina University from the drop-down menu and go from there.   For more information, please contact: Dr. Alex Manda (Mandaa@ecu.edu) | Associate Director, Water Resources Center Dr. Tuan Tran (trant@ecu.edu) | Director of Undergraduate Research      The Office of Continuing & Professional Education   This semester the Lifelong Learning Program will partner with nine faculty members and five university departments to bring enriching programming to its members and community. On Jan. 23 the Lifelong Learning Program hosted its Spring Kickoff event at the Willis Building. Participants had the opportunity to meet instructors and to sign up for this semester’s courses.   Featured Spring Courses include:

• Tarboro Brewing Tour and Tasting: From Grain to Glass
• Neyuheru.kę' Wampum Belt: A Lecture presented by ECU faculty and staff
• Aging Smart with AI: How to Become a Prompting Pro
• An Excursion to Shackleford Banks: Wild Horse and Shelling Safari
• Your Guide to Confident Care: Navigating Options for Every Stage of Senior Living

For more information visit https://llp.ecu.edu.     The Continuing and Professional Education Office is partnering with seven university programs and numerous faculty for the spring semester, providing workforce development, professional development and personal enrichment!

ECU Economic Development Academy The ECU Economic Development Academy serves seasoned economic developers and those new to the field by providing relevant and affordable continuing education opportunities as well as an accessible credentialing program. The academy is composed of the North Carolina Certified Economic Developer Program and the Honors Seminar in Economic Development.   Recertification Economic Update: Navigate, Collaborate, and, Thrive – March 11 For more information and to sign up visit the registration website.

The Office of Continuing and Professional Development will partner with the College of Engineering to host its 20 years of Engineering Celebration on Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Campus Student Center.   From its first graduating class to today’s innovative students and faculty, ECU Engineering has built a legacy of engineering excellence, resilience and impact — both in eastern North Carolina and across the map. This milestone is a chance to honor the people and partnerships that have shaped who we are and to look ahead to the future we’re building together. For More information or to register, visit the CPE website.

The GlasStation Glassblowing Experiences In collaboration with the ECU GlasStation and the ECU SOAD, the CPE office is offering a range of glassblowing experiences for the public to make their own glass creations. Ranging from floppy bowls to garden balls, get a chance to work hand in hand with one of the instructors as they guide you in making your creation.   21st Century Leadership Program The 21st Century Leadership micro-credentialing program is a seven-course series focused on developing critical capabilities needed to grow an individual's impact as a leader. It is designed to equip current and aspiring leaders with the understanding, skills and tools to lead strategically. They will learn to build a team or organization that is goal-focused and vision-driven while creating an environment for people to thrive, grow and contribute. Workshops begin Feb. 20. For more information or to sign up visit the registration website.   Career and Technical Education (CTE) The Career and Technical Education Administrator has the responsibility of implementing a high quality CTE program that prepares all students to be college and career ready. To succeed, the program administrator must provide effective leadership in the areas of Accountability; Fiscal Management and Compliance; Curriculum and Instruction; Community Involvement and Partnerships; and Human Resources. Understanding the internal and external influences of each aspect allows the CTE Administrator the ability to develop and implement a comprehensive CTE vision and strategic plan that prepares all students for post-secondary education and career success. This course will look specifically at each aspect and how they relate to the local CTE program.   Microcredentials Through ECU ECU’s Office of Continuing & Professional Education is seeking proposals from faculty and staff for microcredentials at ECU.  

FACULTY SENATE

Remaining 2025 - 2026 Faculty Senate meeting dates are as follows:

• February 24, 2026
• March 31, 2026
• April 21, 2026
• April 28, 2026 (2026/2027 Organizational Meeting)

For more about ECU Faculty Senate, click HERE.

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COLLEGE UPDATES

ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

Brittany Janofski, a graduate of the Physician Assistant Studies program, grew up in Indonesia and after graduation from ECU she used her education to help incredibly disadvantaged patients in rural Kenya. Now she is back at ECU Health Medical Center using her skills in trauma care, fulfilling ECU’s mission of Service in the community where she learned her lifesaving skills. “I came to this job because of my desire to work in critical care in the ICU and my love for trauma,” Janofski said. “I would say that I have stayed because I’ve fallen in love with the team.” Read more about her path to ECU and beyond.  

Earlier this week we had some very special – if not small – guests into the lab to help our second-year Physical Therapy students practice their pediatric assessment skills. First-hand experience with infants in a learning environment is invaluable before our future Pirate PTs go out on their clinical rotations. We are so thankful for the families and community members – often Pirate alumni - who make these tangible learning experiences possible.

ARTS & SCIENCES

Digital humanities projects foster student leadership Digital humanities is a revolutionary step in the way students experience classes, encompassing all the senses and allowing them to collaborate to create a project that goes beyond print media. These projects, including digital mapping, are teaching students leadership, technology and accessibility skills they can apply in the future. Explore how a digital map of Buenos Aires empowered students.  

Anthropologists focus on majors, careers Over the past year, Dr. Chad Morris, chair and professor in the Department of Anthropology, has increased majors and career focus in anthropology courses as part of the Anthropology Career Readiness Network’s (ACRN) Departmental Advisory Initiative. “Our department developed a clear vision focused on student success that has already led to administrative buy-in and growth in majors,” Morris said. In addition, Morris recently was elected to the Board of the Society of Applied Anthropology, which is a wonderful recognition of his leadership, service and commitment to the discipline. Learn more about the Department of Anthropology.  

Governor selects Bonner to serve on NC Commission Governor Josh Stein has selected Dr. Heidi Bonner, chair and professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, to serve a two-year term as the academic member of the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission. The commission is an independent body that serves the N.C. General Assembly in an advisory capacity, including making policy recommendations, tracking legislation and monitoring sentencing practices and correctional resources. “I’m honored to be appointed to this commission and excited to collaborate with stakeholders from across the criminal justice system,” Bonner said. Find more about Bonner’s selection and the commission in this ECU News Release.

Problem-based classrooms increase engagement Breaking from traditional teaching styles this fall, anthropology students participated in a problem-based learning classroom structure that has been expanding among disciplines across the college and university in recent years. Problem-based learning actively engages students in meaningful projects and discussions that contribute to an increased interest in topics and transferable critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Read about the benefits observed by students and faculty in their anthropology course.

Water Resources Center leadership Harriot College sincerely thanks Dr. Stephen Moysey, outgoing director of the Water Resources Center, for the many positive impacts his leadership has had on the university and community. As he returns to his faculty role in the Department of Earth, Environment and Planning, he reflected on the critical ways that faculty, staff, students and community members have come together to support the center. He also stressed the importance of reciprocity and being supportive of others as a leader. Moysey said he is excited to see the direction that the center will take under the leadership of Dr. Alex Manda, professor in the Department of Earth, Environment and Planning. Discover more about the center, its programs and people.

ECU Hosts 25th annual languages conference On Feb. 7, the ECU Department of English and Greensboro College Department of English will host the 25th annual Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)/Applied Linguistics Graduate Students Conference at ECU. The conference brings together graduate students, teachers and tutors working with English language learners in K-12 schools and college settings from across the southeast. Hannah Butler (‘07), coordinator of global education for Pitt County Schools, reports that 19 different languages are spoken by students in Pitt County schools. The event, which will include networking and professional development, is open to the public. For more information or to register for the conference, visit the event website or contact Dr. Mark Johnson at johnsonmark@ecu.edu.

BRODY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

As the steel of a $265 million capital project rises over Lake Laupus, a group of medical students and speakers reflected over the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend on how far the medical school, and the East, has come just in the last 50 years. Together, these events and ongoing faculty, alumni and program successes give momentum to the start of our year!   ON SCHEDULE — Exciting progress on our new seven-story Center for Medical Education

As we begin the new year, we’re happy to celebrate the momentum behind the $265 million Center for Medical Education — a seven-story, 195,000-square-foot investment shaping the future of medical education in eastern North Carolina. It is on schedule and, if you’ve visited Lake Laupus recently, very visibly rising to meet the medical school’s place in the skyline. Structural steel sequences 1–4 are complete, with additional sequences underway. Shear walls, precast concrete, and major underground utilities are progressing well, while work continues at the Health Sciences Campus parking deck and Central Utility Plant. Teamwork and dedication have driven steady progress over the last 10 months. This center is more than a building. By expanding enrollment from 100 to 120 students and offering state-of-the-art learning spaces, it advances our mission to educate outstanding physicians and health care professionals, and to serve North Carolina, especially rural and underserved communities. Together, we are building what’s next.

42nd Best Banquet recalls a time when physician education was limited On the Saturday evening before the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday the Student National Medical Association chapter at the medical school hosted the 42nd banquet remembering Dr. Andrew Best and honoring current students’ achievements inside a ballroom at the Greenville Hilton. Best was one of the first Black physicians in eastern North Carolina and a pioneering advocate for expanding access to medical education and healthcare for historically underserved communities in the region. Fifteen chapter members are graduating this year.

Making news, new horizons and awards

• Psychiatrist and emeritus chair Dr. Sy Saeed (pictured left) was featured on Spectrum News’ In Focus North Carolina weekly news program which did a deep dive on telemedicine. Saeed is the founding director of the ECU Center for Telepsychiatry and e-Behavioral Health. All but three of the state’s 100 counties experience psychiatric care shortages and telepsychiatry as proven to be a bridge, especially for patients seeking psychiatric care through hospital emergency departments, he said. Watch the clip here, https://spectruminfocus.com/section/in-focus/in-focus-shows/2025/12/05/north-carolina-telehealth-program
• Dr. Michael Warren ’02 (pictured right) was picked the chief medical and health officer of the March of Dimes last year, an occasion that offered an opportunity to reflect on the role of population health in medical education, and vice versa. “I thought I knew so much about medicine, but to change a health outcome, medical knowledge is necessary, but it may not be sufficient,” he said in an ECU News Services feature. As chief medical and health officer, Warren oversees March of Dimes’ portfolio across programs, education, research and advocacy, effectively shaping the organization’s national strategy. Warren is also a major gift giver to the medical school and ECU. He has endowed a scholarship for students in his parents’ names. Read more, https://news.ecu.edu/2025/12/17/dr-michael-warren-leads-march-of-dimes-plan-of-action-against-premature-births/
• The NC Agromedicine Institute recently received a mid-six-figure vote of support from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. It gave the institute $370,000 to revitalize the Certified Safe Farm program that provides health screenings to workers in the field and reimbursement for farm safety investments. “The central piece is the cost-share offered these operations to invest in safety and health improvements,” said Alyssa Spence, who directs the institute. “Our program goes further by including mental health literacy education to uniquely address farm stress as a factor impacting the safety and health of North Carolina farms.”

BUSINESS

New Immersive MBA cohort thrives during busy fall schedule Experiential learning and networking highlighted a very busy fall semester for the third cohort of the Arthur Graduate School’s Immersive MBA pathway. Classes began in August and then the group of 18 moved beyond the classroom. They visited Spirit AeroSystems in Kinston, then traveled to New York City, where they connected and networked with former IMBA cohort members, alumni and business leaders. In addition to classes and travel, each student has worked with team members on one of three community service projects. Along with their classwork and community service project responsibilities, each student will also be paired with a partner company for an internship during the summer of 2026.  

MIS student hired months before graduation Ebrahim Rezk “Abe” Al Quhshi was a part of a pioneering school-to-office pipeline that connected students to high-growth employers across eastern North Carolina through the federal work-study program. It helped them apply their classroom learning in real-world settings, building confidence along with the competencies needed to become workforce-ready professionals. He turned that opportunity into a job with ECU Health. Abe will graduate in May with his business degree in management information systems (MIS).

Service-learning project benefits Greenville Police Department K-9s The Greenville Police Department celebrated their appreciation for COB students James Abernathy, Daniel Ando, Ashton Brinson, Nash Pagoota, Moises Nava-Mayo and Ryan Gosewisch. The group were part of Holly Winkler's "Experiential Learning: Teams in Action" class last fall. They raised more than $1,000 for protective vests for GPD’s K-9s. “Your hard work, creativity, and commitment to service do not go unnoticed—we truly appreciate you thinking of GPD and our K-9 Unit!" (Quote from a GPD social media post.)

Students broadcast nationally on the hidden dangers of ultra-processed foods ECU risk management and insurance students shared their expertise on ultra-processed foods to a national audience. The 45-minute webinar, called “Beyond the Label: The Hidden Dangers of Ultra Processed Foods,” included information on what ultra processed foods are, why they are plentiful, the economics of manufacturing them, the health implications of consuming them, who is harmed by them, their impact on insurance and risk management, and finally, some practical steps consumers can take to reduce consumption of them. The presentation was part of Dr. Brenda Wells’ Advanced Topics in Risk and Insurance (FINA 4700) course.

Business leaders highlight tech and logistics careers A first-of-its-kind event provided more than 70 COB students with an opportunity to interact with industry professionals and gave employers a platform to engage with emerging talent. The Isley Innovation Hub hosted “Breaking Into Business: Discovering Your Future in Tech and Logistics” late last semester. The interactive employer panel connected students with industry leaders who shared real-world insight and opportunity. The event was sponsored by the Cunanan Center for Professional Success.

Students benefit from annual conference COB students had the opportunity to rub shoulders with professionals from across the country during the Specialty Tool Fastener Distributors Association (STAFDA) 2025 annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, this past fall. The trip was made possible through the Vincent K. McMahon Endowed Professorship, currently held by Dr. John F. Kros of the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management. The students were accompanied by Kros and Dr. Mauro Falasca, who serves as the Student ISCM Chapter advisor.

Students learn from alumni at Fidelity Investments The College of Business Student Leadership Board (SLB), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) made their first-ever professional development trip to tour the Fidelity Investments campus in Durham. The student groups were hosted by two ECU alumni, David Liu ’19 and Alexis Lopez ’25. Both Liu and Lopez shared personal experiences and encouraged students to take advantage of early career opportunities.   

Miller School hosts high school competition The ECU Miller School was proud to host and participate in judging the North Carolina Virtual Enterprise Competition at ECU. Those in attendance were impressed by the strong pitches across the board from the high schoolers.

Middle school students learn from COB students and alumni In an effort to introduce middle school students to careers in Management Information Systems (MIS), teachers, along with ECU faculty, staff, alumni and students partnered up to present a unique workshop. Nearly two dozen students from Eppes Middle School in Pitt County traveled to ECU to learn about MIS, MIS careers and data analytics through, in part, Legos. The students built and coded Lego robots using Lego Spike kits. The workshops have been led by ECU MIS associate professor Dr. April Reed and professor Dr. Brenda Killingsworth.

ECU Researchers help local town with marketing plan The oldest “Nashville” will be getting some new looks, thanks in part to a collaboration with ECU’s College of Business, Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Health and Human Performance. ECU students and faculty helped the North Carolina town with destination and social media marketing strategies. It’s part of the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies (CORE) program. According to Dr. Emily Yeager, director of the COB’s Crisp Small Business Resource Center, this work will not replace Nashville’s brand – “The Original Nashville” – but rather will diversify the town’s marketing strategies. Those strategies include the suggestion to create a marketing and social media manager position, as well as the better promotion of Nashville’s strengths, like its farmers market, Blooming Festival and small town charm. 

OES staffer excels when and where needed University program associate is Samantha Zomok’s official title, but it doesn’t really fit what she does. She explains it as “office management,” but that might not even be able to explain what she does. Zomok works with each of the six Office of Expert Services centers – Cunanan Center for Professional Success, Crisp Small Business Resource Center, Twilley Academy of Sales Leadership, Professional Services and Executive Education, Bureau of Business Research and Center for AI in Business – and she works with them in different ways. Zomok said she enjoys what she does because of her belief in how higher education can help develop and grow a community – and she loves how she gets to play a part in that.

Sales managers negatively affected by AI While artificial intelligence (AI) can be a benefit in many circumstances, a new study from a COB professor shows it can have negative impacts on sales managers. Dr. Michael Rodriguez, director of the Twilley Sales Academy was a co-presenter of the research at the Society for Marketing Advances annual conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to Rodriguez, the early findings suggest that AI adoption pressure significantly increases managerial stress and that this pressure negatively impacts decision making, ethical leadership and overall performance. 

COB professor finds link between AI for business and gaming While AI has permeated our lives, it might be surprising to know that its beginning is tied to gaming – nearly 75 years ago. This history is played out in “The Games AIs Play” – a literature review recently published in the Journal of Applied Business and Economics by Dr. Tom Robbins, associate professor in the Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management. Robbins reviewed AI’s history and its development within gaming. He looked at the major contributions from 1950 to 2024 – its evolution from a rules-based expert system to learning-based. Robbins said his literature review is for a wide AI audience; however, his goal is for this information to be readily accessible to business faculty and students who aren’t familiar with technical AI literature. He said this literature review provides historical context that helps demystify modern AI systems and puts current developments into perspective.

COB associate dean receives “Exemplary Performance” award Dr. Cody Logan Chullen was recently recognized with the Exemplary Performance as Best Reviewer Award by the Academy of Management Learning & Education (AMLE) journal. This marks Chullen’s third time receiving the honor.

Rodriguez named director of Twilley Academy of Sales Leadership Experience and innovative action have helped prepare Dr. Michael Rodriguez to become the director of the Twilley Academy of Sales Leadership. Rodriguez has worked for major companies like Oracle, Salesforce and IBM, and has taught in higher education, including at ECU for the past year.

Ngo Named Interim Director of the Bureau of Business Research Dr. Thanh Ngo has been at ECU for almost 12 years now. She looks forward to continuing the BBR's mission of providing high-quality research and data analysis to support business decision-making in eastern North Carolina.

DENTAL MEDICINE

Last month, our Office of Admissions and Office of Student Affairs hosted students admitted to the Class of 2030, along with their families, for Your Profession Starts Here. The event in Ross Hall was an opportunity for the students to meet each other, learn more about the ECU dental school experience; hear from students, faculty and staff and get a closer look at where they will be learning. They also heard from the deans on what sets the ECU School of Dental Medicine apart from other schools, helping these potential students better envision themselves in our classrooms and clinics.  

Service is a vital part of our students’ journeys in dental education. In December, Dental Student Government held a Sandwich Making Event during lunchtime for interested students in Ross Hall to help put together meal bags for the Greenville Community Crossroads Center, a shelter that provides emergency housing, meals and support services. DSG and other dental Student organizations often lead the charge through volunteer activities that benefit communities right here in Greenville and across the state.

Last semester, student leaders from the ECU School of Dental Medicine recently enjoyed a fantastic evening of connection at Encino — hosted by Dr. Joshua Lovick, Dr. Melinda Meyer, and Dr. Robert Pinner. The event through the North Carolina Dental Society is one of many activities that bridge connections between students and professionals, helping build an engaged dental community and foster mentorships. (Photo courtesy of NCDS)  

Dr. Cornelius Martin ’19 has been announced as part of ECU’s 2026 class of honorees in the 40 Under Forty Leadership Awards program. The group will be honored during an April 18 ceremony. Presented by ECU Health, the East Carolina University 40 Under Forty Leadership Awards program honors alumni under the age of 40 who have used their ECU education to fuel their passions, achieve significant professional success and lead positive change. Honorees are selected for distinguished career accomplishments, meaningful community impact, and a demonstrated commitment to service and social responsibility. The nomination process opens each summer, with the selection process being carried out each fall by members of the ECUAA Board of Directors. Dr. Martin, a Jacksonville native, is a pediatric dentist in Wilson. After earning his DMD from ECU, he completed a residency at Bon Secours & St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a member of both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage of Dr. Martin and this honor.

This week, our second-year students will receive their white coats during the traditional White Coat Ceremony. Last month and late last semester, the class formally requested that faculty members Dr. Luis Sensi and Dr. Daune Humphrey serve as their coaters. Each year, the class selects faculty members for the honor who have made a particularly meaningful impact on the class.

The Markus Mosley Memorial Scholarship Fund has been created in honor of Dr. Markus Mosley ’19 ’25, who served as president of the dental school’s Class of 2025 and who passed away in November. The scholarship will support future dental students who share his passion for serving others, ensuring that his spirit and mission live on for generations to come. Though his life was tragically brief, Dr. Mosley’s light continues to shine through the individuals he touched. His energy, compassion, dedication and love for service will remain an enduring part of the ECU legacy.

EDUCATION

The college celebrated 103 students who were eligible to attend January’s ECU Excels event for receiving a 3.0 or higher during their first semester at ECU.

Before winter break began, the college’s leadership gathered to celebrate our youngest scholars at the ECU Community School. They hosted a holiday lunch for them and passed out gift bags.

To connect with community partners, the college hosted a community networking luncheon to share more about the college’s programs and scholarships as well as ways to collaborate within the region.

Alumna Sonya Jones was recognized as the recipient of the 2025 Professional Development, Graduate Study and Research award from the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA).

Adult education faculty Dr. Christy Rhodes and Dr. Kathy Lohr received the 2025 Commission of Professors of Adult Education (CPAE)’s Curriculum Innovation award for their series of podcasts on adult education related topics.

Middle school teacher Yesica Díaz received a Grants in Place award to support a cross-cultural exchange between her Bertie County students and those in her home country of Colombia. Díaz teaches at Bertie County Middle School, one of ECU Rural Education Institute's university-assisted community schools.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Students participate in cybersecurity showdown   Students from ECU and 10 other universities and community colleges packed a ballroom of the Main Campus Student Center to participate in the first Cyber Capture the Flag cybersecurity competition on Jan. 16. The event was designed to help participants test and learn skills through real-world cyberattack scenarios. Read more here.

Certificate, club support video game development   With nearly two-thirds of Americans playing video or computer games on a regular basis according to the Entertainment Software Association, gaming is a big part of today’s culture. ECU students have a path to creating the next great video game through a computer game development certificate from the Department of Computer Science as well as the video game development student organization. Read more here.   Engineering to celebrate 20 years   The Department of Engineering is inviting students, faculty, staff, industry partners and friends to celebrate 20 years of engineering at a Feb. 20 anniversary event in the ballrooms of the Main Campus Student Center. Anyone interested in attending the evening event can register here.

FINE ARTS & COMMUNICATION

New student art featured in the NC State Legislature In February, CFAC will continue — and expand — our collaboration with the North Carolina General Assembly to display student and alumni art in Raleigh. This semester, ECU student art will hang again in the office of Rep. Matthew Winslow (District 7 – Franklin Vance Counties), who started the conversation with ECU to display student art. Rep Winslow is a 2000 ECU alum. We are thrilled to expand this program, with Rep. Gloristine Brown (District 8 – Pitt County) and Rep. Dr. Tim Reeder (District 9 – Pitt) accepting student work for display. Student artists will travel to Raleigh with CFAC staff this month to meet our legislators and deliver the artwork. We are thrilled to celebrate these student artists:

• Aydan Lawler, senior (Winslow)
• Jamie Antinore, senior (Winslow)
• Cullen Irby, second-year MFA (Winslow and Reeder)
• Lenni Baldwin, senior (Brown)

We appreciate this opportunity to continue this relationship with state elected officials, and to provide this exhibition and educational opportunity for our School of Art and Design students.

New book from Communication faculty A book co-edited by Dr. Jin-Ae Kang, a School of Communication (SOC) professor, was released in January. The book is “Mental Health Communication for Underserved Populations,” also co-edited by Dr. Do Kyun David Kim from the University of Louisiana. Dr. Kang has focused her research on mental well-being and communication since the COVID-19 pandemic, and hopes the book will be a resource for policymakers, researchers, and mental health professionals. It includes stories from immigrants, refugees, veterans, older adults, women, farm workers, racial and gender minorities, and more. Dr. Adrienne Muldrow, an SOC associate professor, also contributed to the book.

Metal design exhibitions

January featured celebrations of and learning about metal design with two exhibitions — one ongoing — and the Material Topics Symposium. The MTS for 2026, “Interwoven,” featured events in and around the Wellington B. Gray Gallery at Jenkins Fine Arts Center, organized and led by School of Art and Design metal design graduate students Stacy Bolkovac, Denton, and Eliza Landis. The symposium brings together artists, educators, and students to explore the theme, this year, the intricate connections that bind us materially, conceptually and communally. Exhibitions included “Interwoven,” a juried exhibition showcasing a diverse selection of artists and works exploring the symposium’s theme; “New Kids on the Block,” a juried student exhibition featuring undergraduate, graduate, and craft school student work; and an exhibition of work by Bob Ebendorf, Belk Professor Emeritus in the SOAD.

Another metal design and enamel exhibition is ongoing in the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery at Joyner Library. Award-winning metalsmith and enamel specialist and SOAD metal design professor Mi-Sook Hur is holding a solo exhibition, “Heritage Reimagined,” featuring the colors and patterns of Korean Buddhist temple lattice doors Hur studied as part of her Fulbright research in 2024 and 2025. The exhibition is on display through March 22. We are looking to schedule an artist talk in February, so please watch the CFAC website and social media for more information!   CFAC 40 Under 40 recipients We are excited to celebrate the seven recipients from CFAC who will receive the 40 Under 40 Leadership Award from the ECU Alumni Association, and presented by ECU Health. Congratulations to:

• Miller Diaz-Cobo ’15 – BS in Communication
• Katie Dodge Gillis ’15 – BS in Communication
• Kateryna Kosolapova ’20 – BS in Communication
• Larissa Liles ’11 – BFA in Dance Performance
• Nina Rose ’10 – BS in Communication
• Mallory Strange ’17 – BS in Communication
• Kate Oliphant ’16 – Master of Music Performance

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week, April 6 - April 10 The Graduate School is currently planning events for Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week (GPSAW)! Like last year, there will be a week of activities and giveaways for our graduate and professional students. GPSAW is the same week as RCAW, so we plan to have appreciation activities for the graduate & professional students on their presentation day at RCAW, which is Tuesday, April 7. Please encourage your graduate and professional students to attend as many events as possible for RCAW, but especially on April 7 so they can see how much we appreciate them!

Research and Creative Achievement Week Graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and undergraduate students may submit presentations to Research and Creative Achievement Week (RCAW) until February 15th. Faculty are encouraged to talk about RCAW and support them in providing either a poster presentation or podium talk. Students can get more information and the submission link on the RCAW website. A new addition to RCAW will be Wednesday April 8 when we will have a day for faculty and students associated with our Centers and Institutes to provide posters and podium talks on the work being done with their teams. Each center director will submit presentations for this event and will receive a link for this shortly. More details will be posted on the RCAW website as updates occur. All RCAW events are during the week of April 6 – 10, 2026.      Staff Updates

The Graduate School is happy to share that AK Benson (they/them) has recently joined our team as an Administrative Support Specialist serving as the Graduate School Receptionist. AK brings three years of experience as a Front Desk Receptionist, with a strong background in office record management, data entry, and database management, reinforcing their commitment to exceptional customer service and clear, effective communication. AK is currently working toward their Associate’s Degree in Office Administration at Pitt Community College and is dedicated to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment while supporting seamless administrative processes. We are excited to have AK join our campus community and are confident they will be a wonderful asset to our team. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome!

The Graduate School is also happy to have appointed Paul Russell as ECU’s Assistant Dean of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Management. Paul brings extensive experience in graduate admissions, enrollment management, and operational leadership to this role. He has served as Interim Assistant Dean for the Graduate School since July 1, 2025, during which time he has worked closely with university leadership to establish, implement, and monitor strategic enrollment initiatives. A proud Pirate, Paul earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from East Carolina University and holds an MBA. He is actively involved in several university committees, including the Banner Student Users Group, SEM Council, Admissions Safety Committee, Global Affairs Committee, and Banner Change Management Group. We are excited to have Paul continue his leadership in this role and look forward to his continued contributions to the success of ECU’s graduate enrollment efforts. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Paul Russell!

Anyah Born, Admissions Administrative Support Specialist, has been accepted as a member of the 2026 Leadership Development Academy cohort. In addition, she has been appointed to the Staff Senate for a two-year appointment. Already an active member of the campus community, these opportunities will further strengthen Anyah’s leadership skills and service to the University. Please join us in congratulating Anyah on her accomplishments!             

Theresa Cartwright, Senior Admissions Administrative Support Specialist, recently completed 25 years of dedicated service with the State of North Carolina. After serving in the Math Department originally, she has spent the bulk of her career in the Graduate School. Theresa is a vital resource for many Graduate Program Directors across campus, as well as for prospective students. Please join us in congratulating Theresa as well!

Spring 2026 Graduate Enrollment For the Spring 2026 semester, New Graduate Student enrollment is up 1.7% when compared with Spring 2025. Overall, Graduate and Professional headcount is up 3.1%, while Student Credit Hours production is up 5.4%. Both are at their highest levels since Spring 2022. Our largest headcount increases came from Doctoral Professional degrees.

Graduate Assistantship Salary Increases We’re happy to announce the approval of the proposed revision to the Graduate Assistantship Compensation Policy that increases minimum compensation for graduate assistants. The revised policy raises the minimum assistantship amounts for a 9-month graduate assistantship to $14,000 for 20 hours per week, and for 12-month graduate assistantships to $25,000 for 20 hours per week. Part-time appointments continue to be available at 5, 10, and 15 hours per week. The policy also clarifies limits on weekly work hours during the academic year and affirms that units may continue to offer higher rates of pay as appropriate. We extend our sincere thanks to the Graduate Council for their work on developing this revision, the Faculty Senate for their careful review, and the Provost and Chancellor for their approval and support of this important update. We appreciate your cooperation in implementing these changes and your continued commitment to supporting our graduate students.

Associate Dean Dr. Kathy Cox and Assistant Director for Graduate Retention & Success, Susan Eckert, recently attended the 65th Annual Meeting of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), the nation’s leading organization dedicated to advancing graduate education and research. The annual CGS conference brings together graduate education leaders from across the country to share best practices, research, and policy insights shaping the future of graduate education. This year’s program focused on critical and timely topics including graduate student retention and wellness, access and affordability, enrollment and admissions strategy, program review and assessment, mentoring and professional development, employer partnerships, international graduate education, and the responsible integration of AI and emerging technologies. Dr. Cox and Ms. Eckert participated in sessions addressing graduate student success and well-being, data-informed decision making, resilient leadership, and strategies for improving time-to-degree and completion—areas that directly align with ECU’s priorities for supporting graduate students from admission through graduation. Sessions on mentoring, mental health, financial support models, and career readiness provided actionable ideas that can strengthen ECU’s Graduate Retention & Success initiatives and enhance the overall graduate student experience. Attendance at CGS also provided valuable opportunities to engage with peer institutions, learn from national research and benchmarking data, and stay informed on policy and funding issues impacting graduate education. These insights support ECU’s ongoing efforts to expand access, improve student outcomes, and ensure the continued quality and relevance of its graduate programs. Participation in national forums such as CGS helps ECU remain at the forefront of graduate education innovation while reinforcing the university’s commitment to student success, academic excellence, and workforce-aligned graduate programs.       

Congratulations to all of our Fall 2025 Graduates! We are incredibly proud to recognize the achievements of our newest graduates. This past Fall, 396 master’s students, 2 Doctor of Education students, 5 Doctor of Public Health students, and 7 Doctor of Philosophy students crossed the finish line. Their hard work, resilience, and passion inspire us, and we are honored to celebrate this milestone with them.

HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE

Dr. Sarah Maness, an assistant professor in the Department of Health Education and Promotion, won the ECU Award for Achievement in International Service and Engagement and was named part of the 40 Under 40 2025 class by the Emory University Alumni Association. Maness earned additional recognition, including by ECU research leaders for the 2026-27 inaugural cohort of the Catalyst Program. This recognizes her leadership in community engaged research and to build on the Pitt County Firearm Safety Coalition to develop a community-engaged project focused on gun violence prevention in Greenville and eastern North Carolina.

Patrick Rider with the Department of Kinesiology served as HHP’s flag-bearer in December at ECU Commencement. Among the flag-bearer nominations submitted by students, one especially spoke to Rider’s ability to impact and connect with students in a meaningful way: “From the moment we first spoke, I could tell he truly had my best interests at heart. I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in the UK with him, and it was an unforgettable experience. During that time, I got to know him better and built a strong relationship that I deeply value. Professor Rider is a connection I will forever be grateful to have. He even went out of his way to write me a letter of recommendation for a scholarship I needed to apply for, as my dad is currently battling lung cancer and I needed extra financial support. He is not only a great professor, but an even better person.”

Teaching instructor Rose Haddock was selected to serve as the public health director liaison for the North Carolina Public Health Association.

Health education and promotion faculty members Rose Haddock, Julie Kulas, Kelli Russell and Molly Tripp facilitated a poverty simulation for the University of Alabama’s public health program. They reached nearly 80 participants, giving students and community members a hands-on understanding of the challenges faced by those living in poverty.

The College of Health and Human Performance has hosted multiple pickleball tournaments in conjunction with clinics and community-based research led by Drs. Ollie Taniyev, Stacy Warner, Kindal Shores and Abby Schwartz. The last tournament was held Dec. 9 at the Greenville Pickleball Club. The research component focuses on the clinics leading up to a tournament, while the tournament format and event give sport management and other students valuable practical experience.  

Students in interior design and merchandising were led by Dr. Marina Alexander and collaborated with Dr. Rebekah Rogers and alumni and community partners for Dail House remodeling. The students delivered their final presentations to share about their real-life project experiences.

Dr. Cari Autry (recreation sciences and sport management) served as the virtual keynote speaker for the 2025 International Sports and Leisure Forum, organized by the World Leisure Center of Excellence and hosted in Hangzhou, China. Autry’s presentation — “Virtual Reality in Sports and Leisure for People with Disabilities” — was part of the forum’s theme, “New Development of Sports and Leisure: New Consumption, New Technology, and New Lifestyle.” More than 200 faculty members and students from the university and across China attended the forum, either in person or online.

Recent graduate Kenley Eads and faculty members Dr. Emily Yeager, Dr. Tiffy Blanchflower and Rebecca Burnworth were among the research team, representing HHP, Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business, that presented recommendations to the city council of Nashville, N.C. After participating in the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies strategic planning process, Nashville was partnered with ECU’s team to develop destination marketing strategies and social media marketing strategies focused on capacity-building, feasibility and leveraging outdoor recreation assets in and around Nashville. This program, rooted in regional transformation, "offers strategic planning and technical assistance to help rural North Carolina communities leverage the state's abundant outdoor recreation assets to support economic growth.”  

Faculty members Drs. Ishtehar Swazan, Tiffy Blanchflower and Amanda Muhammad from the Department of Interior Design and Merchandising presented their research at the International Textile and Apparel Association annual conference in St. Louis. ITAA is widely recognized as the premier professional association for textile and apparel educators, known for its innovative resources, strong and wide-ranging scholarly community, and collaborative leadership within the field. In addition to sharing impactful research, ECU is represented through active leadership roles within ITAA: Muhammad serves as president-elect of the Textile and Apparel Programs Accreditation Commission, the official accrediting body for textile and apparel programs in higher education. She also is the 2027 ITAA annual conference  co-chair; Swazan serves as chair-elect of the International Scholar Sub-committee, which organizes auctions of traditional and cultural fashion items to raise funds supporting scholars from around the world in attending the ITAA conference.

Students in Dr. Runying Chen’s class listened to an engaging presentation and discussion led by Andrea Eckberg and KJ Morgan from Thibaut Design, the oldest wallpaper company in the U.S. that celebrates 140 years in 2026. Eckberg is an ECU HHP alum and Thibaut’s vice president of global sales. Morgan is a sales associate in eastern N.C.

CEO Official Magazine named Dr. Jennifer Barkin, associate dean for research in HHP, as a top-five entrepreneur leading the business frontier.

HONORS

The Honors College is proud to announce that alumni Taylor Chappell and Lily Faulconer will be honored this semester at the 40 Under Forty Leadership Awards ceremony. Nina Rose, one of the board members on the Honors College Advancement Council, will also be honored during the ceremony.

During the fall semester, our Honors College Student Council was hard at working creating service events for our students to participate in. Almost 200 items were donated to Pitt County DSS from our Party on the Porch clothing drive and 550 food donations were collected for the ECU Health Medical Food Pantry. They also hosted a blood drive, several street and culvert cleanups.

The Brinkley-Lane Scholars hosted their annual Toys for Joy event where they purchased gifts for students at the ECU Community School, wrapped them and delivered them to the school.

Fourth-year Brinkley-Lane Scholars traveled to New York City over the MLK holiday weekend. While there, they toured the city, volunteered with a park beautification project, attended The Great Gatsby on Broadway and met with ECU alumni who live in NYC.

At the end of the semester, the Honors College staff hosted Exam Jam in the lobby of Greene Residence Hall to cheer students on during the first day of exams. They chatted with students, provided donuts and had plenty of laughs to lighten their moods during a stressful time.

INTEGRATED COASTAL PROGRAMS

As we begin a new year, there is a great deal of energy and momentum across ICP and the Coastal Studies Institute. From ongoing research and hands-on learning at the ECU Outer Banks Campus to upcoming events and new opportunities for engagement, our coastal enterprise continues to move forward in meaningful ways.⁠ Thus, we are pleased to share the Winter 2026 edition of CoastLines, highlighting recent work across our programs and offering a look at what’s ahead in the coming months. We appreciate your continued interest and support as we advance coastal science, education, and partnerships that matter to North Carolina’s coast and beyond.

ICS graduate student Yicheng Xu is now Dr. Yicheng Xu! Yicheng successfully defending his PhD investigating high-tide flooding across the US Mid-Atlantic, and recently published a global systematic review of the socio-economic impacts of this emerging hazard. ICS graduate student Georgette Tso just published a paper in Scientific Reports, showing for the first time how live oyster recruitment and growth on a constructed oyster reef breakwater changes wave attenuation across the structure, using data from Carteret County, NC. Tso’s work was also recently featured by the Coastal Review.

ICS graduate student Jacquelyn Moore (above, third from right), a 9th-generation Hatteras Island native and PhD candidate working in the Muglia Lab at CSI, recently participated in the Outer Banks Workforce Summit as both a panelist and small group facilitator. Hosted by the Outer Banks Workforce Network, an initiative driven by NC State's Dr. Whitney Knollenberg, the Summit gave Moore and fellow Dare County young professionals the opportunity to outline workforce challenges directly to a room of local, regional, and state leaders—including North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. The event brought together workforce members, employers, elected officials, and community partners to address major issues impacting the region, including childcare access, housing availability, and career planning. Moore contributed a workforce member perspective during the panel discussion and helped guide solution-driven small group conversations focused on identifying actionable steps to strengthen the Outer Banks' workforce related to equitable childcare access.

JOYNER LIBRARY

Mi-Sook Hur’s “Heritage Reimagined” exhibit is in the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery on the second floor of the library, displaying works using enamel and metalsmithing inspired by colors and patterns of Korean Buddhist temple lattice doors. An exhibit reception was held Jan. 16 in conjunction with ECU hosting the 2026 Material Topics Symposium.

Peter Lor wrote in the official magazine of the Library and Information Association of South Africa with insight about the article authored by ECU librarians Patricia Dragon, Jan Mayo, Ann Carol Stocks and Rebecca Tatterson, “Enhancing library discovery: An approach to understanding user access to electronic resources.” Lor commented: “ … it increased my respect for the library professionals who have to deploy and coordinate a whole panoply of systems to make resources discoverable — altogether a more complex task than users imagine. Don’t let anyone tell you that cataloguers are no longer needed.”

Academic Library Services invites you to read, look and enjoy its 2025 story via a year in review.  

Love Data Week (Feb. 9-13), co-hosted by Laupus Health Sciences Library and Joyner Library, celebrates innovative work and fosters meaningful conversations around data in research, education and community engagement. Starting Monday, Feb. 9, at noon with the keynote, sessions across various disciplines will be delivered via Microsoft Teams. Additionally, one AI workshop will be held in-person in Room 2502G, Laupus Library, on Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. All sessions are open to students, faculty and staff.

Kayla Hathaway and the library’s engagement and outreach team led a Pirates, Pajamas and Papers event for students and exam slam programming in December, offering bubble sheets, cereal and other snacks to support students while they studied for their finals. The team also welcomed students back to campus in January with a hot chocolate station on the first day of class, Jan. 12.

It has been busy recently in the library’s conservation lab, led by Larry Houston and including graduate assistants, working with large format items. There have been unique, exciting preservation and conservation challenges. One example: The recently acquired Jack and Mary Spain Collection holds more than 70 hand-colored, historic maps that document the history of Western exploration and trade with China and the Far East. In consultation with Special Collections curators, it was decided to place all the hand-colored maps into custom, museum-quality matting, so they can be preserved, stored and displayed using existing frames in the library. Some of the maps had conservation issues, mainly related to tape or acidic backings that had discolored the paper severely. These were treated in the lab using various solvent systems and repaired before being placed into 100% cotton rag matting.

The Teaching Resources Center hosted media coordinators from Pitt County Schools for their professional development program. The media coordinators also had the opportunity to tour the library and learn more about resources in the TRC, Special Collections, America 250 in N.C. kits and continued exchanges of ideas and collaboration with ECU libraries.

LAUPUS HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY

Love Data Week is coming up Feb. 9-13 and is hosted by Laupus Library and Joyner Library. The annual event celebrates innovative work and fosters meaningful conversations around data in research, education and community engagement.

Congratulations to Heidi Reis, Liaison Librarian to the Brody School of Medicine, for her election to Chair of the Association of North Carolina Health and Science Libraries (ANCHASL). Heidi’s term will include a year as Chair-Elect. 

Our History Collections student employee, Tyrell Wilson, wrote a blog post on the new exhibit he curated: Lifeblood: A Historical Examination of Hematology. You can view this exhibit on the 4th floor of the library.  

NURSING

While our midwifery program is predominantly distance education, our students are required to have some in-person learning during the course of their time with us. During their in-person clinical intensives at the beginning of this semester, our newest midwifery students were on campus for hands-on training, including microscopy, pregnancy assessments, insertion of contraceptives, standardized patient assessment with dental students and a bereavement simulation with actors. In late January, U.S. News and World Report's 2026 Best Online Programs rankings were released, and the College of Nursing is - again - the No. 1 online master’s program among North Carolina public universities and in the top 10 nationwide. As the only nurse midwifery program in North and South Carolina and Virginia, our region relies on a strong distance education program to help meet critical health care needs in rural and underserved communities.

Dr. Jamie Rouse, a two-time Pirate Nurse, was recently selected as North Carolina’s 2026 representative of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Award for Outstanding Contributions. Rouse graduated with her BSN in 2012 and a DNP in 2018. Rouse is employed as the Vice President of Palliative Care Services at Four Seasons, The Care You Trust, a nationally recognized, non-profit hospice and palliative provider serving Western North Carolina. The award recognizes NPs who have made significant strides in advancing health care through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership (PEARL), and have demonstrated efforts to advance the image, profile and visibility of nurse practitioners (NPs). Rouse and the other recipients will be recognized at the Salute to the States Award Ceremony on June 26 at the 2026 AANP National Conference in Las Vegas. “Each of these honorees exemplifies the very best of our profession,” said AANP President Dr. Valerie Fuller. “Their dedication to advancing patient care, strengthening our communities and elevating the role of nurse practitioners is truly inspiring. AANP is proud to recognize their leadership and the meaningful difference they make every day.”  

Dr. Alison Swift has been selected as the faculty scholar to represent the College of Nursing at this year’s university-wide faculty scholar recognition. Swift’s research focuses on psychological and physiological chronic stress, mental health, coping, and quality of life in women with the reproductive traumas of infertility and pregnancy loss. She is the primary investigator on a study exploring the links between childhood trauma, neuroendocrine and epigenetic chronic stress responses, mental health and quality of life among women with infertility, and a co-investigator on a study to develop and implement a miscarriage bereavement training program for midwifery students and other healthcare providers.   Swift’s scholarly contributions include 9 journal article publications and 24 conference presentations, with several of these being co-authored by undergraduate and graduate students. “By including undergraduate and graduate students in my research, I’m able to teach the research process while fostering the development of critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills that are essential for nurses and nurse educators,” Swift said. As a CON faculty member for more than 14 years and concentration director in the MSN Nursing Education program, she also contributes to supporting and mentoring PhD students in their research areas within nursing education and teaches evidence-based teaching and evaluation strategies to future nurse educators.

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