First Monday AN UPDATE FROM THE PROVOST | October 2024

COGER'S CORNER

Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

It is amazing that October is already in full swing! On behalf of everyone who made First Monday possible, thank you for taking a few moments out of your day to read this issue.

When the world is moving quickly, it can be challenging to take a moment to take stock in how one is progressing in achieving their annual goals. This is especially true if your navigation is punctuated by the appearance of unexpected items that demand your attention. Whether you leverage your calendar, MS OneNote, or a good old-fashioned notebook or whiteboard to keep yourself on track – I hope you are successfully hitting your milestones. As you look over your list of goals, I am counting on at least one of them including a specific action toward helping even more students persist in earning their ECU bachelors, masters or doctoral degrees.

For anyone in the ECU community who has annual goals that include sponsored research and creative activities, thank you for your contributions toward enabling ECU to exceed $82M in sponsored activities last year. While ECU’s collective sponsored activity portfolio continues to expand, I thought it might prove helpful to mention a few resources. The National Science Foundation lists the breadth of its focus areas on its website – where each link leads to additional information on its range of funding opportunities. You can also search directly for NSF funding opportunities aligned with your interests. The National Institutes of Health’s RePORTER offers a range of options to help you match your expertise to NIH funding opportunities. Some may be surprised that the breadth of interests of funding agencies -- including the Department of Defense -- include the social sciences, the humanities, health, education, science, engineering, technology and math, and beyond. Grants.gov is a good source for locating federal grant opportunities, with a searchable path for discovering the wide range of existing government grant programs. We have significant opportunities to collaborate across our disciplines to further expand ECU’s research and creative works portfolio, impact, and the sponsored funding ECU attracts annually. If you’d like to contribute to that expansion, the ECU’s Office of Research and the Associate Deans of Research within the colleges can assist you.

On a very different note, as the consequences of Hurricane Helene continue to unfold, it is only by happenstance that Greenville, NC did not experience more of the storm’s intensity. Tragedies are never welcomed and as quickly as one can occur, recovery typically entails a long and difficult journey. In the midst of the tragedies that Hurricane Helene has left in its wake, it has been heartwarming to see the collective empathy for those hit hardest and the many ways the faculty, staff and students of East Carolina University have rallied to help those navigating the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The people affected are our students, our friends and family members, our colleagues, and also strangers. ECU has always distinguished itself through commitment to our motto Servire – and those affected by this hurricane will continue to need support.

As I reflected on ECU living our motto, it occurred to me that people who serve others selflessly tend to have a great deal of empathy for others. In a TedX talk by Dr. Anita Nowak earlier this year, entitled Empathy is Our Superpower!, she shared highlights from her research that found that social entrepreneurs (i.e., those who start businesses as a vehicle for making positive social and environmental change) have two things in common: a. They model giving back in their home lives, and b. They are “compelled to act on empathy” when they become aware of people hurting or being marginalized. While there are many directions to take that line of thought -especially in the realm of ECU’s execution of the regional transformation part of its mission - today I simply want to thank the Pirate Nation for the resources and grace it continues to offer the people affected by Hurricane Helene.

I hope you enjoy this October issue, and please join me in thanking all who made this issue of First Monday possible.

Go Pirates!

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BY THE NUMBERS

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AROUND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS SERVICES

TrACE: Celebrating Transfer Student Success

This summer, TrACE student Ashley Eakes, an undergraduate in the Department of Biology began an exciting research experience under the mentorship of Dr. April Blakeslee and Dr. Rachel Gittman. Their research focuses on using biological indicators, such as parasites, to assess the effectiveness of different shoreline restoration techniques. The project involves collecting data from several coastal field sites and returning to the lab for in-depth analysis.

Ashley’s summer research experience provided valuable hands-on experience in both field and lab research, integrating aspects of ecology and molecular biology. After completing the summer project, Ashley is continuing the research this academic year, incorporating new methods of analysis. She also had the opportunity to share her research, Exploring Effectiveness of Living Shoreline Restoration, at a research symposium.

Ashley is in her second year at ECU after transferring from Pitt Community College. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, Ashley plans on pursuing a Graduate degree in Biology. Ashley’s research was supported by the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Scholars Program dedicated to increasing underrepresented populations in STEM research. Ashley credits the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Scholars Program and the TrACE Success Program for their crucial support in fostering research opportunities at ECU.

STEPP Program

Ashley Cooper (Transition Specialist) and Adam Denney (Director) for the STEPP Program presented Academic Intentionality: CLASS a Framework for Strategic Thinking and Actions during Academic and Workplace Transitions at the National College Attainment Network annual conference in Anaheim, California. CLASS, a learning strategy developed by the STEPP Program, provides students with a tool to be strategic during transitions between secondary and postsecondary academic and work environments. It provides a concrete strategy for thought processes, routines, and dialogues that can be helpful for students who may need support knowing how to be proactive and intentional when getting started in new learning settings.

The CLASS framework can be applied to any discipline and is designed to help students build critical thinking, leadership, self-knowledge, and self-advocacy skills that will be useful in college and transfer to post-graduation settings. The content and approaches incorporated are grounded in literature about best practices for students with learning disabilities, models for postsecondary student support, and our day-to-day experience working with college students with learning disabilities. Like all internally developed resources for the program, STEPP has shared the strategy on our website at no cost. It has been viewed over 350 times and downloaded over 65 times in just under a year.

Pirate Academic Success Center

On Friday, September 13, over 100 student workers from the Pirate Academic Success Center and Connect for Success attended training sessions aimed at implementing effective strategies to support their peers with course content and academic coaching. Sessions were led by Amber Arnold, Davis Searcy, Julian Pinkham, and Dylan Moore. A large group session was held for campus partners to share important information about their services. A very special thank you to Dr. Lauren Thorn, Director of the Center for Student Success, Dr. Paul Harwell, Director of Disability Support Services, and Elizabeth Gagne’, Graduate Assistant Director of the University Writing Center.

OFFICE OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS

Global Affairs Takes the ECU Experience Global! Global Affairs staff members participated in three international recruiting tours this September at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, in Colombia, Nigeria, Ghana and Vietnam. Mary Crawford and Cathy Knudson visited with prospective students in Bogotá, Accra, Kumasi, Lagos, Abuja, Hanoi and Haiphong, among other cities.

Congratulations to Global Affairs’ International Enrollment and Engagement team! This year, international undergraduate enrollment is up 24% over last year's record levels. This news represents the culmination of seven years of strategic thinking, detailed planning and lots and lots of heart, to ensure ECU is a place where international students can feel welcomed and supported. Director Cathy Knudson, and the team, including Dr. Bill Mallett, Mary Crawford and Saige Freidel were instrumental in our success.

Global Affairs staff members Saige Freidel, Ed Chaffin, and Marco Acevedo Pavez accompanied 26 new international students to ECU’s Outer Banks Campus on September 21 as part of our annual bus tour. The group also visited the Wright Brothers Memorial, the Lost Colony, and Jeannette’s Pier on their tour of eastern North Carolina’s cultural attractions. Thanks to Dr. Stu Hamilton for his wonderful tour of the facility. Welcome to ECU, new Pirates!

Upcoming Global Affairs Events and Activities:

• International Awards applications/nomination deadline - October 11
• Highlighting exchange opportunities in Australia - October 17, 3:00PM, at International House
• Highlighting exchange opportunities in France - October 23, 3:00PM, at International House
• Annual Pumpkin Carving Event - October 25, 3:00 - 5:00PM at International House
• International Education Week - November 13 - 17

OFFICE OF ONLINE LEARNING, ACADEMIC OUTREACH AND ACADEMIC INNOVATION

The ECU Online Student Services Team, Ericka Faison and Millicent Thomas, hosted a Fall LIVE Q&A Distance Education Student Forum on September 18, 2024, featuring a presentation by Elizabeth Gagne', Graduate Assistant Director of the University Writing Center. This virtual event was specifically designed to support online students and provide them with valuable information about the Writing Center's services.

During the presentation, students learned about University Writing Center services and Writing Resources and Tools:

• How to schedule E-tutoring & Video Chat appointments
• Navigating the E-tutoring/Video Chat website
• What to expect during a consultation
• Three types of appointments offered by the Writing Center including the E-Tutor/File Upload option, which is particularly convenient for students with challenging schedules and allows students to schedule a time in advance and receive feedback after the appointment time.
• The writing process and strategies for successful writing
• Available resources and tools at the Writing Center
• Time management techniques, including the Pomodoro method, a time management method that breaks work into manageable chunks, helping students improve their productivity and focus.

Following the presentation, students had the opportunity to participate in a live question and answer session. This allowed them to address any specific concerns or queries they had about the Writing Center's services or the writing process in general. By attending this forum, online students gained valuable insights into how to effectively utilize the University Writing Center's resources, enhance their writing skills, and manage their time more efficiently. This event demonstrates ECU's commitment to supporting its distance education students and ensuring they have access to the same quality resources as on-campus students.

OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

As a proud Pirate alumna (’22), Maggie Baile serves as the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions for Campus Visits. She oversees the Pirate Navigator tour guides, manages daily campus tours, and organizes on-campus events, including Pirates Aboard Admitted Students Day and Open House. Before joining the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Maggie worked in the Honors College.

As a passionate supporter of Pirate Athletics, Maggie attends all ECU football games with her boyfriend, friends, family, and often their seven nieces and nephews. Maggie invites all ECU faculty and staff to join her in recruiting the next class of Pirates at Fall Open House on November 9!

Undergraduate Admissions recently completed its annual series of Counselor Receptions and Pirates In Your Town events. These events are held across North Carolina and Virginia and are designed to inform high school counselors and prospective high school students on the many benefits of an ECU education. Representatives from Learner Operations, the Honors College, Campus Living, Financial Aid, University Scholarships, Academic Advising, and Admissions presented to on a wide range of topics to both groups.

This year, events were held in Annandale and Virginia Beach, VA as well as Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, NC. We would like to thank our campus partners who took time out of their schedules to help us recruit the next round of Pirates!

After a 16-year career in Admissions, Teresa Gill retired on September 30. While working here, she completed her undergraduate degree in Interpersonal Communication from ECU in 2019. Teresa is active in her church, where she plays saxophone on the Worship Team. She and her husband host monthly game nights and enjoy spending time with their grandkids.

She will be greatly missed in our office. We wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life!

OFFICE OF RESEARCH

The Office of Research established the Trendsetter Program to recognize and showcase exemplary faculty researchers for their contributions to their academic fields of study as well as the impact their work has in contributing to the University’s strategic priorities. Starting this month, Trendsetter awardees will be featured on banners, LCD screens and social media platforms across campus. Inaugural Trendsetters will be featured throughout the fall semester, followed by 2024-25 Trendsetters during the spring semester. If you see a post on social media, be sure to like and share so that your followers get a glimpse into the innovative and impactful research and creative activities ongoing at ECU.

The next Trendsetter application period will be announced in January 2025.

Join the Office of Research Development for a new lunch-and-learn series. The next session is slated for Wednesday, October 30, 12:00 - 1:30PM in the Grand Room at the Health Sciences Student Center. Participants will hear from experienced grantees during a workshop called “Crafting a Compelling Specific Aims Page.” Presenters will be Dr. Alexandre Vieira from the School of Dental Medicine and Dr. Keith Keene from Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, along with Dr. Heather Harris Wright from Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. Panelists will describe their experience with submitting NIH proposals. Clinical faculty are especially invited to attend. Lunch will be provided for the first 25 attendees.

Questions? Contact Dr. Mary Farwell, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Development.

The Office of Undergraduate Research has enhanced institutional membership in the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), whose mission is to support and promote high-quality mentored undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry. Any ECU faculty member may join CUR at no cost and receive all the benefits of this institutional membership.

This membership will allow you to promote undergraduate student success while also enhancing your productivity by engaging with other faculty, administrators, and institutions through workshops, conferences, and community posts. Funding and award opportunities are also available through the various divisions in CUR.

If you wish to join, click this link to complete a short form. For membership assistance, contact Natalie Jones, Manager, Customer and Volunteer Experience.

OFFICE OF INNOVATION & ENGAGEMENT

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. Sinan Sousan for this month’s spotlight.

Current methods for assessing the efficacy of insecticide formulated products for mosquito control are cumbersome or require time consuming, expensive, and weather-dependent field trials requiring multiple personnel. Further, there is widespread and growing insecticide resistance, which necessitates the need for on-demand testing to protect the public's health from mosquito-borne diseases. To solve this challenge. Drs. Stephanie Richards and Sinan Sousan have developed a compact wind tunnel that is specifically designed to accommodate mosquito cages and configured to rapidly test a wide variety of insecticides.

Do you have an idea or innovation that can have impact? Contact us.

A delegation from Galicia, Spain visited ECU on September 12 to discuss industry-research-faculty partnerships and how eastern NC stakeholders are supporting high growth business opportunities. The group of 11 visitors included the Director of the Innovation Agency of Galicia, Spain and the Minister of Universities and Sciences.

Serving as hosts for ECU were Dr. Carlyle Rogers, Mark Foley, and Dr. Sirin Nazan Cakir from the Office of Licensing & Commercialization; Dr. Eric Anderson from the Biology Department; and Dr. Sharon Paynter, Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer.

A partnership panel included Dr. Mark Lausch, Vice President of Academic Affairs & Continuing Education at Pitt Community College; Uconda Dunn, Vice President of Business Development at Greenville ENC Alliance; Mark Phillips, Vice President of Statewide Operations and Executive Director of the Eastern Region Office at NCBiotech; and Steve Jacobs, Business Counselor at the Small Business and Technology Development Center.

Software Development Lunch N Learn – October 23

The Office of Licensing and Commercialization will host a Lunch N Learn event on Wednesday, October 23, 11:45AM to 1:00PM at 209 East 5th Street in Greenville. The focus of the event will be the essentials of software development, featuring guest speaker Wade Minter from Dualboot Partners. Space is limited. Register online to attend.

Innovation Academy

The Innovation Academy is a program that aids faculty in making connections with industry partners to identify and develop innovative approaches that use cutting edge research to meet industry need and expand commercialization opportunities, yield extramural funding, and generate other scholarly products. Faculty members selected for the Innovation Academy will receive up to $10,000 to support an innovation project. Budget requests may include funds to generate proof of concept, prototype development, support for a student research assistantship, or other expenses related to the project as approved by the Academy director.

Participants will meet on the second Tuesday of the month from 3-5pm starting November 12 through June 10. The deadline to apply is October 11, 2024 at 12:00PM. Apply online.

ECU’s Office of Continuing and Professional Education 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.

Upcoming CPE Offerings:

• PharmaFest - October 16
• 21st Century Leadership Microcredential - Series starts October 18
• Dental Medicine Special Care Symposium - November 2
• K-12 Educator Programs - View Programs

Lifelong Learning Program (LLP)

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 or special interest with adult learners, please complete a proposal for a workshop, series of short classes, or a Spring trip.

Featured LLP Offering:

• Glass Floppy Bowl Workshop at the GlasStation - October 11

FACULTY SENATE

2024 - 2025 Faculty Senate meeting dates are as follows:

• November 5, 2024
• December 3, 2024
• January 28, 2025
• February 25, 2025
• March 25, 2025
• April 22, 2025
• April 29, 2025 (Organizational Meeting for 2025-2026)

For more about ECU Faculty Senate, click HERE.

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COLLEGE UPDATES

ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

CAHS hosted an interprofessional education event at the East Carolina Heat Institute Sept. 23, bringing together nearly 400 students, faculty and staff across the ECU Campus (the College of Allied Health Sciences, College of Nursing, School of Dental Medicine, Brody School of Medicine and the College of Health and Human Performance).

Dr. Neil Prose, a professor of pediatrics, dermatology and global health at Duke University, introduced the film “Keepers of the House,” which explores the often-underappreciated role that custodial staff have in promoting wellness in clinical spaces. Student participants were grouped into interprofessional teams of six to eight students to watch the film and then discuss how the ideas presented in the film impacted their professional futures. The events’ organizers used the event to expand understanding by the team members and prompted them consider how their actions, behaviors and decisions impact interprofessional teamwork.

ECU audiology alumnus Dr. Johnnie Sexton, a member of the CAHS advisory board and founder of the CAR Project – a patient and family focused non-profit that helps deaf and hard of hearing children and their families, was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Sept. 21 in Wilmington. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the state’s highest civilian award and recognizes extraordinary public service.

A native of Garland in Sampson County, Sexton began his work in eastern NC before leaving the state to work in private practice. He returned to NC in the early 1970s and began working as a contractor in North Carolina Public Schools, providing early pathways for help to kids across the state with hearing difficulties. In 2009, he founded the CARE Project, which continues to impact lives across the state.

The first cohort of Occupational Therapy Doctorate students has settled in to their coursework and hands-on training in interprofessional education training opportunities in the CAHS’s pro-bono student run clinics.

In December 2022, the OT department received approval from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) to begin enrolling and interviewing students for the program. The students will take classes along with their masters-level peers before branching off to take OT-specific leadership classes and clinical and capstone opportunities in clinical setting.

ARTS & SCIENCES

ECU and Harriot College alumna, Isabella Sardina (B.S. in Community and Regional Planning, ’24), has received a 2023-24 American Planning Association (APA) Outstanding Student Award. “I am honored to have received the award,” she said. “Speaking at last year’s APA-NC conference in Durham, and attending the National Planning Conference in Minneapolis, MN, were invaluable experiences, exposing me to the multitude of opportunities APA offers to planners nationwide. I credit my journey to the education and experiences gained from ECU’s Community and Regional Planning Program.” Isabella is continuing her education in the MS Planning and Development program at ECU. Read more about Sardina’s journey HERE.

Dr. Erin Field, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, shared her academic and research expertise in a recent USA Today article about microorganisms and the decomposition processes occurring on the Titanic. The article also featured Dr. Robert Ballard, the oceanographer and marine geologist who found the Titanic, and a 2017 ECU Voyages of Discovery guest who visited campus to discuss “Human History Under Water.” Find out more about Field’s knowledge of microorganisms and the Titanic in the article HERE.

In the latest issue of Harriot College’s alumni newsletter, Cornerstone, the college features several compelling profiles and stories of people who make Harriot College special. These include Jason Sugg, ECU Chief of Police and doctoral student in Rhetoric, Writing and Professional Communication; medical research into blood clot formation and disease from Dr. Nathan Hudson and biomedical physics students; and fundraising success, faculty awards and alumni achievements. Learn about all the good news from Harriot College HERE.

Dr. Heidi Bonner, Professor and Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, had the unique opportunity to participate in the United States Army Cadet Summer Training Leadership Symposium in Fort Knox, Kentucky, from July 14-20. The symposium gives representatives from various schools and universities a better understanding of ROTC training and the benefits they receive. Read more about Bonner’s experience HERE.

Brynn Miller is a senior majoring in multidisciplinary studies with a concentration in environmental studies, and she has interned with ECU Sustainability since January. She said her parents instilled in her the importance of respecting nature. They taught her botany and anatomy and routinely recycled, picked up litter and spent time outdoors at their home in Washington, North Carolina. Discover more about Miller’s passion for the environment and how she is #MakingAMajorDifference.

At age 4, Austin Mansfield (BS in Applied Atmospheric Science, ’17) watched from his Farmville home as Hurricane Floyd knocked down trees and flooded eastern North Carolina in 1999. “I was just so curious what happened, why it happened, when is it going to happen again?” Mansfield says. Today, Mansfield observes all kinds of weather as a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He keeps 10 million people updated — whether it’s sunny and 70 or severe storms are approaching — in a region that includes Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. “I am in the business of protecting life and property,” he says. Read more about how #HarriotCollegeWorks HERE.

BRODY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

The Brody School of Medicine Interprofessional Clinical Simulation Center celebrated Healthcare Simulation Week last month, honoring professionals who use simulation to improve the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of health care delivery. The center has resources available to faculty, staff and students across the Health Sciences Campus, at ECU Health and across the region.

A new study from the American Association of Medical Colleges points at ECU’s Brody School of Medicine as one of the most affordable medical schools in the country.

Dr. Rachel Roper was invited to speak at the Global Virus Network (GVN) annual conference in South Africa. The meeting of world-leading experts discussed advancing and collaborating on cutting-edge science, the rising number of mpox outbreaks, the growing challenge of scientific misinformation during a global health crisis, and pandemic preparedness strategies for strengthening health systems, enhancing forecasting models and providing greater access to vaccines and treatments. Roper, who is the co-chair of GVN’s Mpox Action Committee, also received the GVN 2024 Action Committee Award for her efforts and accomplishments by GVN Action Committee members in advancing collective goals.

Brody research fellow Aakriti Arora received a 2024-25 Lung Cancer Research Fellows grant by the Lung Cancer Initiative for her project, “Characterizing Plasma Inflammatory Cytokines Associated with Immune-Related Adverse Events).” Arora is one of four recipients to receive the award in North Carolina; all have demonstrated a measurable impact through their proposals and commitment to the lung cancer field.

The ECU chapter of the Latino Medical Student Association and the ECU Student Government Association hosted a Dominican meal last month in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Dr. John Catanzaro, professor and chief of Brody’s Division of Cardiology and director of the East Carolina Heart Institute at ECU Health, received the Dr. John “Jack” Rose Distinguished Professorship. The professorship recognizes his significant contributions to improving health care delivery, excellence in clinical medicine and the formation of the first Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship at ECU Health.

BUSINESS

A new gift to the College of Business will allow students to gain firsthand experience managing a multi-strategy financial portfolio whose proceeds will pay for high-impact travel and other experiential activities outside the classroom.

Through a $1 million gift from Sanford Bailey ’64, the COB will establish the Blacksail Fund, a student-managed investment fund under faculty oversight. Select students in a finance-related program, student organization or course will work under the direct supervision of a faculty advisor to assist with fund management and investing decisions. Periodically, information from the Blacksail Fund will be shared with the ECU Foundation Investment Committee.

The eighth annual Pirate Entrepreneurship Challenge will kick off Oct. 22 on ECU’s Main Campus Mall. The challenge is the signature pitch competition at ECU, the largest in the UNC system. Student-led teams will pitch their ideas to the ECU community. Votes will be tallied online. Winners of the first round will move on to the second round scheduled for Feb. 4. The final round will be held April 15 with location TBD.

Since kicking off in 2018, the PEC has awarded more than $900,000 in cash and prizes. For more information, visit the PEC Website.

New this year to the Arthur School is its Leadership in Residence Program, designed to enrich the educational experience of graduate business students by facilitating meaningful interactions with accomplished leaders and fostering mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and career development. Dr. Worth Carter (left) and Joanna DeMott (right) are this year’s Arthur Leaders in Residence.

Click on Arthur School announces Leadership in Residence program for more to the story.

Matt Crisp (MBA’96) will be the keynote for this year's Business Leadership Conference on Oct. 24 at 9:00AM in the Main Student Center. He is an entrepreneur and private investor who founded Gratus Private Capital, which invests in start-ups across various industry verticals.

For more about Crisp and to register, visit COB’s Business Leadership Conference site.

In February 2024, 17 area professionals turned to the COB’s Office of Expert Services and participated in the first 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. Last week, they closed out the series and celebrated in a ceremony that featured the handing out of challenge coins emblazoned with the 21st Century Leadership microcredential badge.

The leadership series is the first microcredential opportunity to be launched through ECU’s new microcredential approval process and is offered through the ECU Office of Continuing and Professional Education. What did participants say about the workshops? Check out 21st Century Leadership workshops come to a close.

The second cohort of the Immersive MBA pathway hit the ground running as soon as classes started in August.The group of 16 graduate students has already toured Thermo Fisher Scientific, attended a social sponsored by the Arthur School Advisory Board’s chair, started their graduate assistant work, and settled into their classes. They are already looking ahead with a planned fall trip to Atlanta, scheduled meetings with the COB advisory board, and participation in the COB’s fall networking event. And talks have already begun regarding their mandatory summer internship.

Want to know how they are? Read, New IMBA cohort named.

On Sept. 5, 2024, the annual Meet the Firms, an accounting career fair sponsored by the Department of Accounting in the College of Business, once again brought together tomorrow's accountants with today's accountants. Thirty organizations from the public and private sectors pitched their organizations to almost 200 career-seeking students who pitched their talents to prospective employees.

Read Annual Meet the Firms Hits Harvey Hall for more of the story. Or, check out this video that answers the question: Why Accounting?

During the COB’s annual scholarship dinner, Dean Mike Harris announced that the college awarded more than $700K in scholarships and financial support for ’24-’25 academic year, breaking last year’s record of $675,000. The dinner is an annual event where scholarship recipients can meet or reengage with the donors. This year’s speakers were Christian Hill (’17) and Brinkley-Lane Scholar and marketing major Sarah Maisto.

Mike Harris also celebrated Anne Fisher, who is retiring at the end of this academic year. For the past 27 years, she has organized and managed COB’s scholarship program and dinners.

DENTAL MEDICINE

The dental school’s programs in Hyde, Jones and Bertie counties created to reach patients in rural and underserved communities are thriving. So far, more than 170 patients have been cared for through the Hyde County Outreach Clinic in Swan Quarter, Hyde County. More than 120 dental students have served patients there. The School-Based Oral Health Prevention Programs in Jones and Bertie counties have served more than 1,300 schoolchildren to date, including nearly 6,000 appointments during which more than 16,000 procedures were completed. Of the children served, 76% are on Medicaid — easing the challenges of patients connecting with Medicaid providers in rural counties — while 20% are uninsured and 4% have the cost of care covered privately. Most children enrolled in the programs are between 4 and 12 years old and range from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Three of the school’s full-time faculty have been recognized for their achievements as educators, including:

• Dr. Sophie Cui, above left, who was advanced from clinical assistant professor to clinical associate professor;
• Dr. Paul Lindauer, above middle, who was advanced from clinical associate professor to professor; and
• Dr. Moamen Sheba, above right, who was advanced from clinical assistant professor to clinical associate professor.

Dr. Shannon Minges ’15 is serving as chair of the ECU Alumni Association Board of Directors. She hosted a board meeting in Ross Hall in September, providing a tour to the board and visiting with faculty and administrators.

Dr. Kaitlyn Anderson Spencer, ’18 and Dr. Scarlett Walston Lowery, ’22 helped Tarrick Cox lead the school’s program for high school students in the Health Sciences Academy last month. The program gives participants a look at dental school and a dental career. Both Spencer and Walston graduated from Pitt County high schools, and Spencer participated in the Health Sciences Academy as a prospective student.

Dr. Jessica Shamberger ’19 shared her experience with the Jasper Lewis, Jr. Pediatric Dentistry Collaborative with the ECU Health Foundation boards in September. The collaborative, funded through the generosity of donors, gives current dentists an intensive experience learning how to best care for pediatric dental patients.

EDUCATION

The College of Education welcomed its first Spangler Distinguished Professor of Early Child Literacy, Dr. Tanya Christ. This role is one of four positions created across North Carolina through a generous $8 million gift from the C.D. Spangler Foundation that are meant to take leadership roles and advocate for early literacy best practices and strategies while also creating professional development and partnerships with school and community organizations. Christ has years of leadership and experience in early child literacy and is excited to work with faculty and staff at the university as well as her fellow Spangler Distinguished Professors and the Goodnight Distinguished Professors.

Counselor education faculty Dr. Loni Crumb and Dr. Janeé Avent Harris sought to improve rural education and mental health literacy through the creation of a partnership between the United States and Nigeria. The goal of I-CARE is to equip rural teachers, parents and community members with strategies to identify and respond to mental health concerns through activities such as guest lectures, community learning exchanges and psychoeducational resources.

The East Carolina University Community School had several reasons to celebrate with the release of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) school performance data. This year marks the first in the school’s history that it exceeded growth expectations. Read more about the ECU Community School’s successes.

Several of our Pirate Teachers had the chance to visit the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta in September for an interactive, immersive learning experience and professional development. The Ron Clark Academy is a model school with a vision to transform classrooms around the world by demonstrating transformative methods and techniques that are embraced and replicated everywhere.

Dr. Crisianee Berry, assistant professor in mathematics education, science education and instructional technology, Dr. Phyllis Broughton, teaching assistant professor in adult education, and Dr. Xi Lin, associate professor in adult education, all participated in the Gates County Schools Professional Development Day on August 21, by providing information on using AI for K-12 Educators. Dr. Berry and Dr. Broughton delivered two, three-hour presentations entitled “Using AI to Support Teaching and Learning” at Central Middle School, Gatesville. Topics included overview of AI, considerations and concerns, teacher wellbeing, ideas for student use, prompt engineering, classroom engagement, and more.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

The College of Engineering and Technology honored 77 scholarship recipients and the many donors who contributed $116,000 to support those scholarships during the Robert and Betty Hill Recognition of Excellence Awards Ceremony. Read more HERE.

Dr. Harry Ploehn, left, thanks Batt Masterson, plant manager of Hitachi Astemo’s Tarboro manufacturing facility and a member of the college’s Advancement Council, for the company’s support of students through the Hitachi Astemo Electrical Circuitry Laboratory in the Science and Technology Building. Hitachi Astemo is among ECU’s leading industry partners through its engagement with engineering and technology programs.

The Department of Engineering celebrated its students with a Welcome Party in the High Bay lab. Students received door prizes, including new departmental T-shirts, ate pizza and enjoyed a Connect Four tournament while speaking to faculty in a casual environment outside of class.

The College of Engineering and Technology hosted its annual Student Organization and Appreciation Day outside the Science and Technology Building. Student organizations set up table displays to inform students about their clubs, and students enjoyed lunch and snacks and meeting faculty and staff at the event.

FINE ARTS & COMMUNICATION

Rebecca Simon was the season dialect coach for The Forestburgh Playhouse located in the heart of the Catskills outside of New York City. She worked with Broadway actors and creatives on How I learned to Drive (pictured) and other shows.

Rebecca was hired this summer to be the resident vocal coach for Television News Networks, WNCT 9 On Your Side in Greenville, NC and WRIC News Where You Live in Richmond, VA, working with weekend anchors, new reporters, and meteorologists. She continues to her work coaching TV and film actors from around the world.

Sachiyo Shearman has a new publication:

Bertges, N., Shearman, S. M., Balanay, J.A., Imai, S., & Sousan, S. (Forthcoming 2024). Examination of factors that impact mask or respirator purchase and usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/

J. Aaron Hardwick, an accomplished American conductor ('04 MM) is set to lead the Munich Radio Orchestra in a groundbreaking concert this February. The concert, titled "Let's Play," focuses on the growing cultural significance of video game music and will take place at the iconic Prinzregententheater in Munich.

ECU SoAD Film and Video Production Associate Professor Erick Yates Green and Department of Occupational Therapy Professor Anne Dickerson were awarded a 2024-2025 NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program Filmmaking Grant to make a 3rd narrative film in their on-going series based on true-life stories about the challenges that confront older drivers. This project will include CFAC faculty and students from the SOAD, SOTD and SOM as well as regional actors from across NC. (above right)

Associate Professor Erick Green also attended and marched in the Parade of the Tartans at the 2024 NC Grandfather Mountain Highland Games as a representative of his Scottish [and Irish] Yates and Green family heritages while doing script research for an upcoming fiction film.

Dr. John Howard, Dr. Todd Fraley, Dr. Linda Kean (pictured above), Dr Sachiyo Shearman, and Seo Eo presented at Across Borders X // Difficult Neighborhoods: The Semiotics of Conflict in Culture, Literature and Language in Krosno Poland (Sept 23-25, 2024).

GRADUATE SCHOOL

The Graduate School held a fall retreat last month. After an energizing clogging lesson from Green Grass Clogger Leanne Smith (English Dept), the team examined graduate student first-year and exit survey data, set plans for a spring data retreat, discussed funding sources and policies, identified business process efficiency needs and records management best practices, and reviewed our strategic priorities for the year.

The Graduate Admissions team began its travel season in September. During the month, they spoke to over 250 prospective students across four events! They launched two new initiatives-- Chart Your Path and Graduate Explorations - that have seen some early success and will continue throughout the fall term along with other events.

Chart Your Path to Graduate School are general graduate informational sessions. There will be an in-person information table and a virtual evening session on Wednesday, October 9. Register HERE.

• In-Person - Main Campus Student Center Corridor, 2–3 p.m.
• Virtual Session - MS Teams, 7–8 p.m.

Graduate Explorations are program-specific recruitment events held in the Main Campus Student Center from 2-3:30pm. Students will have the opportunity to pre-register or walk-in to meet directly with program representatives for the following events:

• Wednesday, October 2 – Psychology, MA
• Monday, October 14 – Master of Social Work and Gerontology
• Wednesday, October 16 – Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Monday, October 28 – Integrated Coastal Sciences PhD
• Wednesday, October 30 – PhD in Nursing

An International Graduate Student Information Session will be offered on Thursday, October 10. It will address when and how to apply to a graduate program, submit application materials, and tips for making you a qualified applicant. Register HERE.

• Virtual Session - MS Teams, 9–10 a.m.

Hit the Accelerator aims to increase the visibility of ECU’s Accelerated Programs. The goal of this session on Wednesday, October 16, is to provide information about the requirements, the application process, and the benefits of accelerated master’s programs. Register HERE.

• Virtual Session – MS Teams, 4 p.m.

The Graduate and Professional Schools Fair will be held on Wednesday, October 23. Representatives from ECU’s graduate and professional programs will be featured along with those from other universities in North Carolina. A shuttle from the Main Campus Student Center to the Greenville Convention Center will run for the duration of the event. For more information or to register, click HERE.

• In-Person - Greenville Convention Center, 5:30–8 p.m.

The Graduate School continues to offer an array of professional development opportunities for graduate students and faculty. Associate Dean Kathy Cox and Interim Associate Dean Ron Preston have planned the following events for October.

Faculty and 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 3 – Accelerated Programs and Dual Degrees. When can a course be used twice?
• September 10 – Policy Review: Transfer Credit; Time Extensions; Non-Degree Credit; Add/Drop vs. Withdrawal; Course Withdrawal vs. Term Withdrawal; Incompletes

Graduate Student Lunch & Learns are held via Teams on Thursdays at noon. These sessions focus on timely topics of interest to current graduate students. Register by clicking on the dates below.

• October 3 – Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Advice and How to Submit Your Proposal
• October 17 – Preparing for Early Registration for Spring 2025
• October 24 – Using Student Resources - Counseling Center, Health Center, Dean of Students
• October 31 – Research & Creative Achievement Week (RCAW) Details and Preparation for Submitting Your Proposal

Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Workshops provide information about thesis and dissertation formatting, how to submit it in the Vireo system, and how to meet the deadline for graduation. Sessions are held virtually on October 17 and 22. Register by clicking HERE.

In partnership with the Joyner Library, the Graduate School is also offering several Graduate Student Research Workshops. Register by clicking on the dates below.

• October 2 – Starting A Literature Review: Maximizing Library Resources (Joyner 1020 or Virtual)
• October 15 – Sharing Research: Developing Effective & Professional Posters for Presenting Research (Virtual)
• October 23 – Publishing Your Research: Understanding the Publishing Community (Virtual)
• October 24 – Sharing Research: Polishing Your Presentation Skills for Professional Oral Presentations (Joyner 1020 or Virtual)

The Graduate School is excited to host a Grad PIRATE Talk: Promoting Innovative Research and Teaching Excellence at 2:30 on Wednesday, October 24, in the Isley Innovation Hub. This session, Research in Action: Best Practices in Community Engaged Research, will feature five graduate students from the Coastal Community Data Scholars (CCEDS) Program.

HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE

The Human Performance Lab in the Ward Sports Medicine Building is a great resource to all faculty, staff and students looking to enhance their research. The lab’s translational research core uses top-notch equipment and assessments, made available to researchers to improve projects that benefit people on campus and in our communities. The translational research core is an ECU approved research service center, specializing in services such as cardiometabolic exercise testing, whole-body metabolism during exercise or rest, gold standard body composition analysis, infant body composition and resting metabolism, rapid blood glucose and cholesterol analysis. The HPL website details a full list of translational research core service options, outreach services and programs, and the importance of student research opportunities. For more information about using the HPL, email Human Performance Lab director Linda May.

The Office of Healthy Aging welcomes Dr. Mi Hwa Lee, associate professor of social work, as the Faculty Fellow for OHA. Lee joined ECU’s School of Social Work in 2018. Lee has focused research on cancer screening disparities within Asian American immigrant populations. As OHA fellow, Lee will lead in the development of gerontology education and service opportunities, conceptualization of OHA events, and continued scholarship about health disparities and accessibility for immigrants and older adults.

Dr. David Loy and students Casey Weidner and Lydia Pinto, who are both graduate students in recreational therapy in the Department of Recreation Sciences, went to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. In addition to attending games and learning more about French culture, Pinto, Weidner and Loy worked with the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee to staff The USA Welcome Experience. They teamed with a group from host Clemson University and a couple students from Brigham Young University for this unique, hands-on experience at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “Our students had an incredible opportunity to interact with USA Paralympic athletes,” said Loy, director of the ECU Sensory & Observation Lab. “It’s also great for our ECU students to interact and learn with other universities. We are studying adaptive sport and culture and the impact sport has on disability.” Also in Paris representing ECU and the Department of Recreation Sciences, Dr. Ollie Taniyev attended the European Association for Sport Management conference, where he presented the paper, “Taking the Initiative: An Analysis of Marketing Practices with Professional Athletes.” The theme of this conference was sport management and social inclusion.

ECU’s Office for Faculty Excellence recognized Dr. Jo Anne Balanay with an ECU Scholar Teacher Award for her effective integration of research into teaching. Balanay is a professor in the Department of Health Education and Promotion and national leader in research to caution and protect outdoor workers in high-heat environments.

Dr. Stephanie Richards with the Department of Health Education and Promotion received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R15 grant (3 years) funded at $414,370 and titled, “Socioeconomic impacts of La Crosse encephalitis in western North Carolina.” ECU collaborators include Dr. Rashmita Basu (public health), Dr. Jie Yang (social work) and ECU DrPH student (Chelsea Atkins) working on the project as part of her dissertation, and other students to help as the R15 mechanism is focused on exposing undergraduates to research. Each study within the overarching project will expose undergraduate students to methods, technology and equipment relevant to a wide range of careers in biomedical sciences.

Dr. Linda May was nominated as chair of the American College of Sports Medicine’s Pregnancy and Postpartum Special Interest Group. May (kinesiology) oversees ECU active moms research and was ranked No. 7 in the world and fourth in the country by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health among authors who research physical activity during pregnancy.

Thanks to the support of the Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Community Foundation, HHP Professors Drs. Bhibha Das (kinesiology), Linda May (kinesiology) and Avian White (health education and promotion) and their student research assistants recently led a physical activity class at C.M. Eppes Middle School.

COMPASS, the ECU student-parent support program led by Brianna Webb and the Department of Human Development and Family Science, held its first-ever Family Day event. There were resource packets available, the initiation of a student-parent organization, parenting pantry giveaway items, free children's books, games and good food. The COMPASS team highlighted drop-off childcare on campus: The D.O.C.C. at Darden, and the newly established D.O.C.C. at Joyner. Currently, the D.O.C.C. at Joyner is operating Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:15AM - 12:45PM. Email Webb for more information about D.O.C.C..

Dr. Deonna Farr, assistant professor in the Department of Health Education and Promotion, presented at the Advancing Equity in Diagnostic Excellence to Reduce Health Disparities workshop hosted by the National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine in Washington, D.C. Farr’s presentation focused on factors that lead to racial inequities in who completes follow-up testing when people have abnormal breast cancer or colon cancer screening tests. In both cases, she focuses on characteristics of and processes in the healthcare facilities that provide the follow-up testing for both types of cancers. The presentation began with breast cancer diagnostic testing analysis and describing Farr’s findings of a recently published article, which is the basis of an R15 application.

The ECU Consortium for Trauma and Resiliency Research team, led by HHP faculty Drs. Jennifer Matthews (health education and promotion) and Erin Roberts (human development and family science), held the first community planning event that included various representatives such as Pitt County Schools, NC Civil, ECU pediatrics, the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, Pitt County Health Department and other partners. They used presentations and brainstorming sessions aimed to make community and collective impact by connecting local families to resources, to make Pitt County safer for children and assist in advancing citizens to be better informed using trauma-based therapy and other resources. A research-based meeting is scheduled for Oct. 11 as the consortium continues to advance its research and community connections.

Dr. Lindsey Oakes, assistant professor of recreational therapy, won a UNC Greensboro School of Health and Human Sciences 2024 Pacesetter Award. These Pacesetter awards honor outstanding alumni from UNCG-HHS who have attained local, state or regional recognition through their achievements in scholarship, leadership or service, during their career or through civic involvement.

Representatives from the Department of Human Development and Family Science — Drs. Eboni Baugh, Carrie Bergeson and Jacquelyn Mallette — had journals published in which each included research collaboration with a graduate student. Baugh led a paper with Bergeson co-author, “Lessons learned during the pandemic: Parental coping and the positive effects of COVID-19.” Conclusion from the study suggested parents were able to develop coping strategies and find positives even during the early stages of the pandemic. Mallette co-authored with former grad student, Cherish Elmore-Li, “Foster Caregiver Experiences: Implications from Retention and Satisfaction.” The study concluded it provides important insights into how foster caregivers’ demographic, parenting and agency characteristics are related to the outcomes of retention, satisfaction and overall fostering experience.

HONORS

The Honors College Student Council hosted a Student Engagement Fair that invited faculty, staff and students to share their research and engagement opportunities to honors students.

Honors students had the chance to test their Kanjam skills against Chancellor Rogers and Dean Fraley during the annual Fridays with Fraley, Ford & the Chancellor!

First-year Brinkley-Lane Scholars reflected on their first month at the university, including how the Holloman Retreat in Ocracoke helped them form a tight-knit community and how knowing they have these levels of support have given them the confidence to immerse themselves at ECU and pursue leadership roles.

The Honors College Student Council hosted a successful blood drive this semester. Their goal was to have 35 donors and they surpassed it with 56 donors.

Nandini Vishwakarma presented at the AHA Hypertension Conference in Chicago. While there, she was able to learn new methodology applicable to Dr. Katwa’s lab, as well as an exciting new project idea regarding a new blood pressure control drug.

INTEGRATED COASTAL PROGRAMS

In September, members of the Oceanography and Marine Hydrokinetic Energy Lab, led by Dr. Mike Muglia (Coastal Studies), traveled to Old Dominion University to attend the 2024 National Science Foundation Ocean Observatories Initiative (NSF OOI) Community Workshop. Dr. Muglia is a current member of the NSF OOI Facility Board. The event was focused on the recently relocated NSF OOI Pioneer Array, a coastal mooring array accompanied by glider and AUV transects that provides continuous ocean observing measurements in the Mid-Atlantic Bight off the coast of North Carolina. The workshop brought together various stakeholders interested in the Pioneer Array data to foster cross-network collaboration as well as future science and education initiatives. This data helps in understanding the biological, physical, and chemical processes of our oceans.

David Lagomasino (far right, Coastal Studies) and Integrated Coastal Science PhD student Shalimar G. Moreno (second from right), along with former ECU faculty member JP Walsh (middle, University of Rhode Island), are currently visiting Manila, Philippines at the end of September and early October to assist with educational remote sensing trainings and workshops that include participants from academic institutions and government agencies in the Philippines. These trainings are focused on data processing to create land and benthic cover maps to further support the goals of the USAID Fight Right project, a partnership between the Government of the Philippines and the USAID.

The Coastal Studies Institute hosted Dr. Andrew Thaler (back, 4th from left) of “Oceanography for Everyone” for a 3-day workshop where participants learned to construct, calibrate, and deploy OpenCTDs, an open-source, low-cost device to measure salinity, temperature, and pressure. The workshop included lessons on electronics, fabrication and 3D printing, coding, and CTD data collection and analysis. 17 CSI faculty, staff, students, and interns came together to construct 7 OpenCTDs, the largest workshop of its kind to date. These CTDs will soon be deployed in the Outer Banks Sounds as part of a NC Renewable Ocean Energy Program project led by Muglia Lab members, Lindsay Wentzel and Trip Taylor (front left, back 3rd from right, respectively).

UNCW recently hosted the 2024 Ocean Innovation Conference, bringing together thought leaders, innovators, and change makers to learn, explore, and vision new solutions for our ocean and waterways. As part of this event, Dr. Reide Corbett (Dean, Integrated Coastal Programs) participated in a panel, entitled University Blue Initiatives, moderated by John Hardin (Executive Director, North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, Department of Commerce) to discuss current and future initiatives within North Carolina’s Blue Economy and the part each university plays.

The UNC Institute for the Environment Outer Banks Field Site welcomed 12 students to the Coastal Studies Institute for the Fall 2024 semester back in August. While at CSI, the students will carry out their ecology and policy focused coursework, participate in internships, complete their Capstone research project, and engage in a range of activities to immerse them in the in unique ecosystem of the area. The students have been hard at work conducting fieldwork for their capstone in the Currituck Sound in Corolla, a community on the northern end of Outer Banks. The Capstone combines research into the relationship between prescribed fire and marsh characteristics that contribute to the resilience of these systems with local viewpoints about the Sound and experiences of changes within the system. To address their research question, students are collecting data on plant community makeup, marsh plant biomass, sediment accretion, water quality and conducting interviews with local frequenters of the sound. Hailing from across North Carolina and as far as Utah, the students are sure to find a new home on the Outer Banks all while enriching their undergraduate careers and bolstering their research skills. Follow all the UNC OBXFS happenings on their student blog (updated weekly), Instagram, and Facebook.

The Coastal Studies Institute hosted its monthly Science on the Sound lecture on September 26. Professor Paul Taillie (UNC Chapel Hill) presented "Coastal Ecosystems and Rising Seas: Impending Collapse or Conservation Opportunity?” For a list of upcoming Science on the Sound Speakers and topics, along with other events on the ECU Outer Banks campus, visit our site, HERE.

Guided tours of the ECU Outer Banks Campus, home to the Coastal Studies Institute, are offered on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Visitors will be guided through the main Research Education & Administration building to learn about our academic programs, education and outreach initiatives, campus, and diverse research laboratories and their current projects. Our family-friendly public tours are thoughtfully designed to engage visitors from a range of ages, from school-aged children (ages 8 and up) to inquisitive adults and lifelong learners. In addition, interactive elements have been incorporated throughout the tour to make your experience even more enriching.

JOYNER LIBRARY

The ECU main social media account highlighted a pigment analysis on the covers of books that date back to the 19th century. This project was led by library conservator Larry Houston and student employee Alexander Owens, a maritime studies graduate student, and help of the team at the Queen Anne’s Revenge Project on ECU’s West Research Campus. They tested for toxic pigments and used an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to determine which elements are present in a sample. They also looked at some blue and red pigment fragments discovered in Blackbeard’s shipwreck and compared the data against samples in the library’s lab.

“Alzheimer’s Fantasies” is an exhibition of nearly 30 uniquely colored drawings and digital prints in the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery, on the second floor of the main campus library. It will be on display into late November. All sale profits will be donated to the North Carolina Alzheimer’s Association. This exhibit is in honor of the late Susan Lynne Dorsey, who retired from the library in 2012. The exhibiting artist is Michael A. Dorsey, Professor Emeritus in the School of Art and Design. Michael described his work as a visual conversation to himself while serving as a caregiver for his wife.

Game Night at Joyner Library is scheduled for Oct. 17 from 5:00 - 9:00p.m. Pumpkin decorating will be an option again this year, along with an arcade experience, board games, video games, trivia, DnD and other fun entertainment options on the first floor of the library. This is not only for students to attend, but it’s a family-friendly event for staff and faculty to also come enjoy.

JoVE is the world-leading provider of more than 20,000 STEM videos that can be used to enhance research, teaching and training. Full access to JoVE is available to access from the library’s database link. Create an account using your @ecu.edu email address. Available content includes the JoVE journals, Encyclopedias of Experiments, all 59 JoVE Core and Science Education modules in Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Skills, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Physics and Psychology, as well as JoVE Lab Manuals in Biology and Chemistry.

Students, staff and librarians enjoyed pizza and insight together at a Wiknic event to learn more about Wikipedia and how it might be used as a tertiary source. NC Wikipedian Frank Jones led conversations and answered various questions about the topic.

LAUPUS HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY

A new exhibit, “Feminine Flair: Wellness and Advertising in the Victorian Era,” has been installed at the Brody School of Medicine. The exhibit highlights topics such as taking care of babies, patent medicines, using trade cards to advertise and more, all during the Victorian Era. These impressive artifacts come from the Country Doctor Museum's permanent collection.

As part of a North Carolina Department of Information Technology grant, librarians Jamie Bloss and Amanda Haberstroh held trainings for four community health workers on a digital literacy curriculum developed for community health workers. The modules were taught in a train-the-trainer method and then the community health workers did a mock teaching session on the second day. The health workers also discussed strategies for their outreach plans to bring these trainings to their communities in eastern North Carolina.

The Country Doctor Museum will host Twilight at the Museum from 6:00 - 8:30PM on Oct. 12. The event, at 7089 Peele Road in Bailey, will include a tour, photo booth, demonstrations and more. Admission is $5 per person (ages 5+). For more information, call 252-235-4165.

NURSING

The College of Nursing recently received a 10-Year Visit by the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON), which is responsible for accrediting the Bachelor of Nursing program. The NCBON representative met with students, visited the simulation labs and learned about the resources available to faculty and staff at the college.

She gave us specific feedback about the BSN program, including:

• We surpassed all NCSBN benchmarks for undergraduate education.
• Student feedback was very positive. They highlighted the faculty's professionalism and expertise, appreciated the curriculum's structure from a didactic and clinical perspective, and felt the faculty and staff were considerate, listened to them, and responded to emails promptly. Students also valued the test blueprint and the First Day Complete/First Day textbook initiative.
• Faculty also shared their excitement about the College and workload document mechanism.
• Highlights of the visit: meeting with the faculty and students, visiting the simulation labs, and learning about the resources available to faculty and staff at the college.

The CON received no recommendation for improvement and is deemed compliant with the NCBON and in good standing for another 10 years.

Dr. Adrian Lennon was recently selected to be the Concentration Director for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program at ECU’s College of Nursing.

Dr. Lennon obtained her bachelor’s from UNC Pembroke and is a two-time Pirate Nurse, completing her first master’s degree with a concentration in Adult Nurse Practitioner at ECU. She was one of the first graduates in ECU’s PMHNP post master’s program while simultaneously completing a Doctor of Nursing Practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner at UMass Boston. Dr. Lennon maintains a dual certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Lennon began her career at ECU as an Adjunct Clinical Faculty member before becoming a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor within the PMHNP concentration. She is a member of the CON’s Culture & Engagement Committee, Pirate Nurse Alumni Council, and has served on a search committee for the CON. She is a member of the North Carolina Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Dr. Lennon is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau’s Beta Nu Chapter.

Dr. Lennon continues to serve the mental health needs of rural NC by maintaining clinical practice in conjunction with her academic duties.

BSN to DNP student Lindsay Jarman (above, right) represented The ECU College of Nursing at the Frontiers In Advanced Emergency Care annual conference hosted by Emory Department of Emergency Medicine Center for Advanced Emergency Care in Atlanta earlier this month.

“So much great work is being done in emergency medicine and global health. Also very, very thankful to reconnect with Dr. Anna Yaffee, who is a longtime mentor and friend,” Jarman said.

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