A Message from the Dean
As we embark on another exciting chapter in the College of Education, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work happening across the College and how our strategic vision, aligned with ECU’s mission, is shaping the future.
Our strategic plan serves as a guiding force, ensuring that our commitment to preparing, supporting, and inspiring educators and leaders remains at the heart of everything we do. You will see this reflected in this edition and in future publications, highlighting the ways we are advancing education through innovation, research, and service.
Our faculty and staff continue to engage in work that strengthens schools and communities, driving meaningful improvements in our region through teaching, research, and outreach. We also celebrate the achievements of our graduates, first-year students, and alumni—whose impact extends far beyond ECU’s boundaries.
In this issue, you will find stories of faculty, staff, and students forging connections with regional partners, working together to be catalysts for change. Many within our College have earned recognition at the university, regional, and national level, underscoring the excellence that defines us.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We invite you to explore this issue and celebrate the achievements of our College of Education community—because it is through your dedication and support that we continue to thrive.
Warm Regards,
Dr. André M. Green, PhD
Dean, ECU College of Education
College of Education Strategic Plan Overview
The College of Education is committed to advancing student success, public service, and regional transformation while upholding the university’s vision of social and economic mobility and workforce success. To achieve these goals, the College has outlined key initiatives that will enhance student experiences, empower faculty, and strengthen community partnerships.
To support student success, the College will implement mentorship programs and scholar communities to foster belonging, identify and remove barriers to matriculation, expand real-world learning opportunities, and offer innovative programs that address workforce needs. Public service efforts will focus on securing funding to enhance community engagement initiatives and faculty resources.
Regional transformation remains a priority, with professional learning opportunities for educators and collaborative partnerships to create seamless pathways into and out of education programs. The College is also dedicated to promoting social and economic mobility by securing funding to expand accessibility and refining teaching methods to enhance student learning experiences.
Finally, in pursuit of workforce success, the College will foster welcoming learning environments, enhance faculty development, and establish mentorship programs to support career advancement. Through these strategic initiatives, the College of Education continues to shape the future of education while strengthening communities and supporting lifelong learning.
Highlights
Recent Student Profiles
For first-year elementary education major Hope DeVitto, being a teacher has been her dream for as long as she can remember.
“From creating an imaginary classroom in my study to taking a Cadet Teaching Course in high school, teaching is where my heart lies,” she said. “Many teachers have influenced my decision to become a teacher, but three stand out the most: Mrs. Furr, Mrs. McDonald, and Ms. Vaughn. Each of them gave me opportunities to grow my love of learning. Their passion for teaching and dedication to their students inspired me to follow in their footsteps.”
During her first tour of East Carolina University, DeVitto was impressed by how personable and welcoming campus was, especially when she met with the College of Education’s Dr. Dionna Manning, executive director of student engagement, student success, scholarship and development, and Caroline Hill, lead academic advisor.
“Both knew my name and were excited to meet me,” she said. “This was an experience that could not be duplicated at another university, especially one of ECU’s size. The direct interaction with faculty and the supportive community made ECU feel like home.”
What propelled Tracee Moore to pursue graduate school initially was a frustration with the future of public education. However, her time as a reading and literacy master’s student in the East Carolina University College of Education has transformed her thinking.
“I have grown personally and professionally, gained new perspectives and now see myself through a broader lens,” she said.
Moore will graduate this May and feels ready to tackle what’s next in her career.
“While I’m no longer in the classroom, my graduate studies have shaped my career in unexpected ways,” she said. “I now walk boldly and confidently, knowing that I am already a literacy leader who can advocate for change.”
When Isabelle Vernon found out that she won the North Carolina Council for Social Studies Student Teacher of the Year award, she was in disbelief.
“I had one thought: There must be a different Isabelle Vernon,” she said.
Once the shock had worn off for history education major Vernon, she immediately notified her friends and family.
“I am so honored that I was considered and chosen for this award,” she said. “Being named STOY [student teacher of the year] has helped encourage me and solidify in my mind that this is what I’m meant to do.”
Pirate Nation Gives Update
We would like to thank everyone who gave during this year's Pirate Nation Gives. While we are still finalizing official numbers and verifying all of our information, as of right now, we had 166 donors during Pirate Nation Gives who helped us raise just under $2.5 million dollars. We are extremely grateful for everyone's generosity and are excited to use these funds to help our students continue to excel.
Last year, the college awarded over $700K in scholarship funding to assist deserving students defray some of the cost associated with obtaining an education as well as provide meaningful study away experiences for a vast array of students. In the coming academic years, our goal is to increase our scholarship and study away experience support for College of Education students to at least $1 million. If you would like to join us in supporting this initiative, please scan the QR code (or click the link) below!
Leadership Updates
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Education: Dr. Scott Glass
Based on the most recent data, the College of Education’s (COE) graduate student enrollment numbers for the 2024-2025 academic year have increased approximately 4.5% compared to this time last year. This growth is directly related to the recruiting efforts implemented by programs and faculty over the past twelve months. The COE has many dedicated faculty and staff who have spent countless hours engaging with prospective students, answering their many questions, and connecting them with faculty and programs who can help them best meet their professional goals. If you or someone you know is wanting to learn more about pursuing a graduate degree from the COE, please reach out to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Education, Dr. Scott Glass (glassj@ecu.edu), and we will connect you with your program of interest.
Associate Dean for Research: Dr. Dan Dickerson
The NC Principal Fellows Commission recently announced that ECU’s Principal Fellows Program will receive a six-year, $8.3 million award to advance the state’s commitment to cultivating high-quality school leaders. “We received an extraordinary set of applications, highlighting the rising caliber of leadership preparation programs across the state,” said Dr. Lauren Lampron, NCPFP director and chair of the NCPFP Commission. “NCPFP was designed to be competitive to elevate school leadership development and it is bearing out with each grant cycle. Each of the selected institutions will recruit, select, prepare and support an exceptional new generation of school leaders. No other state matches North Carolina’s commitment to its school leaders.”
The ECU Principal Fellows leadership team includes: Dr. Hal Holloman, professor of educational leadership and director of the ECU PFP/principal investigator; Dr. Karen Jones and Dr. Travis Lewis, professors of educational leadership and co-principal investigators; Claudia Wall, PFP program coordinator; Selina Riley-Gurganus, PFP program coordinator and regional coach; and Dr. Joe Nelson, Susan Peele, and Cassandra B. White, regional leadership coaches.
Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Educator Preparation: Dr. Holly Fales
The College of Education participated in the university-wide ECU Excels celebration on Friday, January 24th. This event recognized fall 2024 first semester full-time freshmen and transfer students who received an ECU GPA of 3.0 of higher. The College of Education was proud to have 117 students eligible for this high honor of “ECU Excels Scholar.” Various faculty and staff within the COE engaged with COE student attendees to congratulate them on their strong start at ECU.
We are excited to host our Pirate Institute for Regional Aspiring Teachers & Educators again this summer. This is a free three-day immersive experience which includes staying two nights in an ECU residence hall, meals, and materials. Participants will explore the teaching profession through engaging, fun activities and have the opportunity to interact with leaders in education as well as peers.
This will be June 18-20, 2025 for rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduating seniors. The application must be submitted by 12 p.m. on Friday, April 11th to be eligible to participate.
The ECU College of Education continues to make a lasting impact on North Carolina’s schools, with 13 ECU graduates and residency candidates being named 2024-2025 District Beginning Teachers of the Year by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT). Even more impressively, four of these outstanding educators—Makenna Rose (Greene County Schools), Grace Gaskins (Hyde County Schools), Priscilla Baker (Martin County Schools), and Raven Spencer (Union County Schools)—have been selected as finalists for the 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year Award.
A closer look at their pathways highlights ECU’s strong educator preparation programs: three honorees completed a traditional undergraduate teacher education program, including one finalist and a Maynard Scholar; two are graduates of Partnership Teach, including one finalist; and five are current Residency program candidates, with one finalist among them. Additionally, three awardees completed educator preparation programs outside of the College of Education.
These remarkable educators will be honored, along with the other 23 finalists, at a recognition event on March 27th in Greensboro, NC.
Congratulations to all of our ECU honorees!
- Shainah Andrews – Bertie County Schools
- Cassidy Goff – Roanoke Rapids Graded School District
- C. Hailey Hedgepeth – Gates County Schools
- Makenna Rose – Greene County Schools (Finalist)
- Grace Gaskins (Grace Ward) – Hyde County Schools (Finalist)
- TreShawn Penny – Lee County Schools
- Timothy Sanderson – Lenoir County Public Schools
- Seth Baxter – Lincoln County Schools
- Priscilla Baker – Martin County Schools (Finalist)
- Brian Geller – Onslow County Schools
- Aiyana Mourino – Pitt County Schools
- Alisa Hammonds – Public Schools of Robeson County
- Raven Spencer – Union County Schools (Finalist)
We look forward to celebrating their success and the impact they are making in classrooms across the state!
Students in the Education Community of Scholars (ECOS), Education Living and Learning Community (ELLC), and NC Teaching Fellows (NCTF) programs had an impactful and engaging Fall 2024 semester, balancing hands-on learning with meaningful community service.
In November, 48 students traveled to New York City for an experiential learning opportunity, where they explored Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, deepening their understanding of history and cultural heritage.
Back on campus, these future educators demonstrated their commitment to service. During their end-of-year holiday social, the group hosted a toy drive, collecting over 130 new, unwrapped toys for social workers to distribute to Pitt County students in need. Their dedication extended throughout the semester, as ECOS/ELLC/NCTF students collectively completed over 2,800 hours of community service, supporting local schools and non-profit organizations. They also organized canned goods donations for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC and the ECU Community School, and participated in school clean-up days to support the ECU Community School.
The ECU College of Education continues to engage with future educators and strengthen district partnerships through recruitment events and school visits across the region.
In November, Dean Andre Green, Dr. Holly Fales, Dr. Dionna Manning, and Ms. Sonya Small, visited Granville County Schools to strengthen partnerships with district leaders. They met with LCSN liaison and district recruitment and retention coordinator, Kellye Walton, and visited three schools, including a dual language immersion program and a high school teacher cadet program. The visit also included a working lunch with Superintendent Dr. Stan Winborne and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Courtney Currin to discuss district needs and collaborative opportunities.
As part of our ongoing efforts to work directly with districts in recruiting students into the education profession, Catrina Davis, Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator, traveled to Brunswick County Schools to participate in their BCS Teacher Scholar Academy, where 30 students explored teaching pathways and fifteen students attended ECU presentations. Meanwhile, Gerald Baldwin, Partnership Teach Coordinator, represented ECU at the Onslow County Schools Future Teacher Day, where high school students learned about the teaching profession and ECU’s teacher preparation programs.
These outreach efforts are essential to growing ECU’s pipeline of future educators and supporting North Carolina’s schools. COE looks forward to continuing these visits and expanding partnerships across the region!
Assistant Dean for Faculty & Staff Development, Wellness & Engagement: Dr. Janeé Avent Harris
We kicked off Spring 2025 with a special Wellness Wednesday edition. During Wellness Wednesday we shared stress and time management tips and students were able to connect with each other while enjoying some snacks. Plus, we had some positive affirmations to start our semester strong! We understand the importance of well-being in academic success, and we look forward to more opportunities to highlight and support wellness initiatives.
We are committed to offering transformative experiences to all of our students. The Lookout Program is an opportunity to support students through mentorship, skill-building, and networking opportunities. View our Lookout Program video for more information.
Commencement is an incredibly exciting time for our graduates and their families. The College of Education hosted a graduate reception where our newest alumni, their families, and our faculty and staff celebrated this awesome achievement.
The College of Education joined alongside the university community to recognize International Education Week with our inaugural COE International Education Week Showcase and Celebration. This event provided an opportunity for faculty to highlight their global research, teaching, and service while fostering a space for creativity and collaboration. We were pleased to celebrate this event with our COE community and guests from across campus.
Student Success
Last semester, the Center for STEM Education received funding from the ECU Parent Grant to celebrate Senior II Science and Math Education concentration students. With the funding, the Center was able to purchase classroom supplies for each student offsetting the stress and cost of purchasing basic materials as they head into their final semester of their internship and into their career. Gift bags included essentials such as rulers, pens, dry erase markers, and sticky notes. Students received these gifts on Reading Day, as the Center hosted a Holiday Celebration with students and MSITE staff. The students were able to take a break before exams, network with peers and faculty and celebrate their successes. This grant provided goody bags to 32 students; 4 High School Education Students, 7 Middle School Education students, and 21 Elementary Education majors concentrating in Math and Science.
In partnership with Ms. Bonnie Glass, the Center for STEM Education staff member Ann McClung introduced RoboxSumo to students in ECU’s Elementary Science Methods and Elementary Physical Science courses. Designed by the Pitt Pirates Robotics team, RoboxSumo challenges participants to build and control cardboard robots to compete in a sumo-style showdown. Over three days, ECU’s preservice teachers collaborated in teams to design, build, and test their robots, culminating in an exciting tournament. This activity not only honed the teachers’ understanding of engineering practices and the forces and motion standard, but also inspired them to create engaging, inquiry-based STEM lessons for their future classrooms.
Dr. Ken Luterbach was selected to serve as a panelist at the Student Success Conference at ECU in January.
ECU mathematics education majors attended the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics. They made poster presentations and recruited potential future students. Several ECU math education majors also attended the National Conference on Co-Teaching that was held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Mathematics education student Katelyn Walters received the 2024 Outstanding Mathematics Education Student award from the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Dr. Patricia Slagter van Tryon received the AECT Presidential Service Award for her work in international engagement.
Drs. Todd Finley and Jenni Gallagher led an immersive student engagement retreat for Secondary English Education and History/Social Studies Education majors.
Throughout the day, students gained insights on:
- Building a professional support network
- Developing dispositions for thriving in a Professional Learning Network (PLN)
- Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration in planning and instruction
- Integrating social-emotional learning into teaching strategies
- Teaching with gamification techniques to boost student engagement
It was a day packed with learning, connection, and practical tools to bring into the classroom!
Pre-service teacher candidates in READ 3501 and READ 3502 participate in early experience supervised field-based practicum activities that require them to design and deliver reading instruction that is based on student’s individual needs. In both READ courses, preservice teachers learn about language structures and vocabulary and plan and implement field-based activities that are differentiated to meet the needs of diverse learners. In READ 3501 and READ 3502, PSTs learn how to meet the needs of English Leaners by reading articles about English Language Learners/ multilingual learners, second language acquisition, and linguistic varieties and dialects and applying their developing knowledge when designing and delivering practicum lessons that are specific to students’ diverse needs.
Hannah Watkins, reflecting on a small group reading lesson she facilitated: "I learned so much doing this lesson and I am extremely thankful to have had a chance to do a small group reading lesson to see what it is like and how different it is from teaching a whole class. I learned more about each student as a person which is extremely helpful for a teacher."
Tracy Cole, Principal of the ECU Community School: “The Community School’s scholars and staff enjoyed working with the READ 3501 practicum students this fall. The children thrived in the one-on-one or small group learning settings. Along with strengthening their reading skills, our scholars also had an opportunity to establish positive relationships with the college students. This practicum experience was definitely a win-win for all involved.”
The ECU Literacy Education program aligns with the NC Literacy Framework and was recognized with an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), a recognition given to only 48 schools nationally for elementary education literacy programs.
Elementary Education faculty members have laid a strong foundation in classroom management for our senior interns by exploring essential principles and practical strategies that are needed in the field of education. We've focused on the use of verbal and non-verbal alert cues to effectively engage students and maintain a positive learning environment. Additionally, we've delved into Ronald Morrish's "Real Discipline" model, equipping our interns with techniques to foster responsibility and respect in their classrooms. Our Home/Community project, which consists of six steps, has commenced, emphasizing the critical importance of bridging the connection between home and school. Through this project, interns are developing strategies to strengthen these ties, ensuring a collaborative approach to education that supports student success.
ECU alumnus Nate Emerick credited his first year of success at his school to the special education program at ECU. He had this to say to two of his former professors:
"I have a really supportive EC team that I work with and a really great mentor teacher who have helped me with my first year. I have learned a lot on the job and I am learning more with each day through daily experiences and the professional developments I partake in. I have about 22 kids I teach in grades 4th-5th and I really enjoy seeing them grow. Much of their growth I believe is attributed to the strategies and creativity in lesson planning you both taught me. I also have been praised by my departmental lead for writing strong IEP goals and detailed progress reports, which I also give credit to the lessons you both have taught me in thoroughness."
Ashley Parmley, a 2020 graduate of ECU’s Middle Grades Education program, is making waves in the field of education. She was recently recognized as Pitt County’s Beginning Teacher of the Year, the Northeast Region’s BTOY winner, and a Prudential BTOY State Finalist with the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT). Her dedication and impact in the classroom exemplify the excellence of ECU-trained educators. Dr. Jamin Carson serves as the Middle Grades Education Program Coordinator.
Faculty member Tim Dameron (middle grades education) was spotted at an ECU Homecoming game with former interns he’s mentored over the years. These inspiring educators are already making waves in the field—teaching in South Carolina, pursuing their master’s at ECU, and even being recognized as Teacher of the Year!
Junior 1 preservice elementary teachers have been busy partnering with K-2 teachers across Pitt County! Our Pirate Educators are engaging in real-world practices as they observe and teach their first full lessons in the elementary setting. This privilege allows students to strengthen their knowledge of classroom culture while also applying reading, writing, and developmental theories firsthand with their groups of learners. The NC Literacy Framework serves as a foundation for the curriculum in this supervised field-based practicum.
Junior 2 Elementary Education students partnered with W.H. Robinson teachers for hands-on practice in the classroom. Preservice teachers had the opportunity to observe and teach integrated Social Studies and ELA lessons to fourth graders. Job-embedded practices help prepare elementary majors for real-work teaching by offering practical experiences in the classroom, providing opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge and classroom management skills, and refine teaching strategies as they prepare to step into their own classrooms.
In Elementary Education Social Studies Methods courses, students rolled up their sleeves, donned an investigator mustache and used their CSI skills to solve a historical cold case related to the Westward Expansion period. Student explored a new teaching strategy: inquiry! Given a few primary resources from the 1800s, students work together to connect the dots of their evidence to determine the crime, the victim, and the assailant! This training focused on supporting preservice teachers in the developing the skills needed work in the teaching field.
Public Service
To kick off October, the Center for STEM Education took part in the annual STEM Expo, held by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Greenville on October 5. There, Center staff and students in the Elementary Science Concentration from East Carolina University (ECU) interacted with over 390 students and parents, offering activities inspired by North Carolina’s natural ecosystems. These included hands-on lessons such as observing the effect of sunlight on UV-sensitive beads, learning probability and statistics using M&M candies, and predicting and graphing foot sizes to introduce measurement concepts. Through these activities, attendees were able to experience firsthand how STEM can bring everyday observations to life and gained a better understanding of natural science concepts.
As Halloween approached, the Center for STEM Education hosted a Spooky STEM event on October 30 at St. James United Methodist Church, partnering with the Pitt Pirates Robotics team, a local high school robotics group. The event attracted 45 elementary school students from third to fifth grade, each creating zipline racers from simple materials like popsicle sticks, paper clips, and propellers. For a spooky twist, participants decorated their racers with paper witches, ghosts, and owls. The final activity saw these creations racing down a zipline, thrilling students and giving them a hands-on introduction to engineering concepts in a festive, fun setting.
Assistant professor of special education Danielle Dietz was highlighted by both a local news outlet and Special Olympics North Carolina for her work with the Special Olympics North Carolina, where she won the Volunteer of the Year Award.
Regional Transformation
The Center for STEM Education, in collaboration with LEGO Education and Pitt County Schools, hosted a training for elementary and middle school teachers focused on integrating robotics into their classrooms and clubs. With guidance from Pitt Pirates team members, teachers learned to program LEGO robots, navigate the LEGO Education platform, and explored other activities suitable for young learners, such as the Science Olympiad, programming with Spheros, and projects like the Toothpick Bridge and Egg Drop contests. This training empowered teachers with the skills and ideas they need to make STEM learning accessible and enjoyable for students.
The Center for STEM Education’s outreach extended to Pungo Christian Academy in Belhaven, NC, where STEM Day introduced students in grades 3 through 5 to kinetic and potential energy through a slingshot car-building activity. ECU alumni and Teaching Fellows Ashley and Kelly Williford joined as volunteers, assisting students as they built and raced their slingshot cars. The day also included an exciting RoboxSumo match, where students operated robots constructed by ECU’s preservice teachers. This event was designed to spark curiosity and inspire future STEM leaders, providing students with a memorable hands-on experience in engineering and physics.
Drs. Vanessa Reyes, Lindsay Mattock and Vanessa Irvin in Library Science received a $1.1M grant from the Mellon Foundation for their project, “Faculty Organizing for Community Archives (FOCAS): East Carolina University.” This project aims to connect with community-based archival organizations for mutual benefit and will enrich the library science courses at ECU by highlighting local case studies, historical perspectives, and archival practices that challenge the dominant best practices in the cultural heritage fields.
ECU’s Eighth Annual International Award Ceremony was held at the Murphy Center on November 19. At the ceremony, six faculty members received awards for their contributions to campus internationalization. Four of these faculty members were from the College of Education: Xi Lin, Loni Crumb, Tammy Lee & Bonnie Glass.
Dr. Xi Lin, from the Department of Interdisciplinary Professions in the College of Education, was also a winner of an Award for Achievement in International Research and Creative Activity. Dr. Lin received the award for her stellar publication record, including 46 peer-reviewed articles and three books since 2018 on global higher education, international faculty and students and online learning. She collaborates with colleagues worldwide, with much of her work emphasizing supporting international women faculty.
Dr. Loni Crumb, from the Department of Interdisciplinary Professions in the College of Education received the Award for Achievement in International Service and Engagement. Dr. Crumb has focused on improving access to mental health care and education, especially in underserved and rural communities in Nigeria, Belize, Turkey. Her work has enhanced mental health literacy and equipped communities with tools to address mental health concerns.
Dr. Tammy Lee and Bonnie Glass received the Award for Achievement in International Teaching. They have developed eight unique study abroad programs focusing on the global environment that integrated field research, data collection, and conservation projects like coral reef restoration in the Dominican Republic and whale observation in Mexico.
PTMT-ESP (Preparing to Teach Mathematics with Technology - Examining Student Practice) was a 5-year Development and Implementation Level 2 project focused on Engaged Student Learning that brings together a cross-institutional team to build from the success of previous PTMT projects to meet a critical need in mathematics teacher education. Specifically, though research has shown that students benefit from instruction that builds from their thinking, preservice mathematics teachers (PSMTs) are underprepared to utilize students’ mathematical thinking in technology-rich environments. The sequence of PTMT projects, including PTMT-ESP was recently awarded the Innovator Award by the North Carolina Council Teachers of Mathematics. For nearly two decades, the PTMT project has been at the forefront of integrating technology in mathematics education. The team has developed a suite of research-based curriculum materials focused on the effective use of technology tools to enhance the teaching and learning of critical mathematics areas in middle and secondary mathematics, including Algebra, Statistics, and Geometry. The PTMT curriculum enhances teachers' ability to foster students' mathematical thinking, equitable learning experiences, and authentic engagement with mathematics. This work has directly prepared over 6,000 teachers, influencing thousands of students by enriching their learning experiences with technology. Dr. Charity Cayton, principal investigator, and Dr. Kayla Chandler have been key members of this grant project.
Dr. Tanya Christ joined the Literacy Education Faculty this academic year as the first ECU COE Spangler Distinguished Professor of Early Child Literacy and has hit the ground running. The Spangler Distinguished Professor in Early Childhood Literacy is one of four positions established across North Carolina through a generous $8 million gift from the C.D. Spangler Foundation to East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, N.C. A&T State University, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. These positions are designed to lead early literacy initiatives, advocate for best practices in the science of reading, and develop professional development programs and school-community partnerships. Dr. Elizabeth Swaggerty, Chair of the Department of Literacy Studies, English Education, and History Education, shared her enthusiasm for Dr. Christ’s contributions: “She brings a wealth of expertise, a spirit of collaboration, and an infectious enthusiasm for discovery to her work. We are thrilled to have her expertise and leadership on the literacy team here at ECU.” Dr. Christ is already making a positive impact by facilitating professional development programs for Eastern North Carolina early literacy teachers, working with COE faculty to enhance early literacy coursework within the Elementary Education and Special Education-GC programs, and representing ECU by leading literacy research. Recently, Dr. Christ was recently named co-PI on a $10 million IES grant to lead a national center on early literacy and responsible AI.
Social & Economic Mobility
Dr. Mark Newton was a guest speaker for “Highlights and Reflections from Scholar Teachers” in February. Dr. Newton utilizes Socioscientific Issues Instruction (SSI) techniques to leverage complex societal problems that involve both scientific knowledge and sociocultural considerations. He incorporates mixed reality technology and place-based experiences with preservice teachers to impact their learning as well as that of their future students.
Workforce Success
Dr. Rebecca Clark-Stallkamp was accepted as a Teach Access Fellow for 2025. She was one of 20 selected across the nation. The Teach Access Fellowship Program engages educators and administrators to create purposeful communities of action for teaching and advocating for accessibility. Over the course of a year, Fellows are supported in learning how accessibility informs their practice, in teaching about it to others, and in strategizing for embedding it into the curriculum. Upon completion of this program, Rebecca will support students with disabilities by helping faculty become more knowledge on technological barriers in online teaching and how to remove these barriers.
The 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings are in, and ECU’s College of Education has made an impressive leap, climbing nine spots to rank 54th out of 313 institutions nationwide. This recognition reflects the college’s commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible online education for aspiring and current educators. The rankings consider factors such as faculty credentials, student engagement, services and technologies, and peer reputation. ECU’s continued rise in the rankings highlights the strength of its online graduate programs and dedication to preparing educators for success in classrooms and beyond. The survey for these rankings is completed annually by Mary Worthington, COE Data Manager within the Office of Assessment, Data Management, and Digital Learning, ensuring accurate and comprehensive data submission.
Dr. Carrie Lee was the lead editor for a new book “Promoting equity in approximations of practice for mathematics teachers”. This book addresses the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application in the field of mathematics education.
Sarah Sconyers, Dr. Kristen Gregory, Dr. Xi Lin, and Dr. Ken Luterbach hosted a session on AI Tools for Academic Research through the Office of Faculty Excellence. The presentation provided an overview of institutional AI tools and policies related to research, as well as live demos of research-related functions of Research Rabbit, Elicit, Notebook LM, Claude, ChatGPT, Inciteful, and LitMaps. This session and other AI workshops can be found on the OFE website.
Dr. Rachelle Savitz served as the keynote speaker at the American Reading Forum Annual Conference this December, delivering a compelling presentation titled "Trauma-Sensitive Literacy Instruction: Supporting Student Learning and Instruction in ELA Classrooms." Drawing on insights from her work, Trauma-Sensitive Literacy Instruction: Building Student Resilience in English Language Arts Classrooms, Dr. Savitz explored how literacy instruction can be adapted to support students who have experienced trauma. Her session addressed the profound impact of adverse childhood experiences on students' cognitive, emotional, and academic development. Attendees gained practical strategies for creating safe, supportive learning environments, integrating trauma-sensitive approaches into ELA instruction, and fostering resilience through thoughtful literacy practices. With a hands-on component, participants left with actionable tools to promote both academic success and emotional growth in their classrooms. Savitz was recognized by the organization in 2018 with the Gary Moorman Early Career Literacy Award.
On January 1, 2025, ECU College of Education Professor Dr. Guili Zhang officially began her tenure as President-Elect of the American Evaluation Association (AEA) following her election to the position. She is committed to advancing AEA’s mission by strengthening its financial foundation, fostering a dynamic and inclusive professional community, expanding member benefits, and reinforcing AEA’s global leadership in evaluation.
The first Board of Directors meeting of the year, held January 29–31 in Washington, D.C., marked the launch of a new strategic implementation plan to guide AEA’s future initiatives.
A dedicated AEA leader for 18 years, Dr. Zhang has served on the Board of Directors, the Publications Taskforce, and the Advisory Board of the American Journal of Evaluation. She has also co-authored The CIPP Evaluation Model, chaired the Assessment in Higher Education TIG and the Quantitative Methods TIG, and made significant contributions to the field.
As she steps into this leadership role, Dr. Zhang remains focused on driving AEA’s growth, strengthening its impact, and ensuring its long-term success.