First Monday AN UPDATE FROM THE PROVOST | April 2025

A Message from Interim Provost Chris Buddo

Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Colleagues, as we rush toward the finish of another busy semester, I hope you will take a moment to slow down and read about the great work going on at ECU. In a semester that has brought an unusual amount of change and uncertainty, I am comforted to know that, in spite of significant headwinds, the amazing work of our staff, faculty, and students continues to push our mission forward. Last week was especially gratifying as we celebrated the innovative and collaborative scholarship of our students and their faculty mentors during our 17th annual Research and Creative Activities Week celebration. The dedication to seeking new and ever more creative solutions to the issues facing our region and our world never ceases to amaze me, and I continue to be humbled as I witness the depth and breadth of the work of our faculty and students. Congratulations to all who participated and to those who were recognized for the outstanding achievement.

As part of the week-long celebration, we took a day last Wednesday to celebrate ECU’s new R1 status: a remarkable achievement that puts us among the most elite universities when it comes to research. I hope you were able to join us as we reflected on what brought us to this place — your great work in a breathtaking array or research and collaboration—and what the future holds for us as a new R1 institution.

As part of the celebration, a panel discussion led by Chancellor Rogers and Dr. Sharon Paynter included comments from panelist Dr. Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education (ACE). When asked what he thought the future looked like for R1 institutions, he shared his view that successful R1s will look and behave more like ECU; education driven and mission focused research that aspires to student success and regional transformation.

For me, it was a message of hope and optimism. I hope you will enjoy this latest edition of First Monday in that same spirit, and that you will be as inspired as I am by the amazing work that happens every day at ECU.

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BY THE NUMBERS

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IPAR DATA BYTE

Did you know that in Fall 2024, ECU enrolled students from each county in North Carolina and from 73 nations around the world? Visit our Students dashboard to view more residency information about ECU’s enrolled students.

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AROUND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR

March 12 - 14 the Office of the University Registrar hosted the UNC System Registrar’s Drive In. Over 70 attendees, including Registrars and their staff from all 16 UNC System institutions, as well as representatives and speakers from the UNC System Office, were in attendance. Each semester, one university in the UNC System hosts the event where all registrar offices gather to discuss new policies, best practices, and network throughout the state. As host, ECU arranged for and presented sessions on Auto-Graduation processes, FERPA, Course Scheduling, and UNC System Updates (including the new UNC System Transfer Policy, state-wide Foundations of American Government requirement, and upcoming Unified Digital Transcript project). Attendees raved about the quality of the sessions, noting that ECU “set the bar high.”

STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS SERVICES

On March 28, GEAR UP NC, Student Academic Success Services, the TrACE Success Program, and Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity collaborated to host a Student Etiquette Lunch. Led by Rachel Person from ECU Career Services, the event provided 50 students with valuable insights on navigating business-related meals with confidence and professionalism.

Each table featured a dedicated host, including Blaise Hudson (Pirate Club), Dylan Moore (SASS), Bryan Mattern (Student Affairs), Angela Anderson (Student Success & Registrar), Courtney Moore (Board of Visitors), Shannon Minges (Alumni Association), Jeff Coghill (Laupus Library), Kenny Goode (SASS), Patti Harris (GEAR UP NC System Office Director), and Mary Vargenese (TrACE System Office Director). A special thanks to Michelle Blount (GEAR UP NC) and Brittany Woodle (SASS) for their efforts in organizing this successful event.

ECU CONNECT

As the academic year progresses, East Carolina University continues to emphasize the importance of timely feedback and student engagement through ECU Connect. The upcoming session, titled "Data-Driven Success: Tailoring ECU Connect Insights for Impact from Classroom to Campus Leadership," is scheduled for April 7, 2025, from 1:00 to 1:30 PM. This session aims to equip faculty and staff with strategies to leverage ECU Connect data effectively, enhancing student support and fostering a collaborative learning environment. https://ofe.ecu.edu/office-for-faculty-excellence/ofe-sessions/ecu_connect/

4th and Final ECU Connect Survey of the Spring 2025 Semester Opens April 16

The fourth survey, FINISH STRONG, is designed to motivate students as they approach the end of the academic year. It offers opportunities to recognize outstanding performance, highlight students who are strong candidates for campus employment or graduate studies, and celebrate those who have overcome challenges throughout the semester. While surveys offer a convenient way to provide feedback, faculty can also use the ECU Connect dashboard to share grade-related feedback independently of the survey process.

• Open Date: 4/16/2025
• Deadline Reminder: 4/23/2025
• Close Date: 4/30/2025

Congratulations April Super Pirates!

We are excited to recognize the contributions of our April Super Pirates, who have gone above and beyond in their work with ECU Connect! Your dedication to supporting and connecting with our Pirate community is truly inspiring, and your efforts continue to strengthen the bond between students, faculty, and staff.

• THCAS - Samantha Kirk, Cristina Estrada-Underwood, Andrew Sargent
• CON - Patricia Hooton, Ashlie Woodlief, Jimi Lynne Modlin
• COB - Scott Hudson, Tiffany Woodward, James Zemanek
• COE - Michael Chappell, Danielle Dietz, Karen Vail-Smith
• CFAC - Regina Rice, Chris Zidek, Thomas Kim, Donald Palmire
• CET - Steve Baker, Cody Johnson, Amy Frank
• HHP - Kaleb Leclair, Bernice Dodor, Janine Jason-Gay
• CAHS - Emily Brewer, Jaqueline Dodge Evans

TrACE: Celebrating Transfer Student Success

TrACE student Pel Law is a communication-journalism and merchandising major currently interning with The East Carolinian campus newspaper. After transferring from Durham Technical Community College, Pel quickly became involved with The East Carolinian, where he enjoys investigating and writing news pieces. Pel has been a part of the TrACE success program since Fall 2023 and considers his transfer to ECU a transformative experience that helped him uncover his true passion and career aspirations.

Pel has covered a wide range of topics, including campus news, politics, entertainment, and events. Set to graduate in May 2025, he plans to launch his career in local news while nurturing his long-term goal of building a journalism career in fashion and pop culture. Ultimately, he hopes to establish his own media company.

STEPP Program

Ashley Cooper, STEPP Transitions Specialist, and Dr. Elizabeth Coghill, Executive Director of Student Academic Success Services, recently presented at the 2025 NCDCDT Transition Conference. Their session, "Learning Communities at ECU," explored strategies for parents and professionals to support students transitioning to a four-year university. They highlighted the roles the STEPP Program and the Neurodivergent Success Learning Community play in fostering student success.

Oak Foundation Supports Learning Community Expansion with a 1 Million Dollar Grant

The STEPP Program is thrilled to announce the recent approval of a six-year grant worth one million dollars that advances the STEPP Program and Student Academic Success Services’ long-term vision of a multi-tiered academic success support model for neurodivergent ECU students. By fostering collaboration between STEPP and SASS, the grant provides students in the SASS Neurodiversity Learning Community with access to STEPP professional staff, graduate-level mentors, and tailored support services. This initiative is designed to help students build strong academic relationships early in their transition and throughout their first year at ECU.

The Oak Foundation has been a dedicated partner of the STEPP Program for over a decade, supporting individuals with learning differences. Committed to fostering a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world, the foundation provides grants that empower all student, especially those with learning differences, to thrive and contribute to more equitable societies.

Pirate Academic Success Center

At the recent Association for the Coaching and Tutoring Profession (ACTP) Conference, PASC Associate Director Monique Barrett highlighted the essential role of student employees in academic success. Her session, "Maximizing Retention and Motivation: Valuing Your Student Employees for Long-Term Success," explored impactful strategies to enhance engagement, motivation, and a sense of belonging among student employees. The presentation aimed to equip educators with innovative tools to effectively support, engage, and retain their student workforce.

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

On Saturday, March 22, a group of Access Scholars traveled to New Bern, NC for our fourth annual Bate Service Day. The scholars volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to work on a home that started on March 3. Students measured, cut the wood, assembled, and raised several walls on the second floor of the home. The home should be ready for its owner in late 2025 or early 2026. Students were also able to visit and walk through the finished house that they worked on last spring.

STUDENT-ATHLETE ACADEMIC SERVICES

The link to Round 2 Student-Athlete Progress Reports will be sent to professors on Monday, April 7 and will close on Friday, April 25. The information provided in the progress reports provides more detail concerning our student-athletes’ academic performance than ECU Connect reports. Completion of the report is crucial to our office knowing what services to provide to best help our student-athletes. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Stephanie White at whitestep21@ecu.edu.

OFFICE OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS

Connect with fellow Pirates at the last International Happy Hour of the semester! Join us at Coastal Fog (210 East 14th Street) from 5:00 - 6:30PM on April 24.

Global Affairs welcomes the return of 67 students from spring break study abroad programs this year. Students and faculty directors traveled to Dominica (Communication Sciences and Disorders), Costa Rica (Biology), France (Business), Italy (Construction Management), Mexico (Math, Science and Instructional Technology) and Peru (Business).

Congratulations to MPA student Victor Ihuka who was awarded the Excellence in International Education Graduate Student Award from the North Carolina Association of International Educators for his work with the ECU International Student Association and his engagement with the Greenville community more broadly.

Congratulations to Dr. Melanie Robbins, Coordinator of Global Understanding, for completing her PhD in International Education Policy from the University of Maryland. Her research on educational access and teacher retention in a rural, mountain region of (the country of) Georgia, reflects her dedication to expanding educational opportunities globally — a commitment she carries into her work connecting ECU students to students from our partner countries around the world through virtual exchange.

OFFICE FOR FACULTY EXCELLENCE

Summer Research and Creative Activity Institute

This summer, ten faculty from a variety of departments will gather for the Summer 2025 Research and Creative Activity Institute. Participants include Rebecca Burnworth (College of Health & Human Performance), Danielle Dietz (College of Education), Alana Freeman (College of Health & Human Performance), Devlyn McCreight (College of Education), Frimpong Opoku (College of Engineering & Technology), Sarah Patterson (College of Arts & Sciences), Carlos Ramirez (College of Education), Morgan Rich (College of Fine Arts & Communication), Kelli Russell (College of Health & Human Performance) and Heather Seibert (College of Education). Facilitated by Bonnie Glass (College of Education), this institute provides time and structure for faculty members in fixed term positions to work on research and creative activity pursuits, as well as come together for collaboration and professional development during a week-long retreat in May.

Summer Active Learning and Leadership

Ten participants will come together throughout the upcoming summer months for the ECU Truist Leadership Center supported Active Learning and Leadership program. Facilitated by Laura Mangum (College of Education), faculty in this cohort will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with embedding a leadership-related focus into the way existing activities, assignments, discussions, and materials are developed in a selected course. Participants include Megan Anderson (College of Nursing), Navid Bargizan (College of Fine Arts & Communication), Ann Bell (College of Nursing), Rebecca Burnworth (College of Health & Human Performance), Morteza Nazari Heris (College of Engineering & Technology), Susanne Lenné Jones (College of Arts & Sciences), Carla Pastor (College of Arts & Sciences), Marjorie Rowe (College of Education), Mark Sanders (Joyner Library), and Tilwanda Lee Steinberg (College of Business).

Summer Course Redesign Institute

Eleven faculty from a variety of disciplines are gearing up for the Summer 2025 Course Redesign Institute. Supported by the ECU Truist Leadership Center, this intensive program focuses on integrating an emphasis on student leadership capacity building throughout a selected course. The institute launches with a one-week retreat in June. Faculty selected for the program include: Tiffany Blanchflower (College of Health and Human Performance), Emily Brewer (College of Allied Health Sciences), Cody Chullen (College of Business), Danielle Dietz (College of Education), Kura Duba (College of Engineering & Technology), Devlyn McCreight (College of Education), Mostafa Namian (College of Engineering & Technology), Sarah Page (College of Arts & Sciences), Steven Richter (College of Arts & Sciences), Kelli Russell (College of Health & Human Performance), and Deborah Thomson (College of Fine Arts & Communication). The Summer 2025 cohort will be facilitated by Diane Majewski (Honors College).

OFFICE FOR RESEARCH

Join us for SCORE (Schools, Colleges, Office of Research Events) on Friday, April 11, 11-12:30 PM in Speight 203. SCORE is the Office of Research Development’s newest program, in partnership with research and creative activity Trendsetters and the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations. These events are designed to highlight how to successfully pursue funding from foundations, industry, and state agencies to support current projects and future research endeavors. The program also gives you the chance to gather with colleagues to discuss research interests and explore potential collaborations across disciplines.

In this session, cohosted by the College of Education, we’ll look at innovative ways to fund educational services and research initiatives outside of federal grants. Presenters will include Dr. Daniel Dickerson from the College of Education along with Terah Archie and Katy Johnson from University Advancement, Corporate and Foundation Relations. Snacks will be available, but participants are welcome to bring a lunch for the session.

Register online to attend. Questions? Contact Dr. Mary Farwell, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Research Development.

On Tuesday, April 22, ECU's Office of Research and Office of Healthy Aging will host Part One of a STEM@Starlight healthy aging series. This first session will be led by Dr. Abby Schwartz, Director of the Office of Healthy Aging. Networking, along with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar, will begin at 5 p.m., followed by a presentation at 5:30 p.m.

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

The Mid-Career Opportunities for Research Expansion (MORE) program was developed by the Office of Research to support faculty who are interested in connecting with peers to write research proposals and supporting manuscripts. MORE will continue throughout the summer, and mid-career faculty are welcome to join the writing groups. For this program, mid-career faculty are defined as individuals who have achieved tenure/associate status and do not plan to retire within the next five years.

If you’re interested in joining or learning more, contact Dr. Karen Litwa, Faculty Fellow for Research Development.

OFFICE FOR INNOVATION AND 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. Lok Pokhrel, Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health for this month’s spotlight.

Dr. Pokhrel was selected for his work in developing novel solutions that can be used to prevent honeybee colony collapse due to infestation of varroa mites and disease. This unique approach is associated with a US non-provisional patent application and has spurred new innovative ideas related to an insecticide applicator. As part of his commercialization journey, Dr. Pokhrel participated in I-Corps@ECU and received funding through the NC Biotechnology Center.

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

Research 2 Commercialization Conference, May 14

ECU’s Office of Licensing and Commercialization is excited to announce early registration is open for the Research 2 Commercialization Conference. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Eastern AHEC Education Center. This one-day conference will focus on the ins and outs of translating research to the marketplace. It will include breakout sessions on specific types of innovation development (such as life sciences, software, and consumer products), as well as a poster session for participants to network with potential collaborators and industry partners.

Space is limited. Register online today!

On Friday, April 25, 1-4PM in the Willis Building, the Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy (EOSA) 2024–25 cohort will showcase their impactful research projects, developed in collaboration with organizations to address community-identified priorities. EOSA supports collaborative research that fosters long-term campus-community partnerships and promotes engaged scholarship.

Presenters include:

• Michael Daniels and Kelley Reinsmith-Jones, School of Social Work
• Sarah Maness, Department of Health Education and Promotion
• Lindsey Oakes, Department of Recreation Sciences & Sports Management
• Randall Etheridge, Department of Engineering
• Linda May, Department of Kinesiology
• Yeliz Eseryel, Department of Management Information Systems

Come and learn about these community-engaged projects. Light refreshments will be available. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Continuing & Professional Education

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.

Featured CPE Programs:

• ECU Economic Development Academy - Innovation and Entrepreneurship in North Carolina – April 16, register online
• ECU Economic Development Academy - Attraction in North Carolina – May 14, register online
• The GlasStation Glassblowing Experiences – final courses for the semester
• ECU Spring Pharma Conference – June 3 & 4, more info
• Coastal Studies Institute Summer Camps – June-August, registration is open
• K-12 Educator Programs – Courses running May and June – see availability

Lifelong Learning Program (LLP)

Open to those 18 and older, the Lifelong Learning Program offers affordable learning experiences in a relaxed atmosphere, without entrance requirements, exams, or grades. Our purpose is to connect, engage and inspire the eastern North Carolina community by providing stimulating presentations; enriching courses, workshops and lectures; special events; enjoyable trips; and more!

Registration is open for spring sessions, trips, and events. View the catalog and register online.

Featured LLP Offerings:

• What Is Islam All About? – April 9, 16, & 23 – register online
• A Healthier U @ Your Library: Using your Mobile Device to Find Quality Health Information on the Internet – April 10 – register online
• Cyanotype: The Art and Science of Camera-less Photography – April 11 – register online
• Tour of Coastal Studies Institute & Roanoke Island Maritime Shad Boat History –May 2 – register online

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

FACULTY SENATE

2024 - 2025 Faculty Senate meeting dates are as follows:

• 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

March 24, our inaugural cohort of OTD students, accompanied by Dr. Denise Donica, attended the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy (NCBOT) meeting in Raleigh as part of their Leadership and Advocacy course.

“They were able to observe the business conducted by the board, learn about the Occupational Therapy Compact and witness a hearing,” Donica said. “The NCBOT's purpose is to protect the public and this was an amazing experience for them to witness state-level leadership in occupational therapy.”

During a recent fieldwork rotation, Occupational Therapy master’s student Mary McIntyre intervened in a health care emergency for one of her patients. McIntyre’s VA clinic site supervisor says of the incident:

“Mary was evaluating a Veteran who was admitted for COPD exacerbation, and she was diligent in checking his vitals and symptoms throughout their session. She alerted me to his heart rate, which was varying between 170bpm and 35 bpm. She had been checking it regularly and we were then able to provide this information to the RN who placed a telemetry box on the patient to monitor his heart rhythm. He was found to be in Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response and was immediately transferred to the ICU for lifesaving medication and treatment.

“I am so proud of Mary for going above and beyond with this patient as well as being confident in her findings and environment to speak up for this Veteran. She saved his life!"

Dr. Denise Donica (above, right) was inducted as a Distinguished Scholar Fellow National Academies of Practice March 15 during the Academy’s Annual Meeting and Forum in Washington, DC.

Donica is a licensed occupational therapist, and professor and chair in the College of Allied Health Science’s Department of Occupational Therapy. She is board certified in pediatrics and is certified in Ayres Sensory Integration. She has discovered and created interprofessional opportunities throughout her clinical practice, which included both adults and pediatrics. She continues to help address the needs of children through her research that focuses on sensory integration, handwriting, and keyboarding skills.

Her interprofessional contributions have included an undergraduate course exploring various health professions; research collaborations with teachers, professionals in psychology, speech-language pathology, and nursing; and service within the university working with other professions and advancing interprofessional learning opportunities for students. She has presented nationally and internationally and has published extensively during her 16 years at the university.

ARTS & SCIENCES

In February, the Department of English welcomed award-winning author and former ballet dancer Renée K. Nicholson to campus to speak about the connection between humanities and medicine and the impact of empathy on medical practices. She shared art, poetry, and other reflections from patients, including the piece here created by Lacie Lee Wallace, an artist who was also a patient with cancer. Harriot College, which offers a minor in Medical Humanities, was pleased to partner with the department to host this donor-funded event featured in a recent article in The East Carolinian. Discover more about the event and what attendees took away.

Harriot College is excited to announce the launch of three new undergraduate degrees in 2025-2026: BS Environmental Studies, BS Neuroscience, and BS Security Studies. These areas of study were previously available in the college’s Multidisciplinary Studies degree program. Faculty proposed them as standalone degrees based on marked student demand, positive student ROI data for these areas of study, and rich opportunities for experiential learning through research, internships, and more.

Environmental Studies provides students with the ability to analyze environmental issues from multiple perspectives — scientific, cultural, ethical, and technical. Neuroscience is an academic field devoted to the study of human and animal nervous systems to discover more about the nature of the mind, brain, and behavior. Security Studies provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge related to international and homeland security issues. And like all Harriot College programs mapped above and featured on our college website, they will prepare graduates to address complex challenges, contribute meaningfully to their communities, lead fulfilling lives, and #MakeAMajorDifference!

Dr. Tisha Emerson, James E. and Constance Paul Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics, has been awarded the 2025 Henry H. Villard Research Award by the National Association of Economic Educators. Emerson received the award at the NAEE spring conference held in early March in Philadelphia. “I’m humbled to be recognized as the 2025 recipient of the Henry H. Villard Research Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in economic education research,” Emerson said. “Previous recipients are giants in our field, and I’m honored to be in such amazing company. I look forward to continuing to grow our knowledge of best practices in economic education in order to contribute to the goal of improving the quality of economic education for all.” Learn more about the award on the NAEE website.

Christy Hallberg, Teaching Professor in the Department of English, is the creator of the podcast, “Rock is Lit,” the first podcast devoted to rock novels. This year, her podcast was named the 2025 American Writing Awards Podcast of the Year in the category of music. It was also a finalist in the arts and fiction categories. View the full list of finalist and winners on the American Writing Awards website. Listen to Hallberg’s podcast, “Rock is Lit.”

Upon the first anniversary of legalized sports betting in the state of North Carolina, Dr. Michelle Malkin, Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology and Director of the Gambling Research Policy Initiative at ECU, has been sharing her expertise on problem gambling and gambling addiction. She has participated in many recent interviews and provided highlights for numerous local and national media outlets, including a National Public Radio story on “All Things Considered” and another NPR feature on the “Morning Edition.” Read or listen to this recent story, “How to spot when sports gambling is becoming a problem,” on the NPR website.

BRODY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Sixty-eight of the 69 students in the Class of 2025 matched with a residency program in North Carolina or the U.S. One student elected to do a research year in orthopedics before entering the match program. Fifty-two percent of the class will enter primary care residencies, with 42% staying in North Carolina and 20% matching at ECU Health Medical Center.

The class stood with their families, friends, classmates and faculty members on March 21 as they tore open their envelopes to reveal the next stop in their medical school journeys. Prior to receiving their envelopes, each student had the opportunity to walk across the stage to a song of his or her choice and a personalized presentation slide shown on a projector screen.

“Match Day is always a special moment in a physician’s journey, and today is no exception,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, dean of the medical school and CEO of ECU Health. “These students have dedicated themselves to the noble pursuit of caring for others and now have the opportunity to take all they’ve learned here at the Brody School of Medicine to improve the lives of countless patients they will serve in their careers. I could not be more proud of the Class of 2025 on this special day.”

To Dr. Marisa Bartolomei, the investment East Carolina University has made in research is impressive.

Last month, the university was granted R1 status by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and Bartolomei got an up close look when she visited the Brody School of Medicine and the Health Sciences Campus on Feb. 26.

“Clearly, you see the university doing a great job with training — and they’ve done a great job with recruiting,” she said.

Bartolomei is co-director of the Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a 2021 inductee into the National Academy of Sciences. She is the world’s foremost expert on imprinted genes and mammalian epigenetics.

Her lecture at the East Carolina Heart Institute on imprinted gene expression and the impact of assisted reproductive technologies was titled “Mammalian reprogramming during development and under adverse environmental conditions.”

“There is a level — a low level — of adverse outcomes in people who use IVF (in vitro fertilization) and assisted reproduction, and we’re starting to see the mechanism behind that that can lead to some improvements,” she said. “Some people don’t have such a problem [conceiving], but maybe we can optimize it to the point where everybody has an equal opportunity to have a healthy baby — that would be a really great outcome.”

Harris shares expertise with media

Dr. Courtney Harris, an assistant professor at the medical school and pediatric surgeon at ECU Health, recently performed the first robotic-assisted surgery at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital. The technology is like laparoscopy (the minimally invasive technique) but offers greater dexterity and an advanced field of vision. “Pediatric surgery is really just starting to use it," she told WRAL-TV.

Harris also recently performed the health system’s first pediatric robotic-assisted cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal).

“The robot has the arms that are actually inside the patient that are moving, but I am controlling the arms. So, I’m sitting at a console and I am controlling every move that the robot makes,” Harris told WRAL.

Division chief of pediatric surgery, Dr. Shannon Longshore, says this is the future of medicine.

“It helps advance the care. This is where medicine is headed. It really offers advantages for certain procedures and certain patients,” Longshore said in the WRAL piece.

ECU Health establishes telecardiology program in Edenton

ECU Health is expanding access to specialized cardiology care in the Chowan area with the launch of a new telecardiology program, designed to bring expert heart care closer to home for patients who may otherwise have to travel long distances for appointments or experience long wait times between appointments.

The telecardiology program, which launched its first clinic in January, leverages advanced telemedicine technology to connect in-person patients at ECU Health Chowan Hospital’s outpatient specialty clinic with Dr. Sivakumar Ardhanari, a Greenville-based cardiologist.

“The demand for cardiology services in the Chowan area continues to grow, making this program an essential step in expanding patient access,” said Dr. John Catanzaro, John “Jack” Rose Distinguished Professor and chief of the Division of Cardiology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, and director of the East Carolina Heart Institute at ECU Health Medical Center. “By leveraging technology and clinical expertise, ECU Health remains committed to bridging gaps in specialty care, ensuring patients in rural communities have access to the high-quality cardiology services they need in their own community.”—from ECU Health reports

Dr. Kori Brewer and Dr. Mark Mannie were named to the 2025 Class of Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors. Brewer, of the Department of Emergency Medicine, and Mannie, of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, will be formally inducted on June 26 at the NAI Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

Schweitzer Fellows named

Brody students Gabriella Morin and Maribel Reyes have been named 2025-2026 Jim Jones Schweitzer Fellows. Under the mentorship of Dr. Greg Kearney and Dr. Tom Irons, they will launch a chronic disease self-management program for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in eastern North Carolina.

Brody student Naimi Pothiwala has been named an ECU Health Schweitzer Fellow. Under the mentorship of Dr. Edward Treadwell and Gerri Ashe, she will launch a free rheumatology for low income, rural community members.

Brody students Megan Wu and Catherine Bennett have been named ECU Health Schweitzer Fellows. Under the mentorship of Dr. Allison Connelly and Candice Borunda, they will address the fall prevention needs of older adults by providing fall and environmental risk assessments, conducting personalized counseling sessions, assessing assistive devices and leading Matter of Balance classes. This is an expansion of a 2024-25 Schweitzer project.

BUSINESS

Student Success

Students in the College of Business’s Twilley Academy of Sales Leadership put their skills to the test during the inaugural Pirate Sales Competition, held Feb. 27–28. The event marked ECU’s first-ever hosted sales competition, featuring 40 student competitors—including a competition-best 16 from ECU. The competition included three rounds: a networking round on Feb. 27 followed by two rounds of sales presentations on Feb. 28. Senior Parker Raven took home first place, with freshman Roz Burgess earning second.

That same evening, the College of Business hosted a VIP reception at the Dail House to honor Richard Twilley, whose generous gift launched the Twilley Academy. Business leaders, faculty, staff, and students gathered to celebrate Twilley’s lasting impact on sales education at ECU. Twilley shared his vision for empowering the next generation of sales professionals, and guests enjoyed an evening of connection and appreciation. His support continues to provide transformational opportunities for students to sharpen their sales acumen and succeed in today’s competitive business landscape.

Four students from the Twilley Sales Academy recently competed in the "Selling with the Bulls" national sales competition hosted by the University of South Florida's Muma College of Business on February 20-21. Despite a winter storm preventing their in-person attendance, the team participated virtually, with Roz Burgess earning a Winners Circle award and Josiah Ortiz securing first place in the prospecting voicemail category.

The Department of Management’s Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) Club recently achieved remarkable success at the SAM International Business Conference in Tallahassee, Florida, securing third place overall in the invitational division. The team earned accolades in multiple categories, including the collegiate case competition, written case study competition, business knowledge bowl, and extemporaneous speech competition. Notably, members Andrea Knight and Nicholas Fenti secured second and third places, respectively, in the extemporaneous speech competition, while Shreyash Patil and Noah Presley placed third and fourth in the business knowledge bowl. Additionally, two ECU team members tied for first place in the Cvent challenge. This outstanding performance highlights the dedication and talent of ECU's SAM Club members.

ECU business students took their learning beyond the classroom during spring break by participating in immersive study abroad experiences in Peru (top) and France (bottom). Led by faculty from the College of Business and Miller School of Entrepreneurship, students explored international business practices, visited local companies, and gained hands-on insights into global markets. The trips combined academic engagement with cultural exploration, helping students build cross-cultural awareness and global business acumen.

Senior marketing major Sarah Maisto exemplifies leadership and dedication within ECU’s COB. As co-president of the Pirate Sales Club, she has driven membership growth and increased engagement, providing students with valuable professional development opportunities.

Beyond campus, Maisto mentors high school students through the Toolbox Leadership Academy, fostering leadership skills in the next generation. Her commitment to service and excellence embodies the spirit of ECU’s COB.

Faculty Excellence & Research Impact

The Thomas D. Arthur Graduate School of Business has announced its 2025 cohort of Arthur Teaching Fellows. These faculty members are charged with researching, designing, and implementing innovative teaching techniques for graduate-level instruction. Over the summer, the Fellows will develop new approaches for their Arthur School graduate courses, which will be deployed during the fall 2025 semester. In spring 2026, each Fellow will present the outcomes of their work to the entire College of Business, sharing insights and strategies that can benefit faculty across the college.

COB’s faculty members Dr. Jason Rowe and Dr. Erik Taylor have partnered with the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office to develop the North Carolina Economic Resilience Index, a tool designed to assess how well the state’s counties can withstand and recover from disruptions such as natural disasters and economic downturns.

By analyzing key factors such as business health, communication infrastructure, education levels, and healthcare access, the index provides data-driven insights to help policymakers and local leaders strengthen community resilience. First launched in September 2024, the index has already been used to measure the effects of events like Hurricane Helene, offering critical guidance for targeted recovery efforts. This resource underscores ECU’s commitment to supporting economic stability and disaster preparedness across North Carolina.

At ECU’s Research and Scholarship Awards Ceremony on March 4, Dr. Emily Yeager, interim director of the Crisp Small Business Resource Center, was recognized as a university inventor for her work on the Blue Economy Corridor (BEC). The BEC fosters collaboration among communities, businesses, and policymakers to support the $2.5 trillion blue economy, promoting sustainable growth and resilience in coastal regions. Yeager’s recognition highlights ECU’s dedication to research and real-world impact.

Dr. Michael Rodriguez, a leading voice in sales technology and analytics at ECU’s College of Business, is making waves with his research and thought leadership on the transformative power of generative AI in sales. His recent study—featured at the National Conference in Sales Management—highlights how generative AI enhances CRM usage and significantly boosts sales performance in B2B environments.

In addition to his research, Rodriguez served as the keynote speaker at Penn State Harrisburg’s inaugural AI in Sales Symposium on Feb. 12. Hosted by the Professional Sales Education Center, the event brought together industry leaders, students, and scholars to explore the evolving role of AI in modern sales strategies. Rodriguez’s insights underscored how emerging technologies are reshaping customer relationships, driving efficiency, and elevating sales outcomes.

Meet Dr. Erik C. Taylor, an associate professor of management at ECU’s COB, who transforms daily news into dynamic classroom discussions. His strategic management capstone class leverages current events to prepare students for real-world decision-making.

Beyond teaching, Taylor contributes to North Carolina’s growth through applied research and consulting, aiming to strengthen communities statewide. This spring, he is leading a study abroad program in France, deepening ECU’s international partnerships.

Dr. Cal Christian, professor and department chair in ECU’s College of Business, recently served as the keynote speaker at the 2025 UNC System Finance Conference in Asheville, NC. His talk “It’s Your Life, What Are You Going to Do?” inspired attendees from across the state with insights on leadership, personal growth, and making an impact through intentional choices. The event brought together over 400 finance professionals from UNC system schools and highlighted ECU’s continued leadership across the state.

Dana Newell, MS, MBA, teaching instructor in the College of Business and chapter vice president with the AMA Triangle, recently led a dynamic workshop for NC State’s American Marketing Association Student Chapter. Speaking to a group of over 50 students, Newell explored the power of representation in education, leadership, and the workplace. Her session emphasized how representation can foster belonging, sharpen critical thinking, and prepare students for impactful leadership.

Regional Transformation

The Office of Expert Services, in collaboration with United Way Inner Banks, hosted the inaugural NP Summit on March 7 at the ECU Main Campus Student Center. The half-day event brought together 70 nonprofit professionals for 10 expert-led workshops covering financial stewardship, volunteer engagement, cybersecurity and more.

With keynote insights from Brian White (ECU Health) and Anthony Tyre (mayor pro tem, Washington, North Carolina), the summit provided tools for organizations to enhance their operations and community impact.

COB faculty and staff shared their expertise on a variety of topics, with contributions from Shelly Brantley, Stacie H. Tronto, Tracy Ginn, Yusef Ewais, Dr. Andy Bowman, and T.D. Gribble. The overwhelmingly positive feedback has already set the stage for this to become an annual event.

East Carolina University’s Thomas D. Arthur Graduate School of Business and Whole Vet hosted a weekend of support for veterans transitioning to civilian life on March 21 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The Military Veteran Enablement Coalition connected nonprofits, universities, and veteran organizations to share resources, network, and empower veterans.

The event featured a panel discussion, career transition resources, and presentations on entrepreneurship, with a special focus on preventing veteran suicide through the Silkies Hike. The weekend emphasized the importance of community and collaboration, showcasing ECU’s commitment to supporting veterans in their post-service journey. As Dale Robbins of Whole Vet said, “If we make a difference in one life, it’s a success.”

On Feb. 25, the Office of Expert Services (OES) and the Cunanan Center for Professional Success hosted the inaugural Chamber Day at the Isley Innovation Hub in Greenville. The event brought together representatives from Wilson, Greene, Beaufort, Pamlico, and Pitt counties to discuss workforce development and economic growth in Eastern North Carolina. Discussions focused on expanding partnerships with community colleges, enhancing internship and job placement initiatives, and increasing business engagement with ECU's faculty and students. The roundtable featured insights from OES center directors and Lee Brown, director of the Cunanan Center for Professional Success.

The College of Business’s Isley Innovation Hub recently hosted Innovations in Prosthetic Design: Empowering Through Activity, an event highlighting the intersection of prosthetic technology and athletic performance. Attendees heard from individuals with limb differences, ECU researchers, and professionals working at the cutting edge of prosthetic design. The event emphasized innovation, and the power of sport in transforming lives.

DENTAL MEDICINE

Faculty honored during research ceremony

Congratulations to Dr. Todd Watkins, assistant dean for dental education and informatics, for his 11th U.S. Patent, Apparatus For Improving Applicant Selection Based on Performance Indices. Dr. Watkins was honored during ECU's 2025 Research and Scholarship Awards Ceremony on March 4.

Also honored during the ceremony were Dr. Mark Moss, division director of public health dentistry, and Dr. Wanda Wright, associate professor, as part of the Order of the Anchor, which recognizes exceptional achievement in securing over $1 million in grant funding in a single year and serving as a steadfast anchor of research excellence and innovation.

Class of 2027 don white coats

The East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine’s Class of 2027 was honored on Friday, Feb. 28, during the school’s annual White Coat Ceremony — which ushered the students into the clinical phase of their dental education.

The students were joined by family, friends, faculty, staff, fellow students and administrators as they walked across the stage and joined the ranks of those who came before them in the dental profession.

“It felt like stepping into the next chapter of my journey,” said second-year student Yushan Xie, “where I am not just a student, but a future provider dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives.”

“The white coat symbolizes the confidence we have placed in you and your abilities,” said Dr. Greg Chadwick, dean of the dental school. “It also symbolizes the most important professional relationship that you will have — the relationship between a patient and a doctor. That relationship is dependent upon your commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and professional values.”

World Oral Health Day

Dr. Greg Chadwick, dean of the School of Dental Medicine, also serves as president of FDI World Dental Federation, the principal representative body for more than one million dentists worldwide. FDI's vision is to lead the world to optimal oral health, which is also part of the School of Dental Medicine's mission—right here in North Carolina.

On March 20, FDI and dentists and their communities around the world celebrated World Oral Health Day with activities and educational programming aimed toward empowering people with the knowledge, tools and confidence to secure good oral health. Dr. Chadwick shared a video message about the importance of World Oral Health Day on FDI’s website.

Schweitzer Fellows named

Four dental students have been named to the 2025-2026 class of North Carolina Schweitzer Fellows.

DaQuan Mebane and Joshua Williams, ECU Health Schweitzer Fellows, will be mentored by Dr. Roopwant Kaur and Taneet Ghuman to lead formalized training of staff in providing oral health services. Educate residents and family members on oral hygiene practices to enhance their health.

Rachel Nguyen and Yushan Xie, ECU Health Schweitzer Fellows, will be mentored by Dr. Abrar Bakhsh and Dr. Iquebal Hasan to accelerate the dental clearance process for cancer patients so that they can begin medical treatment earlier.

Journey of Traditions

The Together We Thrive Committee in the School of Dental Medicine hosted a Journey of Traditions March 26, during which members of the school family displayed art, clothing, food, music and other items that represented a variety of countries around the world. The event brought together faculty, staff and students in a celebration of the many cultures and traditions that make up the school.

Alumni

• Dr. Rob Tempel, associate dean for extramural clinical practices, and Jon Jones, assistant dean and senior director of advancement and alumni affairs, visited with alumni recently from the Asheville, Boone and Claremont areas. The school now has more than 500 alumni.
• Dr. Patrick Moynahan ’19 recently became board certified and a Diplomate in the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
• The SoDM chapter of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry welcomed Dr. Rudy Oxendine ’21, ’23 as their Lunch and Learn speaker in February. Dr. Oxendine shared his path to becoming a pediatric dentist and engaged and inspired students.

EDUCATION

The College of Education held its 26th annual Educators Hall of Fame ceremony in mid-March where 10 educators were honored for their contributions and dedication to the field. Honorees included: Jerry Whitley Bobbitt, Dr. Phyllis Jernigan Broughton, Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., Dr. Katherine Ford, Bonnie B. Glass, Richard Alan McMahon, Chad O’Neil Moore, Dr. Marjorie Campo Ringler, Dr. Freddie Williamson, and Paul Zvonkovic.

Current EdD student RaSheeda Waddell was named the 2025 Woman of Substance by Pitt Community College in recognition of her campus and community involvement, caring attitude and willingness to go the extra mile. RaSheeda is also a recipient of the Thomas W. Rivers Foreign Exchange Scholarship to support her upcoming study abroad to Colombia this summer.

Current COE students were able to hear from Pitt County Schools superintendent Dr. Steven Lassiter and Pitt County Schools talent acquisition coordinator Clinton Todd before traveling around the county to visit schools.

Dr. Dionna Manning, Hailey DeSutter, and Lauren Piner accompanied North Carolina Teaching Fellows students to Rowan-Salisbury School System in early March. They had dinner with UNC Pembroke’s NC Teaching Fellows before a fully day of hearing from several district and community leaders as well as local principals in the area on the beginning teacher program, district resources, and community connections in Salisbury. Students also had the opportunity to engage in a school visit at Hurley Elementary, China Grove Middle, or Salisbury High School before heading back to Greenville!

On March 3, 2025, the Rooted in Reading: Spring Fling for Literacy Leaders welcomed 40 educators for an afternoon of networking, professional learning, and inspiration. Hosted by the Department of Literacy Studies, English Education, and History Education, the event featured a keynote by Jen Jones, an expert panel discussion, and interactive sessions focused on innovative literacy strategies. Participants received Continuing Education Credit and books to take back to their classrooms, with many expressing renewed motivation for their teaching.

Several COE faculty were honored with the ECU Order of the Anchor Society. In its augural year, this award recognizes and honors the exceptional achievement of highly-funded researchers who secure over $1 million in grant funding in a single year. For the inaugural year, faculty who achieved this feat between the years 2020-2024 were highlighted. The COE recipients were: Dr. Loni Crumb, Dr. Elizabeth Hodge, Dr. Hal Holloman, and Dr. Matt Militello. During the Research & Scholarship Awards, Dr. Loni Crumb also received a Trendsetter Award for Mid-Career Achievement.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Dr. Ricky Castles has been named the new associate dean for student affairs and director of the Student Success Center for the College of Engineering and Technology. Castles, associate professor in the Department of Engineering, came to ECU in 2010 and has received numerous accolades, including the 2021 UNC System Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award.

Construction Management senior Chloe Kildea won the national James L. Allhands Student Essay Competition through the Associated General Contractors Education and Research Foundation. The essay explored the impact of artificial intelligence on the construction industry.

Student organizations in the Department of Computer Science and the College of Business teamed up for the Technology Summit. Industry and business leaders from top companies offered advice and tips to help students land jobs and find their career paths.

About 150 administrators, faculty members and students from 38 community colleges throughout the state attended the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology and Technology Systems Transfer Day. The event highlighted partnerships between ECU and community colleges while providing information about degree programs and the ease at which students can transfer to the university.

The Department of Engineering hosted a speed networking event for students. Members of the department’s Engineering Advisory Board met with students to offer tips and career advice, while students shared their career goals and asked questions of industry leaders.

FINE ARTS & COMMUNICATION

The College of Fine Arts and Communication welcomed great visits from guest artists in March. We appreciate these opportunities for students to engage with working artists, contributing to their preparedness for careers in their post-ECU lives.

• Caroline Arapoglou, an actor from “Outer Banks” and “Stranger Things” fame, visited the School of Theatre and Dance, and gave a guest talk with Q and A. She shared her experiences in the entertainment industry, and her experience being based in Atlanta, instead of New York or Los Angeles. Read more about Arapoglou’s visit here, and check out our SOTD Instagram highlight for additional video clips and photos.
• Heath Wagoner ’11 (pictured above), a School of Art and Design metalworks alum and artist, joined students for a demonstration and workshop, individual critiques, and a public presentation. Wagoner describes himself as a 360 jeweler, working on all aspects of a project from design, to manufacture, to marketing, and every step in between. From the Outer Banks, he came to ECU to study painting, then fell in love with metals in his second year. He lives and works in New York City, where he also teaches visual communication (fashion product and collection) at Parsons School of Design. See our SOAD Instagram highlight for video clips and photos.
• Tali Weinberg, a textile artist who lives and works in Champaign-Urbana, Ill., visited the School of Art and Design for a public artist lecture and studio visits with students. Weinberg creates weavings, sculptures, and drawings to explore and reflect on the climate crisis, using climate data as a scaffold on which to build on the story it tells.

A photograph by School of Art and Design photography Professor Daniel Kariko will be part of an exhibition opening April 22 in the Ocean Hall of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

The same photo – “Last Camp on Isle Dernieres” – was included in the Fifth National Climate Assessment report in 2023, the first time art was included as part of that assessment. The prospectus asked artists to visualize climate change in the United States, seeking to strengthen partnerships between science and art. All the art pieces chosen – titled “Art x Climate” – are available to view online, where they were originally exhibited.

The physical exhibition opening in April will include a selection of images from the Art x Climate pieces.

Kariko created this photo in Louisiana in 2017. Since 1999 he has documented the endangered wetlands and changes in landscape in the Barataria-Terrebonne region of South Louisiana.

We celebrated successes with music therapy faculty and students from the School of Music who attended the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association Conference in Birmingham, Ala.

• Ella Chapman (pictured above, left), a senior in music therapy and music performance, received the Student Research Poster Award for her poster presentation, “Musical Roots: Exploring the Influence of Family on Career Choices and Support Systems for Musicians.” Chapman’s poster was selected from 22 presented; she is the fourth ECU student in a row to win this award.
• The ECU Music Therapy Organization won a conference spirit award for outstanding achievement, their first since 2020.
• In a unique experience for undergraduates, four students and a recent alum presented “Harmonizing Through Research: Exploring Undergraduate Research Experiences in Music Therapy” with faculty members Drs. Adrienne Steiner-Brett and Virginia Driscoll. Students are Savannah Barclay, Aditi Bauer, and Abby Ortiz from music therapy, Kensey Tarkington from kinesiology, and Maggie Ford ’24. (pictured above, right)

GRADUATE SCHOOL

On Monday, March 17, more than 50 faculty, staff and students gathered to commemorate the Graduate School’s recent move to Mendenhall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new location on the ground level of Mendenhall, which is shared with Undergraduate Admissions and University Marketing and Communications, will provide a more centralized and accessible location for meeting the evolving needs of students, faculty, and staff.

Xanthia Saganis, PhD student in the Health Psychology program, proudly represented East Carolina University at the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS) Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. With exceptional poise and clarity, Xanthia condensed her complex research into a compelling three-minute presentation, demonstrating both her academic expertise and communication skills. The 3MT competition challenges graduate students to present their research to a general audience, and Xanthia's engaging delivery showcased the impact and significance of her work. It was a very competitive competition and although Xanthia’s research presentation was not selected for the final round, her performance highlighted her dedication to her field and brought recognition to ECU's commitment to fostering innovative and effective scholarship.

During the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools in Dallas, TX, Dean Debra Jackson (right) and Associate Dean Kathy Cox (left) delivered an insightful presentation titled “Saddle Up for Change: Preparing for and Managing Leadership Transitions.” Their session focused on the critical strategies and best practices for navigating leadership changes in academic institutions. Drawing on their extensive experience, they provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that come with leadership transitions, offering practical guidance on fostering continuity, maintaining momentum, and leading with resilience. Their engaging discussion equipped attendees with tools to effectively manage change while ensuring a smooth transition and continued institutional success.

Dean Jackson has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS) for a three-year term. This significant appointment reflects Dean Jackson's leadership and dedication to advancing graduate education across the Southern region. As a member of the Executive Committee, Dean Jackson will contribute to shaping the future of graduate studies, collaborating with academic leaders to address key challenges and opportunities within graduate education. This election underscores both Dean Jackson’s expertise and the high regard in which she is held by her peers in the academic community.

On March 27-28, East Carolina University and New Hanover County launched a new partnership aimed at connecting county employees with educational opportunities at ECU, highlighting pathways to increase their skills and talents and showcasing the university’s academic programs. The initiative featured two key events in New Hanover County.

• Thursday, March 27 was the networking session that allowed the Graduate School to share directly with county leaders the flexibility and affordability of our academic programs. Twenty New Hanover County upper-level managers, development planners, and department heads attended this session to ask questions and identify potential development opportunities.
• The NHC Education Fair was held on Friday, March 28 and was open to all New Hanover County staff and is designed to connect them with academic programs which may help advance their careers through continuing education. ECU academic programs in attendance were specifically identified among those of interest by New Hanover County leadership. ECU academic programs and the Office of Graduate Admissions were able to connect with 70 county employees about ways to advance their careers and their education.

On Tuesday, March 18, the Office of Graduate Admissions hosted a visit from the TRIO Program at East Tennessee State University. Seventeen students and their advisors from ETSU traveled to Greenville to learn about the graduate admissions process and about our academic programs. The day started with a presentation from Dr. James Coker about the application process with a focus on the starting the search process early, understanding the program application requirements, and connecting with graduate program directors. The students were then provided an opportunity to meet with program directors from their specific program of interest. The ETSU students had interests within ten of our graduate programs and were able to meet with those programs. Following lunch, the group went on a tour of campus that highlighted student support services such as the Graduate Student Lounge, the University Writing Center, and the Financial Aid Office.

HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE

Dr. Deb Jordan (recreation sciences) was named as a National Honor Award winner by the American Camp Association, “to recognize meritorious service by an ACA member or former member for noteworthy contributions to the advancement of camp through leadership and industry.” In addition to her teaching, research and past camp experience, Jordan has been an active member of ACA for expertise such as research and program evaluations on camps. She recently co-chaired the national body of the ACA research symposium and is a leader in the ACA Southeastern Region Section. She is currently performing evaluation and research on Camp Corral in Raleigh.

Dr. Priti Desai, an associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science, certified child life specialist and a longtime expert in examining children and families’ coping with complex heart defects and other healthcare experiences, was inducted as a Research Fellow by the Association of Child Life Professionals. She is one of 10 fellows in United States or Canada to earn this distinction. As a Research Fellow, she will serve as a subject matter expert, consult on research-related matters and promote research competency within the child life community through one-on-one mentorship and consultation to ACLP committees.

Dr. Kayla Fitzke (human development and family science) and Kim Smith with the ECU OneOp Team attended the joint Military and Veteran Enablement Coalition and Military Career Transition Day. The event brought together different businesses, nonprofit organizations and university resources across the state in support of, and to connect with, military spouses, service members transitioning out and veterans. Fitzke previously led earning ECU and the College of Health and Human Performance a role in the OneOp inter-university cooperative agreement project aimed to further the services professionals provide to military families at the regional and national levels.

Dr. Joe Houmard, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology, won the ECU Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity. Houmard’s service and research for more than three decades have contributed to the field of exercise physiology, particularly in skeletal muscle metabolism and the prevention and treatment of obesity and diabetes. He received the award at the ceremony and was featured in a video as part of ECU News coverage.

Michael Daniels (social work), Dr. Sarah Maness (health education and promotion) and Dr. Lindsey Oakes (recreation sciences) were selected to participate in the 2024-25 Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy program. HHP had many faculty members recognized at the annual ECU Research & Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

The East Carolina University College of Health and Human Performance celebrates the selection of Dr. David Loy, professor of recreational therapy and an expert in the disciplines of recreation sciences and adaptive sport, for the Jerry E. McGee Distinguished Professorship. The McGee Professorship will support Loy’s work examining ways to increase athlete performance and access in adaptive sport and recreation. For example, he has recently developed devices such as the patent-pending Rink Ramp, a device to help parahockey players with disabilities access ice rinks, and promoted others such as the Beep Kickball, a ball designed specifically to help children and adults with visual impairments play kickball. His other current research is focused on the physiological effects of sensory spaces to promote inclusion and sensory modulation at public sports and recreation events.

Dr. Ed Gomez, a professor in the Department of Recreation Sciences, began in March as president of The Academy of Leisure Sciences. The TALS website states it aims to recognize, support and establish a network and forum for scholars and educators committed to the intellectual advancement of the field.

HHP dedicated its School of Social Work Office of Field Education in the Rivers Building to honor the Caswell Center Foundation. A $280,000 gift from the foundation has created endowments that will fund scholarships and internships for students in ECU’s social work, recreational therapy and music therapy programs.

Students from the Department of Interior Design and Merchandising were among the thousands of participants who received invaluable opportunities to connect with industry leaders and secure internships and job offers at the National Retail Federation’s annual event in New York City. Dr. Amanda Muhammad, IDMR department chair, accompanied the students to New York City. Dr. Marina Alexander serves as the faculty adviser for the National Retail Federation Student Association. More insight about the student experience is available in their responses via HHP News and Events.

Dr. Alex Claiborne, post-doc, with Dr. Linda May were authors of a Wiley top-cited article in the academic journal Birth Defects Research in 2023. May is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology. Their article was titled, “A Narrative Review of Exercise Dose During Pregnancy.”

HONORS

Dr. Katie Ford was inducted into the Educators Hall of Fame in March for her dedication to the success of students, especially in her role as the associate dean of the Honors College and director of the Brinkley-Lane Scholars Program. During the induction ceremony, current Honors College student and education major Erynn Shallington served as one of the student speakers, sharing her ECU experience with the audience.

Over spring break, Honors College students participated in several high-impact experiences, including two study abroad trips — one to Costa Rica with a biology course and one to Baja California Sur, Mexico as part of an Honors College seminar with Dr. Tammy Lee and Bonnie Glass from the College of Education. During the Baja trip, students were able to learn more about how climate change is affecting the ocean’s mammals, especially the gray whales, which they were all able to see up close in their natural habitat.

Students also went to Ireland over spring break as part of an alternative break experience. They were able to volunteer alongside professional youth workers to learn about some of the issues facing young people in Belfast, including the lasting legacy of Northern Ireland’s “Troubles” conflict. They also toured many historical sites and met Belfast’s lord mayor to discuss his leadership journey.

During Pirate Nation Gives, the Honors College celebrated a very successful day, by meeting all of the day’s goals. We exceeded all our participation goals for the day and successfully landed some bonus money through fund with most dollars raised, most student giving, and one of our students finding a PeeDee plushie around campus.

In March, our honors advisor Mr. Jim Ellis retired after nearly 20 years of dedicated service to ECU and the Honors College. Mr. Ellis has been with the Honors College since its early days as an honors program, joining ECU on August 1, 2004. Over the years, he has guided and supported countless students, helping them navigate the opportunities of honors education and reaching their goals. His passion for working with students and his commitment to their success have left a lasting impact on our community. Jim is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Maureen, his two children, and his grandchildren during retirement.

Many of our students are already announcing internships and experiences for summer 2025 including:

• Ford Amerson will be participating in the Yellow Barn Young Artists Program in Putney, Vermont where he will work with top young musicians from around the world.
• Kaylee Chavis will be National Environmental Public Health Internship Program intern with Edgecombe County Health Department.
• Zasha Griffin will return to Civil Design Concepts, PA as a predevelopment site/civil engineering intern.

Our students have also been busy attending conferences for academics and special interests including:

• Alondra Martinez & Skylar Thurston attended the PRSSA 2025 Leadership Assembly in Charlotte, NC
• Nursing students, like Caroline Mott & Benita Patel, attended the North Carolina Association of Nursing Students Annual Convention.
• Paulina Weglarczyk attended the 46th Annual Minority Health Conference.

INTEGRATED COASTAL PROGRAMS

Dr. David Griffith (Coastal Studies) gave two presentations at the World Experts Lecture Series hosted in the Philippines on March 25-26, 2025. His talks were entitled “Blue Economies: Seafood Processing, Seasonal Labor, and the Livelihood Constellations of Coastal Peoples” and “Local and Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Environmental Protection, and Social Movements Among Small-Scale and Artisanal Fishing Families”.

In January, Dr. David Lagomasino (Coastal Studies) and Integrated Coastal Sciences PhD student Kinsey Blumenthal spent two weeks in West Papua, Indonesia as part of an international research team conducting an NSF-funded pilot project for establishing a blue carbon center. The team held a workshop with representatives from local communities, academia, government, and nonprofit organizations to discuss past conservation efforts, current community and environmental needs and concerns, and to develop a vision for potentially establishing a blue carbon center in Indonesia. The workshop was followed by fieldwork to collect social and environmental data focused on mangroves and sea grasses in three local communities around Sorong and Raja Ampat. The team was led by researchers from the University of Rhode Island in collaboration with Universitas Papua (UNIPA), ECU, and the University of the Virgin Islands.

Integrated Coastal Sciences PhD students Maria Saldarriaga Gomez and Samantha Farquhar recently mentored an undergraduate at Yale University interested in remote sensing. The resulting research project “Does drone-facilitated revegetation work? A case study from Taiwan” was published as a peer-reviewed article this week in the journal Academia Environmental Sciences and Sustainability.

Integrated Coastal Sciences PhD student Kyra Hagge won an Outstanding Student Presentation Award of the Hydrology section for her poster "Connecting Human Behavior and Physical Systems Using Agent-Based Modeling: Individual Wastewater Treatment Systems in the Tar-Pamlico Watershed in Eastern North Carolina" at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting 2024.

Hagge also gave a webinar recent talk in the NC DEQ world of water webinar series about her research, titled "Human behavior and physical systems - How cooperation and social capital are connected to individual wastewater treatment systems in the Tar-Pamlico watershed in Eastern North Carolina and the work of transdisciplinary research teams." It can be accessed online HERE.

The Coastal Studies Institute hosted the annual NC Renewable Energy Challenge on March 22, 2025. The event is a competition in which students design, build and test renewable energy devices and then compete with their peers to create the most efficient design to harness the power of wind or ocean currents. The challenge takes place at the Coastal Studies Institute on the ECU Outer Banks Campus each spring and includes both wind turbine and underwater current turbine divisions. Student teams can compete in either the upper elementary/ middle school (4th-8th grade) or high school (9-12) division. It is the goal of the competition to foster student interest in these emerging renewable energy fields and inspire the next generation of engineers and renewable energy developers. In 2025, 80+ students participated, in addition to 17 coaches and almost 40 volunteers. Dr. Matthew Bryant, a professor in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department at NC State and researcher affiliated with the NC Renewable Ocean Energy Program, gave the keynote address; and three of the eight winning teams across the ages groups and competition categories were from Dare County’s First Flight High School and First Flight Middle School.

The Coastal Studies Institute has exciting plans for this Spring, including a special screening of “The Cigarette Surfboard” at the Pioneer Theater in Manteo on April 17, and the ECU Outer Banks Annual Open House on May 17.

For more information about all programs and events at the coast, please visit https://www.coastalstudiesinstitute.org/upcoming-events/.

JOYNER LIBRARY

Michael Reece, lead web developer, won a library-wide contest for artificial intelligence art to be used as a mural on a library wall. Reece used ImageFX. His prompt included the following: To produce mural-style artwork appropriate for an academic library depicting a person blowing from the palm of their hand. The breath transforms into vibrant, colorful graffiti-style images that flow from left to right across the composition. The graffiti elements represent knowledge and learning through abstract representations of ideas/books/technology. The overall style balances between artistic street art and educational imagery, inspired by contemporary graffiti artists but keeping a respectful tone suitable for an academic setting.

Academic Library Services held its annual staff development day March 11. There were networking opportunities and engaging sessions, including book talks, presentations and awards, crafts, community cleanup, trivia, mentoring and yoga. Toya Jacobs, ECU’s manager for well-being and engagement programs, delivered the main presentation about balances and employee well-being.

Recent events in the Teaching Resources Center included a workshop for local educators, titled “Bridging Science and ELA: Leveraging Library Resources for Integrated Learning.” They learned more about ECU and library resources and participated in various engaging activities throughout the day. The TRC also welcomed students from four sections of READ 3502 Applied Literacy Skills: Differentiated Instruction and Assessment for the Elementary Classroom. They made anchor charts, which are classroom visual displays used to support instruction by reinforcing important concepts for students. They "anchor" learning by providing a place for students to refer when practicing a new skill.

Registration is open for the 2025 Paraprofessional Conference, which is in Joyner Library on May 16 from 8a.m. - 4p.m. The conference is aimed at providing professional development for library workers in academic, public and special library systems, as well as students pursuing degrees in library and information sciences. This year’s conference will explore the themes of technology and digital fluency, emphasizing the integral role that technological proficiency plays in the modern library environment. Questions can be sent to paraprofes@ecu.edu.

Members of the Academic Library Services Stewardship Committee worked together to contribute to Project Linus, helping provide blankets for children who are ill, traumatized or otherwise in need.

LAUPUS HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY

Laupus is proud to work with the Graduate School to celebrate Graduate Student week, April 7-11. The library will have a free coffee bar all week and on April 8 will host an open house in the VR Lab for graduate students, featuring rollercoaster rides, soaring through Google Earth and lots of other fun applications of this exciting technology.

The library exhibited at the 2025 Farmworker Institute on March 21, sharing health literacy materials and promoting research outcomes from a three-year IMLS-funded project on health literacy and internet access in North Carolina's farmworker community. Pictured are Mary Roby, Assistant Director for User Services, and Andrea Bristol, Budget Officer.

We were excited to welcome prospective students during Pirates Aboard on Saturday, March 29. Intended health sciences students enjoyed tours and activities, including this prospective nursing major who appreciated the library’s extensive anatomical models collection.

The Country Doctor Museum will be hosting another mobile mammogram clinic from Cancer Services of Eastern North Carolina on May 1. Follow the museum on Facebook for more information: https://www.facebook.com/CDMBailey.

Using artifacts and archival materials from the Country Doctor Museum's collection, “Ready the Remedy” examines some of the practices and processes used by turn of the 20th century pharmacists and doctors in making and dispensing medicine. The exhibit will be on view until 2026 on the 2nd floor of the Family Medicine Center.

Liaison Librarian Soph-Myers Kelley participated in the 2025 cohort of the Spring Break writing retreat in Salter Path, NC last month. Soph (pictured bottom row, second from left) made significant progress towards a book project that explores the intersection of storytelling and medicine and highly recommended the retreat to colleagues who are interested in finding dedicated time for this important faculty activity.

NURSING

Dr. Lisa Wilcox partnered with ECU Health’s Simone McCoy on a hospital-guided simulation that exposed first semester nursing students to the equipment they will, and may have already encountered, on the internal medicine ward on 2 South.

“Our students were applying much of what they are learning in their courses in a simulated learning environment,” Wilcox said. “This simulation builds confidence in the med/surg environment in a Level 1 trauma center.”

McCoy is a Pirate Nurse and a current DNP student. The simulation is part of her quality improvement project, which is aimed at increasing student nurse knowledge, comfort and confidence in the clinical environment, which in turn improves patient outcomes.

Last week the Dean’s Advisory and Advancement Board meeting had a semiannual meeting here at the College.

The Board learned how the ECU Health Foundation now includes fundraising aspects for Health Care and Health Sciences and how the foundation’s large initiative, Investing in Our Future Endowment, aids both recruitment at the hospital as well as scholarships, research and priority funding directly to the dental, nursing, allied health, and medical units.

Presenters were Dr. Scott Senatore, Chief Philanthropy Officer for ECUHF; Sarah Swain, Philanthropy Director for ECUHF Health Sciences; Dr. Micheal Jones, Associate Dean for C, E, and PD and Director for the CON Advancement Office; and Dean Bim Akintade.

In attendance were all 9 members, Dean Bim Akintade, ex-officio members, and Katy Locke, Alumni Engagement Director.

The DAAB’s members are Sue Deaton, Chair; Suzanne Chesnutt, Community Engagement Committee Chair; Trish Morris, Research Committee Chair; Dr. Tom Irons, Dr. Bruce Klitzman, Dr. Andrea Fuller, Melissa Anderson, Bridget Rogers, and Dr. Mary Rabb. Ex-officio members are Ashley Elks, Pirate Nurse Alumni Council; Dr. Joan Wynn, Hall of Fame Chair; Elizabeth Maxwell, Sr. Director of Development.

State Senator Gale Adcock (center) was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow in the National Academies of Practice Annual Meeting and Forum in Washington, DC. Adcock has represented Wake County in the General Assembly since 2015.

She graduated from the East Carolina University College of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, and has been a nurse practitioner since graduating from UNC Chapel Hill in 1987 with a master of science in nursing. She retired as the Chief Health Officer at SAS Institute in 2020 after more than 26 years in that role.

From her website, Adcock is a past president of the North Carolina Nurses Association; former chair of the North Carolina Center for Nursing, and former member of the North Carolina Board of Nursing. She is a current appointee to the NC Child Fatality Task Force and the NC Council for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She is an adjunct faculty member at Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, Wake Forest University, and Case Western Reserve University.

Thank you, Senator Adcock, for proudly representing Pirate Nurse Nation and your continuing advocacy for the nursing profession.

The newest members of the College of Nursing’s Hall of Fame were inducted during a ceremony at the East Carolina Heart Institute Feb. 28. The Hall of Fame recognizes those Pirate Nurses who have distinguished themselves a members of the nursing profession and is a way for the College to publicly recognize their contributions.

The Hall of Fame inductees include:

Dr. Bim Akintade, Dr. Debra Bradshaw, Dr. Ivy Bagley, Cathy Bunch, Dr. Kathy Dutton, Dr. Gina Firnhaber, Jean Harrington, Dr. Alex Hodges, Dr. Dawnelle Holadia, Susan Lally, Dr. Kim Larson, Dr. Julie Linder, Dr. Jeanne Martin, Jessica Noble, Lou Reida, Nikki Sawyer and Dr. Mary Wilson.

The incoming board leadership includes chair Dr. Joan Wynn (PhD ’07), vice-chair Dr. Kamilah Williams (MSN ’05), secretary Madge Gay Thompson (BSN ’77), and treasurer Dr. Sylvia Brown (BSN ‘75, MSN ‘78). Outgoing Inaugural HOF Chair, Rosanne Leahy (BSN ’78) led the Inaugural HOF Board, established in 2023.

Congratulations to all our new Hall of Fame inductees and thank you to those who have graciously decided to serve on the board.

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