First Monday AN UPDATE FROM THE PROVOST | MAY 2025

A Message from Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Chris Buddo

Colleagues, we have made it to the end of a busy semester! With GradBash on Thursday and Commencement on Friday, this is an exciting week to celebrate the achievements of our amazing students.

On Friday, we will recognize 3,622 of our spring graduates (4,864 counting those who plan to graduate this summer). Those who are graduating in four years would have been freshmen during our first fully face-to-face return following the COVID pandemic. These resilient students faced significant challenges in their final years of high school, but were instrumental in helping us rebuild the community spirit that is so much a part of the ECU fabric. Whatever their future holds, we wish them the very best.

In this issue you will also read about the many faculty and staff members recognized for their outstanding contribution(s) in research, teaching, and service. It is always a revelation to see how much great work goes on all over the university, and I hope you will join me in congratulating our colleagues.

This is our last issue of First Monday for this academic year. While the work of the university continues over the summer, I hope that you will take some time to renew and recharge. I look forward to seeing you in the fall!

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BY THE NUMBERS

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AROUND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS SERVICES

TrACE: Celebrating Transfer Student Success

The TrACE Success Program proudly celebrates the accomplishments of 36 graduates: Bashaar Al-Ahdal, Anthony Arroyo, Will Barefoot, Carson Bowen, Michael Brown, Michael Campbell, Lindsey Curlings, Ashley Eakes, Julie Eakes, James Edwards, Kaley Glascoe, Aaron Goodwin, Clint Henderson, Jacob Henderson, Christopher Howard, Courtney Hults, Kari Jimenez, Rob Jones, Logan Joyner, Pel Law, Alyssa Lawyer Burry, Lexton Lewis, Will Lukas, Benjamin Lumsden, Jerusalen Martinez Zarco, Kenton Minton, Colin Moore, Jill Nelson, Ethan Russell, Daniel Simon, Tara Stancil, Bryan Torres-Camacho, Holden Waller, Landon Waller, Chanay Williams, & Darwin Zelaya. After transferring to East Carolina University from community colleges across North Carolina, these students will complete their bachelor’s degrees in spring or summer 2025. Many have already secured positions in their chosen fields or have been accepted into graduate programs. We congratulate them on their achievements and wish them continued success in all that they do!

The Transfer, Accelerate, Complete, and Engage (TrACE) Success Program, housed within Student Academic Success Services and sponsored by the UNC System Office, is designed to support transfer students at East Carolina University. TrACE offers personalized academic support, career guidance, and financial assistance to help transfer students thrive as they transition to and complete their ECU educational journey.

STEPP Program & Pirate Academic Success Center

In April, seven student leaders from the Pirate Academic Success Center and STEPP Program traveled to North Carolina State University to participate in the annual NC Peer Educators Conference, a regional event that brings together student peer educators from across the state. The conference is designed to empower tutors and success coaches/mentors with the tools, training, and inspiration to become stronger advocates for student success on their campuses.

The conference provided an opportunity for students to share their own initiatives, learn from peer-led programs at other institutions, and build connections with like-minded changemakers. Student presenters from PASC included Diana Arbelaez, Chris Bonham-Janes, Alex Fleming, Reagan Hall, and Campbell Miller. The professional staff members who attended include Adam Denney (STEPP), Monique Barrett (PASC) and Julian Pinkham (PASC).

ACADEMIC ADVISING AND SUPPORT

The Academic Advising Collaborative held its annual Advising Awards on April 30, 2025. This is the 13th year of this recognition program.

The awards recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence in advising by going “above and beyond” their expected duties. Nominees are judged on the evidence of qualities and practices that distinguish the nominee as an outstanding leader in advising.

2024-2025 Advising Award Recipients

• Advising Administrative Assistant: Pamela Morris, Arts & Sciences & University Studies
• Advising Partner: Shelley Tripp, Registrar’s Office
• New Advisor: Briley Brand, College of Allied Health Sciences
• Advisor: Melissa Bowers, College of Business
• Advisor: Caroline Holton, College of Business
• Advising Administrator: Mary Beth Allen, College of Business

OFFICE OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS

This summer marks the 18th anniversary of ECU study abroad programming in the small Tuscan village of Certaldo Alto, Italy.

"Making the decision to come to Italy was the best thing I have ever done. This program has introduced me to a new version of myself, new friends, and new outlooks on life that I will forever be grateful for." - Linnea Kanyok, spring 2025

"This experience is something that I will take with me for the rest of my life and will forever and always be a part of me. It was truly one of the most amazing things ECU was able to offer me, and I will always hold everyone here so close to my heart." - Sadie Sabarese, spring 2025

In 2023, the Microbiology and Immunology Department at BSOM revitalized its partnership with the University of the West of England in Bristol, UK. This program allows selected students from UWE to participate in a year-long International Student Internship. During their time at ECU, these students receive hands-on training in specialized fields, gain insights into research, and develop skills that will give them a competitive edge in their future careers.

The International Student Internship program is a unique program hosted by the Office of Global Affairs and is available to all departments across campus. For more information, visit our website.

On Tuesday, May 6, the ECU Language Academy will graduate its final cohort of intensive English students. The program, operational since 2010, faced a significant downturn in demand post-Covid, and, despite incredible work by manager Edward Chaffin and instructors Muneera Almathiab and Marcos Acevedo Pavez, is not able to remain financially viable. Over the years, dozens of students have improved their English skills and their career trajectory, with many going on to successful academic careers at ECU.

OFFICE FOR FACULTY EXCELLENCE

Summer Research & Statistics Workshop Series

Are you ready to take your research and data analysis skills to the next level? Whether you're a faculty member, staff, resident, fellow, postdoc, or graduate student, our three-week 2025 summer statistics and research series is your opportunity to build expertise in a structured way. Organized by Hui Bian (Office for Faculty Excellence), the series offers 18 workshops facilitated by faculty and staff from units across campus.

• Week 1: Statistical/research software - Get hands-on experience with tools like SPSS, JMP, R, PowerBI, Mplus, and Qualtrics.
• Week 2: Foundations of statistics - Dive into key statistical concepts like basic statistics, hypothesis testing, ANOVA, regression, and more.
• Week 3: Qualitative research and special topics - Explore qualitative research design, mixed methods, and how to handle missing data.

Facilitators include Drew Ashby-King (College of Fine Arts and Communication), Carrie Bergeson (College of Health and Human Performance), Kawanna Bright (College of Education), Xiangming Fang (Brody School of Medicine), Michelle Malkin (College of Arts and Sciences), Sarah Manley (ITCS), Whitney Moore (College of Health and Human Performance), Alex Schoemann (College of Arts and Sciences), Qiang Wu (Brody School of Medicine), Peng Xiao (College of Arts and Sciences), and Franklin Zhou (IPAR). View the full schedule and register for sessions on the Summer Research & Statistics Workshops page.

OFFICE FOR RESEARCH

The Office of Research Development will host a three-day, in-person Proposal Writing Workshop focused on securing non-federal funding. Participants will receive expert guidance from Terah Archie and Katy Johnson with the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations and hear proven funding strategies from our Trendsetters. The program will also feature presentations on building interdisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration. The workshop will be held at Eastern AHEC, 2600 W Arlington Blvd, Greenville, NC 27834.

Workshop schedule:

• Tuesday, June 10, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 11, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Thursday, June 12, 9 – 11:30 a.m.

Snacks and lunch will be provided each day. Please register by June 5 if you plan to attend.

ECU has completed the process to join the SMART IRB V3.0 Agreement. Investigators may now use the updated SMART IRB Reliance Agreement to enter reliance arrangements for multi-site human subject research with other SMART IRB member institutions. Please contact the University & Medical Center Institutional Review Board at umcirb@ecu.edu with any questions or visit us online.

Research Security Training Requirement

Beginning on May 1, 2025, the Department of Energy will require that all “Covered Individuals” (PIs, Co-PIs, and Senior/Key Personnel) applying for DOE-sponsored Research and Development applications/projects must complete Research Security Training prior to proposal submission per the National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

The DOE is the first of the federal agencies to implement the Research Security Training requirement. Other federal agencies will require this training later this year. The Office of Research Integrity and Compliance will provide an update once guidance is shared from the other federal funding agencies.

Department of Energy Research Security Training Requirements:

• Beginning on May 1, 2025, Covered Individuals (PIs, Co-PIs, and Senior/Key Personnel) must complete the training prior to proposal submission.
• Any new Covered Individuals (PIs, Co-PIs, and Senior/Key Personnel) added to the project must complete the training within 30 days of joining the project.
• Covered Individuals (PIs, Co-PIs, and Senior/Key Personnel) on active awards must complete the training by May 31, 2025.

NSPM-33 defines Research Security as “the necessary safeguarding of the research enterprise against the misappropriation of research and development to the detriment of national or economic security, related to violations of research integrity, and foreign government interference.”

A condensed 1-hour training course is available in the CITI Program, in lieu of the 4-hour Research Security Training Module created by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Please reach out to Christiana Shoopman, Director of the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance, at 252-744-1971 or shoopmanc16@ecu.edu with questions about the requirement to take this training or the CITI training itself.

OFFICE FOR INNOVATION AND ENGAGEMENT

Now in its 11th year at ECU, the SECU Public Fellows Internship program connects students with local government, economic development, education, and nonprofit agencies to work on projects that address real community needs. Funded by the SECU Foundation, the program provides undergraduates with valuable workplace experience while helping rural communities strengthen their capacity to tackle challenges. This summer, selected undergraduates will gain meaningful hands-on experience as they help make an impact on communities across eastern North Carolina.

The 2025 SECU Public Fellows Internship students are:

• Sanaa Everett, Social Work, Aces for Autism
• Taylor Cavaco, Public Health, Beaufort-Hyde Partnership for Children
• Yadiel Cruz, Community and Regional Planning, City of Goldsboro
• Landon Simmons, Informative Computer Technology, City of New Bern
• Madison Hrukska, Management Information Systems, Eastern Carolina Vocational Center (ECVC)
• Joycelyn Reyes, Art, Emerge Gallery & Art Center
• Ava Poole, Applied Economics, Greenville-Pitt Chamber of Commerce
• Maya Beatty, Marketing, Imagine Pamlico
• Payton Smith, Social Work, Kelly Children’s Home
• Darian Chamblee, Finance, Koinonia Community Center
• Taki'yah Joyner, Economics and Political Science, Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce
• Kelsey Dudash, Biology, NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island
• Hazel Bolden, Biology, NC Coastal Federation
• Lauren Bullard, Finance and Marketing, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern North Carolina
• Jonah Dickerson, Geology, Sound Rivers
• Dawson Mitchell, Finance, Strategic Twin-Counties Education Partnership (STEP)
• Cassidy Plotzke, Political Science, Town of Winterville
• Lauryn Strothers, Community and Regional Planning, Washington County
• Charles Wroten, Social Work, Wilson County Senior Center
• Bethany Manor, Biology, Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Learn more about the SECU Public Fellows internship program HERE.

The Innovator of the Month was established by the Office of Licensing and Commercialization to recognize faculty who 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. Tonya Zeczycki, Associate Professor at the Brody School of Medicine, for this month’s spotlight.

Dr. Zeczycki was selected for her work in developing a novel at-home fecal diagnostic test designed to identify the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This promising innovation is being advanced through her ECU faculty startup, MoZeek Bio. As part of her commercialization journey, Dr. Zeczycki completed the I-Corps@ECU program, participated in the Advance Health in Eastern NC Pitch Competition, and was selected as a regional finalist in the 2024 NCBiotech Venture Challenge with support from the NC Biotechnology Center.

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

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the Research 2 Commercialization (R2C) Conference on Wednesday, May 14, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Eastern AHEC Educational Center. This full-day event is designed to equip participants with the essential tools for transforming research discoveries into successful commercial ventures.

Through a series of in-person sessions, you'll explore key topics such as business fundamentals, intellectual property strategy, attracting investment, and more. There will be a poster session and one-on-one consulting in the afternoon along with breakout sessions. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with over 30 industry leaders and subject matter experts.

Sessions will include:

• Communicating Your Science to an Investor
• What Does Intellectual Property have to Do with It?
• Beachhead Market Tactics
• The Not So Basic Legal Elements of Starting a New Venture
• Hiring and Compensation Made Simple
• Opportunities to Fund Early-Stage Discoveries
• Using SBIR/STTR Funding to Bridge the Valley of Death
• Leveraging Accelerators and Incubators to Fill in the Gaps

Learn more and register online. This event is sponsored by NCInnovation and the NC Biotechnology Center.

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 Offerings:

• ECU Economic Development Academy – Attraction in North Carolina, May 14, register online
• 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
• 21st Century Leadership Microcredential – register online

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:

• Tour of Coastal Studies Institute & Roanoke Island Maritime Shad Boat History, May 2 – register online
• Fall kickoff – August 29

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.

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COLLEGE UPDATES

ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

Last week, students from across the College of Allied Health Sciences and the School of Dental Medicine participated in the 9th annual Student Research Day, where they presented on topics ranging from vocal sound production to the nutrition value of specific fish. In addition to the individual presentations, students and faculty teamed up to play a game show where they answered questions from topics across CAHS’s disciplines.

A newly established student organization - V-DISH (Voices of Diversity in Speech-Language and Hearing) - founded by Naya Bryant, Whitley Dockery, Makyah McNeill, Aysha Rivera, and Elisha Eanes, students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, held a recognition ceremony to celebrate their first year as an established organization, to recognize member achievements and celebrate the graduating seniors and distribute honor cords for them to wear at graduation.

Masters-level students from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders were at the Nancy Darden Child Development Center interacting with our community’s littlest Pirates. Students developed a language goal for children aged 18 months to 3 years old and created an engaging, developmentally appropriate activity designed to facilitate that goal. The assignment provided students with hands-on experience in applying theoretical knowledge of language development and intervention strategies in a real-world setting.

ARTS & SCIENCES

Harriot College faculty and staff are champions in teaching and service, and were among the many individuals honored at the 2025 University Teaching Awards on April 15, where ECU faculty and staff who go above and beyond to engage and inspire students are recognized. Ten Harriot College faculty members across seven departments won university-wide awards; a testament to the strong commitment our faculty have to teaching, mentoring and supporting ECU students.

Top honors went to Dr. Laura Levi Altstaedter, Associate Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (pictured in top photo, above, with university leadership), who received the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award recognizes a sustained record of distinguished teaching by a tenured faculty member and is one of the highest teaching awards presented at ECU.

The Board of Governors Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award recognizes full-time faculty who demonstrate exceptional teaching ability and who have taught at ECU for three or more years. Harriot College faculty who received this award included Dr. Meg Blome, Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences; Dr. Meghan Millea, Professor in the Department of Economics; Dr. Larkin Murphy, Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures; and Dr. Michele Stacey, Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Scholar-Teacher Awards, which recognize faculty who effectively integrate research and creativity with their teaching roles, demonstrate excellence in the classroom, and have an outstanding record of scholarly accomplishments, were awarded to Harriot College’s Dr. Michael Brewer, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, and Dr. Nicholas Rupp, Professor in the Department of Economics.

In recognition of faculty who exemplify the characteristics of effective teaching outlined in the ECU faculty manual, Dr. Stephanie Wallio, Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, received the ECU Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Teaching, and Dr. David Rudel, Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, received the Robert L. Jones Teaching Award.

Finally, the Service-Learning Teaching Excellence Award, which recognizes a faculty member teaching a service-learning course that addresses community needs and allows students to make meaningful connections in community-based experiences, was awarded to Dr. Heather Vance-Chalcraft, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology. Find out more about the ceremony and all the outstanding winners.

East Carolina University’s Dr. Michelle Malkin, Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, is the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Dean’s Early Career Award in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences. Established in 2015 through the generosity of Harriot College’s Dean’s Advancement Council, the award recognizes and rewards exceptional performance by tenure-track assistant professors and primarily honors their productivity in research and creative activity. It represents the college’s breadth of faculty excellence in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics. “Dr. Malkin is an exemplary junior faculty member and a role model for new faculty on the tenure track. She is a respected member of the department doing essential work for the discipline, university and community,” said Dr. Heidi Bonner, chair of the department. “Her unique blend of community engagement, dedication to instruction and research leadership in the unit, university and community truly sets her apart. Since joining ECU, Dr. Malkin has consistently demonstrated these qualities, making her a truly exceptional awardee.” Read more soon in an ECU Blog article about Malkin’s award.

An interdisciplinary team of students, led by Dr. Desiree Dighton, Assistant Professor in the Department of English, is demonstrating how #HarriotCollegeWorks to make an impact in our region. Under the direction of Dighton, ECU English majors Mallory Pickens (B.S. in Professional Writing and Information Design) and Zebediah Demorest (M.A. in English, with a concentration in Technical and Professional Communication), along with ECU’s Tiffany Blanchflower and Rebecca Burnworth (College of Health and Human Performance), and Danica Spriggs and John Kros (College of Business), are working to create a “Destination Marketing Plan and Social Media Toolkit” for the town of Roseboro, North Carolina. The project, funded by the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies program, connects Dighton’s research and advocacy work to include local communities in improving more equitable participatory communal design and economic development.

“Involving students like Mallory and Zeb demonstrates the high-impact learning opportunities we provide through our Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing and Information Design and Master of Arts program while also leveraging skills we embed in those programs like social media content and strategy creation. Perhaps just as important, it connects to ECU's strategic mission and priority of regional transformation,” Dighton said. “Our group will practice community-grounded research and offer interventions that provide usable materials and scalable support for civil service organizations and small businesses like the city of Roseboro and its stakeholders. I think it is pretty special that our team was chosen from applications received from across ECU disciplines and units. I also love that this provides a paid opportunity for the students that will give them professional experiences and work products they can use to secure great careers after graduation."

Harriot College graduate student Geoff Anthony’s journey blends his Marine Corps legacy with a passion for maritime history and service. He came to ECU intending to honor his grandfather, who was lost in the Pacific during World War II, by contributing to the vital work of service recovery. Read about his meaningful work and lasting impact.

East Carolina University’s Chief of Police Jason Sugg is a second-generation law enforcement officer and a first-generation Pirate. On Friday, he adds another ECU degree to his repertoire when he receives a doctorate in rhetoric, writing and professional communication from the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences Department of English. After being hired by ECU, Sugg said the development opportunities available at the university attracted him even more, which has led him to pursue a broad arts and sciences education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in German from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures with a minor in history in 2014 and a graduate certificate in professional communication from the Department of English in 2019. Before pursuing his doctoral degree at ECU, Sugg earned a Master of Public Administration from the Pennsylvania State University in 2016. Look for the full story on the ECU website.

Dr. Aleia Brown, Assistant Professor in the Department of History and David Julian and Virginia Suther Whichard Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, continues to share the impact of her distinguished professorship with communities near and far. She is the curator of an exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The exhibit, “We Gather at the Edge: Contemporary Quilts by Black Women Artists,” runs until June 22. The quilts in the exhibit highlight key events in American history—from the 18th century to today—through themes like abolition, nonviolent protest, and environmental justice. The exhibition celebrates the cultural storytelling of Black women through quilting and was featured on a list of key shows to see in 2025 by Smithsonian Magazine. Visit the Smithsonian’s exhibit webpage for more information and to view an online gallery of quilts in the exhibit.

BRODY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

About two dozen graduating medical students at the Brody School of Medicine were recognized for their successful completion of the challenging extracurricular program known as Distinction Track. The program, begun about a decade ago, requires a three-year commitment from the students, who choose one of five concentrations — Health System Transformation & Leadership, Medical Education & Teaching, Research, Service-Learning and Medical Humanities & Ethics. During their time, they are expected to complete a substantial project within their track all while meeting the traditional rigors of academic study, research and testing in pursuit of their Doctor of Medicine degrees.

“Participating in the Distinction Track does help them on their residency applications, but the reason for doing it is to explore things that are not part of the traditional medical school curriculum, to allow them to grow and develop their professional identity,” said Dr. Tim Reeder, an associate professor at the school who was a founding faculty member of the program, and an emergency medicine physician and state representative. “The students we’ve produced have their own advanced knowledge in these particular areas, but the exciting thing is, they will take this out to other places, when they go to residency, when they develop their careers. Other schools have copied this program [because] our students have taken it to them.”

“The biggest thing I got from the Distinction Track was an ability to look at whole systems by putting the different pieces together as a puzzle,” said graduating student Nupur Jain. “That’s a perspective students won’t come with. To understand care from a financial perspective, understand it at the policy level, a lot of medical students don’t have that chance. At Brody, we did. We were able to see the whole picture.”

The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University hosted its 11th annual Medical Education Day May 1, highlighted by a keynote address by alumna Dr. Christina Peroutka. The event was sponsored by the school’s Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development (OFALD).

Peroutka kicked off the day with her keynote address, “Follow the Green Lights: How Focusing on Positive Experiences can Shape your Career and Lead to Big Opportunities.” A Brody alumna, Peroutka is a board-certified physician at the University of Virginia in pediatrics, clinical, general and medical biochemical genetics who specializes in helping infants, children and adults with genetic conditions. She has a particular interest and expertise in inborn errors of metabolism and newborn screening.

Peroutka outlined important lessons she had learned throughout her time at Brody, during her residency and as she embarked on her career, including taking advantage of mentors and opportunities to continue learning throughout one’s career. She also told the crowd that positivity — including hope — is a necessary part of being an effective and excellent physician.

“It’s very important to be honest (with patients) about your capabilities for current medical care,” she said, “but it’s hope that allows us to push medicine forward.”

The medical school named three longtime medical educators as this year’s recipients of its Master Educator Awards: Drs. Lynn Morris, Mary Catherine Turner and Lacy Hobgood. The Master Educator Program is designed to recognize excellence in education in a variety of categories, including outstanding teaching or mentorship, educational leadership and administration, and educational innovation and curriculum development.

The winners were announced during a Brody faculty meeting on April 10, during which each winner received a white coat featuring a master educator designation, a plaque and a pin.

“Their impact is lasting — not only on the students they teach, but also on the culture of excellence they help sustain within our school,” said Allison Flowers, director of the school’s Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development.

Since the program began in 2002, 87 Brody faculty members have been named Master Educators.

Dr. Alexandra “Bobbie” Garvin, an assistant professor in the Department of Physiology at the Brody School of Medicine, was one of four recipients of the John F. Perkins Jr. Research Career Enhancement Award given by the American Physiological Society. The award allows an early-career researcher to obtain special training or new skills in furtherance of their research aims. “This was something I applied for and had sponsorship from Dr. Karen Litwa in Anatomy and Cell Biology as a microscopy expert to assist in my training,” she says. “The goal of my application is to acquire skills in fluorescent and two-photon microscopy here at ECU to image mitochondria within cardiac fibroblasts and to obtain information on their metabolic state.” The award will also contribute to Dr. Garvin’s participation in a workshop on FLIM and FRET Microscopy and Label-free NAH(P)H/FAD Metabolic Imaging.”

Fetal brains are sensitive to chemicals that disrupt synapse formation causing neurodevelopmental disorders. Now, research from graduating doctoral student Riley Bessetti (above) offers evidence the phytochemical sulforaphane can protect early brain development against such chemicals. Bessetti and seven other researchers published the findings last month in Molecular Psychiatry. The findings are the latest from Dr. Karen Litwa’s lab. Litwa is an assistant professor at the school. Together, they’ve IDed the molecular signatures that might fight other environmental toxicants.

BUSINESS

Student Success

Student startup Campus Cribs has been named the winner of the prestigious Gene T. Aman Pirate Challenge, East Carolina University’s signature business pitch competition hosted by the Miller School of Entrepreneurship. Founded by ECU students Quincy McKay and Gavin DiGregorio, Campus Cribs aims to simplify the off-campus housing search for college students by providing a more transparent and user-friendly rental platform.

The team’s innovative pitch stood out among a competitive field of finalists, earning them first place and a share of more than $150,000 in cash and in-kind services awarded during the competition. Their success reflects the entrepreneurial spirit thriving across ECU’s campus and highlights the real-world impact of the Miller School’s commitment to fostering student innovation.

Graduate students in East Carolina University’s Immersive Master of Business Administration (IMBA) program are preparing to take their skills beyond the classroom this summer, as they embark on professional internships with organizations. These internships provide hands-on experience in industries such as finance, healthcare, technology, and more—offering valuable insights into the complexities of the global business landscape.

The IMBA program emphasizes not only academic excellence but also practical, real-world learning. By working with international companies and organizations, students will enhance their leadership, problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication skills, preparing them for success in today’s competitive and interconnected economy.

This year’s cohort reflects the program’s strong commitment to global engagement and career readiness, with placements that span both domestic and international markets.

College of Business student Jonathan Coleman was honored at East Carolina University’s 2025 University Awards for Service, receiving the prestigious Truist Leadership Excellence Award. This recognition celebrates Jonathan’s exceptional leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to service throughout his time at ECU. As a standout student in the College of Business, Jonathan has made a lasting impact both in the classroom and across the campus community.

The ECU Pirate Sales Club took top honors at the inaugural National Tech Sales Competition, showcasing the talent, professionalism, and competitive spirit of College of Business students on a national stage. Competing against universities from across the country, ECU earned first place in the team category, with standout individual performances including Eli Ward, who placed second overall, and Carson Baker, who finished in the top 10.

Hosted by Southern New Hampshire University, the competition focused on advanced sales strategies in the technology sector, giving students hands-on experience in high-level business-to-business sales scenarios. Leading ECU’s success, Parker Raven earned first place in the team role-play and third in networking, Roz Burgess took first place in networking, Diya Thaker claimed first place in the team role-play, and Josiah Ortiz helped the team secure the ECU Teamwork Award with perfect marks.

This victory highlights the strength of ECU’s professional selling program and the dedication of its students and faculty to excellence in sales education.

Collegiate DECA chapter claimed international titles at the 2025 DECA International Career Development Conference, bringing home 20+ medals, 13 finalist spots, and top-three finishes in multiple events. Their success highlights the strength of ECU’s student leaders on the global stage.

COB students earned national recognition at the 2025 AIS Leadership Conference, placing as finalists in the PNC FinTech Challenge and receiving the AIS Outstanding Communications Award.

Students representing all departments in the College of Business earned top honors at the 2025 NC FBLA-Collegiate State Leadership Conference held March 27–29 in Charlotte.

Participants competed in business-related events, attended leadership workshops, and built valuable professional networks. Several students placed in the top 10 across multiple categories and qualified for the National Leadership Conference.

In addition to individual achievements, the ECU FBLA chapter received first place in both percentage and numeric membership growth, reflecting a 90%-plus increase this year.

Thirty RMI students explored careers in risk management during a four-day trip to Atlanta, featuring executive visits, alumni networking, and a behind-the-scenes tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

More than 40 East Carolina University College of Business students, faculty, and staff recently traveled to Charlotte, N.C., for an immersive, hands-on business experience. The multi-day trip included site visits to major companies such as Sunbelt Rentals, Wells Fargo Securities, and the Charlotte Hornets, where students heard directly from top executives and industry leaders.

In addition to gaining real-world insights, students connected with ECU alums explored Charlotte’s dynamic financial district and toured a manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, S.C., owned by a COB alumnus. The trip highlighted the power of experiential learning and the strength of the Pirate network.

Faculty Excellence & Research Impact

Dr. Cal Christian(above, right), chair of the Department of Accounting, received the James R. Talton Jr. Leadership Award named in honor of the former ECU Board of Trustees chairman. This award highlights Dr. Christian’s dedication to excellence in teaching, student mentorship, and his lasting contributions to the College of Business. His commitment to preparing future business leaders continues to elevate the College’s mission and impact. Read more HERE.

Dr. Stephanie Bae (above, left) received ECU’s 2025 Cupola Award. Presented by the Student Government Association, the award honors her outstanding commitment to student welfare and the overall student experience.

COB faculty and students were recognized for their outstanding work in experiential learning at the 2025 Small Business Institute® Conference. Faculty affiliated with the Miller School of Entrepreneurship and the Office of Expert Services presented at the event, and two student consulting teams earned national awards for their impactful projects. Another proud moment for Pirate entrepreneurship!

Two College of Business faculty members were recognized for their excellence in teaching at East Carolina University’s 2025 University Teaching Awards. These awards highlight the College of Business’s commitment to academic excellence and impactful student learning.

DENTAL MEDICINE

Dental school hosts SCORE research event

The school co-hosted a session of SCORE (Schools, Colleges, Office of Research Events) on April 25, welcoming researchers from across ECU’s colleges and schools to discuss research collaborations and funding. Dr. Alex Vieira, the dental school’s associate dean for research, presented on innovative ways to fund rural health programs, services and research outside of federal grants.

The SCORE events, also hosted by ECU’s Office of Research Development and the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations, 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 attendees the chance to gather with colleagues to discuss research interests and explore potential collaborations across disciplines.

CLSC business managers visit Ross Hall

Our CSLC business managers visited Ross Hall recently for meetings and staff development. We are always happy to welcome this dynamic group of talented colleagues to Greenville. They represent the “dream teams” working at the CSLCs across our state that keep our clinics running and our patients happy and healthy.

School showcases dentistry to regional students

Recently, middle- and high-school students from across eastern North Carolina visited the school as part of the Brody Pathways to Health Careers program. This initiative gives students interested in careers in the health care field a closer look at some of the professions they can pursue. Some of our students and pediatric dental residents were on hand to assist with hands-on activities and to interact with the students. Our school hosts a variety of activities throughout the year to introduce potential students to dentistry.

Dental students advocate in Washington, D.C.

A group of ECU School of Dental Medicine students attended the ADA Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the profession, water fluoridation and patient care. Participating students included Garrett Barnett, Allison Tempel, Emerson Alexander, Corinne Light, Maya Montani, Josh Bozeman, Rhea Bhatt and Bailey Gentle. Many of our students take part in advocacy initiatives around topics important to oral health care professionals. These students represented the school well on the national level.

Student Affairs hosts Molar Mingle

The Office of Student Affairs recently hosted Molar Mingle in Ross Hall for students accepted into the incoming Class of 2029. The event gave the students a chance to meet members of the School of Dental Medicine Family, get to know each other and get a glimpse of what dental school is all about. Events like these help students form bonds with classmates before they even begin their on-campus curriculum and experiences.

Students learn how to cope with burnout

Dr. Bill Claytor, executive director of North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals, and Audie Cashion, Dental ONE Thing speaker and coach, presented “Normalizing Burnout” to interested students and faculty. The interactive session focused on preventing burnout through taking time for self care in order to provide the best possible care to patients.

The event was sponsored by the school's chapters of the American Student Dental Association and the Student National Dental Association as well as the dental school's Office of Counseling and Student Development. The school often holds lunch sessions for students and faculty that cover wellness and development topics.

Alumni attend 2025 Hinman meeting

Capt. Ana Garcia ’24, U.S. Army, and Capt. Bradley Schmidt ’24, U.S. Air Force, attended the 2025 Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta in March. The annual meeting, which many SoDM students, faculty, residents, alumni and leaders often attend, provides dental professionals with the latest and most comprehensive continuing education in dentistry.

EDUCATION

ECU hosted the annual Latham Clinical Teachers and New Teacher Support Joint Conference. Many attendees shared that it was the best yet, with engaging presenters from the opening to the breakout sessions. During the event, we recognized five Clinical Teacher of the Year finalists and awarded our Clinical Teacher of the Year.

Two College of Education and Honors College students, Shayna Cox and Camille Watkins, along with Dr. Todd Finley published a book, which is available at Barnes & Noble. The book is called Dear Ivy, and it’s a collection of original fiction short stories.

Erin Kessel and Marjorie Rowe led a full-day Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT) preparation session for 25 of our elementary and special education teacher candidates, both on campus and distance education. They provided students with the tools, strategies, and confidence needed for success on this high-stakes licensure exam. Thanks to the support of Dean André Green, the Margaret Blount Harvey Literacy Institute, and Bake My Day for lunch, the event was a success.

Current Faculty Senate Chair (and COE faculty member) Dr. Anne Ticknor and past Faculty Chair Dr. Patricia Anderson were recognized for their leadership at the Faculty Senate 60th anniversary celebration.

The Elementary Education Club launched a service project for education students called the COE Lesson Plan Supply Closet (in partnership with the Joyner Library Teaching Resource Center). Led by ELED Club co-president Rebekah Price and supported by club advisor Dawn Shelton, students can now access lesson planning materials for free.

During the University Teaching Awards, several COE faculty were honored. Dr. Rebecca Harris received the Max Ray Joyner Award for Outstanding Teaching in Distance Education; Dr. Laura Mangum was also a nominee for this award. Dr. Travis Lewis received an ECU Scholar-Teacher Award. Dr. Jennifer Williams received the Board of Governors Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award; Dr. Carrie Lee was also a nominee for this award. Dr. Elizabeth Hodge was a nominee for the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching award.

Dr. Loni Crumb and Dr. Janeé Avent Harris’ I-CARE Project partner Dorcas Barde visited ECU from Nigeria as part of the Mandela Washington Reciprocal Exchange program. They hosted International Education Day at the ECU Community School for the young scholars.

Bonnie Glass, master teaching instructor, published an article with three current fifth-grade teachers in Richlands, North Carolina — Jeannine Fernandez, April Pulcini and Catherine Schmuck. Their article was titled “Engineering A-Mazing Mazes! Third-grade students use their understanding of forces and motion to create their own mazes.”

Our Education Community of Scholars seniors were celebrating during our annual senior banquet where they were presented with a gift from the college, including a decoration for their future classroom.

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

BSIT program receives national attention

The East Carolina University Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) program has received accolades in a national report highlighting successes in community college transfer programs. The Transfer Playbook, produced by the Aspen Institute and Community College Research Center, touts the program for its success in helping community college transfer students obtain bachelor’s degrees at a rate 10 percentage points higher than the national average. The report credits advising staff, online classes and an emphasis on transfer student experiences as some of the reasons behind the program’s success, calling it a model for other four-year institutions to follow.

SWE fundraiser supports STEM education

The Society of Women Engineers student organization hosted its annual gala fundraiser in April. The event includes dinner, prizes and a lot of fellowship in support of Pitt Pirates Robotics. In its seven years, the event has raised more than $26,500 to support youth STEM education.

Wright winners

The College of Engineering and Technology had two students receive the prestigious Robert H. Wright Leadership Award from the ECU Alumni Association. Jethro Libutan is a senior in computer science, while Hannah Blackburn is a senior in engineering with a concentration in biomedical engineering. The award goes to graduating seniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership and service to both the university and the broader community.

Pharma Center receives new bioreactors

The Eastern Region Pharma Center in the Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building received new bioreactors that will help boost career options for students. Funded as part of the Golden LEAF Foundation’s initial $1.9 million grant in support of the center, the bioreactors can automatically adjust various factors for optimum cell growth, providing students hands-on experience with equipment they would see in the pharmaceutical industry.

Programming Partnership

Faculty and students from the Department of Computer Science helped students from Greene Central High School learn programming as part of a unique partnership. The students visited ECU where they tested their programs on the department’s NAO robots, making them walk, talk and move their arms.

FINE ARTS & COMMUNICATION

The 2024 issue of “Countenance” received a Silver Crown Award for print general magazine, from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The Crown Awards are the highest recognition given by the CSPA to student print or digital publications for overall excellence.

“Countenance” is a School of Communication general feature magazine, with articles written by students in the fall Feature Writing class taught by Cindy Elmore, and designed by students in the spring Creative Design in Publishing class taught by Barbara Bullington.

Two now-alumni received Gold Circle Awards, which “recognize superior work by student journalists.” Out of 5,625 entries, the CSPA named 1,125 winners.

• For the article “Fielding Uncertainty: The Perilous Future of Farming Families,” (page 39) Alayna Boyer ’24 (above, left) received third place in magazine non-fiction article, and third place in magazine non-fiction interview.
• For the article “On the Air with Henry Hinton,” (page 21) Demetrius Williams ’24 (above, right) received honorable mention in magazine non-fiction interview.

Senior Ritchie Bui, pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance, won first place in the 2025 National Federation of Music Clubs Collegiate Biennial Piano Competition. Bui will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to perform at the NFMC national convention. Bui performed a program of: Bach Prelude and Fugue in G Minor from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1; Beethoven Sonata Op. 10, No. 3; Schumann Sonata No. 2 in G Minor; George Walker Sonata; and Chopin Etude Op. 25, No. 6.

Dr. Drew Ashby-King from Communication received the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award from the ECU Honors College. Communication student Illaria Noonan nominated Ashby-King; he served as her signature honors project advisor.

Dr. Derek Myler from music theory received the 2025 Alfred Mann Dissertation Award from the Eastman School of Music. This award is given by the Eastman Theory and Musicology Departments in alternate years “for a dissertation of unusual distinction.” Dr. Myler received the award for his 2023 dissertation “Temporal Experience and the Music of Charles Ives,” which is based on the idea that Ives’ music often challenges how we experience time in music, and how music shapes our sense of time.

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Celebrating Innovation and Discovery: RCAW 2025 at ECU

This spring, The Graduate School proudly joined forces with the Office of Undergraduate Research, the Office of Research, and the Office of Innovation and Engagement to present ECU’s annual Research and Creative Achievement Week (RCAW), a five-day showcase of excellence, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, held March 31 through April 4, 2025.

A total of 178 graduate students presented in-person through poster and podium sessions, while 37 graduate students shared their work through asynchronous video presentations. RCAW welcomed undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scholars from across disciplines to present their research and creative projects in a professional, conference-style setting.

From vibrant poster sessions to engaging podium talks and interactive online presentations, RCAW created space for meaningful dialogue between students, faculty, and peers. The week reflected the dynamic academic spirit of ECU, highlighting the wide-ranging interests and passions of our research community.

The celebration culminated in the RCAW Awards Ceremony, where outstanding student researchers, postdocs, and mentors were recognized for their excellence and impact.

Dr. Jensen was recognized for the Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Award, Master’s Category. Dr. Peralta was recognized for the Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Award, Doctoral Category. Taylor Johnson (Biomedical Sciences) was recognized for the Dissertation Award in the Life Sciences category. Abigail Morris (Rhetoric, Writing, and Professional Communication) was recognized for the Dissertation Award in the Humanities and Fine Arts category. Jude Kinkead (Biomedical Sciences) was recognized in the Thesis Award Life Sciences category. Addison Siemon (Anthropology) was recognized in the Thesis Award Social Sciences, Business & Education category.

If you missed any part of the event, you can find the full list of winners and prize categories, recordings, and details of the presentations on the RCAW website.

Graduate Student Appreciation Week

Graduate Student Appreciation Week was a resounding success! Throughout the week, a wide array of events gave graduate students a chance to relax, connect, and recharge — from interactive workshops and social gatherings to wellness events and giveaways. Generous support from local businesses added a special touch, with contributions from Anger Management, Bagelman, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Open House Baking, Shenandoah Graphics and Framing, Ticket Cinema, Villa Verde, and Wine and Design.

We extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who helped make the week memorable, especially:

• GPSS: Deories McLendon, President
• Joyner Library: Jan Lewis, Eryn Staib and Ronnie Woodward
• Laupus Library: Beth Ketterman and Michelle Bone
• Arthur School of Business & Cunanan Center: Linda Quick
• College of Fine Arts and Communication: Seo Eo
• College of Health and Human Performance: Olzhas Taniyev and Susannah Berry
• College of Education: Scott Glass, Tomegia Winston, Christy Howard, and Steve Schmidt

Your time, creativity, and energy made all the difference!

Celebrating Excellence: 2025 Student Employee of the Year Awards Ceremony

Dean Debra Jackson had the privilege of delivering the opening remarks during the 2025 Student Employee of the Year Awards Ceremony, reflecting on the hard work, perseverance, and impact that our student workers bring to ECU. The event celebrated students who have gone above and beyond in their on-campus roles, balancing academic success with exceptional dedication and service. Their professionalism and enthusiasm enrich every corner of our university, from research labs and libraries to student services and administrative offices.

The Office of Student Employment was proud to recognize this year’s outstanding award recipients: Lily Puett (MBA), recipient of the Student Difference Maker Award; Grace Campbell (Kinesiology), winner of the Outstanding Leadership Award; and Jaden Corbett (Kinesiology), who earned the outstanding Community Service Award, Outstanding Critical Thinking Award, and the prestigious Student Employee of the Year Award.

We extend our congratulations to all nominees and winners. Your efforts truly embody the Pirate spirit!

Grad PIRATE Talks

On April 7, 2025, the Graduate School hosted a thought-provoking Grad PIRATE Talks session titled “Artificial Intelligence: The Uses and Abuses of AI in Teaching.” The discussion explored the rapidly evolving role of AI in education, examining both its potential and its pitfalls.

Speakers emphasized that the true risk of AI in the classroom isn’t just student plagiarism—it’s the diminishing of authentic student voice and creativity. They warned of an overreliance on tools trained on Western-dominant data, which may unintentionally marginalize diverse cultural expressions, including Indigenous languages and non-standard English.

Drawing analogies to autotune in music, panelists explained how AI may lead to more uniform, less expressive student writing. However, the discussion also included practical, balanced views: AI can be a helpful tool when used thoughtfully, for brainstorming, lesson planning, and supporting engagement, so long as educators guide students in using it ethically and critically.

Representing ECU at the 2025 NAGAP Graduate Enrollment Management (GEM) Summit

Dr. James Coker (above left) and Dr. Tatum Taylor (above right) attended the NAGAP 2025 GEM Summit in San Francisco, CA, from Wednesday, April 23, through Saturday, April 26. Held each year in April, the NAGAP Annual Conference - the Graduate Enrollment Management Summit - brings over 800 GEM professionals together under one roof to gain insight and knowledge from peers and experts in the field.

The GEM Summit features dynamic speakers and provides numerous opportunities to learn new approaches, receive updated information on all aspects of graduate enrollment management, share useful tips, exchange creative ideas, and connect with fellow NAGAP members. Drs. Coker and Taylor believe the knowledge gained from other GEM professionals from across the country will help inform the path forward for graduate student enrollment in the Graduate School.

Dr. Kathy Cox Receives Prestigious Keating Award

We are incredibly proud to share that Dr. Kathy Cox, Associate Dean of ECU’s Graduate School, has been named the 2024–2025 recipient of the Keating Award! This is the highest honor given by the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Circle at ECU to recognize exceptional dedication to student leadership and development. Dr. Cox’s unwavering commitment to mentorship, advocacy, and student success truly embodies the values of ODK. Congratulations, Dr. Cox — we’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor with you!

HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE

In addition to his recent ECU Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity, Dr. Joe Houmard was named a recipient of a 2025 Citation Award from the American College of Sports Medicine. This is granted to an individual or group who has made significant and important contributions to ACSM’s mission. This award helps increase ECU's visibility in the field of exercise physiology, which is also one of the largest undergraduate majors at ECU.

Dr. Alice Richman, professor of health education and promotion and a respected leader in the field of public health, was selected for the Harold H. Bate Professorship. Richman has generated more than $6 million in external funding to support her research agenda at ECU, and her goal is this professorship will not only promote her research agenda, but also provide benefit for faculty, students and the communities ECU serves.

Recent activities and initiatives at the Nancy W. Darden Child Development Center included its 2025 lemonade stand event, which resulted in 223 pounds of food collected for the Purple Pantry. The Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity also held a career day at the Darden Child Development Center.

The ECU Graduate School named Dr. Jake Jensen for the 2025 ECU Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Award in the Master’s category. Jensen, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is an associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science and president-elect of the North Carolina State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy. Jensen said: “One of the best parts of my job is getting to build friendships and relationships with these wonderfully talented and kind students. They go on to do big things and represent ECU very well after graduation. The relationships we form as we work together are priceless.”

HHP’s Birth and Bloom Project, which is funded by NC Blue Cross Blue Shield and the ECU Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy, held a celebration for its second cohort of community participants and an exclusive shoe-fitting experience for them at Fleet Feet. Media coverage included by WNCT and The Daily Reflector.

Dr. Jacquelyn Mallette, associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science, earned one of the ECU Scholar-Teacher Awards. This is recognition of faculty who effectively integrate research and creativity with their teaching roles.

Rashanda Cooper won the undergraduate poster award in community engagement during ECU’s Research & Creative Achievement Week celebrations. Cooper was mentored by Dr. Alice Richman.

Dr. Christine Habeeb, associate professor of sport psychology in the Department of Kinesiology, received the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award from the ECU Honors College. She was recognized for this award at the at the Honors College’s Medallion Ceremony event.

ECU Technology and Computing Services highlighted HHP’s Michael Daniels with a recent faculty spotlight. Daniels is in the School of Social Work who teaches students to become licensed clinical addiction counselors and licensed clinical social workers.

Kinesiology students Jaden Corbett and Grace Campbell were honored at the awards ceremony hosted by the ECU Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity. Corbett was named as this year’s ECU Student Employee of the Year, in addition to receiving the Outstanding Community Service Award and the Outstanding Critical Thinking Award. Campbell received the Award for Outstanding Leadership. Both are graduate students (MS kinesiology, biomechanics and motor control concentration) and grad assistants in the KINE 1000 Lifetime Physical Activity and Fitness program. Dr. Amber McEachern directs the LPAF program and has mentored these students.

Tina Marie Devlin, teaching instructor in the Department of Health Education and Promotion, was nominated by students and chosen as the HHP flag-bearer for ECU Spring 2025 Commencement. One of the student nominations read: “Ms. Devlin is such a positive light in public health at ECU. She does everything she can to be as helpful and as inclusive of every student, and making them feel heard. You can tell every day how passionate she is about teaching and is an inspiration to students.”

HHP was a leading representative at the ECU Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy 2024-25 cohort project presentations event. Presenters included Michael Daniels and Dr. Kelley Reinsmith-Jones, School of Social Work; Dr. Sarah Maness, Department of Health Education and Promotion; Dr. Lindsey Oakes, Department of Recreation Sciences; Dr. Linda May, Department of Kinesiology. These impactful research projects were 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.

Kensey Tarkington received national recognition in selection as this year’s National Undergraduate Scholar Award honorable mention (doctoral institution) from the American Kinesiology Association. Dr. Bhibha Das has served as Tarkington’s primary mentor.

Karen Vail-Smith, professor in the Department of Health Education and Promotion, earned an ECU Centennial Award of Excellence. These awards recognize staff, faculty, administrators and teams who are nominated by their colleagues for “going the extra mile every day to make a difference” on campus in the areas of leadership, service and spirit.

Dr. Alan Taylor with the Department of Human Development and Family Science was inducted into the HHP Wall of Fame. Taylor has won multiple awards with ECU and is regarded nationally as an expert in family life education, relationships and family sciences, and his impact stretches to reach the international level. He has taken hundreds of HHP students on study abroad experiences to more than 25 countries, including some highlights of visiting elephant preserves in Africa to snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to volunteering at an elementary school in the tropical Cooke Islands. Students have commented how these trips shaped their lives and expanded their perspective, which speaks to how Taylor is truly a champion for transforming students’ lives and promoting global thinking and intercultural educational cooperation.

HONORS

Four Honors students were awarded the Robert H. Wright Leadership Award. These students are Hannah Blackburn, Christine Chan, Alex Fisher and Jethro Libutan.

We hosted our Medallion Ceremony to honor our graduating students and present them with their Honors College medallion to wear at commencement. We were able to celebrate 122 of our 178 spring and summer 2025 graduates. During the ceremony, graduate Brooke Barker was awarded the 2024-25 Michael F. Bassman Honors Thesis Award. School of Communication’s Dr. Drew Ashby-King and Department of Kinesiology’s Dr. Christine Habeeb were awarded the 2024-25 Outstanding Menor Award. Ashby-King was nominated by Ilaria Noonan and Habeeb was nominated by Kenison Parker.

During the 2025 Research and Creative Achievement Week, 107 honors students had poster presentations, 13 had podium presentations and 5 competed in Capture180. Several of these students won awards. Lawson Cross, Emma Stewart, Emma Lou Pakulniewicz and Olivia Winter won podium presentation awards. Lauren Garcia, Kelly Adams, Kendall Pixley, Hannah Huffman and Majoie Desire Mendouga Ngandi won poster presentation awards. Dhwani Hada was the overall Capture180 winner with Lulea Adams being the co-winner of the People’s Choice Award. Emma Lou Pakulniewicz also won the LaserTag Capturing the Art of Science award.

Honors first year student Mateo Olmo-Ramirez had the chance to be the Honors College dean for a day as the winner of a Pirate Nation Gives student giving challenge. He was able to hold staff meetings, meet with donors and students, and accept the Aman Pirate Challenge cannon while Dr. Todd Fraley attended Chem 1 and Physics 1 and worked in the office of the Department of Kinesiology.

Director of Admissions and Recruitment Margaret Turner was honored at the University Awards for Service with a Centennial Award for Excellence for Spirit.

Congratulations to honors students Quincy McKay, Stuart Cohen and Gavin DeGregorio and their organization Campus Cribs for winning first place in the Gene T. Aman Pirate Challenge! For the next year, the Honors College will host the entrepreneurship challenge’s cannon for their victory.

Joanna Mathew was the only undergraduate student listed as first author to present at Brody School of Medicine’s 11th Annual Medical Education Day. She was also listed as a co-author for two other projects presented that day.

First year Brinkley-Lane Scholars Roz Burgess and Diya Thaker represented ECU at a National Tech-Sales Competition at Middle Tennessee State University that was sponsored and judged by Oracle. Roz won 1st place in the networking competition, Diya secured 1st in the team-role play competition and ECU was awarded the Top University Award for overall excellence and collaboration.

Many of our students received awards during year end celebrations. These include:

• Truist Excellence in Student Leadership – Alex Fisher, Joanna Mathew and Trisha Rangaraju
• Phi Kappa Phi Outstanding First Year Student – Chris Kalapurackal
• Phi Kappa Phi Outstanding Senior – Maranda Byrd
• Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship – Owen Farrar
• North Carolina Campus Engagement Community Impact Award – Caramia Landis
• Outstanding Engineering Seniors – Hannah Bolick, Brooke Butler and Danielle Werts
• Outstanding Marketing Senior – Sarah Maisto
• Outstanding Educational Program of the Year – MedPals (run by Trisha Rangaraju & Kendall Pixley)

INTEGRATED COASTAL PROGRAMS

Dr. David Lagomasino (Coastal Studies) works with multi-institutional team of researchers, known as CORESCAM, who collaborate with Caribbean communities to preserve essential mangrove forests and coral reefs. Their work is at the heart of a newly released environmental documentary directed by Mario Cuesta. The film, SHIELD: The living wall of the Caribbean, aims to shed light on the benefits reaped from these unique, carbon-sequestering ecosystems and the hazards they face from increasing natural disasters such as hurricanes and drought. The documentary has and will be screened at film festivals around the world and will later be released as a three-part TV series. Read additional details about the film and Lagomasino’s role in this recent CSI web story.

Talk of the Town broadcast live from ECU’s Outer Banks Campus on April 11. We were excited to host Henry Hinton and talk about all the ECU initiatives happening across the coast. This was put into the larger context of the recent R1 announcement. Several local and ECU leaders, faculty, and CSI Board members were interviewed during the broadcast. You can rewatch the episode HERE.

Another special edition of CSI’s monthly lecture series Science on the Sound will take place on May 8 at 6 PM. Students of the UNC School of the Arts (UNCSA) will present “See/a/Change: Arts, Science, and the Watershed”- a program which connects the arts, sciences, and North Carolina watersheds through a variety of media including music, drama, film, dance, design, and production. The event is free and will take place on the ECU Outer Banks Campus. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Learn more HERE.

The Coastal Studies Institute and ECU Outer Banks Campus will host their annual Open House on Saturday, May 17, from 12:30 - 4:00PM. Tour the campus, grounds, and facilities; learn about current research and education programs; take part in family-friendly activities; and interact with faculty and staff from ECU, CSI, and our partners. The event is FREE, and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend. More information can be found HERE.

CSI Summer Camps are fast-approaching, and seats are filling quickly! In 2025, the CSI Education and Outreach team will lead nine-weeks of hands-on, STEAM-based day camps at the ECU Outer Banks Campus. The programs include lessons about past and present research initiatives taking place at CSI and ECU, as well as field trips to various Outer Banks locations. To learn more about CSI summer camp themes, age requirements, and dates, or to register, visit the website HERE.

JOYNER LIBRARY

The Friends of Joyner Library held a publishing and writer’s workshop class, using presentations and insight by experts in the field to show participants how to navigate the process and to provide options for ways to publish. Creativity in writing memoirs was discussed, and there were plenty of opportunities to network with authors, publishers and literary professionals.

The art exhibition, “Visualizing the Unknowable: Jeff VanderMeer and Scott Eagle” is in the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery, on the second floor of the library, and is scheduled to remain on view through August. Eagle and VanderMeer both were in the Faulkner Gallery in April for an opening reception event to provide their insight to ECU students and other guests in attendance. The exhibit also is part of an ECU News feature about VanderMeer’s recent visit to campus.

Academic Library Services employees Joseph Thomas, Allison Kaefring and Jeanne Hoover are authors in an article, “Motivations and barriers to publishing open access book chapters and monographs: An institutional perspective” that was published in the Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly Communication, which is an open access journal.

A “congratulations graduates” wall display is on the second floor of the library, giving graduating students the chance to take photos with colorful props and objects in celebration of their accomplishments and the ECU Spring Class of 2025.

Middle school students in eastern North Carolina listened to a presentation, toured the Teaching Resources Center in the library and participated in activities led by TRC staff in conjunction with the ECU College of Education.

The Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Lab held its annual open house on April 5. Joyner Library conservation staff and student employees, including Anja Schwieterman, Ian Rickert and Travis Dunn, were present to talk about the preservation work and discoveries of paper fragments that survived inside of the cannon aboard Blackbeard’s ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge. In addition to cartridge paper holding gunpowder, we had a copy of Edward Cook’s book, “A Voyage to the South Seas and Round the World.”

Members of the library’s stewardship committee performed some planting and gardening around the building, creating a loading dock garden for employees and others to enjoy.

The library has been active recently in connecting with local high school students, including when about 40 11th grade students from Pamlico High School visited and had a chance to view the Tuscarora Nation Wampum Belt. The library also partnered with the ECU Honors College for Honors students currently at ECU to talk about their experience to 32 students from Pitt County high schools.

LAUPUS HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY

Three Laupus Librarians have achieved recognition from the Academic of Health Information Professionals (AHIP). Marlena Rose, assistant director for collections and historical services; Jamie Bloss, research librarian and Corey Harmon, head of access services, were recently recognized as distinguished members of AHIP. The Academy of Health Information Professionals is a professional development and career recognition credentialing program of the Medical Library Association.

Academy membership indicates that peers in health sciences librarianship have certified that each librarian met a standard of professional education, experience and accomplishment and demonstrates their commitment to career development. AHIP Distinguished is the highest of four levels and requires a significant number of professional accomplishments over the prior five years.

NURSING

Alexis Spence’s senior nursing students in the community health course completed their Community Learning Service project by partnering with the UNC Health Wayne Diabetes HealthCheck Coordinator, Billy Tart. They had a booth to educate children on proper nutrition, as an upstream intervention to prevent chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease at the Earth Day celebration put on by Growing Generations, a Goldsboro non-profit program for educational wellness.

In addition, the students assisted in a groundbreaking ceremony for a sustainable community garden in a Goldsboro housing community to provide healthy foods to those at risk.

Members of the ECU-AMMPeD - or Amplifying Medical, Midwifery, Nurse Practitioner, and Dental education – recently attended the Addiction Medicine Conference in Asheville as an educational and networking opportunity to strengthen substance use disorder education and increase care capacity in eastern North Carolina.

Members of the multi-disciplinary team included Drs. Adrian Lennon (College of Nursing), Brittany Baker (CON), Taneet Ghuman (School of Dental Medicine), Renee Spain (CON), David H. Ryan (Brody School of Medicine), Chandra Speight (CON), Sarah Noe (CON), Angela Kallis (BSOM) and College of Nursing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner student Kimberly Barney.

The conference was hosted by the Governor’s Institute, a non-governmental, non-profit focused on improving North Carolina’s effectiveness and success in prevention, treatment and recovery of substance use disorders.

Hannah Huffman, an undergraduate nursing student, was recognized at the Main Campus Student Center April 4 for receiving the Research and Creative Achievement Week Undergraduate Poster Award for Nursing. Her research, undertaken under the mentorship of Dr. Mitzi Pestaner, is titled “Exploring the Influence of Self-Awareness of Emotions Among BSN Students.”

In true nursing fashion, she worked the overnight shift the night prior to the award ceremony as part of her practicum hours and was not able to be at the ceremony – a sign of the dedication to service on the part of future Pirate Nurses.

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