MITCHELSON'S MEMO

It takes a lot of horsepower to move a car, and it takes a lot of creative effort to move the needle when it comes to student success. Implementation and institutionalization of our Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP as mandated by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) over the past five years has done just that. We recently learned that our students are better writers as a result of our QEP entitled, “Write Where You Belong.” The Impact Report submitted to SACS as part of our Fifth Year Interim Report is based on extensive QEP assessment procedures and results. The needle is officially moved!

Across these five years (2013 to 2018), students’ writing has improved over each of the QEP’s five key learning outcomes, and significantly so in four of the five. There was significant improvement in: investigative writing using credible sources; writing with context and audience in mind; drafting and revision as a process; and self-reflection on writing choices made. While students’ writing mechanics did improve, the improvement was not a significant one. I know - we all wish that they’d proofread a bit more. So, it should come as little surprise that the National Survey of Student Engagement (2018 Snapshot) indicates that ECU seniors wrote 4 more pages (about 5% more) than seniors at our peer institutions. Practice makes perfect.

Write Where You Belong has been a massive project involving a campus-wide effort, including a range of faculty and staff from the Department of English to Facilities Services. The project needed a home, and the University Writing Center is ECU’s home for writing (in Joyner Library). Services provided there are face-to-face and on-line. In 2017-18 alone, the Center served over 5,200 students face-to-face and another 3,900 on-line. Students are supported by a dedicated team of writing mentors and consultants. Professional development for faculty has been another key investment, and I can recall taking a great course back in 2014 from one of my writing heroes at ECU, Dr. Wendy Sharer. A Writing Liaisons program insures that we have plenty of faculty expertise and leadership among the academic units. I am so grateful for the contributions of these faculty liaisons. Another key ingredient in our success was the curriculum change that moved ENGL 1200 to ENGL 2201, so that students practiced their writing within disciplinary context.

I’ve already mentioned our QEP Champion, Wendy Sharer, who did most of the heavy lifting and thinking as our QEP Director. During implementation, the QEP reported directly to the Provost’s Office (first to Austin Bunch and later to Chris Locklear), but is now fully integrated within the Harriot College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of English. Wendy would be quick to deflect attention and praise, and it is true she had some important help from colleagues like Drs. Will Banks, Michelle Eble, Nikki Caswell, and Tracy Morse. We are all indebted to them for their leadership on the project.

As a faculty member, when I bemoaned the quality of writing of my students stretching over 35 years in the classroom, I’d pull out a term paper I wrote as a junior at the University of Buffalo (The Tyranny of Distance) and I would be fully reminded that I was not a very good writer in those early days. I am so pleased that our institution chose writing as its QEP focus. When I am out recruiting students, I remind them and their parents that effective writing is the number one quality that all employers want. I am proud to say that ECU is well equipped to help them with that need. Thank you, ECU, for moving that needle.

Now, on with a new QEP. You’ll be hearing more about that in the fall when we put out a call for QEP proposals.

Regards,

RonM

PIRATE ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER

At the Pirate Academic Success Center, students like freshman Tay Mosely apply graphic organizers to learn Biology 1050 concepts. Recently recognized by Academic Impressions as an aspirational model, ECU’s Pirate Academic Success Center promotes the success of neurodiverse learners by infusing universal design for learning (UDL) principles and academic technologies. From graphic organizers to course content video production, PASC tutors, mentors and professional staff incorporate UDL to positively impact learner success. With the help of College Star and ECU’s Academic Technologies, PASC has become a leader in the use of digital tools such as Media Site, WebEx, online resources, and digital applications to support diverse learners.

GLOBAL AFFAIRS

Ruby Estabane was named a recipient of the Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship, a prestigious $5,000 national scholarship dedicated to diversifying the population of U.S. students studying abroad. Ruby will be studying in Seoul, South Korea at Ewha Womans University this fall, where she will be earning credits towards her Psychology degree and building her Korean language skills. Congratulations, Ruby!

ECU’s Language Academy celebrated the end of another successful semester with a graduation and level progression ceremony. All graduating students will be moving to degree programs at ECU for Fall 2019. Tariq Alharbi will join the master’s program in Public Administration, while Rayane Hamza and Zhengli Xu will enter undergraduate programs in Management and English Education, respectively.

This summer, ECU will welcome 16 graduate interns from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in Saudi Arabia. While here, these students will work with faculty and conduct research in the areas of energy, mechanical, and biomedical engineering.

The Office of Global Affairs hosted an End of the Year Celebration for our international students. It was our most attended event so far, with 38 international students coming to enjoy a traditional American cookout of wings, hot dogs, and veggie burgers. The afternoon was complete with an international music playlist created by the students for the event, games of cornhole, and giant Jenga. It was a great way to end the year, celebrate their successes, say farewell to those leaving us, and safe travels to those heading to their home countries or elsewhere for the summer. The Global Affairs staff look forward to making this an annual event!

OFFICE FOR EQUITY & DIVERSITY

The University Diversity Committee (UDC), launched in fall 2018, held their third meeting last month. This committee is led by the Office for Equity and Diversity and is comprised of members representing major divisions of the University and colleges/schools across campus as well as each college/school, the faculty and staff senates, the Joyner and Laupus Libraries, and one each of an undergraduate and graduate student.

The committee provides recommendations and guidance on diversity-related activities, coordinates institutional efforts to further diversify the university community and promote equity and inclusion, and develops unit-level programs and activities to support University diversity commitments.

In their meetings, the committee has reviewed relevant data and engaged in valuable discussions regarding four main topics on the presence of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education: Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, Institutional Viability and Vitality, and Climate and Inter-group Relations. Going forward, committee members will decide on an overarching theme for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives for the 2019-2020 academic year to support the University’s diversity commitments. This theme will be announced in the coming weeks!

For more information about the University Diversity Committee, please contact LaKesha Alston Forbes at alstonl@ecu.edu or 328-6804.

ACADEMIC OUTREACH, CONTINUING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION

The Lifelong Learning Program hosted What Happens Next? Understanding Behaviors of People with Dementia on April 10th. Melanie Bunn from Duke University’s School of Nursing led the attendees through an interactive presentation of “What is Alzheimer’s and what is Dementia?” along with strategies for care, overcoming caregiver burnout and effective communication techniques. This free event drew 85 attendees from the Lifelong Learning Program, ECU faculty and staff, and the public.

The Lifelong Learning Program also hosted its annual volunteer luncheon for the 2018-2019 program year. Volunteers were recognized and congratulated for the successful year the program had with their support. The 2018-2019 program year offered 110 courses, with over 1700 course registrations, and would not have been possible without the help of 82 dedicated and passionate volunteers. To learn more about the Lifelong Learning Program, or to find out how you can volunteer, contact Andrew Ross, Coordinator for Lifelong Learning Programs.

Jeff Netznik recently attended the National Education Expo at Camp Lejeune. Serving in the military is a commitment that doesn’t always leave time to ask the question, "what's next?" For those hesitant to try to figure out what comes after service, the National Education Expo serves as a place to inform military members about the importance of education. Jeff Netznik got out of the Marine Corps as a sergeant in 1975, and now he’s helping service members at East Carolina University through the same program that helped him. To read more about the Expo and Jeff's personal experience with the program, click HERE

Charlene Lee, State Authorization Compliance Specialist and SARA Coordinator for ECU, recently attended the National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools (NASASPS) Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. NASASPS is a charitable organization whose mission is to improve and promote effective state regulations of post-secondary education (state authorization). During the conference, Marshall Hill, outgoing President of the National Council State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) was recognized for his dedication and devotion to reaching an unified reciprocity agreement which provides a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Charlene served on the committee and played an instrumental role in NC joining SARA, and ECU becoming a participating institution.

On April 24th, ECU was represented at the Eastern Regional NC STRIVE (Student Transition Resource Initiative for Veteran’s Education) conference which was held on the campus of Craven Community College in New Bern. Jennifer Baysden, Anthony Britt, Jennifer Horne and Millicent Thomas of ECU’s Office of Academic Outreach, Continuing and Distance Education participated in the conference sessions as well as Josh Dail from the Registrar’s Office. The conference is designed to bring together administrators, support staff, and faculty who provide services and supports leading to Student Veterans’ success in two-year and four-year public and private institutions of higher education in North Carolina. Subjects covered included learning assessments, transition readiness, mental health, educational partnerships, post-graduation employment and finances. ECU hosted last year’s eastern regional conference which is a project of the Governor’s Working Group (NCGWG).

RESEARCH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT

Farmers, farm advocates and experts at ECU are working to fuel economic growth through agriculture as part of its new Economic Growth Collaboratory. The groups met April 23 for the launch of the university’s latest economic development program. With a focus on agriculture and aquaculture in eastern North Carolina, ECU’s data scientists – in association with N.C. State University and SAS – began an ongoing dialogue with farmers, agriculture representatives and community stakeholders about the stressors affecting the state’s farming industry. The collaboratory is interested in forming partnerships with agricultural leaders and university scientists to use big data and analytics tools to find new ways to alleviate issues faced by the region’s farming community. For more information on the collaboratory, or to explore potential partnership opportunities, contact Executive Director of National Security and Industry Initiatives Keith Wheeler.

Dr. Alex Manda has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to Zambia (January 2020 – August 2020) to study potential contamination in groundwater. Manda will conduct research to assess the potential impacts of nitrates in untreated wastewater on groundwater quality in Lusaka suburbs. This will be achieved by monitoring the quality of groundwater in Lusaka and identifying the major risk factors affecting nitrate concentrations in groundwater reservoirs. While at the University of Zambia, Manda will engage with stakeholders to help them better understand the potential sources of contamination and evaluate groundwater management approaches that may address elevated nitrate concentrations in groundwater.

ECU researchers received a tour and overview of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on April 26, opening the door for new research opportunities with the air base. The group took a tour of a KC-130 tanker aircraft designed for aerial refueling, after receiving a briefing from MCAS Cherry Point Commanding Officer Col. Todd Ferry. Ferry discussed the economic impact of the air station – $2 billion per year to the region – and potential research collaborations in the areas of wind energy, family education materials, capacity for preplanning projects, and public private partnerships. The group also toured the North Carolina Fleet Readiness Center East. The center serves as an aviation and repair maintenance facility for the air station and is one of seven subsidies of the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Command. Center representatives and ECU researchers discussed possible collaborations on workforce preparedness and parts development and production.

The Office of Innovation and New Ventures is accepting ideas from ECU faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral scholars, and community members who are interested in exploring potential product development opportunities or in securing intellectual property protection. Whether an accomplished scientist performing cutting edge research, an educator preparing the next generation of thought leaders, a student with a passion for making the world a better place, or a business looking for new products and opportunities, the office has valuable resources available to assist. These resources include preliminary prior art and market assessments, pre-venture development services through the Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC), and training through the NSF grant funded I-Corps program.

The spring 2019 I-Corps@ECU cohort concluded its training April 5 during the inaugural innovation and entrepreneurship portion of Research and Creative Achievement Week. Twenty teams completed intensive I-Corps bootcamp at the beginning of the semester and nine teams participated in weekly follow-on training and mentoring offered throughout the semester.

Faculty-led I-Corps teams included:

• TaSCoT - Training and Support for Co-Teaching (Christina Tschida and Maureen Grady);
• Digital Learning Labs (Maureen Ellis, Beth Ann Cole and Ya-Huei Lu);
• Edema Measuring Device (Stephanie George and Jason Yao); and
• Wakeboard Winch (David Mayo).

Student-led teams included:

• LUUUP (Grace Rains, Joshua Elliott, and Andrew Griffin);
• Commercial Composting (Monica Calderon, Kari Carr, Caitlin Cummins and Oliva Sessons);
• Venture Sphere (Samual Carraway and Patrick Luy); and
• Vybe (Camden Bathras and Steven Lipscomb).

Tech-Craft, a community-led team, also concluded the training with support from ECU students Abduliziz Alkhalifah and Siddartha Singh. Team ventures ranged from educational tools and products, social media apps, a medical device, and a recreation product. Individuals can learn more about I-Corps@ECU HERE or by contacting Marti Van Scott.

While external professional activities for pay are encouraged, any plan to engage in external professional activities for pay must begin with filing a Notice of Intent to Engage in Professional Activities for Pay in the Activities, Interest and Relationships (AIR) System. Notices of Intent must be submitted at least 10 days in advance of the planned activity and approved by your department chair or other appropriate supervisor. External professional activities for pay include any payment made to you by an external entity for services that are related to your professional responsibilities at ECU. These activities should be reported in your annual Conflict of Interest disclosure as financial interests, regardless of the monetary amount.

With assistance from the Office of Licensing and Commercialization, Rukiyah Van Dross (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology) received one of the first flash grants from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Flash grants support short, tightly-focused research projects that are designed to establish proof-of-concept or facilitate translation of a basic life science research project toward product development. Van Dross has also been accepted into the First Flight Venture Center’s Lift Off program to receive concentrated support to successfully submit a federally funded SBIR or STTR grant proposal. Van Dross and co-inventors Allison Danell and Colin Burns (Department of Chemistry) and pharmacology graduate Dan Laden have received a U.S. patent for a novel compound designed to treat non-melanoma skin cancer.

COLLEGE UPDATES

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

Nijsha Johnson, who is earning dual degrees this summer from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures and from the College of Health and Human Performance, has been selected for a Fellowship with Student Action with Farmworkers. After graduation, Johnson will participate in the five-month long fellowship with SAF. She also will work with another non-profit organization in Eastern NC.

Marame Gueye (English) recently was awarded a $3,500 postdoctoral fellowship by the West African Research Association. She will spend 8-12 weeks in West Africa this summer working on her project “Discourses of Wifing: Gender, Marriage, and Language in Senegalese Popular Culture.”

Ariane Peralta (Biology) recently was awarded a prestigious 5-year NSF CAREER award.

ECU’s Model United Nations Club recently competed in the Southern Regional Model United Nations conference held in Charlotte. Representing the country of Equatorial Guinea, students debated issues ranging from Improving Access to Quality Healthcare for Children to Preventing Violent Extremism by Non-State Actors. Committee awards were earned by Molefi Henderson and Morgan Musumeci (General Assembly First) and Nandi Mulagha and Menna Abdel-Salam (Commission on the Status of Women). Paula Acevedo, Gray Childress, Gabriela Morales, Kelly Brown, and Jacob Blizzard rounded out the team earning the entire club a conference-wide Honorable Delegation Award. SECS Graduate Assistant Kaitlyn Rose attended as the team's advisor.

Ed Nevgloski (History alumnus, BA ‘96) has become the 28th Chief of Marine Corps History and Director of the Marine Corps History Division in Quantico, Virginia. As the principal advisor to the President of Marine Corps University and the Commandant of the Marine Corps on all matters pertaining to Marine Corps history, he will lead a core of historians and archivists in researching, documenting, writing, and maintaining the Corps' official history.

Jacob Hochard (Economics and ICP) has been selected to a faculty fellowship position with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education to assess the water quality and human health benefits of federal hazardous waste regulations.

On April 22, Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences honored fixed-term faculty during the inaugural THCAS Fixed-Term Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Winners of the 2019 awards included Cheryl Dudasik-Wiggs, from the Department of English, for the award in the Humanities; Wade Dudley, from the Department of History, for the award in the Social Sciences; and Subodh Dutta, from the Department of Chemistry, for the award in the Natural Sciences and Math. Nominees, also recognized at the ceremony, included Scott Wade, Geography, Planning and Environment; Blakely Brooks, Anthropology; Vera Tabakova, Economics; Lisa Maag, Psychology; Ann Borisoff, Foreign Languages and Literatures; Sviatoslav Archava, Mathematics; and Susan McRae, Biology.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Dr. Stephanie Bae, assistant professor in the School of Hospitality Leadership, recently received an Honored Instructor Award. She was nominated by Hospitality Management majors Nicole Mayakis and George Shannon. The award was given by the Campus Living and Residence Hall Association in recognition of her invaluable contribution to student learning and significant impact on her students’ educational experience.

The Miller School of Entrepreneurship and School of Hospitality Leadership (SHL) hosted April workshops in Martin and Lenoir counties that focused on helping rural entrepreneurs with their exit and succession planning. Made possible by an NC Idea Engage grant, the workshops provided access to legal and financial professionals. Participants heard real examples of exit stories and had the opportunity to participate in small group sessions where they engaged with fellow entrepreneurs and members of the Miller School and SHL representatives.

Burlington-native Rachel Pleasants, a rising risk management and insurance (RMI) senior, recently won a $5,000 scholarship from the Spencer Educational Foundation. According to its website, Spencer supports the education of tomorrow’s risk management and insurance leaders. Based on Pleasants’ past recognition, she’s well on her way to becoming that leader. Last year, Pleasants won a $4,000 scholarship from the AAA Carolinas. In the winter of 2018, it was announced that Pleasants was one of 10, nationally-selected students to participate in Munich Re’s Summer Leadership Program in 2019. The summer of 2018 also saw Pleasants interning at the SAS Institute in its Risk Management Department.

Lee Brown, director of the College of Business Career Center, spoke recently at the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce Teen Leadership Institute. The Institute is a program designed to educate through experience and motivate young leaders to take an active role in their community. Participants in the program learn the importance of teamwork and gain a better understanding of what it means to be a leader.

The spring 2019 James H. Bearden Induction Ceremony of the ECU Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) was held April 10, 2019, at the Murphy Center at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The College of Business inducted more than 70 new members into BGS, the honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The BGS tapping ceremonies – the presentation of BGS invitations during class time – took place earlier during the fall semester.

Dr. James Kleckley, director of Professional Services and Research for the College of Business, has been awarded a Pulsenomics Crystal Ball Award for 2018 (his third consecutive) and the annual “Top-10 Rankings” for the Zillow Home Price Expectations Survey. The recognition honors experts whose past home price expectations proved to be the most accurate and reliable. For this survey compiled by Pulsenomics, all panelists use historical data provided by Zillow to forecast future home prices over five years.

MBA students Pol Solanellas Manzaneres, Amber Kennedy, Heather Whitley, and Amber Whitley took honorable mention at the Aspen Institute's 2019 Business & Society International MBA Case Competition. The team competed against 1,000 MBA students from participating universities that included Boston University, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Northwestern University, the University of Michigan, and Villanova University. Dr. Joy Karriker served as the team's faculty advisor.

The College of Business recently celebrated donors who made it possible for 200 undergraduate students to receive more than $400,000 in scholarships. Dean Paul Schwager spoke and congratulated all the students who were in attendance.

The College of Business recently hosted the inaugural Carolina’s Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Student Conference and Case Competition. ECU’s SHRM chapter was involved in the planning and promoting of the conference, with support from the North Carolina and South Carolina State Council of SHRM. Sixty human resources professionals and students attended. ECU’s graduate team took first place honors in the case competition. The team included Amber Kennedy, Michael Nethercutt, Clayton Reichart, Brittany Meier, Vanessa Nguyen and William Eddy. Dr. Craig Williams provided the coaching. Williams and Sharon Justice, a teaching instructor, both serve as SHRM Chapter advisors.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

The College of Education hosted the spring 2019 Margaret Blount Harvey Literacy Institute on Saturday, April 27, at the East Carolina Heart Institute. Assistant Professor Christy Howard and Teaching Instructor Laura Jacobs from the Department of Literacy Studies, English Education and History Education designed the institute with roundtable sessions focused on sharing best literacy practices. Saturday’s featured presenter, Regie Routman, an internationally known educator, author, and literacy advocate with more than forty-five years of experience working in diverse, under-performing schools across the U.S. and Canada shared her latest work, Literacy Essentials: Engagement, Excellence, and Equity for All Learners, and reminded participants of the importance of ensuring all students have the opportunity to engage each day in meaningful, challenging, and joyful work. Read more HERE.

Jasmine Garland McKinney is a 2019 recipient of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) Minority Fellowship in the amount of $10,000. This fellowship will afford Jasmine opportunities to further establish her counseling identity by attending conferences, trainings, and other professional development opportunities.

Rachel Ramirez Person has been awarded the American Association of University Women Career Development in the amount of $10,463.88 for the 2019-2020 academic year. This award is highly selective and is a reflection of Rachel's hard work and excellence. Rachel's specialization is in Student Affairs and College Counseling. Read more HERE.

Dr. Laura King, College of Education Associate Professor of Special Education and Director of the Irene Howell AssistiveTechnology (IHAT) Center, was named 2019 Supervisor of the Year by the Student Employment Office on April 9. Dr. King typically supervises a staff of between 5 and 9 student employees. Student staff in the IHAT Center teach professional development sessions about assistive technology to ECU students including College of Education majors, as well as other related majors which are likely to work with individuals with disabilities. In addition to teaching campus sessions and supporting distance education sessions, IHAT student staff provide technical support, grade session assessments, and send completion certificates to an average of 400-600 students per semester. They also have the opportunity to attend and/or present at professional conferences annually on behalf of the IHAT Center. Read more HERE.

The Campus Living and the Residence Hall Association (RHA) honored Dr. Dionna Manning, Dr. Elizabeth Swaggerty and Dr. Amy Swain at the 2019 Honored Instructors Social at the Gateway Sounds. The Honored Instructor Social recognized those faculty who make an invaluable contribution to student learning. Dr. Manning is the Director of the Education Community of Scholars and the Education Living-Learning Community. Dr. Swaggerty is an Associate Professor in the College of Education Department of Literacy Studies, English Education and History Education. Dr. Swain is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education, Foundations, and Research. Dr. Manning and Dr. Swaggerty were nominated for the honor by students who reside in Campus Living for having made a significant impact on their educational experience here at ECU. Nnamdi Scott nominated Manning. Megan Culler nominated Swaggerty. Brittany Tankard and Amanda Crossgrove nominated Swain. Congratulations to these outstanding COE faculty members and thank you for making a difference in the lives of ECU students!

The Eta Chi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), International Honor Society in Education, at ECU’s College of Education recently initiated nine undergraduate students, who graduated with honors on May 3. Read more HERE.

Spring 2019 Kappa Delta Pi Initiates

• Brienna Benard - Family and Consumer Science Education
• Jessica Chestnutt - Elementary Education
• Akira Hall – Birth to Kindergarten Teacher Education
• Elizabeth Hawley - Music Education
• Amber Meeks - Elementary Education
• Abigail Nehrenberg - Elementary Education
• Keirsten Scheenks - Elementary Education
• Megan Sealy - Elementary Education
• Amanda Supplee - Elementary Education

Lou Anna Hardee, College of Education Administrative Support Specialist, was recognized for her 50 years of service to ECU by Chancellor Cecil Staton during a Service Awards Presentation and Reception on Tuesday, April 16. Mrs. Hardee began her career at ECU on September 20, 1968 in the School of Education as the Departmental Secretary for the Department of Secondary Education. East Carolina College received University status in 1967. From 1968 to 2019 Mrs. Hardee served under six School or College of Education Deans; four interim College of Education Deans; and six ECU Chancellors. Congratulations on reaching such an impressive milestone and thank you for your service to ECU and the College of Education!

Eight College of Education faculty members attended the first annual Mentorship Breakfast on April 17, 2019, sponsored by the ECU Women and Gender Office. The Mentorship Breakfast honored people in the ECU community who have served as influential mentors to women and non-binary people this year. Students, faculty, and staff who identify as women, non-binary, or gender minorities nominated mentors who had uplifted, challenged, or empowered them. Both mentors and mentees were invited to attend the breakfast. Honored COE faculty mentors were: Drs. Loni Crumb (nominated by graduate student and research assistant Alexia Flythe), Syntia Santos Dietz (nominated by graduate student Ashley-Laren Smalls), Janeé Avent Harris (nominated by graduate research assistant Jasmine Garland McKinney), Caitlin Ryan (nominated by Dr. Christy Howard), Amy Swain (nominated by student Caitlin Friello), Anne Ticknor (nominated by Drs. Christy Howard & Mikkaka Overstreet), Patricia Anderson (nominated by Dr. Julie Stanley), and Louis Warren (nominated by Dr. Julie Stanley). For more information about the ECU Women and Gender Office, click HERE.

Graduate students of Dr. Jane Manner and Dr. Kristen Gregory, from the M.A.Ed. program in Elementary Education, presented their action research at a roundtable event on the second floor of Speight on Thursday, April 11. Five roundtables were arranged thematically with faculty facilitators and reviewers from the ELMID Department and COE in attendance at each. In addition, four remote presenters shared their projects with an audience. Themes addressed by roundtable were Teaching Strategies, Reading & Literacy Instruction and Strategies, Student Perceptions and Support, Brain Breaks and Physical Activity, and Mathematics & Technology. These studies represent a capstone project for the M.A.Ed. candidates and included presentations by several students whose research had also been showcased during RCAW during the first week of April.

Dr. Elizabeth Swaggerty, Associate Professor in the College of Education Department of Literacy Studies, English Education and History Education, was selected as one of this year’s winners of the 7th Annual ECU Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Award. Dr. Swaggerty teaches in Reading Education/Literacy Studies and serves as the department’s graduate director for master’s programs. She sets high expectations for herself, and those with whom she surrounds herself and works tirelessly to “go the extra mile” to ensure students are provided the support, guidance and assistance they need to succeed. Read more HERE.

East Carolina University celebrated outstanding teaching at the University Teaching Awards ceremony held April 8 in Murphy Center’s Harvey Hall. Among those honored was Dr. Johna Lee Faulconer, an associate professor in the College of Education Department of Literacy Studies, English Education, and History Education, who received the Max Ray Joyner Award for Excellence in Teaching Distance Education. Faulconer was selected for her commitment and enthusiasm in teaching and mentoring off-campus student and demonstrated excellence in the delivery of courses offered through distance education. Dr. Regis M. Gilman, Executive Director of the Office of Academic Outreach, Continuing and Distance Education, Mr. Max Joyner, and Dr. Jeff Popke, Chair of the Faculty, presented the award. Upon receipt of the award Faulconer said, “As a Pirate alumna and advocate for educational access, I am especially honored to receive the Max Ray Joyner Award for Excellence in Teaching Distance Education. I love teaching and am grateful for the opportunities I have to grow and learn with and from my students and my colleagues.” Read more HERE.

Dr. Christy Howard, an assistant professor in the Department of Literacy Studies, English Education, and History Education, received the Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Teaching at the University Teaching Awards event held April 8 in Harvey Hall. The Alumni Association Awards were the first teaching awards established at ECU and are open to full-time faculty who have taught 3 or more years and are based upon the characteristics of effective teaching endorsed in the ECU Faculty Manual. Howard was chosen for her exceptional teaching and work to maximize student success. Dr. Mark Notestine, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for alumni Relations and Interim President of the ECU Alumni Association and Dr. Jeff Popke, Chair of the Faculty presented the award. Howard commented, "It is such an honor to receive this award, especially for something that I enjoy doing so much. I am humbled to be among all of the amazing educators celebrated this year." Dr. Howard is active in many professional organizations and serves on the College of Education Diversity Committee.

In March, ECU, the College of Education, Mursion@ECU, and REI were well represented at the 13th annual International Technology, Education, and Development (INTED) 2019 conference in Valencia, Spain, where Mursion Coordinator Christine Wilson and ECU’s Assessment, Data Management, and Digital Learning Director Holly Fales presented three papers. The theme of the conference was “Exploring New Frontiers in Education,” and throughout the conference, numerous speakers discussed topics and shared innovative ideas on education, technology, and their integration. Read more HERE.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Hanna Johns, a student in the Industrial Distribution and Logistics (IDIS) degree program and a veteran of the United States Air Force and the United States Army, has been awarded $5,000 for the Material Handling Institute’s highly competitive and prestigious Howard Bernstein Scholarship. The scholarship is for students studying for careers within material handling, industrial distribution, engineering, logistics and supply chain industries.

Representatives from Red Hat visited Travis Powell’s ICTN 1500 class to speak with students in the Department of Technology Systems’ information and computer technology program. Trisha Turlington, Lauren Power and John Berninger spoke to the class about Red Hat’s products and services, who their customers are, and about their certifications. The discussion also touched on classes offered in the ICTN program at ECU that prepare students to attempt two of the highly sought Red Hat certifications in industry, the Red Hat Certified System Administrator RHCSA and Red Hat Certified Engineer RHCE.

Dr. Qin Ding, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, served as conference chair for the 2019 International Conference on Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, in March. Ding was elected in 2018 to the board of directors of the International Society for Computers and Their Applications, the organization that sponsored the conference. He also served as program co-chair for the conference in 2017 and 2018.

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) hosted its first fundraising gala in April, raising $3,458 for STEM education in Pitt County. With support from the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and Women in Computer Science (WiCS), SWE hosted more than 100 guests at the event to benefit students within the Pitt County School System.

Landon Downes, a 2011 graduate of the Construction Management program and a current student in the Master of Construction Management program, has been named one of 2019’s Rising Stars by Progressive Railroading. The magazine defines a Rising Star as someone under the age of 40 who has made, or is making, a positive impact on his or her company, organization, department or team, and is viewed by others — peers, colleagues, supervisors, clients or associates — as an up-and-coming leader in the rail industry. Downes has worked with Balfour Beatty Rail (BBR) since 2011.

Six ECU engineering students participated in the inaugural N.C. Space Symposium hosted by N.C. Space Grant, a consortium of universities in North Carolina that support aerospace education and research, in partnership with NASA and industry. The event was held April 4-5 at N.C. State University in Raleigh.

The ECU chapter of Alpha Eta Mu Beta – the national honor society for biomedical engineering – took to the streets under rainy skies on Saturday, April 13, to clean up Fifth Street from Reade Street to Elm Street.

In February, a team from ECU’s Department of Technology Systems competed in the first round of the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC). The team placed ninth out of 32 teams, missing advancement to the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition by one spot, but was invited to Laurel, Maryland to support the competition as “black team” members. Phil Lunsford, associate professor of technology systems, said the black team provides technical support for the competition, picks up and delivers communications, and assists with administrative support.

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS & COMMUNICATION

A partnership between the College of Fine Arts and Communication and the School of Theatre and Dance will bring theatre for family audiences to the Student Center Studio Theatre in July. Summer Storybook, a professional company directed by Patch Clark (theatre education, theatre for youth), will perform Yo, Vikings! in late July. Find out more information HERE.

Senior Theatre for Youth major Dylan Bailey accepted two awards on behalf of the Theatre for Young Audiences Dramatist Guild at the Student Activities and Organizations Awards Banquet. The year-old group was named the Outstanding New Student Organization and also received Outstanding Educational Program of the Year award.

A solo exhibition by Cynthia Bickley-Green (art education) invited viewers to consider how large environmental changes impact humans when even small changes can cause perceptual disruption. The exhibition ran for seven weeks at the Health Sciences Student Center.

Scott Eagle’s (painting) work was selected to represent the best images of 2018 in the American illustration competition, the most prestigious competition for contemporary illustration work. It was one of only 413 images from more than 7,000 submissions to receive two or more votes, making it eligible to appear permanently in the Archive’s permanent online collection. The jurors included Crown Publishing’s Chris Brand, The New York Times’ Hannah K. Lee, Politico’s Janet Michaud, Buzzfeed’s Dennis Huynh, the Smithsonian’s Maria G. Keehan, Art + Mechanical’s Aaron Rinas, and National Geographic’s Marianne Seregi.

Four art students, led by Hanna Jubran (sculpture), delivered large-scale outdoor work to the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport in April. Matthew Jones, Michael Austin, Joe Han and Zach Smith have been working the exhibit on the grounds for a year. Jones won the $1,500 purchase award from the airport authority.

Art educator Nanyoung Kim’s article, “Colorful Boxes,” was published in the April issue of Arts and Activities.

Freshman flutist Grace Krell was awarded the Outstanding First-Year Student Award through the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. She was chosen from all freshmen at ECU for her GPA and campus involvement. She majors in biomedical engineering and minors in music.

Mary Tucker-McLaughlin (Communication) and Nancy Winterbauer (Department of Public Health) are delivering messaging designed to enhance mental health access among seasonal migrant workers in eastern North Carolina. Tucker-McLaughlin won a $3,000 Research and Creative Activity Award from the College of Fine Arts and Communication. The professors, with Maritza Mata Betancourt of AMEXCAN, conducted focus groups to tailor appropriate communication strategies. Targeted banner ads have been deployed, coinciding with the planting season.

Gina Presson (journalism) was selected to join the German/American Journalism Exchange program this summer, sponsored by the Radio Television Digital News Foundation and the RIAS Berlin Commission. She’ll travel to multiple German cities to build personal and professional bridges of understanding with colleagues overseas. More than 1,000 broadcast journalists have participated in the exchange since its inception in 1993.

Daniel Kariko (photography) was a panelist for an exhibition opening, “Beyond Despair: An Environmental Call for Art,” at the National Center for Humanities in March.

The College Book Art Association “Book Arts Gives Back” program featured Lisa Beth Robinson (foundations) and collaborative partner Kristin Theilking, who established a letterpress exchange to raise money for Everytown for Gun Safety.

COLLEGE OF HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE

The College of Health and Human Performance held its Pecheles Automotive Group Winner’s Circle scholarship breakfast on April 12 at Rock Springs Center. This is the 15th consecutive year that Pecheles Automotive Group has sponsored the event. More than 125 scholarships totaling $190,000 were presented and granted to students for the 2019-2020 academic year, which is a 33 percent increase from last year.

Kinesiology major J. Grayson Fellows received Honorable Mention in the American Kinesiology Association’s National Undergraduate Scholar Award.

Dr. Emily Yeager was awarded the Early Career Researcher Award for Recreation, Tourism and Sport by the American Association of Geographers (AAG). AAG has over 8,500 members, and has an interdisciplinary area within AAG in sport, recreation and tourism.

The School of Social Work hosted a Careers in Aging panel on April 1, co-sponsored by the College of Health & Human Performance and the Aging Studies Program. Panelists included: Dr. Carol Jenkins (emeritus faculty in social work), Sharon Becker (interior design and merchandising faculty), Charlotte-Anne Alexander (elder law attorney, Colombo Kitchin Attorneys) and Thomas Rouse (financial planner, BB&T Stringfellow). Students, staff and faculty were in attendance, and questions ranged from, “What advice do you have for students interested in a career in aging?” to, “How do I help clients who live in rural areas, are low income, and haven’t planned financially?” Dr. Abby Schwartz also explained the Aging Studies Program comprised of the Gerontology Certificate and Gerontology Minor. If you are interested in learning more about these programs or discussing possibilities in careers related to aging, please contact Dr. Schwartz.

Sharon Ballard, Karen Hancock and Lena Williams-Carawan were inducted on April 12 to the East Carolina University College of Health and Human Performance Marvin and Joyce Johnson Wall of Fame. Ballard has demonstrated exemplary leadership skills in her role as chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Science. A champion for service-learning, Ballard was among the first faculty members at ECU to join the Service-Learning Committee. Prior to ECU, she taught courses at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville and Western Carolina University. A certified family life educator since 1998, Ballard taught family and consumer sciences in public schools for six years. Hancock served as a teacher, mentor and leader for more than two decades at ECU, leaving a trail of successfully trained professionals across the country and a large footprint on the field of recreation. From 1975 to 1997, Hancock was the cornerstone of leadership in recreation and, to date, is the longest serving administrator of what is now the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies. She was part of a team that planned and implemented the first North Carolina Senior Games in 1983. Williams-Carawan was the first Pitt County Schools social worker to hold a master’s degree. Williams-Carawan, who joined ECU in 1995, is known for helping students reflect and gain insight on their professional use of self in social work practice. She has published groundbreaking research on the biopsychosocial aspects of dyslexia and rural social work practice. As a qualitative researcher, she has specialized in the use of photography and art to engage adults with dyslexia.

The College recognized outstanding achievement and service by faculty, alumni and honorary alumni at its spring faculty meeting on April 24. Awardees are as follows:

• Outstanding Researcher Award: Dr. Stephanie Richards
• Ray Martinez Teaching Excellence Award: Ms. Kelli Russell
• Outstanding Professional Service Award: Dr. Paul DeVita
• Outstanding Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Mentor Award: Dr. Chris Mizelle
• Distinguished Service Award: Cindy Kukoly, Mel Markowski, Bill Cain, Lucille Gorham (posthumous recognition)
• Honorary Alumni Award: Max Ray Joyner Sr., Betty Beacham, Laurel Wright, Yolanda Burwell
• Outstanding Alumni Award: Chris Loignon, Michelle Mazey, Kenny Phelps, Jessica Holton

INTEGRATED COASTAL PROGRAMS

Approximately 100 researchers and students converged at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) on April 15 and 16 for the 8th annual North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Symposium to discuss marine hydrokinetics. The annual symposium provides the opportunity for researchers across the state who are funded by the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) to present their work. Members of the program’s Technical Advisory Committee are also present to ask questions, provide feedback, relay possible relationships to industry and consider future directions for the research and program. Keynote speakers included Heather Spence from the Department of Education and Gabriel Alsenas, Director of the Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center. The oral and poster presentations by student and faculty researchers highlighted the breadth and depth of research and education supported by the NCROEP.

Dr. Mike O’Driscoll (Department of Coastal Studies) recently co-authored two groundwater-focused papers. “Nitrogen Treatment in Soil Beneath High-flow and Low-flow Onsite Wastewater Systems” was recently accepted to the Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment. The paper authored by Dr. Charles Humphrey (Environmental Health Sciences) and his team showed that high-flow onsite wastewater systems are less efficient at treating nitrogen in contrast to low-flow systems. The results revealed that groundwater in coastal settings can be vulnerable to excess nutrient loading at sites where high-flow onsite wastewater systems discharge treated wastewater to sandy soils. The second paper entitled, “Groundwater Seeps: Portholes to Evaluate Groundwater’s Influence on Stream Water Quality” was accepted for publication in the upcoming edition of the Journal of Contemporary Water Resources and Education. Groundwater seeps are locations where upwelling groundwater saturates the surface. This groundwater may be transported to nearby surface waters. In certain cases, contaminated groundwater seeps that have measurable impacts on surface water quality have been found to fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Recently, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal related to one of these cases (Hawai’i Wildlife Fund vs. County of Maui). The outcome of this appeal will influence groundwater pollution management across the nation. An improved understanding of the effects of groundwater seeps on surface water quality is needed to support the evolving legal and regulatory environment. Their article identifies areas of water quality research that can help apprise the legal and policy discussion on the role of the CWA to address groundwater contamination that is conveyed to streams.

Dr. Jake Hochard, Coastal Studies Research Scientist, has been named a faculty fellow with the U.S. EPA’s Office of Resource Conservation and Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, and helps guide USDA. Hochard will be working with the U.S. EPA's Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery to assess the human health benefits associated with the regulation of coal ash and other hazardous waste facilities. Hochard also recently presented recommendations at the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) in Washington, DC to help guide conservation investments in rural areas that lack access to a public water system.

ICP, CSI and the Army Corps of Engineers are forging new partnerships, growing CSI’s collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility (FRF) in Duck, NC. CSI is recovering and deploying a waverider buoy about 20 miles offshore of the FRF. CSI will also be deploying an acoustic wave and current meter next month with our colleagues at the FRF about a mile off the beach at Jennettes Pier, to make wave and current measurements at the Jennettes Wave Energy test site.

Dr. Reide Corbett, Dean of Integrated Coastal Programs, recently co-authored a paper that places bounds on seismic hazard and geodynamic models in the New Madrid seismic zone. This study documents evidence of four prehistoric earthquakes within the last 11,000 years, likely on the Reelfoot fault. The paleoseismic trench investigation extends the paleoearthquake record of the region and indicates clustered earthquake recurrence. Read more HERE.

Matt Harrup, a PhD student in the CRM program, is one of three ECU graduate students chosen to represent ECU’s campus to legislators in Raleigh for Graduate Education Day. Matt will meet legislators and briefly chat with them about his research on coastal North Carolina, titled, "Archaeology and Climate Change: North Carolina’s Coastal Heritage At Risk."

Dr. Sid Mitra has been selected to be Chair Elect of the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the American Chemical Society.

Three CRM Students have successfully defended their dissertations and will be graduating this spring. Congratulations to the following students:

• Ian Conery, who defended his dissertation entitled, “From Dunes to Shelf Deposits: A Multidisciplinary Investigation of Coastal Sand Management in NC.” Ian has plans to continue working as a Research Geologist at the US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility, in Duck, NC.
• Guy Iverson, who defended his dissertation entitled, “Nutrient Contributions from Septic Systems in Nutrient-Sensitive Watersheds: Quantifying Nutrient inputs, Reduction methods, and Economic Feasibility.” Guy has been hired as an Assistant Professor of Environmental Health by ECU’s Department of Health Education and Promotion.
• Sarah Watkins-Kenney, who defended her dissertation entitled, “Beyond the Waters’ Edge: Complexity and Conservation Management of Underwater Cultural Heritage by A Public Agency in North Carolina.” Dr. Watkins-Kenney will continue her job for North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCR) as Archaeologist Supervisor/Chief Conservator & Queen Anne’s Revenge (QAR) Lab Director.

ACADEMIC LIBRARY SERVICES

Joyner Library marked April’s National Library Week with video testimonials about the impact of libraries from students and faculty. Joyner staff also remembered the generosity of one of the library’s biggest supporters, Verona Joyner Langford, with celebratory cupcakes for students.

The Friends of Joyner Library welcomed best-selling author and North Carolina native Margaret Maron as the keynote speaker at the Friends’ annual banquet and fundraiser on April 2.

As classes ended and students began preparing for finals, Joyner welcomed some four-legged patrons to help students de-stress. Pet therapy dogs visited the library beginning on reading day.

GRANTS AND CONTRACTS

February 2019

Award Title: NCPC Tract Water Quality Monitoring

Principal Investigator: Enrique Reyes, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences

Sponsor: CZR Incorporated

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Award Title: RAPID Evaluation of the Resilience of Shoreline Protection Methods to Hurricane Florence

Principal Investigator: Rachel Gittman, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences

Sponsor: University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW)

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Award Title: Ligand Specificity In Human Glucose Transporters GLUT1-5 and GLUT9

Principal Investigator: Jun-yong Choe, Chemistry, College of Arts & Sciences

Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH)

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Award Title: Minding Our Business: An Intergenerational Qualitative Exploration of Adolescent Mental Health Among Rural African Americans

Principal Investigator: Heidi Bonner, Criminal Justice, College of Arts & Sciences

Sponsor: Georgetown University

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Award Title: 2018 Hurricane Season: RAPID: Adjustment following Hurricane Florence among residents of Robeson County, NC: Evaluation through the lens of self-regulation shift theory and the social support deterioration deterrence framework

Principal Investigator: Heather Littleton, Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

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Award Title: Remote Patient Management for Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (RPM-CIED)

Principal Investigator: Samuel Sears, Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences

Sponsor: Nova Scotia Health Authority

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Award Title: USDA BioProducts 2019 Report

Principal Investigator: Jay Golden, Engineering, College of Engineering & Technology

Sponsor: Supply Chain Redesign LLC

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Award Title: Failure Analysis, Nutrien / BCCC

Principal Investigator: Jimmy Linn, Technology Systems, College of Engineering & Technology

Sponsor: Beaufort County Community College

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Award Title: Nutrien-BCCC Metrics

Principal Investigator: Jimmy Linn, Technology Systems, College of Engineering & Technology

Sponsor: Beaufort County Community College

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Award Title: Nutrien BCCC - Non destructive Testing

Principal Investigator: Jimmy Linn, Technology Systems, College of Engineering & Technology

Sponsor: Beaufort County Community College

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Award Title: Exit and Succession Planning: Building Micro-business Resiliency

Principal Investigator: Alleah Crawford, Hospitality Leadership, College of Business

Sponsor: NC IDEA

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Award Title: A White Paper on Competency-Based Education the Electrical Industry

Principal Investigator: Steven Schmidt, Interdisciplinary Professions, College of Education

Sponsor: ELECTRI International

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Award Title: Student-Athletes, Help-Seeking Behaviors, and a Coach's Role

Principal Investigator: Christine Habeeb, Kinesiology, College of Health & Human Performance

Sponsor: American Athletic Conference (AAC)

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Award Title: Advanced Balance Metrics to Assess mTBI (x2)

Principal Investigator: Zachary Domire, Kinesiology, College of Health & Human Performance

Sponsor: DOD DN Office of Naval Research (ONR)

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Award Title: Understanding Postadoption and Guardianship Instability for Children and Youth Who Exit Foster Care 2018-19

Principal Investigator: Kevin White, Social Work, College of Health & Human Performance

Sponsor: Research Triangle Institute (RTI International)