Hello, and I hope this communication finds you happy and healthy as we kick off 2025! I am finding many reasons to smile, as shown in the joyful moment captured in the photograph here. The occasion for this happy picture was the Leo Jenkins Society luncheon, an annual event at which the many positive effects of planned gifts are celebrated. Current ECU students Lani and Delmeera are two of many Harriot College students whose study abroad experiences have been supported through generous support from Charlie ’55 and Nancy Bedford. Before the luncheon, they had a video meeting with Mrs. Bedford, during which they conversed in French and learned more about the legacy of Mr. Bedford. You can see them and other students featured in a video attesting to the power of these study-abroad scholarships. Go to the Support tab on our college website and click on College Priorities, where you will see the video under Study Abroad.
This issue of our newsletter includes several other accounts of transformational charitable giving from alumni and faculty alike and moving stories about other wonderful members of Pirate Nation™ sharing knowledge and inspiring action. This is just a snapshot of the impressive productivity among our researchers, scholars, and creative leaders that provides significant recognition for ECU on the national stage. Stay tuned to our university website and social media accounts for more on other exciting upcoming developments that make ECU truly special!
Sarah Pettyjohn Graduate student in Geography
“The most enjoyable experience I have had at ECU is the collaboration with other students and faculty across multiple departments. It has allowed me to develop valuable professional skills and a well-rounded graduate education.”
Conducts research under the direction of Dr. Hannah Sirianni on the resiliency of coastal communities in North Carolina
Uses drone technology to perform seasonal surveys and observe how islands with limited sediment respond to storms
Hopes her data collection will inform critical policy decisions regarding habitat change and erosion
Earned recognition and financial support as an ECU Water Scholar, and gained professional experience presenting at the 2024 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference
Member of the AGU and the American Association of Geographers, Eastern North Carolina chapter of Graduate Women in Science and ECU chapter of the Coastal Society
Dr. Jason M. Pudlo Assistant
Professor Department
of Political Science
“Harriot College is a great environment to be a professor. The Department of Political Science is tremendously supportive, and the collaborative environment at ECU has been energizing. The range of knowledge, resources and skills at ECU meaningfully improves my research in community resiliency.”
Expert in community and organization disaster preparedness and resilience, disaster and risk communication, and is interested in the intersection of religion, climate and disasters
Working on quick-response research with communities and faith-based organizations in western North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene
Collaborates with the ECU Water Resources Center and Coastal Studies Institute on state-funded research projects studying and improving community resiliency and development
Explores ways to improve efficiency at local emergency communication centers and designed a toolkit for organizations to use for disaster readiness
Member of research groups studying impacts of crises during extreme weather and on vulnerable communities
Lani Sherman-Diestel, Ashley Harzog, Delmeera Degoh and Dean Allison Danell (Photo by George Crocker)
REDUCING HEALTH DISPARITIES
Students Shadow Professional Language Interpreters at ECU Health
by Lacey L. Gray, MA
East Carolina University aspires to prepare students with the knowledge, skills and values to succeed in a global, multicultural society. This fall, students in the Spanish for Health Professions class had the unique experience of advancing their knowledge and communication skills by shadowing professional Spanishlanguage medical interpreters at ECU Health Medical Center.
Taught by Dr. Jennifer M. Valko, associate professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, and in collaboration with Mr. Julio Maldonado, director of Hospitality and Language Access Services at ECU Health, 12 undergraduate students performed 20 hours of interpreter shadowing in a variety of clinical and patient settings.
“My background is in the humanities, specifically in Latin American literature and cultures. Like most of my colleagues, I teach a broad swath of courses,” Valko said. “I wanted to resuscitate the Spanish for the Medical Professions class to fill the gap in our course offerings.”
Students in the class spent a month preparing for the shadowing experience and how to apply their cultural and linguistic skills in a career-focused setting. They learned about the U.S. health care system and medical professions, and acquired and practiced necessary medical terminology and grammatical structures. Valko said students participated in simulations to build basic communication skills for making an appointment, checking in on a patient and explaining how to take or use medications.
Miriam Tellesgiron-Sanchez, a junior majoring in psychology and foreign languages and literatures with a concentration in Hispanic studies, shadowed interpreters on rounds with medical residents and attendings and went on calls to the emergency department.
a big impact on the community, especially for Spanish-speaking populations in eastern North Carolina.
“I saw how they bridge gaps between patients and providers, building trust,” she said.
She said this experience will benefit her future career goals, which include working as a medical interpreter and attending physician assistant school, specializing in emergency medicine.
“This allowed me to observe different medical situations and how we as providers can give back and help people suffering in health care due to language barriers,” she said.
Savannah Barclay is a senior majoring in music therapy and foreign languages and literatures with a concentration in Hispanic studies. She wants to be a bilingual music therapist.
During her experience, Barclay said she enjoyed observing speech, occupational and physical therapy sessions, where therapists assessed client needs and worked to help them recover and regain lost abilities.
“This was particularly valuable for me because music therapists frequently collaborate with other therapy disciplines to ensure patients receive the most effective treatment to achieve their goals,” she said. “I also observed interactions with patients whose conditions greatly improved, and I heard from their families how they appreciated all the work the doctors and the interpreters did for them.”
“Although I wasn’t present throughout their entire treatment process, it was inspiring to witness the positive outcomes of their care and hear how the hospital staff played a significant role in their recovery,” she said. “Through this experience, I saw firsthand the concepts I learned in my Spanish in Health Professions class, such as the significance of cultural differences, the role of family and the importance of the doctor-patient relationship.”
“I saw how they bridge gaps between patients and providers, building trust.”
– Miriam Tellesgiron-Sanchez, psychology major
“I enjoyed seeing how different roles in the hospital come together to provide the best patient care,” she said. “I learned from the interpreters that not only do they provide interpreting services, but they advocate for patients.” Sanchez said she witnessed how medical interpreters can make
Through this experience, Valko said students should better understand the needs of patients, be able to resolve unexpected complications, avoid communication breakdowns and demonstrate cultural awareness of the values that influence communication between health care professionals and various Spanishspeaking patients.
“I am hoping this course is one way that Hispanic studies at ECU helps to promote wellness and reduce health disparities,” she said. “Like all education, it is an investment in the future. In this case, an investment in bilingual health care providers who serve eastern North Carolina and beyond.”
Students in the Spanish for Health Professions class, including Miriam TellesgironSanchez, left, received guidance and input from Valeria Chaires-Marin, right, a medical interpreter with ECU Health.
Students in the Spanish for Health Professions class are taught by Dr. Jennifer Valko (lower-right) and directed by Julio Maldonado (upper-left). (Contributed photos)
MICHAEL AND SUSAN McSHANE COURTYARD AND GARDEN Honoring Planned Gift, Lifetime of Service
In November, Harriot College and the Department of Political Science proudly gathered for a naming ceremony to celebrate history alumnus and Center for Survey Research board member Mr. Michael McShane (’66). The event honored his generosity and legacy and unveiled a commemorative plaque designating the courtyard of the Brewster Building as the Michael and Susan McShane Courtyard and Garden.
Once seen as a charmless concrete slab between the B and C wings, recent renovations transformed the space with lush landscaping, lighted sidewalks and seating for an outdoor classroom fitting of such an honor. A master gardener herself, Susan McShane noted that the beautiful location made the recognition even sweeter.
During the event, McShane shared insights from his 40-year career in Washington, including his work on 11 presidential campaigns, and he expressed his gratitude for all that ECU provided him. Over the years, McShane has served on several ECU boards and was honored with the Virgil Clark ’50 Distinguished Service Award. In addition to this remarkable service, the McShanes have pledged $200,000 to support Political Science students passionate about studying campaigns, elections and American politics.
“McShane’s legacy is one of leaving things better than you found them— through service, advocacy and scholarship support. He has made ECU a better place,” said Ashley Harzog, Harriot College’s director of alumni relations and outreach.
To explore ways to support Harriot College students, whether through scholarships or service opportunities, contact Harzog at clelanda18@ ecu.edu or call 252-737-1753.
PROMOTING STUDENT SUCCESS
Drs. Carol Goodwillie and John Stiller Endowed Scholarship
Drs. Carol Goodwillie and John Stiller, who retired at the end of summer 2024, were dedicated to student success and enhancing the undergraduate experience during their long careers as PirateTM educators.
“Drs. Goodwillie and Stiller served the Department of Biology and ECU for 24 years before retiring. They are incredibly gifted instructors who always strived to provide a high-quality learning experience for our students,” said Dr. David R. Chalcraft, professor and department chair. “Students routinely commented about what wonderful and caring instructors they are, and they were often delighted when they learned that Goodwillie and Stiller are married.”
While at ECU, Goodwillie developed a long-term research experiment at ECU’s West Research Campus and trained students in botany, plant evolutionary ecology and genetics. Stiller studied plant and algal evolution and comparative genomics of photosynthetic organisms.
“Though no longer teaching our students in the classroom, lab or field, they are continuing their longstanding efforts to promote student success through the establishment of the Drs. Carol Goodwillie and John Stiller Endowed Scholarship,” Chalcraft said.
The endowment will provide scholarship support for undergraduate students at ECU who are majoring in biology, especially those with interests in plant biology, ecology or evolution and who have demonstrated financial need.
“We’ll miss working with our students, but it’s gratifying to know that we can still contribute to their success in our retirement,” Stiller said.
“ECU students inspired us through the years, and they made our careers at ECU fun and satisfying,” Goodwillie said. “Now it’s our turn to thank them and help them on their journeys.”
“Our department is happy to know that future biology majors will continue to benefit from Drs. Goodwillie’s and Stiller’s commitment to serving our majors and providing them with opportunities to succeed,” Chalcraft said.
To contribute to the Drs. Carol Goodwillie and John Stiller Scholarship Endowment, donors should visit www.give.ecu.edu/goodwilliestiller.
Goodwillie interacts with students during one of her classes. (Contributed photos)
Stiller explains concepts to students in one of his biology courses.
Susan and Michael McShane
Chris Dyba, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, and Dr. Allison Danell, Harriot College Dean, celebrate with Michael and Susan McShane at the courtyard named in their honor. (Photos by George Crocker)
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Akeem Devon Thomas, MS in Criminal Justice, ’19
Akeem Devon Thomas’ degree in criminal justice from the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences allows him to make a major difference in the lives of youth in the community.
Thomas works for the NC Department of Public Safety and serves as a juvenile court counselor. In this role, he evaluates complaints received from law enforcement officers against juveniles and helps determine appropriate courses of action for treatment and compliance with court orders. Additionally, he evaluates the needs of families to develop and implement plans to help achieve positive life changes.
“I enjoy being able to offer opportunities
to the youth in our community, addressing their treatment needs, rehabilitation and successful reintegration into the community,” he said. “I enjoy the fact that I have a passion for my profession, and I’m blessed with the ability to go to work every day and not just make a dollar but make a difference.”
His impact on the community is one reason Thomas was awarded a prestigious ECU “40 Under Forty” Leadership award in 2023, which recognizes emerging leaders who received their start at ECU and are making an impact in their respective professions and communities.
While a student at ECU, Thomas received grant funding, was a member of the Graduate Ambassadors program and took advantage of other community service opportunities. He said the university and college prepared him to succeed by instilling time management, teamwork and problem-solving skills into his professional toolkit.
Permit #110
Greenville, NC
“I believe that ECU, Harriot College and the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology prepared me for success in my career by providing academic rigor, specialized knowledge, handson experience, faculty support, career services and networking opportunities,” Thomas said.
“Offering both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, the department delivered the expertise needed for me to excel in my career,” he said. “Additionally, the professors served as mentors who invested in my academic and professional development. Their guidance, whether in research, career advice or networking, played a significant role in preparation for my career.”
One of Thomas’ future goals is to pass along some of the knowledge and guidance he received by instructing students and young adults in the criminal justice field who have similar interests as himself.
