December 2021 Graduate Spotlights
Name: Jaren Buckson
College(s): College of Education
Major/Degree earned: Master of Library Science
Hometown: Jacksonville, NC
Professor who influenced you the most: Dr. Africa Hands
Accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at ECU: graduating
Your words to live by: I cannot live without books -Thomas Jefferson
Dream job: Librarian
Post-graduation plans: Working in a library
Name: LaDonya S. Jules
College(s): College of Education
Major/Degree earned: Master of Library Science, concentration in School Librarianship
Hometown: Havelock, NC
Clubs/Organizations: ALA- American Library Association, NCLA- North Carolina Library Association, MLS Advisory Board
Professors who influenced you the most: Dr. Kaye Dotson, Dr. Rita Soulen, Laura Mangum
Accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at ECU: 1 of 3 winners of the College of Education contest: Why are Diverse Books Important to Your Profession in Spring of 2021
Your words to live by: “If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together,” African Proverb
Dream job: School Librarian/Author
Post-graduation plans: I will substitute for the media coordinator I interned with for the last 3 months of the school year while she goes on maternity leave and work on self-publishing three manuscripts I have written for children’s books.
Name: Matt Lotti
College(s): College of Education
Major/Degree earned: MS, Instructional Technology
Hometown: Clayton, NC
Professors who influenced you the most: Dr. Luterbach
Accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at ECU: Pushing myself beyond what I previously thought I was capable of
Your words to live by: It gets easier.
Dream job: Wilderness guide
Post-graduation plans: Continue in current job (Learning Management System Specialist, WakeMed Health and Hospitals)
Name: Fernanda Perry, DDS
College(s): College of Education, Department of Interdisciplinary Professions
Major/Degree earned: MAEd Adult Education and Certifications in Healthcare Professions and Community College Instruction
Hometown: Garysburg, NC
Clubs/Organizations: Honors Society.org
Professors who influenced you the most: Drs. Schmidt, Lohr, Rhodes, Broughton, Lin, and Patterson
Accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at ECU: To graduate as a Distance Education Student with Honors while working full time
Your words to live by: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Dream job: Dean or Associate Dean at the University Level
Post-graduation plans: To pursue to my EdD in Educational Leadership
Name: Kweneshia Price
College(s): Norfolk State University (BA English, MA Urban Community Counseling); ECU College of Education
Major/Degree earned: EdD in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Administration
Hometown: Hampton, VA
Clubs/Organizations: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
Professors who influenced you the most: Dr. Crystal Chambers, Dr. Marjorie Ringler, and Dr. Travis Lewis
Accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at ECU: Birth of my son (G3), traveling to Peru with my cohort (life-changing), and defending my dissertation
Your words to live by: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou | “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13
Dream job: Become a Provost and tenure professor
Post-graduation plans: 1. Continue to motivate and inspire students to become the best versions of themselves. 2. Utilize my research to restructure programs at North Carolina Central University through summer-bridge initiatives. 3. Becoming an adjunct professor in an educational leadership program.
Name: Dr. Susan Price-Cole
College(s): College of Education
Major/Degree earned: K-12 Literacy/Master of Arts in Education
Hometown: Madison, NC
Clubs/Organizations: lifetime member of NCAGT
Professors who influenced you the most: Dr. Christy Howard
Accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at ECU: 4.0 GPA
Your words to live by: Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can get accomplished today!
Dream job: Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Post-graduation plans: As a lifelong learner, I will continue my education (while working full-time) and pursue either principal certification or National Board Certification.