COE launches annual awards recognizing faculty, staff, students

The East Carolina University College of Education launched a series of annual awards to recognize outstanding contributions by faculty, staff and students in teaching, research and service with an emphasis on the university’s core tenets of student success, public service and regional transformation.

Eight awards were eligible for nominations during the spring semester with three eligible for student nominations.

The Undergraduate Student Excellence Award, the Master’s Student Excellence Award and the Doctoral Student Excellence Award honor outstanding students who have shown exceptional academic achievement, leadership and commitment to education and beyond. These students all excelled in coursework, actively engaged in educational initiatives and contributed positively to the college and broader community.

Undergraduate Student Excellence Award

Erynn Shallington was the recipient of the Undergraduate Student Excellence Award. Shallington is a sophomore majoring in history education who is a James and Connie Maynard Scholar, member of the ECU Honors College, member and leader in the Phi Mu sorority and an employee of the COE Academic Success Center.

“Erynn’s dedication extends beyond the classroom. She has played a pivotal role in organizing key college events, supporting recruitment efforts and mentoring peers. Her passion for education, tireless service and ability to foster a culture of care and belonging make her a standout leader and a true embodiment of ECU’s motto, Servire,” states her nomination.

Master’s Student Excellence Award

Michelle Maher, a graduate student in literacy studies, was the recipient of the Master’s Student Excellence Award. Although Maher is a distance education student, she has built strong connections in the ECU community through her work as a peer mentor, student ambassador and leader in multiple campus initiatives.

“Michelle’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. She has played a key role in organizing professional development events, including ECU’s spring literacy conference and several leadership forums. As Vice President of Servant Leadership for the ODK National Honor Society, she has led transformative programming and secured grant funding to support student engagement. Her involvement in LeaderShape and her collaboration with university leaders further highlight her dedication to fostering a culture of care, belonging, and opportunity,” her nomination states.

Doctoral Student Excellence Award

Christian Walter, an educational leadership doctoral student and principal of the Sylvia Mendez Newcomers School, was the inaugural recipient of the Doctoral Student Excellence Award.

“Christian’s doctoral research, From Surviving to Thriving, offers a groundbreaking framework to support international teachers in the U.S., promoting holistic wellbeing and proposing practical, research-based interventions. Beyond his academic achievements, Christian’s leadership has been recognized across the state and internationally. He is a former Latinxed Fellow, a keynote speaker at the Asociación Colombiana de Profesores de Inglés International Conference, and a dedicated mentor and trainer for educators across North Carolina. His commitment to fostering supportive educational spaces and his tireless service to students and educators alike exemplify the values of this prestigious award,” his nomination states.

Five awards were available for COE faculty and staff, as well as potential community partners.

Public Service Award

The Public Service Award recognizes those who have made significant contributions through volunteerism, advocacy and outreach efforts that enhance educational and related opportunities and outcomes for all. Recipients exemplify the spirit of service and civic responsibility and promote a culture of care and belonging.

The inaugural winner of this award was Dr. Shanita Brown, teaching assistant professor in counselor education.

Regional Transformation Award

The Regional Transformation Award celebrates outstanding research efforts that have made significant contributions to the advancement of education within the region. The researcher’s work addresses critical educational challenges and drives transformative change in local communities.

The inaugural winner was Dr. Catherine Schwartz, professor in mathematics education and interim director of the ECU Center for STEM Education.

Scholarship and Creative Activities Excellence Award

The Scholarship and Creative Activities Excellence Award recognizes faculty who demonstrate exceptional contributions to research and scholarship that advance the college’s and university’s strategic priorities. This work should generate new knowledge, apply innovative methodologies and address critical issues in education.

The inaugural winner was Dr. Tanya Christ, the Spangler Distinguished Early Child Literacy Professor.

Staff Excellence Award

The Staff Excellence Award recognizes outstanding staff members who demonstrate exceptional dedication and service within the college through their work, collaborative spirit and positive impact on student success and a culture of care and belonging.

The inaugural recipients were Hailey DeSutter, program and events coordinator for the Education Community of Scholars, Living-Learning Community and North Carolina Teaching Fellows; and Jo Melnyk, executive assistant to the dean.

Student Success Teaching Award

The Student Success Teaching Award recognizes exceptional educators who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering student success through innovative teaching methods, engaging learning environments and actively support the academic and personal growth of their students.

The inaugural winners were Dr. Carrie Lee, associate professor of mathematics education, and Akira Hall, classroom teacher at the ECU Community School.

College Anchor & Dean’s Award

Dr. André Green, dean of the college, had two surprise recognitions: the College Anchor and The Dean’s Award.

The College Anchor is for individuals whose dedication and behind-the-scenes efforts are integral to the college’s function. Their tireless work, support of others and consistent presence embodies the values of the college.

The inaugural recipients were:

The Dean’s Award was created to recognize a COE faculty or staff member whose dedication, leadership and innovation leave a lasting impact on the college and community. The recipient consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to the mission, takes initiative and works collaboratively to create positive, meaningful solutions.

The inaugural recipient was Dr. Holly Fales, the assistant dean for undergraduate affairs and educator preparation.

Additional Recognitions

During the event, a few additional awards were recognized, including the Research and Creative Activities Week Best Paper Award. This was given to Dr. Kristen Gregory, Dr. Ken Luterbach, Dr. Xi Lin and Sarah Sconyers for their paper, “Elementary educators’ perceptions of using ChatGPT as a classroom assessment generator.” Gregory is an associate professor in elementary education. Luterbach is an associate professor in instructional technology. Lin is an associate professor in adult education.

Dr. Mary Huffman and Dr. Allison Fears were both awarded the Profiles in Democratic Education Award. This award recognizes faculty and staff whose contributions:

For more information about the awards, visit the COE annual awards website.