Anna L. Bragg – Spring 2026 Graduate

Published Apr 29, 2026 by
Filed under: Educational Leadership, General, Graduate Programs, Graduate Spotlights, Student News
Head-and-shoulders portrait of a person with shoulder-length hair wearing a red top against a blue background.

Name:

Anna L. Bragg

Major/Degree Program:

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

Previous degree(s):

Administration Licensure, Western Carolina University; MA Secondary Education, Indiana University; BS Social Studies Education, Indiana University; BA History, Indiana University

Hometown/Current City:

New Bern, NC

Hobbies/interests:

I enjoy gardening, reading and hiking with my husband and my three kids (who are all ECU graduates!)

What’s your favorite memory from your time at ECU?

I had the opportunity to learn from so many inspirational leaders, including Dr. Vernon Farrington, who always ended our class meetings with “I love you guys.” 

What inspired you to pursue a career in education?

We must continue to learn from our history and inspire young people to make the world a better place.

Who has made the biggest impact on your journey here?

I am grateful for the inspirational leadership of Dr. Travis Lewis in the Ed.D. program and the mentorship of Dr. Martin Reardon as my dissertation chair. Their patient and caring approach to the research and writing process is a gift to each student they encounter.

What’s next after graduation?

I look forward to continuing my work with Diocese of Raleigh Office of Education, supporting our Catholic school communities.

What advice would you give to future College of Education students?

Trust the process! ECU’s College of Education provides the support, inspiration, and vision to fully prepare you to support school communities in Eastern North Carolina and throughout the world!

How has the College of Education prepared you for the classroom (or your next step)?

Completing the Ed.D. program with ECU has given me confidence in working to improve school communities through a research-based approach to inquiry and intervention. I am confident that this preparation equips leaders with skills to change the world through K-12 education.