Staff Profile: Shawnda Cherry

Name:  Dr. Shawnda Cherry

Title & department: Principal, ECU Community School

What does your new role as ECU Community School principal involve, and what are you most looking forward to in the position?

As principal of ECU Community School, I’m responsible for supervising the school’s day-to-day operations. I serve as the instructional leader and oversee the school’s operations and logistics. There are many moving parts, including close collaboration with South Greenville and our many ECU partners.

What are some of your goals for your first year in this role?

My primary goal is to continue building on the excellence already established at the school. We have strong support from our ECU and community partners, along with strong parent engagement, and I’d love to extend and strengthen those areas — including establishing a Family Resource Center on site. We’ve also seen strong academic growth on the NC End-of-Grade Test, and our goal is to exceed growth this year, especially in Reading.  

What are you hoping to bring to the role based on your experience at ECU?

In my previous role with REI and the Community School work, I learned a great deal about the Community School model and saw it in action across schools statewide. In schools with those systemic supports in place, I saw real success — strengthening school culture and removing barriers to learning, which in turn drives academic advancement and growth. I hope to help create those same conditions at ECUCS.

What excites you most about the opportunity to serve in this new capacity?

I’m most excited to return to a role where I interact with students daily. At this point in my career, my goal is two-fold: to walk in purpose and to make an impact. I get to do both, every day.   

What’s something fun or unique you’d like people to know about you?

People at work know me as the calm, decisive one — someone who’s always in control. But outside of work, I intentionally let that go. I’ve made enough decisions for the day, so I’m happy letting someone else tell me what to do!  (Although, my husband may disagree with this statement!) 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy baking sweet treats like cakes — it’s how I decompress. Then I must give the treats away to avoid overindulging, so my staff will be the beneficiaries of this hobby!