April 30, 2025
Spring 2025 Graduate: Zaneta Hill
Name: Zaneta Hill
Major/Degree Program: Master of School Administration
Hometown/Current City: Raleigh, NC (Hometown)
Hobbies/interests: Coaching, Art, and Music
What’s your favorite memory from your time at ECU? My favorite memory from my time at ECU, pursuing this Master’s degree, was participating in the in-person seminars with the members of my cohort and my professors. I thoroughly enjoyed my time learning from and with them.
What inspired you to pursue a career in education? For several years, my mother encouraged me to become a teacher. After becoming a teacher, Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, encouraged me to pursue a career in school administration.
Who has made the biggest impact on your journey here? All of my professors had a huge impact on my journey in this Master’s program. They modeled for us how to be a well-informed and empathetic school leader.
What’s next after graduation? After graduation, I will pursue a career in school administration.
What advice would you give to future College of Education students? This journey is both rewarding and worthwhile, with moments of joy and challenge, but stay the course. This is the work that we were called to do!
How has the College of Education prepared you for the classroom (or your next step?) The College of Education prepared me to become a school administrator through instruction and practical application. The completion of service leadership projects gave me opportunities to truly lead through serving in my school and community. Servant leadership is one of my core values, and these projects emphasized the importance of putting students and staff first, empowering others, empathy, compassion, and stewardship.
From Dr. Lawrence Hodgkins (teaching assistant professor in educational leadership): Zaneta has been a leader within her cohort of MSA students while also serving as principal intern and varsity basketball coach at Holly Springs Middle School. She was influenced at an early age to be an educator and is now about to expand the scope of her impact from students to teachers.