Shaelyn Raleigh

Shaelyn Raleigh fell in love with the East Carolina University campus after her first visit, but among one of her top reasons was something most freshmen do not mention — the proximity of campus to the local Boys and Girls Club.

“That was important to me because one of my goals is to get more involved with the Boys and Girls Club,” Raleigh said. “I have done some work with the one near me now but I would like to expand my involvement while at ECU.”

Raleigh has helped organize an annual clothing drive at her local club.

Coming to campus with her major undecided, Raleigh said she is looking forward to exploring opportunities and discovering what options being an EC Scholar will present.

“I also like the wide variety of majors ECU has to offer,” she said. “Being an EC Scholar is a great honor as it means that people believe in my ability to make a difference. It also means I will have the opportunity to network with the leaders in the community and university.”

She’s looking forward to studying abroad to learn about school systems in other countries.

“I want to go somewhere that has a strong education system and bring some of the strategies they are using back to the United States,” she said. “Improving the education system in the U.S. is very important to me, as I feel that right now every child isn’t given an equal opportunity to succeed. There are a lot of ways we can improve education and I think trying to implement strategies that are successful in other countries is a great place to start.”

Although she is unsure what her major will be and where her career will lead her, Raleigh does know with whom she would like to work.

“My passion is working with disadvantaged kids but I’m not sure if I want to do that through sports or education or finding a way to do both,” Raleigh said. “I’m hoping the EC Scholars program will help give me some clarity and guide me into a career path.”

Raleigh is the daughter of Jill and Brian Raleigh of Raleigh.

“Being an EC Scholar is a great honor as it means that people believe in my ability to make a difference. It also means I will have the opportunity to network with the leaders in the community and university.”

High school: Athens Drive Magnet High School

Intended major: Undecided

Hometown: Raleigh