Graduate profile: Katie White
White is one of 10 ECU graduates in the family, including six in education.
Katie White — a fourth generation East Carolina University graduate — has been coming to campus her entire life.
When it came time to choose a school, ECU felt like home. The university’s strong dance program attracted her along with the thought of returning to eastern North Carolina after moving to Winston-Salem during her junior year of high school.
The dance education major is one of 10 ECU graduates in the family, including six in education.
“One specifically who influenced me was my great-grandmother, who graduated from East Carolina Teachers College in 1925. Following in her legacy is such an honor,” White said.
Her parents also helped guide her toward purple and gold. White’s mother, Dawn, is a school social worker who earned her master’s degree at ECU. “She has guided me to think about education differently. Her perspective has given me many learning opportunities and unique experiences,” Katie White said.
Lastly, her dad, Chris, has “always pushed me to do my absolute best and it has paid off,” she said. “It started a conversation in seventh grade about knowing what I wanted to do and what it would take to get there, and that started my journey towards East Carolina University.”
Chris White earned a bachelor’s in construction management and serves on the department’s advisory board.
Along with family, White’s high school dance teacher, ECU alumna Kelly Scott, encouraged her to attend ECU.
On campus, White has been involved in the East Carolina Dance Association, served as president of the East Carolina Dance Educators and was undergraduate representative for the Council of Educator Preparation in fall 2017. She also has been a Greek Life member.
She just completed student teaching at Northside High School in Pinetown under the guidance of another ECU alumna, Tabitha Oliver.
After graduation, White will move to Wake County, where she will be teaching dance and coaching the dance team at the new Green Level High School in Cary.
White will teach dance and coach the dance team at the new Green Level High School in Cary following graduation.