Abigail E. Ulffers
Abigail E. Ulffers believes in diversifying her experiences and demonstrates this through her educational pursuits and community involvement.
The 17-year-old from Greenville is a senior at D.H. Conley High School and has been taking online courses through the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham. She is the daughter of Chris Ulffers and Beth Norvell Ulffers and is one of 20 freshmen entering East Carolina University this fall as an EC Scholar, the most prestigious undergraduate academic scholarship program offered at the university.
“Being an EC Scholar means I will be surrounded by students with unique stories who are seeking the same academic rigor and college experience as myself,” Ulffers said.
The EC Scholars merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive an Honors College scholarship for four years, along with a stipend for study abroad, for a total value of nearly $63,000.
Ulffers chose ECU because she said it offered her the most opportunities as an EC Scholar and an alternate in the early assurance program in the Brody School of Medicine, which guarantees students a spot in an upcoming class of medical students, provided they meet the requirements of an undergraduate degree program.
“At ECU, I will be able to both better myself and the community I’ve grown up in,” she said.
Ulffers excels in academics and leadership. She is a member of the National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta mathematics society, Rho Kappa social studies society, National English Honor Society and the National Science Honor Society.
She demonstrates leadership through her service as a Health Sciences Academy Ambassador, recruiting new members and attending leadership training; and in volunteering for the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Annual Leadership and Ethics Conference, where she aided in seminar discussions on leadership and ethics in education and research.
Within her community, Ulffers is a board member of the Greenville Choral Society, helping plan fundraisers throughout the community; a senior leader of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Youth Group; and a member of the church’s exultate choir. This summer, Ulffers will work as a counselor at Camp Trinity in Pine Knoll Shores.
While at ECU, Ulffers said she looks forward to auditioning for women’s choir, joining clubs throughout campus, participating in Greek life and exploring all that ECU has to offer. She wants to study abroad in Italy and hopes to gain insight into a unique culture, growing both as a person and a student.
“The arts have always been important to me, and I want to diversify my academic experiences while in college,” Ulffers said. “I think that studying abroad in a program that concentrates in the arts will help me achieve that diversification.”
As an alternate for ECU’s Early Assurance in Medicine program, Ulffers plans to attend the ECU Brody School of Medicine upon graduation. However, she does have other options in mind.
“If I do not take this path, I plan to either obtain a master’s degree in public health, spend two years with the Peace Corps or volunteering with MedServe,” she said. “Following these two years, I plan to attend medical school and become a practicing pediatrician.”
“At ECU, I will be able to both better myself and the community I’ve grown up in.”
High school: D.H. Conley High School
Intended major: Multidisciplinary studies program in neuroscience and public health studies
Hometown: Greenville