Elizabeth Chan
Elizabeth Chan has seen firsthand many of the opportunities East Carolina University’s EC Scholars program and Honors College offer. Her older sister, Victoria, is an EC Scholar in the class of 2021 and is currently studying abroad in Hong Kong.
Now Elizabeth is an EC Scholar, too.
Meeting the faculty, staff and fellow scholars at Selection Sunday also helped seal the deal, Chan said. “It made me see that ECU was the place for me. Everyone was genuine, supportive and down to earth. As an EC Scholar, I will have access to the many opportunities of a large university but receive the support and guidance from EC Scholars and Honors College faculty and staff.”
As an EC Scholar, Chan joins the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year 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.
“I plan to study abroad in Spain or South America for a semester in order to improve my Spanish and become immersed in the culture. Aside from challenging myself to be independent in a foreign country, I want to use my study abroad experience to learn more about access to health care in other countries, especially in rural areas,” Chan said.
Chan, the daughter of Stephen and Catherine Chan, intends to major in biology and become a doctor one day. During her time at Holly Springs High School in Holly Springs, Chan was involved in HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), a student organization for future health professionals. This summer, she will compete at the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. More than 7,500 students are expected to participate in the conference, which includes general sessions, competitive events and leadership experiences.
Chan will also attend UNC Chapel Hill’s Family Medicine Summer Academy, where she will shadow doctors in the Family Medicine Center, in addition to volunteering at WakeMed Hospital in Cary on weekends.
“I am humbled by this scholarship, which affords me the financial freedom to attend a great university debt-free and allows me to branch out with my time and to continue to save money for medical school,” Chan said. “Ultimately, I plan to remain in North Carolina so that I can be close to my family and serve the communities in our state that have already invested so much in me.”
“As an EC Scholar, I will have access to the many opportunities of a large university but receive the support and guidance from EC Scholars and Honors College faculty and staff.”
High school: Holly Springs High School
Intended major: Biology
Hometown: Holly Springs