Teresa Hupp

Nursing is already familiar to Teresa Hupp. Her mother and grandmother were both nurses, so she learned about medical terminology and the medical field at a young age.

The 17-year-old from Wake Forest hopes to continue her family’s nursing legacy.

Hupp is one of 20 freshmen entering ECU this fall as an EC Scholar, 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, along with a stipend for study abroad, for a total value of nearly $63,000. Hupp also has been accepted in the ECU College of Nursing early assurance program.

“East Carolina offers an opportunity to achieve a first-class education at an affordable price,” Hupp said. “Other institutions did not give me the opportunity to take this financial burden from my parents’ shoulders. Being a part of the Honors College and EC Scholars program shows that ECU prioritizes their high-achieving students, an experience that other institutions did not offer me.”

Hupp said she chose ECU because of this tremendous opportunity and its prestigious nursing program.

“To me, being an EC Scholar means opportunities to work with other high-achieving students and faculty members that I would not have immediate access to at other institutions,” Hupp said. “I am so grateful to experience the EC Scholars program because it means that all my hard work in high school has paid off.”

As she pursues her education at ECU, Hupp said she’s passionate about leaving an impact on her community and peers through service.

“I plan on getting involved in a Catholic campus ministry and joining a Greek sorority and supporting their philanthropic efforts,” she said. “I also look forward to continuing my love for soccer through club or intramural soccer.”

Hupp wants to study abroad in Spain to continue learning Spanish after she took courses in high school and served as president of her school’s Spanish honor society chapter. “This also will give me the opportunity to obtain credits toward my minor in Hispanic studies and explore a part of Europe I have never seen.”

After graduation, she plans to work as a nurse in a hospital and then return to ECU to specialize in anesthesiology through a master’s degree or Doctor in Nursing Practice program. Later, she’d like to use her experiences to become a nursing professor.

She is the daughter of Danny and Deborah Hupp.

Her summer plans include working as a day camp youth activities counselor at North Ridge Country Club in Raleigh and spending time with her family.

“To me, being an EC Scholar means opportunities to work with other high-achieving students and faculty members that I would not have immediate access to at other institutions.”


High school: Heritage High School

Intended major: Nursing

Hometown: Wake Forest