EXEMPLARY EMPLOYEES
Treasured Pirates recognized for outstanding contributions to ECU
Twenty-seven East Carolina University faculty and staff have received the 2022 Treasured Pirate Awards for their outstanding contributions to ECU.
Provost Robin Coger shared her appreciation for the faculty and staff members in the Division of Academic Affairs.
“ECU is proud to have numerous outstanding faculty and staff members that make up the university’s greatest resource — its people,” Rob Weatherly, director of learning and organizational development for ECU Human Resources, said at a recognition ceremony Wednesday in Harvey Hall.
ECU Chief of Staff Chris Locklear congratulated the winners on behalf of Chancellor Philip Rogers.
“Since the chancellor’s return, he has emphasized the importance of being a mission-aligned, future-focused, innovative and adaptive campus, with our people at the center of our work, operating as one ECU to fulfill our commitments to our students and to our region,” Locklear said. “Today, the honorees represent this standard of excellence and are among the reasons why it is yet another great day to be a Pirate.”
Employees are nominated by their peers for accomplishments that exceed expectations or go beyond the employee’s normal scope of duties. Awards may represent achievement in several categories: customer service, efficiency and innovations, human relations, outstanding state government service, public service, safety and heroism, or demonstration of the spirit of North Carolina.
Nominations are reviewed at the division or departmental level and presented to the Treasured Pirate University Committee, made up of representatives from each division. Winners received a certificate and trophy at the ceremony and will receive a $250 monetary award.
2022 Treasured Pirates
Academic Affairs
Katie Butler, assistant director of the advising center in the College of Business, mentors more than 450 students each year, assisting and supporting at-risk students. She also is involved in multiple community organizations aimed at eliminating food insecurity and keeping Greenville clean.
Tanya Cannon is a senior teaching instructor and undergraduate reading/literacy education program coordinator in the College of Education. She also facilitates student recruitment and retention efforts. This year, she went beyond her assigned duties to teach overload courses and licensure exam preparation courses.
Theresa Cartwright, senior admissions administrative support specialist at the Graduate School, consistently helps anyone in need. Her work on the implementation of the new TargetX application system has been essential to the Graduate School’s success, while still maintaining the previous system.
Marianne Cox is an administrative support specialist and coordinator of the Student Academic Appellate Committee in the Office of the Registrar. She has been working on a project for students who are suspended to inform them of their options and guide them to make the best academic choices.
Joshua Pitzer, director of lab operations in the College of Engineering and Technology, supports teaching, research and outreach, and multiple cross-college initiatives. He was the lead technical developer for the Isley Innovation Hub, prepared labs and offices in the new Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building, and created the first 3D virtual lab tour.
Kelli Russell, a teaching assistant professor in the College of Health and Human Performance, has led the COVID-19 Contact Tracing Initiative. She has exhibited the characteristics of a servant-leader as she ensured that the initiative provided for the safety of ECU’s students, faculty and staff.
Allison Winters is assistant director of the Cunanan Center for Professional Success in the College of Business. Winters stepped up to advise an additional 500 students following a critical departure in the center. Peers described how incredible it was for her to help her team, and more importantly, the students.
Academic Affairs: Health Sciences
Allison Cox is the medical laboratory supervisor in the East Carolina Heart Institute cardiology laboratory, where she manages phlebotomy, patient testing, inspections, ordering, research and budgeting while serving as a resource to staff and providers. Cox has often worked on her regular days off to cover shortages and prevent disruptions to patient services.
Karen Eastwood, an administrative support associate in the Department of Physical Therapy, is known for doing the job of three people by managing many scheduling, admissions and grant tasks in the department. She has made an impact by supporting everyone around her.
Courtney Horns, business officer for Laupus Library, is a problem solver with an incredible work ethic, always thinking of the library and its employees. At the beginning of the pandemic, she set up quarterly Coffee Talk sessions via Teams to encourage engagement among those working off campus.
Melinda Howard, a pharmacist with the Brody School of Medicine, has managed increased responsibilities in providing vaccines to staff members and the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She has continued to lead the pharmacy while working across the university to make vaccines accessible to employees and their families.
Kym Jefferson, a technical support analyst in the College of Allied Health Sciences, manages dozens of daily recordings in addition to assisting early adopters of Panopto, communicating with faculty about the transition from Mediasite, and arranging educational workshops. She also coordinated a classroom hardware replacement schedule with Information Technology and Computing Services to avoid teaching disruptions.
Heidi Parker is the executive assistant in the College of Nursing, where she always goes above and beyond her work requirements to accommodate others and the needs of the college. She is truly the face of the college as she represents the dean’s office while conveying a positive image for the college.
Erika Taylor, a clinical instructor in the Brody School of Medicine, was nominated for her dedication to improving the lives of others. She demonstrates efficiency and innovation as she has aided in the development of programs associated with the North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program, while volunteering and serving her community through various organizations including the Junior League.
Richele Thompson is a senior research scientist in Brody’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. When the department’s minus-80-degree freezers were getting overloaded, she developed a plan to keep them working — particularly during vacations or expected storms. She also helped clean, paint and create a biochemistry graduate student office space.
Andie Williams, a patient care coordinator for the School of Dental Medicine, assists faculty and staff by taking and making patient calls, handling student appointment requests, checking in and registering patients, and maintaining accurate electronic health records. Her knowledge of how each clinic in the school functions and in faculty scheduling is invaluable.
Melissa Yow is a student success advocate in the College of Nursing. She helps students feel connected regardless of presence on campus and to succeed to the best of their ability. Because of Yow’s hard work in recruiting and retaining students, her program has doubled online enrollment.
Academic Affairs: Research, Economic Development and Engagement
Ashley Cox served as a university program specialist in the Office of Continuing and Professional Education. During a period of transition and restructuring, she continued to serve the College of Education and the Department of Literacy Studies, English Education and History Education. She supported online module offerings for educators to engage in professional learning and obtain licensure and renewal.
Administration and Finance
Catherine Laney, business officer, took on additional tasks in the police department while a team member was on medical leave. Laney guided supervisors on how to process timecards despite a full plate of duties already assigned. She provided exceptional service to the police department under emergency circumstances without complaint.
Terry Little is the recycling coordinator and solid waste removal supervisor and oversees the moving services department. He constantly seeks ways to innovate recycling and sustainability efforts at ECU, having collected over 600,000 pounds of recyclable materials on campus last year and implementing a pilot program to take food waste from the dining halls for composting to avoid shipping to landfills.
Tiffanie Simerson is a human resources consultant on the human resources employment team. During the pandemic, Tiffanie served double duty as both an employee relations consultant and employment counselor, co-leading the COVID-19 surveillance program, overseeing HR reporting to the Board of Trustees and serving as the system administrator for the PeopleAdmin system.
Tammy Strickland, a support services associate in the Cashier’s Office, is the consummate team player, constantly looking for ways to help coworkers and customers. Her efforts over the past year have included training new team members while remaining supportive of these new Pirates as they carry on their day-to-day responsibilities.
Athletics
Lannie Hales is an assistant athletic trainer for the softball and men’s golf teams. Over the past year, she stepped in to support as many as four teams during a period of transition. She did so without complaint and made sure that all student-athletes received outstanding support and care as they prepared to compete on behalf of ECU.
Chancellor’s Division
Rachel Baker, university program specialist, has supported the Faculty Senate, its officers, committee chairs and members. Under her leadership in researching and testing technology options, she created a model for productive online meetings. Her spirit of collaboration to shift into a pandemic-mode of efficiency and innovation continues to be appreciated.
Student Affairs
Wood Davidson, director of transit, and his team transformed a bus that normally carries ECU sports teams into a mobile medical clinic for the Department of Public Health’s school telehealth outreach program during the pandemic. At least a dozen day trips were made to rural communities in three counties to provide physical examinations and care for children.
Madeline O’Connor is an administrative associate within Campus Living, specifically for the residence life area. Amid significant changes due to departures, retirements and struggles to fill open positions, O’Connor stepped in to cover the work of three and sometimes four people, all while displaying her cheerful and supportive approach.
University Advancement
Maha Banning, executive assistant, has been advancement’s point person in its annual community involvement efforts such as Purple Pantry and holiday support for social services. She has served many years as ESPN timeout coordinator for ECU men’s and women’s basketball broadcasts, and continues to be an avid volunteer in the Pitt County Schools.
Winners received a trophy and certificate at the recognition ceremony.