CITA Foundation grants $50K to boost ECU dental student exam success
A gift to East Carolina University’s School of Dental Medicine will play an essential role in preparing students for success.
Each class of dental students must complete an exam for initial dental licensure, known as the CITA (Council of Interstate Testing Agencies) exam. A $50,000 grant from the CITA Foundation at The Dallas Foundation will enable the SoDM to improve clinical facilities, provide additional support to students, and accelerate learning opportunities as students prepare for exams.
East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine Dean Dr. Greg Chadwick, from left, the CITA Foundation’s Dr. Kevin Collins and Dr. Ed Connelly, associate dean for clinical affairs, display a donation check from the foundation. (Photo by Jon Jones)
“This generous gift from the CITA Foundation is an investment in the preparation of our students to become confident and well-prepared doctors of dental medicine for the people of North Carolina,” ECU School of Dental Medicine Dean Greg Chadwick said. “The gift will enable the SoDM to advance the student licensing exam experience and provide even more focus on preparing students for professional practice.”
Funds will be directed toward areas that increase successful outcomes for passing CITA and other board exams. Money is expected to be used to purchase equipment, provide tutoring in preparation for the exam, or to meet other student needs.
Since the school opened its doors to students in 2011, the ECU SoDM has partnered with CITA to provide the exam for initial dental licensure for its students.
“The CITA exams are pivotal experiences for our dental students that set the tone for future expectations and achievements,” Chadwick added.
Students also recognize that the CITA Foundation gift will help improve the testing experience.
“The CITA exams are a very stressful time during a student’s academic cycle, and CITA’s efforts to improve our experience shows just how much they care about those taking the exam,” said Harrison Conner, president of the SoDM class of 2023. “Their support shows us that we are not thought of as consumers, but future colleagues.”
The CITA Foundation, which funds charities and dental educational projects around the United States, has merged with The Dallas Foundation. Together, the organizations support causes they care about, improve lives and make progress.
CITA Foundation president Conrad McVea III said dental and dental hygiene schools have played an essential role in the examination process by allowing CITA to use their facilities to administer the exams for their students as well as outside candidates. McVea credits the long-standing relationship with ECU SoDM as the basis of the gift.
“We know that public dental schools are receiving less state funding and are struggling to maintain and improve facilities,” McVea said. “CITA is committed to helping fund that gap with grants to fund facility improvements, equipment purchases, scholarships and foundation donations which will help students and schools for years to come.”
ECU is in the public phase of the Pursue Gold campaign to raise half a billion dollars. This ambitious effort will create new paths to success for Pirates on campus, across the country and around the world. Donor gifts will keep ECU constantly leading and ready to advance what’s possible. Learn more at pursuegold.ecu.edu.