Student: RaSheeda Waddell

RaSheeda Waddell’s journey at East Carolina University began with music but it has evolved into a path of remarkable achievement in higher education as she works toward her Doctor of Education in educational leadership.

Waddell’s academic journey began at Hampton University, where she earned her degree in music. After graduation, she started to consider whether a master’s degree was the next step.

“I wasn’t sure if a master’s program was right for me, but one of my professors from Hampton University encouraged me to meet with Dr. Louise Toppin at East Carolina University. She told me Dr. Toppin would take care of me when I got here,” Waddell said.

RaSheeda Waddell received Pitt Community College’s 2025 Woman of Substance Award. (Contributed Photo)

Toppin, a former associate professor of voice at ECU, became a driving force during Waddell’s master’s program, helping her refine her ability to design and implement programs while cultivating her musicianship and growing her interest in arts and education administration.

“Dr. Toppin identified my abilities very early in my studies and strategically trained me to be a performance lecturer and researcher,” she said.

Waddell graduated in 2009 with a Master of Music in voice performance. Like many Pirates, she planted her roots and decided to remain in Greenville after graduation.

“One of my first big opportunities came when Pitt Community College needed an interim choir director. Dr. Toppin encouraged me to apply. I was hesitant, but she pushed me to go for it. I ended up getting the position, and 16 years later, I’m still there,” she said.

Waddell now serves as PCC’s learning and development coordinator for the Office of Distance and Professional Learning.

“It’s a multifaceted role. I help faculty and staff troubleshoot within the learning management system, ensuring their courses are clear and student centered. I also plan and teach professional development workshops across campus, helping cultivate continuous learning,” she said.

When the opportunity arose to apply for ECU’s Doctor of Education program, Waddell was both excited and intimidated. Ultimately, she took the leap.

“ECU won out because of the community I already had here and the flexibility of the program. Even though it’s distance education, being local allows me to access professors, campus resources and events. It’s truly a full-circle moment for me to be back here as a doctoral student,” Waddell said.

As part of her doctoral program, Waddell is required to complete a dissertation. Her proposal examines the effects of Session Law 2023-62, an amendment to the State Human Resources Act that prohibits compelled speech when individuals seek employment within state government or community colleges.

Her research follows practitioners from before the amendment was introduced, through its implementation and into its aftermath.

“I’m documenting these experiences chronologically to understand how practitioners navigated these changes in their professional and personal lives. My goal is to create a body of knowledge in real time,” she said. “I also weave in elements from my creative background because that is a part of who I am. This work is both deeply meaningful and slightly daunting, since there is nothing else like it.”

Creativity is not only central to Waddell’s background and dissertation but also a defining aspect of her leadership.

“I consider myself an authentic leader. I show up as my full self in every environment, and being creative has shaped my leadership,” Waddell said. “I’ve worked in academic advising, helping students not just with course plans but with long-term goals. My current role allows me to help teachers become better educators and, just as importantly, better people. That’s what drives me — empowering others through learning and creativity.”

Waddell’s passion for learning led her to study abroad this summer in Colombia as a recipient of the Thomas W. Rivers Foreign Exchange Scholarship, which she described as a transformative experience.

She and her peers traveled to Cartagena and Barranquilla, studying educational leadership and ethical approaches to political influences.

“The trip reshaped my perspective, helping me see myself not just as a North Carolinian but as part of a global community. It also expanded my worldview and filled me with gratitude,” she said.

Her dedication to the field also took her to Philadelphia, where she attended the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate conference. CPED is an international network of more than 160 schools and colleges of education, including ECU. The organization works to reimagine the education doctorate so that it is rigorous, practical and directly connected to real-world challenges. Its goal is to prepare graduates with the tools needed to drive meaningful improvements in education and beyond.

“Not only did I find my voice, but I also found a community of scholar practitioners who shared my passions,” Waddell said. “This experience led me to join the CPED Student Advisory Council, where I will help shape programming and support future doctoral students.”

Throughout her career, Waddell has made a lasting impact on the people around her. For her dedication and the way she consistently goes above and beyond, she was recently honored with Pitt Community College’s 2025 Woman of Substance Award. Established in 2001, the award recognizes outstanding women who serve as role models on campus.

“I’ve admired previous recipients for years because they represent excellence and service. When my name and picture appeared on the screen as the winner, I was shocked. I thought, is that really me?” she said. “It was an overwhelming and humbling moment. Being recognized among so many strong and dedicated women means so much. It is a reminder to my younger self that I can do hard things and make a difference.”

With a career shaped by unexpected opportunities and steady growth, Waddell hopes her journey inspires others who may be struggling to find balance or purpose in their academic experience.

“With regard to purpose, it is really important to remember your why. Why did you apply to this program? Why are you pursuing a doctoral degree? It is not just about career advancement. It is about the bigger goal,” Waddell said. “Doctoral work challenges everything you think you know about yourself. Remember your why, lean into it and keep it with you at all times.”

Above all, Waddell believes that rest is essential. She is often seen wearing a pin that reads, “The time to rest is now.”

“Early in my doctoral journey, I learned to stop saying yes to everything. Before starting the program, I used to fill my calendar completely, but I realized I needed to prioritize my studies. I began creating space to rest and focus,” she said. “Taking time to restore yourself leads to better work as a student and professional. I encourage my students to take intentional rest too. It is a priority, not a luxury.”

With purpose, balance and rest guiding her, Waddell will present her dissertation proposal by the end of 2025 and hopes to become Dr. Waddell by spring 2027.

“My career has been an opportunity to learn about the nuts and bolts of the education machine. It is more important now than ever to have invested, thoughtful and strategic leaders who think beyond the present. They must look toward the light of where we are going,” Waddell said. “All of my roles come together to form something meaningful. When my time comes to lead from the front, I want it to be clear that I used everything my journey has given me.”