Donor support takes ECU business students from Greenville to Wall Street
The opening bell rang, and cheers erupted. East Carolina University College of Business (COB) students experienced the New York Stock Exchange in person, on the trading floor; for many of them, this four-day trip to New York City checked off a bucket list opportunity.
“Honestly, it was an awesome experience,” said Dominic Smith, a sophomore finance major, as he exited the New York Stock Exchange.
For Smith, this visit was perspective-changing. He felt the pace and feel of New York had altered the way he looked at the city and potentially his future. He was one of 48 COB students taking part in the fourth annual donor-funded trip to the financial capital of the world.
“These are experiences that expand the classroom,” explained Dr. Mike Harris ’92 ’93, dean of the College of Business. He added that the trip also shows students that an ECU degree can take them as far as they want to go, even to the Big Apple. Harris underscored how very thankful the COB is to donors who make these experiences possible for ECU students.
In late October, the COB students traded their familiar Bate Building classrooms and ECU campus surroundings for the hustle and bustle of Times Square, the subway and Manhattan boardrooms. This experiential learning trip was funded by alumni and friends of the college. As part of the visit, students met with industry leaders and ECU alumni at the New York Stock Exchange, IBM, Ogilvy, Spectrum, Truist Securities, Celonis and the New York Athletic Club. These connections gave the students a firsthand look at careers, ranging from finance to technology to marketing, credit and hospitality.
“Fantastic trip. The Pirates shined in New York City,” said Harris. Reflecting on their representation of ECU, he added, “They did a great job. Business leaders in action.”
Donor Generosity Opens Doors
(Photos by George Crocker)
The trip was made possible thanks to ECU alumnus Sanford Bailey ’64. At a follow-up luncheon the day after students returned to Greenville, Bailey expressed how important it was for students to see the world beyond Greenville. “It’s a very broadening experience,” he said of the visit. “And New York is an international city, [and] financial capital of the world.”
Bailey noted that a trip like this affords students the opportunity to see themselves and their future. With everything there is to see and do, he said, “you come away saying, ‘I can do this.’”
Bailey said that traveling together also gives students the opportunity to bond with one another, form longer-lasting friendships and partnerships, and perhaps even do business with one another in the future.
During the luncheon, students had the opportunity to share what they had learned and thank him in person.
Inside New York’s Business and Financial Centers
From the time students arrived at Hotel Edison in Times Square, their itinerary was packed, giving them a multi-layered look at business in New York. Not content with simple meet and greets, students engaged in lively boardroom discussions, panel discussions and hands-on activities with company personnel.
ECU COB students pose with the “Fearless Girl” statue across from the New York Stock Exchange.
One panel discussion took place at the Madison Avenue offices of IBM. ECU alumna Emma Gebel ’24 ’25 welcomed students alongside IBM leaders like Rafa Cosentino, who mapped out IBM’s vision for the next 10 years.
Students then broke into smaller groups and networked with other “IBM-ers,” as they’re known around the office, and toured the facility to see how the company is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday technology. Students also took part in a panel discussion and hands-on competition where they demonstrated their prowess at problem-solving with the use of AI.
“We’re very happy to host ECU here on Madison Avenue,” said Cosentino, praising the students’ curiosity and questions, especially about AI and other tools. “This is the exact kind of thing that we want to see in the incoming talent in terms of future leadership that comes in and gets into our organization.”
The stops at Ogilvy, Spectrum, Truist Securities and Celonis focused on fields that range from creative and brand work to credit, investment banking and process mining software. Students learned how hospitality, events and relationship-building factor into business and networking in a city like New York.
Corporate hosts and alumni also took the time to connect their own stories back to ECU, illustrating how skills developed on campus can translate to careers in New York City and beyond. One of those alums, Ryann Carter ’21 of Opus Beauty, said the goal of the trip was to “show that anything’s possible.”
Student Success Through Teamwork
As director of outreach, Paige Hill carefully orchestrates the New York City trips, partnering with alumni to design each visit around student interests and career aspirations. She believes strongly in the power of exposure.
Sanford Bailey ’64 is the sponsor of this annual NYC trip. After the trip, he joins the students for lunch to learn about their experience.
“It is essential that students envision themselves in successful careers,” said Hill.
With high expectations for both alumni and students, she ensures that participants arrive prepared, polished and ready to engage as emerging professionals. This commitment not only elevates the student experience but also inspires alumni, who are eager to open doors and create opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
Several students commented on what it might mean to live and work in New York. One said, “I definitely think I could thrive here.” Being there in person helped New York City feel less abstract. Also, connecting with alumni already there helped the students imagine they could build a life and career in NYC.
Maryanna (Mar) Cooper , a senior majoring in hospitality management, felt like the trip had solidified what’s possible with an ECU business degree and what doors it can open. “I’m going to go on the record [and] say this is the best trip I’ve ever been on.” Cooper said.
Angie Alcantar, a senior studying accounting and finance, cited IBM as a highlight for her. She enjoyed learning about the future of tech and AI, noting she looked forward to seeing how it will contribute to her career. “I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity. And I am super, super, super grateful to be here,” Alcantar said.
The sentiment of gratitude was shared by the other students. Many of them said they wouldn’t have had this type of opportunity on their own. Still others commented that this inspired them to one day give back so future students might have similar experiences.
Pirates Supporting Pirates
Students experienced the New York Stock Exchange from the trading floor.
Throughout the visit, alumni shared their stories of how their lives in NYC unfolded; leaving ECU, making early career moves, and then navigating their way into roles across finance, marketing, technology and other fields in New York.
“I saw so much of myself in all of them, how hard working they are,” said Ted Sielatycki ’23 ’24, creative director at Broke Records. “So much so that I had to reflect on all of my own reasons for being in New York City, working the job that I do, which is in entertainment.”
Harris considers alumni involvement to be a hallmark of the COB. It’s also a key element of experiences like the New York trip. Harris said it demonstrates what happens when alumni invest their time, expertise and resources in students who are ready to learn and lead.
Once the group made their way back to Greenville, New York City wasn’t just a place they’d seen on television, in the movies or on social media. It was a place where ECU students had taken meetings with corporate executives, interacted with alumni who had made careers in the big city, and started picturing their own futures beyond graduation.That transformation is what makes the experience so powerful for Harris, Bailey and the alumni who helped host the trip.