Student employees and supervisors honored

Kelly Williford was named the Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year and Ray Harris received the Graduate Student Employee of the Year award during East Carolina University’s 2026 Student Employee of the Year celebration on April 21.

For the first time, the city of Greenville proclaimed April 20-24 as ECU Student Employment Week to recognize more than 3,000 students who work each year in hourly positions, federal work study, graduate and undergraduate assistantships at ECU.

Kelly Williford, left, is presented the Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year award by LaKesha Alston Forbes, ECU senior associate vice chancellor and chief people officer. (Photos by Rhett Butler)

The awards honor outstanding contributions and achievements of students employed at ECU while enrolled in classes. Student employees perform vital work on and off campus, contributing to the daily operations of academic departments, administrative offices and student support services.

Dr. Lathan Turner, staff emeritus at ECU, was the keynote speaker. The 2025 Student Employee of the Year winner, Jaden Corbett, shared remarks along with Dr. Debra Jackson, dean of the Graduate School.

Turner congratulated the students on balancing coursework, personal responsibilities and a job.

“That is no small task. It requires discipline, time management and a strong sense of commitment. Each of you has shown that you are not only capable students but also dependable paraprofessionals,” he said.

He encouraged them to smile often, greet and treat people in a positive manner because they may be the first friendly face, helping hand or problem solver that someone encounters at ECU.

“Remember the impact you may have on someone who may not be having a great day and what it means to have their spirits lifted,” he said.

Student employees build connections, strengthen the campus community and become leaders through their roles. “Your experience here shapes more than just your resume. You’re shaping your character,” Turner said.

“We celebrate today not just what you do but we celebrate who you are — motivated, hardworking individuals who go above and beyond,” he said. “Your contributions do not go unnoticed. You are deeply appreciated.”

Corbett, a first-year doctoral student in rehabilitation sciences, was 2025 Student Employee of the Year. He encouraged students to show up, especially when no one is watching, and to keep showing up.

“Confidence isn’t something you start with, it’s something you build,” he said. When he came to ECU, his mother told him to leave a legacy, which he now understands doesn’t have to be a grand idea or plan. “It’s built on something small,” he said.

Turner and Jackson were both student employees while earning college degrees on their respective campuses.

Ray Harris, left, who received the Graduate Student Employee of the Year award, holds a certificate of recognition from Dr. Debra Jackson, dean of the Graduate School, who spoke during the ceremony.

“Now on the other side, I appreciate student workers in a very different way not because it benefits my pocketbook but because the work that they do benefits the work that I do and what happens at the university all together,” Jackson said.

“East Carolina University would not be able to achieve its research, teaching and community engagement mission without student employees,” she said. “Your work supporting offices, labs and programs strengthens the very foundation of this university. You bring insight, adaptability and a sense of purpose that reflects why we exist in the first place — to learn, to grow and to contribute.”

Williford also received the Outstanding Leadership Award for her work in the College of Education, where she is majoring in elementary education and will graduate in May.

Williford’s nomination praised her attitude, professionalism and investment in strengthening the university community. It noted that she took the lead on organizing materials, coordinating schedules and proposing new ideas to improve workflow and student-facing initiatives.

“One of this student’s most meaningful impacts was their ability to gather, organize and develop materials that encouraged communication and alignment between multiple College of Education departments,” the nomination said.

Harris is earning a master’s degree in recreation sciences and sports management. His nomination said he is a mentor and role model for other student employees in Campus Recreation and Wellness, where he models excellence, encourages collaboration and fosters a strong sense of purpose.

“While being enrolled full time and working 30-40 hours a week, they (Harris) navigate daily operational issues … approaches each situation with clarity, professionalism and sound judgment. Their ability to anticipate needs and develop sustainable solutions has strengthened the program and ensured its continued success in the absence of a full-time professional staff member,” the nomination said.

Williford and Harris each received $250 and a plaque.

Jaden Corbett, a first-year doctoral student in rehabilitation sciences, speaks to nominees, coworkers, friends and family of nominees for the undergraduate and graduate student employees and the supervisor of the year. Corbett was the 2025 student winner.

In addition, other undergraduate nominees for student employee of the year were Chase Barnette, Clover Barrino, Savannah Brooks-Farrar, Keaton Caldwell, Ashley Davis, Jordyn Evans, Jahkeem Frank, Noah Holland, Holly Kellogg, Rosalinda Kennerly, Kylie Kresho, Lillian Lewis, Alondra Martinez, Whitley McCoy, Logan Miller, Bryn O’Grince, Kendall Pixley, Jonathan Rivera, Josie Smith, Paige Smith, Grace Stroube, Matthew Tucker, Makilah Williams and Raghav Yelamanchili.

Other graduate student nominees were Harley Drange, Mary Green, Christian Gunter, Chelsea Jolly, Tatiana Jones, Darius Lawton, BJ Miles and Cassidy Morrison.

Category winners were:

• Darius Lawton, Outstanding Community Service Award
• Whitley McCoy, Outstanding Critical Thinking Award
• Bryn O’Grince, Outstanding Innovation and Technology Award
• Ja’Kayla Hubbard, Difference Maker Award

Dr. Amber McEachern in the Department of Kinesiology received the Student Employee Supervisor of the Year award.

“Her commitment is evident not only in her day-to-day mentorship but also in the extraordinary effort she invests to ensure her team has the resources, guidance and stability they need to thrive,” McEachern’s nomination said.

Other nominees for supervisor of the year were Alston Cobourn, Randall Etheridge, T.D. Gribble, Karen Hawley, Stacia Hazboun, Zi-Wei Lin, Michelle Malkin, Kristen Martin, Jennifer McDougal, Karen Mruk, Xiaoping Pan, Audrey Claire Sutherland, Olzhas Taniyev, Lauren Turbeville, Roxanne Wilder, Emily Yeager and Joani Zary.

ECU’s Department for People Operations, Success and Opportunity, Federal Work Study Office and the Graduate School collaborated on the event, part of a series in April celebrating student employees.

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