Carmen Walker

Carmen Walker said she felt at home as soon as she stepped on East Carolina University’s campus.

Walker is one of 20 high school seniors named an EC Scholar, the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive an Honors College scholarship for four years, along with a stipend for study abroad, for a total value of $62,000.

“There’s no other school where I’ll get the same level of support and connections to my teachers and advisers,” Walker said. “I love how I can get the big university experience while also getting specialized attention through the EC Scholars program.”

Walker plans to study psychology with a minor in biology to prepare for a graduate degree in occupational therapy with a goal of working with children.

At Enloe High School, the 18-year-old has served on student council, including as vice president of her sophomore class as well as executive council secretary and vice president of governing procedures. As a council member, she planned and implemented three charity balls, homecoming and teacher appreciation weeks. She has served as editor and co-editor-in-chief of the yearbook and has been a member of Enloe’s cross country and track and field teams for four years, lettering each year. She also is a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club.

Outside of school, she has participated in mission trips every summer since eighth grade, helping build houses in Philadelphia and New Orleans and volunteering at a summer camp for underprivileged children in Miami.

At ECU, she wants to continue serving in student government, become involved in Greek life and work on philanthropy projects in Greenville.

“Being an EC Scholar means that I will have the opportunity to enrich my learning through service and collaborative projects,” Walker said. “It will give me the network and connections to turn my dreams into realities and make a difference. Being an EC Scholar gives me a platform to stand up for what I believe in.”

She also looks forward to studying abroad in London. “In London, I’ll have the opportunity to shadow different therapists in public schools and study the effect of universal health care on child services,” Walker said.

This summer, Walker will work as a camp counselor at the Kerr Family YMCA and looks forward to spending time with friends and going to the beach.

Walker is the daughter of Melinda and Louis Walker of Raleigh.