Kailee Grubbs
For Winterville’s Kailee Grubbs, East Carolina University offers the chance to pursue myriad interests and learn to maximize her impact.
“I have lived in the Greenville area all my life so ECU has been right around the corner,” she said. “After going to Selection Sunday, it just felt like the right place for me.”
An accomplished scholar at South Central High School, the 18-year-old has gotten a head start on her college coursework through Pitt Community College’s Career and College Promise program and AP courses. She’ll graduate at the top of her class and has brought home numerous awards and recognitions.
Outside the classroom, she’s been on the marketing team for Pitt Pirates Robotics and an ambassador for the Ronald McDonald House.
“I’ve really enjoyed helping those families who have kids in the hospital,” she said. “And doing outreach for robotics, spreading STEM to the kids at the Boys and Girls Club, that’s really fun and immediately rewarding.”
At ECU, she’s considering a mathematics focus but is keeping her options open for now.
“Mathematics is one of my favorite subjects,” she said. “I love how logical it is and how everything builds … and makes sense. But I want to explore interdisciplinary subjects,” especially STEM-related fields.
She also plans to continue her participation in the arts — theater, dance and choir in particular — and activities involving technology and robotics.
As an EC Scholar, Grubbs will be part of 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 and a stipend for study abroad for a total value of nearly $64,000.
“After seeing what the Honors College offers, it’s a great learning environment and has the support I need,” she said. “It’s a great community. It’s a big school, but with EC Scholars and the Honors College it has that smaller feel within the larger college.”
And of course, the chance to study abroad is a big draw.
Grubbs plans to spend the summer working — she helps other students as a math tutor at PCC’s Tutorial and Academic Success Center — and performing in one last musical.
The daughter of Jeff and Sissy Grubbs, Kailee has a twin sister who will be attending a different North Carolina university. Heading to college without her will be hard, Grubbs said, but they each had to choose the school that was the best fit.
“I would like to be in a position where I can help people and make an impact,” Grubbs said.
“I would like to be in a position where I can help people and make an impact.”
High School: South Central High School
Intended major: Mathematics/Undecided
Hometown: Winterville