Student: Caroline Rochelle
East Carolina University graduate student Caroline Rochelle has proved the people who doubted her wrong and has shown herself she can do anything she sets her mind to.
Rochelle entered her undergraduate career as a student in the Supporting Transition and Education Through Planning and Partnerships (STEPP) program. The STEPP program aims to support students with academic disabilities through their college careers.
“I have always struggled with learning disabilities,” Rochelle said. Diagnosed as young as four years old with dyslexia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and auditory processing disorder, she is no stranger to adversity.
“I had peers and teachers tell me that I probably would not amount to a lot,” Rochelle said. “I always say I am here because of the people who believed in me, not the people who didn’t.”
Rochelle wants to take what she has learned from her experiences in education and become a positive influence for students as a college lecturer.
Rochelle remained hesitant about college and the STEPP program when she first visited during her junior year of high school. “There is a stigma I had worked so hard to move away from,” she said. “I didn’t want to be known as the kid who wasn’t smart enough.”
She decided to apply, and, “what is meant to be is meant to be.” She got an interview, and on the first day of her senior year of high school, she received her acceptance.
“I looked at both of my parents and said, ‘You know what, this is what is meant to be, this is what I am supposed to do,’” said Rochelle. “I decided to come to East Carolina University because of the STEPP program.”
She has proved time and time again that she will not let other people’s expectations stop her. While studying communication with a concentration in interpersonal and organizational communication, Rochelle successfully applied to the Accelerated Master of Art in Communication program at ECU. She will graduate Dec. 16 with her master’s degree in strategic communication.
“STEPP has given me so many tools and resources to help myself, because being successful in high school is so different from being successful in college,” Rochelle said. “They became my family; we have done everything together, and their emotional support on top of the academic support means the world to me.”
She is appreciative of the no-judgment zone the program provided. “I had never had a place in an academic setting that I felt truly accepted. I was always having to work harder than the average student.”
Interpersonal and organizational communication is where Rochelle landed when she realized her passion did not lie with her original major. “I went through ECU’s entire academic catalog looking at all of the different majors,” she said. “I eventually decided on communication with the interpersonal and organizational concentration.”
Her first course was communication theory with senior teaching instructor Brittany Thompson. “That class really showed me that the way I had thought all these years about communicating, the research behind it, and why people do it was right,” Rochelle said. “It was the moment I realized there is a career path for that.”
“Professors in the School of Communication like Thompson, Erika Johnson and Mary Tucker-McLaughlin who really supported me and told me they have no doubts in my abilities, got me to where I am,” she said. “If it were not for them, I would have never pursued a degree in higher education, but they showed me I am capable, and it is something I can accomplish.”
While the STEPP program became her academic family, Rochelle found her home away from home in the Gamma Sigma chapter of Kappa Delta, where she served as the vice president of finance. “My family is heavily involved in Greek life, so I wanted to find my extracurricular family as well,” she said.
“I found an amazing group of sisters who pushed me to do things I never thought I could do, such as holding leadership positions,” Rochelle said. She now sits on the housing corporation board as an advisor for Kappa Delta.
ECU has helped prepare her with real world skills.
“My courses had real world applications, such as writing a cover letter or creating my resume,” she said. “Professors were always there if I needed anything; that is a big part of why I feel prepared. Someone was always there to answer my questions.”
With her master’s degree, Rochelle is considering teaching at the college level. “I have been a teacher’s assistant, and I have seen the great effect a teacher or professor can have on a student … I would love to be a positive influence for my students,” Rochelle said.
STATISTICS
Name: Caroline Rochelle
College: College of Fine Arts and Communication
Major: Communication, BS; concentration in interpersonal and organizational communication; Strategic Communication, MA
Age: 24
Classification/Year: Graduate student
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
Hobbies/interests: Working out, hanging out with friends and family, going to the beach, skiing, cheering on the Pirates at athletic events
Clubs and Organizations: Undergrad- Kappa Delta Sorority (vice president of finance), Phi Kappa Phi, and STEPP program; Graduate- Vice president of Kappa Delta Housing Corporation Board, teaching assistant for the School of Communication
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: Joyner East
Favorite place on campus: STEPP Cove and the Cupola
Favorite place to eat: Luna Pizza Café
Favorite class: Communication theory with Brittany Thompson
Professor who influenced you the most: Brittany Thompson
Favorite TV show: “Gilmore Girls”
Favorite bands/musicians: Jimmy Buffet
Favorite movie: “The Proposal”
Favorite app: Instagram
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: College lecturer
Role models: My mom and dad are my role models because they have been with me through every challenge and success. Throughout my whole life they have both exemplified perseverance, courage and humility, and I hope to mirror these characteristics throughout my life.
Your words to live by: “Take life one step at a time and what is meant to be will be.”
What is something cool about ECU that you wish you knew during your first year? The professors here really care about the students so make sure to form relationships with them as your professors can really help you in your future endeavors.