Honors College Alignment Plan Overview

A remarkable group of 800 inventive, curious, and creative students resides in the Honors College at East Carolina University. Their uniquely tailored Honors College experience builds upon the foundational elements making up our CORE: Community, Opportunity, Responsibility, Exploration. Bolstered by award-winning faculty and innovative programs, each member is awarded a scholarship and takes part in a diverse range of high-impact experiences that extend far beyond the classroom and include study abroad journeys, faculty mentoring, research opportunities, and substantial leadership development programs. Housed in the Honors College, the Brinkley-Lane Scholars is the most prestigious undergraduate merit-based award program offered at ECU. The four-year fully funded educational experience, valued at $79,000, recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement, and strong leadership skills. These students pursue excellence in every endeavor, collaborate to cultivate an inclusive and inspiring community, serve the public, and seek to grow as engaged and purposeful citizens. Honors College students are future leaders, innovators, and pioneers in their respective fields.

Mission

The Honors College empowers a diverse cohort of curious, civically engaged students to forge individual paths by fostering sustainable relationships and a sense of belonging through foundational experiences.

Vision

The Honors College is not just a scholarship—it serves as a beacon of intellectual curiosity and academic exploration, nurturing the minds of future generations who are poised to make a difference in the world. It is also a home away from home! In each class of 200 students will find their best friendships, biggest motivators, and an unmatched support system. We pride ourselves on a community built upon our foundational elements: Community, Opportunity, Responsibility, Exploration. Our CORE.

Summary of Unit Strategies

Mission Priority 1: Student Success: We offer transformative experiences for all students during their time at ECU and beyond.

M1.1: Using baseline data, the Honors College will improve overall graduation and retention rates (total cohorted and disaggregated data). Reduce any existing equity gaps among HC students (i.e., male, female, first-gen, tier-one counties, etc.) and establish partnerships with current campus initiatives focused on retention, graduation, and equity gaps (i.e., Let’s Connect, Conectémonos, Pirates in Your Town, Diversity Events by Admissions).

M1.2: Increase global education opportunities for students (to include Alternative Break Experience, study abroad, global classroom, international students and faculty participation in the Honors College). Add experiential learning opportunities for credit for our students (for example, study abroad, internships, research, service-learning courses). Develop university and community collaborations that benefit from opportunities with the Innovation Design Lab.

Mission Priority 2: Public Service: We focus our efforts with the community in mind and to achieve goals that enable us to be more engaged citizens.

M2.1: Sustain and enhance existing partnerships with Third Street Academy, ECU Community School, and other community organizations.

Mission Priority 3: Regional Transformation: We evaluate our success by the development of our region informed by local and global perspectives.

M3.1: Track graduates who remain in the state/region to work or continue their education for the first year following graduation.

M3.2: Utilize Honors College student leadership organizations (HC Student Council and BLS RoundTable) to increase community service impact. Increase participation of international scholars and students in Honors College.

Vision Priority 1: Social and Economic Mobility: We will be an engine of access and advancement for all learners through innovative teaching, research, and creative activities.

V1.1: Raise scholarship funds to increase the number of students in the Honors College and the amount of each scholarship in the Honors College. Increase percentage of admits/graduates from underrepresented populations and underserved counties.

Vision Priority 2: Workforce Success: We cultivate a culture of care, belonging, and opportunity for our faculty, staff, learners, and all stakeholders.

V2.2: Develop admissions efforts to ensure diversity and belonging among students who apply and are admitted. Develop Honors College curriculum priorities to ensure inclusive learning opportunities. Collaborate with university partners to ensure broad perspectives are represented on campus through presentations, lectures, films, Makers, art residency programs, etc.

Vision Priority 3: Rural Health and Well-Being: We will improve health access, sustainability, and outcomes for rural communities.

V3.1: Continue to encourage participation in and support of educational opportunities that meet the needs of a rural population, such as RISE29 and SECU internships, HNRS 3100 (EOSA collaboration with REDE).

Brief Targeted Narrative

In East Carolina University’s Future Focused, Innovation Driven strategic plan, the Honors College emerges as a foundational component, weaving transformative experiences into the fabric of student success, public service, and regional transformation. In this process, the Honors College positions itself as a valued partner as our strategic initiatives align with and advance the Mission and Vision Priorities of ECU.

Working alongside our university colleagues, the Honors College creates innovative and ambitious growth opportunities through education, research, community engagement, and high-impact experiences that help our students achieve their goals, enhance their communities, and build lifelong relationships.

The Honors College is not only integral to student success but actively engages in initiatives to strengthen graduation and retention rates while closing equity gaps. Through the identification of baseline data for Honors College students, the institution is poised to enhance opportunities for all. Moreover, the Honors College is committed to addressing equity gaps by partnering with existing campus initiatives such as Let’s Connect, Conectémonos, Pirates in Your Town, and Diversity Events hosted and organized by the Office of Admissions.

Expanding on transformative experiences, the Honors College broadens access to global education opportunities, experiential learning, and collaborative ventures. These strategies align seamlessly with the unit’s mission to provide students with a holistic education that extends beyond the traditional classroom setting.

The Honors College, aligning with ECU’s commitment to public service, actively contributes to public engagement, well-being, and community-focused goals. Through increased experiential learning opportunities and community partnerships facilitated by the Innovation Design Lab, the Honors College nurtures engaged citizens. Sustaining and enhancing existing community partnerships further solidifies the Honors College’s role as a catalyst for positive change in the community. Moreover, these strategic partnerships also provide opportunities for our student leaders to impact their community through service projects and collaborative efforts with the ECU Dental School, Brody School of Medicine, ECU’s Farm2Clinic program, and the Office of Global Affairs.

The Honors College also contributes to ECU initiatives focused on social and economic mobility. We hope to actively address affordability and accessibility by raising scholarship funds, increasing the size of our student populations, and increasing the percentage of admits and graduates from underrepresented populations and underserved counties. As we strive to cultivate a culture of care, belonging, and opportunity, we align with ECU’s commitment to workforce success. Our strategies focus on inclusive admissions efforts, diverse curriculum priorities, and collaborations with university partners to ensure broad representation of persons and perspectives.

Ultimately, the Honors College stands as a beacon within ECU’s strategic plan, embodying the principles of Future Focused, Innovation Driven excellence. Through our multifaceted initiatives, the Honors College transforms the academic experience for its students and actively contributes to shaping a brighter and more inclusive future for ECU and the communities it serves. The Honors College seeks to serve as a driving force in promoting equitable access and advancement for all learners.

Contact Dr. Katie Ford with questions or opportunities to collaborate.