Sophomore EC Scholars collaborate with EOSA faculty

This fall, the sophomore cohort of EC Scholars collaborated with faculty across campus as part of the Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy (EOSA).

“The EOSA experience was an amazing opportunity, where I was provided the chance to work with the local community in a transformative way,” said Noah Sampson, a biology and chemistry double major. “Being someone who is interested in professional research, having the opportunity to work collaboratively with community partners is no doubt an invaluable experience that will help me to be, not just a better researcher, but a better steward of my own community.

Faculty members from the College of Allied Health Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, College of Engineering and Technology, College of Nursing, and College of Arts and Sciences participated in this year’s EOSA.

“For me, our EOSA class widened my understanding of research and made me realize that research is something that any field of study can participate in,” said Sarah Maisto, a finance major. “I now know that it can be more than just conducting a study. For my team’s project, it was extremely rewarding to know that I made an impact in high schoolers’ lives and hopefully empowered them to become better leaders.”

As part of EOSA, the sophomores learned about community-engaged research and participated in project design, data collection and analysis, publication, and other aspects of scholarly research and creative activity.

“I loved working with my EOSA faculty mentor and learned so much from her,” said Tierney Reardon, a political science and philosophy double major. “Our research centered around mental health courts in North Carolina which was a perfect fit for my interests. I was able to gain unique insights about the justice system and see a different side to the law. It was wonderful to see the support offered to participants and the positive environment the court team worked to provide in a system that can otherwise be very intimidating.”

This year’s projects were:

Young Women’s Leadership Program

Faculty: Linda Quick, Shirley Mai, Christine Kowalczyk
GA: Allison Levesque
EC Scholars: Maelee Becton, Lauren Humann, Sarah Maisto, Tete Narh-Mensah

School Leadership Practices Supporting Teacher Retention

Faculty: Travis Lewis
GA: Tiffany Campbell
EC Scholars: Emily Bronson, Gabriella Galvan, Noah Watkins

Pitt County Behavioral Health Court Referral and Screening Process

Faculty: Mitzi Pestaner
GA: Brendan Lake, RN, BSN
EC Scholars: Ehime Abhulimen, Jethro Libutan, Tierney Reardon

Building Hurricane Resistant Construction with Kids

Faculty: Carol Massarra
GA: Landon Lester
EC Scholars: Christine Chan, Brooke Butler

Implicit Bias, Medical Neglect, and Black Maternal Mortality

Faculty: Myshalae Jamerson-Euring
GA: Joquita Cooper
EC Scholars: MaHogany Roper, Fosua Dadson

Unmet Psychosocial Needs in the Pediatric Day Unit

Faculty: Aimee Smith
GA: Julie Doran
EC Scholars: Lauren Garcia, Matthew Geib, Kyia Riddick, Noah Sampson