September 24, 2025
McCoy builds legacy of leadership in ECU Honors, College of Business
Princeton, North Carolina native, Whitley McCoy, thrives in her leadership roles within both the College of Business and Honors College at East Carolina University. Throughout her childhood, McCoy often admired her father, a self-made businessman for twenty-five years, and envisioned herself following in similar footsteps. With this goal in mind, McCoy explored ECU’s business and honors programs and found that both embody a strong sense of community support, even on a campus of thousands of students.
“That has been one of the best decisions I’ve made,” she said.
Building on leadership goals sparked in McCoy’s freshman year, she officially established the Honors College CREWS Mentors program to bridge the gap between the high school and college transition in the pilot program in 2024. In fall 2025, McCoy’s program connects second, third- and fourth-year students with incoming freshmen, providing academic and emotional support.
“Just to have someone kind to [support] you, walk through [freshman] year with you, and for me to help find somebody to connect with someone else is really the goal,” McCoy said
McCoy also recognized and reflected on the honors and business community. She said the Honors College staff was her rock in challenging times, supported her dreams and ideas, and made campus a place full of support and involvement.
“Specifically, Margaret Turner has changed my life and reminds me of how much I have grown over these four years,” she said. “I credit a lot of who I am as a leader to her — she and the other staff at Mamie are such a support system in every aspect to me.”
Before embarking on her academic journey at ECU, McCoy reflected on her initial impressions of the Honors College staff and ambassadors. She explained that the students and staff on the panel exemplified professionalism through their leadership mindset. Inspired by their example, she thought to herself as a freshman, “I would love to be a leader in some way, but I’m not yet sure what that would look like.”
Now as a senior, McCoy has accomplished many of her freshman year dreams as the leading ambassador for the Honors College, first president of the Business Scholars, vice president of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization, founder of the Honors College mentorship program, establishing her seat on the Dean’s Student Leadership Council, and serving in other on-campus roles. Reflecting on her experiences in leadership positions, McCoy explained that being a leader to her is creating an environment to empower others.
“I have these amazing leadership roles [and] sometimes I feel like I have imposter syndrome. I’m constantly surrounded by the best of the best and like the brightest of the brightest on campus. [And] they deserve someone who sees their strengths and encourages their ideas.”
McCoy’s legacy lies not in seeking personal recognition for the Honors College mentorship program, but in establishing it as a sustainable and enduring cornerstone of the Honors College. She envisions a future where the program thrives independently, fostering a supportive community that empowers incoming first year students through ongoing guidance from upperclassmen, ensuring its impact resonates for generations of students at ECU.
“I’ve really tried to be intentional about building a structure and leading in a way that does empower others and makes their leadership grow so that when I’ve moved on and no one remembers who I am, that it still continues and it leaves its own little legacy, McCoy said.”
The Honors College compass of CORE (Community, Opportunity, Responsibility, and Exploration) comes to mind when McCoy reflects on her last four years at ECU. With exploration in mind, McCoy went to Germany on her study abroad trip and credits the honors and business scholarships for her journey. She said that once you get involved and chat with staff at Mamie Jenkins, you instantly build your community and find opportunities.
“Every time you step in Mamie Jenkins, you are living CORE,” she said.
Motivated by her growing passion for leadership and community impact, McCoy has set her sights on earning a master’s in business administration (MBA) to further develop her skills in strategic decision-making and entrepreneurship. Additionally, she aims to join ECU’s new immersive MBA program, which offers hands-on experiences and networking opportunities designed to prepare students for dynamic careers in business.
“I want to continue [at ECU] because this community is so special, and just by networking through the College of Business, I’ve been able to meet some of the most incredible people and alumni,” she said. “Being able to stay around the faculty that has shaped me in so many ways is so valuable to me.”