Where Leadership Meets Legacy: Brinkley-Lane Scholars visit D.C.

A group of people standing together inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. They are positioned in front of the large seated statue of Abraham Lincoln, which is illuminated against the stone backdrop. The individuals are arranged in a line, some with arms around each other, and the marble floor and steps of the memorial are visible in the foreground

A dedicated group of Brinkley-Lane Scholars embarked on an enriching journey aboard the Amtrak Train 40 from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to Washington, D.C. The high-impact experience offered opportunities for leadership, networking and exploration, fostering new perspectives, inspiration, and lasting connections.

Beyond the LinkedIn connections, many students agreed that the D.C. trip facilitated meaningful face-to-face connections among ECU alumni. Like Olesky Fitel, a political science and history major, shared, “I am glad that so many ECU graduates were able to come together to interact with us, provide career advice and share their stories.”

Specifically, alumnus Tremayne Smith’s journey, from serving as ECU’s Student Body President to earning a postgraduate degree at Harvard University, and now serving as executive advisor to executive leadership at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, left a lasting impression. The story of determination and achievement resonated deeply with students like Landon Pierron, a biochemistry major.

“Tremayne is somebody who is a doer,” Pierron said. “He really has a passion for making positive change.” Similarly, Pierron wants to bring his determination to the table as an aspiring family medicine or pediatric doctor, “I think just having that type of focus could help me impact my community better.”

Additionally, Julia Alves, a criminal justice major, described the networking aspect from the trip as, “A perfect balance of fun and learning; it was easy to ask questions and learn from people who were once in our shoes and now work in diverse fields.” She continued by saying, “Specifically, talking to alumnus Kyle Smithwick inspired me to add a second major, political science.”

A large group of people posing for a photo indoors in front of a dark blue wall with three shield-shaped panels featuring white stars. The group is standing behind a wooden podium with the seal of the United States Department of Defense on the front. The room has a blue carpet and white ceiling tiles with fluorescent lights

Furthermore, a distinctive highlight for most of the scholars was embarking on a tour of the Pentagon. Nestled in Arlington, Virginia, the architectural marvel provided a perfect environment for students like Zasha Griffin, an engineering major and SMART Scholar with the Department of Defense (DoD). Guided through the heavily secured headquarters of the DoD, the students engaged with accomplished professionals, including Mr. Vince Smith, Capt. Quin Smith, and Capt. Madi Smythe. These interactions illuminated the inner workings of national security and public service, leaving the group inspired by the dedication and expertise of these professionals. The Pentagon tour not only deepened students’ appreciation for the complexities of global defense but also created a sense of purpose to pursue their aspired academic and professional goals.

“During the visit, I was truly inspired,” Griffin said. “My favorite component of the Pentagon visit was the focus on the War Fighter, in addition to the Civilian Workforce. …The Pentagon [tour] was amazingly impactful as a DoD civilian, and I look forward to, hopefully, walking down the same halls in my future!”

The immersive experience connected people, opportunities and valuable lessons, as described by Kathryn Adkins, a marketing major. Specifically, her behind-the-scenes experience in the U.S. Capital with Parliamentarian Jason Smith provided eye-opening insights into the legislative process and civic engagement.

This trip also sparked broader educational awareness, such as the U.S.’s strong emphasis on national security, CareFirst’s approach to insurance and fostered meaningful networking for each student. However, for Simran Takhar, a neuroscience major, the highlight came outside the formal schedule while walking around Georgetown.

“This trip brought a new light and perspective on the medical side,” Takhar said. “After realizing that tons of scholars do medical residency in D.C., my friends and I began to imagine how our lives would be in D.C. Where would we live? Which hospital would we work or pursue our residency at?”

Overall, this trip wove together ambition and camaraderie, policy and play, skyscrapers and historic monuments. From inside the Pentagon to Georgetown sidewalks, students returned to ECU not just with fun stories but with sharpened visions of the leaders, mentors and changemakers they aspire to become.