Meet the Scholars
Current Scholars
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2027 Cohort
Noah Abel
Hometown: Williamston, NC
Major: Music education
“It seems like it’s one big, happy family. …It’s going to be nice to have a group of friends already.”
Sarah Grace AldridgeHometown: Greenville, NC
Major: Nursing
“Being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar means I am honored and blessed with the opportunity to represent ECU while pushing myself to the best of my ability both academically and in service to my hometown.”
Mariama ApolloHometown: Fayetteville, NC
Majors: Chemistry & mathematics
“I wanted a college that felt like a home away from home, which is exactly what ECU offers.”
Anna Grace BentonHometown: Wilson, NC
Major: Biology
“When I experienced a taste of life at ECU on Selection Sunday, I knew I wanted to spend the next four years as a Pirate!”
Jenna CaputaHometown: Archdale, NC
Major: Engineering
“I’m filled with so many ideas and hopes that I can’t wait to start my journey as a Brinkley-Lane Scholar.”
Kaylee ChavisHometown: Lumberton, NC
Major: Environmental health
“Being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar, you have to leave a footprint as someone who is going to give back and is going to use this opportunity to benefit and lead.”
Emely Cruz RamirezHometown: Vanceboro, NC
Major: Computer science
“For me, being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar means having an ample amount of opportunity with the support and collaboration of a diverse community.”
Sophie DavisHometown: Greensboro, NC
Major: Engineering
“Everyone at ECU made me feel seen, involved and taken care of all throughout the application process.”
Anya DuffyHometown: Ripon, WI
Majors: History & political science
“The Honors College made it so that I was in a small community but still guaranteed that big school experience.”
Taylor GreeneHometown: Mooresville, NC
Major: Art
“Of all the colleges I toured, ECU was the only one to provide the resources of a large school while still connecting with me as a person and student on an individual level.”
Blake HardeeHometown: Greenville, NC
Major: Public health
“I am grateful and honored to be selected as a Brinkley-Lane Scholar, and I am looking forward to spending the next four years learning and serving alongside Pirate Nation.”
Emma HarrellHometown: Archdale, NC
Major: Art
“I can go abroad and learn in a different environment, which wouldn’t have been possible with Brinkley-Lane Scholars. I also get to meet great people with bright futures that I can grow with in the program.”
Caramia LandisHometown: Greenville, NC
Major: Community and regional planning
“Being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar means embodying everything that makes ECU great.”
Alondra MartinezHometown: Bel Air, MD
Major: Communication
“To me, being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar means knowing that I will always have 19 friends cheering me on, who will always encourage me to keep on going even when I might doubt myself.”
Riley NazarioHometown: Fayetteville, NC
Majors: Chemistry & public health
“I really like that Brinkley-Lane Scholars is like a school within a school. I am so ecstatic to go.”
Darshan PatelHometown: Rocky Mount, NC
Major: Exercise physiology
“In all aspects, I want my cohort to push me to be the best version of myself possible, and I want to do the same for them.”
Thomas RemingtonHometown: Greenville, NC
Majors: Political science & applied sociology
“I’ve realized through the process that being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar is a big thing; it’s an honor that only so many people get. I was really proud of myself because it meant everything I did — all of the extra stuff that may have been time-consuming — it was worth it.”
Emma RomigHometown: Wilmington, NC
Major: Nursing
“The Honors College really stood out to me; the program is awesome and full of opportunities that make it so much more than just the name.”
Josie SmithHometown: Garner, NC
Major: Multidisciplinary studies
“Being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar means that I get to collaborate with a very talented group of individuals.”
Raghav YelamanchiliHometown: Cary, NC
Major: Public health
“It felt like everyone I met was focused on connecting with me as a person and ready to help me be the best of who it is I want to be.”
2026 Cohort
Sarayu AdalaHometown: Charlotte, NC
Major: Biology
“Being an EC Scholar is being invested in by a school to get a great education, but also having the opportunity to give back to your community.”
Julia CavanaughHometown: Berea, OH
Majors: Psychology & anthropology
“Through music therapy, I hope to use music to make an impact in other’s lives the same way music has made an impact in mine.”
Katie CouncilHometown: Washington, NC
Majors: Finance & Accounting
“As an EC Scholar, I am looking forward to being part of a program and community that serves, supports and encourages one another.”
Gabby CurlingsHometown: Greenville, NC
Majors: Public health & sociology
“I chose ECU because on Selection Sunday, a day where I would usually be filled with anxiety and doubt, I never once felt insecure.”
Annaleise DarrohnHometown: Raleigh, NC
Major: Nursing
“Being an EC Scholar means collaborating with strong and like-minded people to give back and make our community stronger.”
Marissa DiazHometown: Naples, FL
Major: Health fitness specialist
“I fell in love with the diverse community, genuine people and welcoming campus culture.”
Jamie GerdtsHometown: Raleigh, NC
Major: Engineering
“Engineering is about having a problem and trying to find a solution that works well, efficiently and practically. I find the process of trying to solve this fascinating.”
Kailee GrubbsHometown: Winterville, NC
Majors: Mathematics & computer science
“I would like to be in a position where I can help people and make an impact.”
Dhwani HadaHometown: Morrisville, NC
Majors: Psychology & neuroscience
“For me, being an EC Scholar means having a positive impact on those around me and leaving a lasting impact on the world.”
Kaeleigh KrugerHometown: Raleigh, NC
Major: Music with a voice performance concentration
“I feel so grateful to be a part of such a strong program, and I feel it is my job to repay that gratitude.”
Aydan LawlerHometown: Gastonia, NC
Major: Fine arts
“To me, being an EC Scholar means being an example of the best ECU has to offer in a given field, leaving a mark, and being someone who works toward making the world around us a better place.”
McKenna LawlerHometown: Gastonia, NC
Major: Theatre arts with a musical theatre concentration
“EC Scholars share a lot of the core values I have. They’re going to let me grow those values even more and support me with them.”
Nora McCunneyHometown: Greenville, NC
Major: Nursing
“Being an EC Scholar is an extraordinary honor. So many of the other scholars continue to inspire me — not only in my cohort, but everyone in the program.”
Braden McPhillipsHometown: Greenville, NC
Majors: Management, accounting & finance
“After I graduate from ECU, I hope to take my passion for the environment and pursue a sustainability analyst or environmental health specialist career.”
Kendall PixleyHometown: Indian Trail, NC
Majors: Public health & biology
“I will never forget the first time I stepped onto ECU’s campus because it immediately felt like home.”
Alex PuckettHometown: Danbury, NC
Majors: Biology & chemistry
“ECU presents me with tremendous opportunities as an EC Scholar and Early Assurance Scholar. I feel that at ECU, I can achieve my dreams and become my most successful self.”
Trisha RangarajuHometown: Cary, NC
Major: Public health
“To me, being an EC Scholar means developing myself, both academically and personally, and accomplishing my goals while giving back to the community.”
Aliah SpencerHometown: Edenton, NC
Major: Health information management
“I really want to find myself and just see where the future takes me.”
Daniel WalkerHometown: Harbinger, NC
Major: Public health
“ECU’s mission of regional transformation is synonymous with my own: to give back to eastern North Carolina, a community that has given so much to me.”
Haley WilliamsHometown: Jacksonville, NC
Majors: Political science & history
“I am so thankful for the opportunity that God has given me to join such an incredible and talented group of people, and I cannot wait for the next four years as an EC Scholar!”
2025 Cohort
Ehime Abhulimen
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
Major: Biology
“I don’t want to just change the life of one person. I want to change a community.”
Maelee Becton
Hometown: Kinston, NC
Majors: Psychology & Neuroscience
“(Being an EC Scholar means) being a part of a community larger than myself and having the resources to give back while furthering my education.”
Emily Bronson
Hometown: South Mills, NC
Majors: Communication and political science
“I’m just really excited about broadening my horizons and seeing what’s beyond Camden.”
Brooke Butler
Hometown: Matthews, NC
Major: Engineering
“ECU has a great reputation nationally and internationally, a proud and rich history, and a full college experience with a nationally recognized athletic program and one of the state’s largest and most diverse student bodies. I look forward to being a part of Pirate Nation!”
Christine Chan
Hometown: Holly Springs, NC
Majors: Biology & Environmental Studies
“I am eager to uphold ECU’s motto, Servire, and serve my university and the Greenville community.”
Fosua Dadson
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Major: Public health
“I’m looking forward to getting involved in service at ECU and giving back to the community. I’m excited about the opportunities for new experiences and mentorship through EC Scholars.”
Ashby Dickerson
Hometown: Gatesville, NC
Major: Health fitness specialist
“I want to serve in rural communities in North Carolina. I live in a small, rural community; there’s just one traffic light in my county. And I’ve seen how communities like mine have been underserved.”
Gabriella Galvan
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Majors: Art education & psychology
“You’ve just got to treat people with kindness and hope that follows to as many people as possible.”
Lauren Garcia
Hometown: Cary, NC
Major: Environmental health
“Joining the scholars, I know that my peers and I will constantly push and motivate each other to fulfill our highest potential.”
Matthew Geib
Hometown: Hillsborough, NC
Major: Biochemistry with a chemistry concentration
“Being an EC Scholar means I have an opportunity to learn in a collaborative environment in a strong group of diverse students.”
Lauren Humann
Hometown: Rockingham, NC
Major: Entrepreneurship
“I plan to take advantage of every opportunity offered to me to be the best I can be.”
Jethro Libutan
Hometown: Durham, NC
Major: Computer science
“I don’t know how I want to change the world just yet, but I do know for a fact that I want to leave the world a better place than how I found it.”
Sarah Maisto
Hometown: Apex, NC
Major: Marketing
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to challenge me and build relationships while being in a close-knit community of driven students.”
Tierney Reardon
Hometown: Greenville, NC
Majors: Political science & philosophy
“Throughout the application process, it was made clear that going to ECU meant joining a supportive learning community and that each student mattered.”
Kyia Riddick
Hometown: Gates, NC
Major: Public health
“EC Scholars are meant for excellence and have the potential to change the world.”
MaHogany Roper
Hometown: Durham, NC
Major: Biology
“I liked the personal touches the EC Scholars program had. Talking to other scholars here convinced me this is the right place.”
Noah Sampson
Hometown: Winterville, NC
Majors: Biology & chemistry
“As a native of the community, I know that at ECU I’ll be able to continue working to improve my community and serve the people of eastern North Carolina.”
Stephanie Stewart
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Major: Mathematics
“Being an EC Scholar to me means having a love of learning and sharing that with others of common interest.”
Noah Watkins
Hometown: Asheboro, NC
Major: Health fitness specialist
“I cannot wait to see what this school and this program has in store for me, and what I can contribute to ECU and the community of Greenville.”
Sarah Wright
Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
Major: Psychology
“Despite it being a piece of paper, the EC Scholar letter was both my ticket home and the opening sentences to the newest and most anticipated chapter in my life.”
2024 Cohort
Ono Abhulimen
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
Major: Biology
“I want to change (health) inequities in North Carolina, and I know I will receive the tools to help me accomplish this goal at ECU.”
Rebekah Arensman
Hometown: Concord, NC
Major: Nursing
“I was standing in the ER watching the operation and I just loved it so much, and I thought, ‘I want to be in this environment’.”
Lucas Boldt
Hometown: Bolivia, NC
Major: Public health
“I believe the Honors College and EC Scholars program will allow me to expand my resume and set me up for success in my future career in medicine.”
Charles Brooks
Hometown: Wake Forest, NC
Majors: Biology & psychology
“I want to change people’s lives for the better and show them the compassion that seems to be lacking in this world.”
Toby Bryson
Hometown: Greenville, NC
Major: Nursing
“Being a scholar means I have the potential to better myself and to help those around me.”
Taylor Cash
Hometown: Greenville, NC
Major: Biology
“Being an EC Scholar means I have been given a golden opportunity to further my education and reach my goals.”
Gaelle Desert
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Majors: Neuroscience & psychology
“I am beyond excited to begin this new chapter as a Pirate.”
Cassidy Fitz-Randolph
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Majors: Philosophy & political science
“Being a Pirate means being passionate and driven, and I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.”
Lindsey Fleishman
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Major: Communication
“To me, being an EC Scholar means representing ECU with pride, where I know that I am a part of an intelligent and passionate community.”
Anjalee Hou
Hometown: Grimesland, NC
Major: Economics
“While I applied to other universities, I always knew ECU was the right choice for me.”
Marzuq Islam
Hometown: Cary, NC
Major: Engineering
“Being an EC Scholar will enable me to gain new perspectives and new ways of thinking.”
Aaditi Kulkarni
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Major: Public health
“The moment I opened the envelope and the ECU fight song blared through my house, I felt a thousand-pound weight being lifted off my shoulders.”
Javier Limon
Hometown: Winterville, NC
Major: Political science
“When I looked into ECU, I saw I could be part of a community that was committed to achieving their goals, and I wouldn’t be just another number.”
Tete Narh-Mensah
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Major: Biology
“Being an EC Scholar means learning with like-minded students who want to improve the world we live in.”
Matthew Sadlowski
Hometown: Wake Forest, NC
Major: Nursing
“An EC Scholar is someone who is committed to their studies and dedicated to giving back to their community.”
Breanna Sapp
Hometown: Jacksonville, NC
Majors: International studies & English
“Being an EC Scholar means being a lifelong learner.”
Agne Shields
Hometown: Jonas Ridge, NC
Major: Chemistry
“Being an EC Scholar means a world of opportunity to me, to widen my horizons and see how far I can go as a person.”
Imaan Siddiqi
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Major: Public health
“As an EC Scholar, I know I’ll be surrounded by a community of like-minded individuals and have lots of opportunities to excel.”
Rylie Warren
Hometown: Mooresville, NC
Major: Communication
“Being an EC Scholar will allow me so many opportunities I never would have gotten at another university.”