Alyssa DaVolio

Hometown/State: Wilmington, NC

Incoming EC Scholar Class (year): 2012

Scholarship(s) Awarded: Dowdy Student Stores East Carolina Scholars Award

Major/Intended Major: Neuroscience with a minor in Philosophy

Why did you choose to attend East Carolina University?

My decision to attend ECU began when I first stepped foot on the campus during a school field trip. I can remember walking through the Student Recreation Center, when our tour guide yelled out “purple.” Within seconds every student in the recreation center yelled back “gold.” It was this sense of community and pride that fueled my decision to attend this university.  Further research showed that ECU students are treated as individuals, rather than numbers, and are given countless opportunities to succeed throughout their college career.

What has your scholarship enabled you to do?

As an EC Scholar, I have access to an amazing Honors College faculty and countless opportunities to expand my horizons as a student and as an individual. The EC Scholars Program has a strong commitment to pushing my academic experience beyond the limits of the classroom. Through various volunteering opportunities, such as working with the Food Bank, and extracurricular activities, such as sailing in Little Washington, I discovered more about myself than I ever have before in a classroom.   

What special undergraduate research opportunities have you experienced at the university?

As a senior in high school I participated in research at UNCW, focused on the effects of neurofeedback on ADHD. Over the course of the next few years, I hope to bring the skills that I learned from working in that lab to labs here on campus. I hope to begin my own research on chiari in the next few months, working with faculty on ECU’s campus as well as doctors at the Brody School of Medicine.

What unique leadership opportunities have you experienced at the university?

I hope to participate in the ECU Neuroscience Society, HOSA, and serve as a class representative on the EC Scholars Roundtable Board over the next four years.  I am the chair of the EC Scholars Roundtable.

What are your career plans/attributions?

After graduation, I hope to attend medical school with the aspiration to become a pediatric neurosurgeon.

How have you made a positive impact while you have been at East Carolina University?

Since arriving here at ECU, I have had the great pleasure of participating in two impactful opportunities. My first took place at the local food back in Greenville where I, along with several other honors college freshmen , portioned 3100 pounds of potatoes to be given out to families in need. In addition, I have the great pleasure of visiting a resident at Golden Living Retirement Facility every week  during which I get to learn from and interact with someone who smiles every time I walk through the door. Participating in these experiences has taught me that doing little things can make a big difference and has inspired me to continue to make changes throughout my time here at ECU.