Administration
Dr. Richard R. EakinInterim Dean
252.328.6373
eakinr@ecu.edu
Richard Eakin joined the Honors College in January 2011. He has served East Carolina University since 1987, including 14 years as university chancellor. He also served for five years as a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and for one year as interim chair of the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Instructional Technology Education.
Dr. Eakin received the B.A. degree in mathematics from
Geneva College and the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics from Washington
State University. He served in a variety of faculty and administrative
roles at Bowling Green State University prior to his appointment as chancellor
at East Carolina University in 1987.
Mr. Kevin Baxter
Associate Dean
252.328.6373
baxterk@ecu.edu
Kevin Baxter joined the Honors College in January 2010 following his decade of service to the College Park Scholars program at the University of Maryland. As the Associate Dean in the Honors College, Kevin provided leadership during the exciting transition period from an Honors Program to a College. Kevin is involved with all aspects of the administration and enjoys the ability to interact with so many different areas of ECU and with so many other audiences.
Kevin earned his Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Maryland and subsequently earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland, University College. During his career at the University of Maryland, Kevin served as the Assistant Director for External Relations and Development and served as an instructor for a number of courses within the Scholars program. Kevin also served as the President of the College Park Scholars Alumni Association in 2008-2009 and supported many campus committees.
On the national level, Kevin has published and shared a variety of papers and presentations across the country including Advancing Development within Living-Learning Communities; Lessons Learned: Assessment in College Park Scholars; Faculty Interacting with Campus Learning Communities; Civic Engagement in Scholars: Service. Research. Advocacy.; Intentional Collaboration and Mutual Support in a Living-Learning Community; From Lifesavers for Living-Learning: How to Stay Afloat in the Years Ahead. In addition, Kevin has served the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) as a National Convention Program Reviewer and has supported their Next Generation Conference Planning Committee and the Commission for Admissions, Orientation and First Year Experience. Kevin also served the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) as a member of the Distinguished Service Awards selection committee this past year and has made regular trips to the shores of Lake Michigan where he served as a Fellow for the Wakonse Conference on College Teaching in 1999-2001, 2003-2004, and 2006.
When Kevin is beyond the walls of the Mamie Jenkins Building, Kevin enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling the world with his wife Erica (with frequent trips being to Walt Disney World), chasing his beagle - Parker - around his home, and golfing whenever he can find the time.
Dr. Katherine (Katie) O'Connor
Associate Dean & Director of the EC Scholars Program
252.328.6373
oconnork@ecu.edu
Dr.
Katherine (Katie) O’Connor is an associate professor in the Department
of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education and joined the
Honors College at East Carolina University during the summer of 2010.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Catawba
College in Salisbury, North Carolina, a master’s degree from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an Ed.D. in Curriculum
and Instruction at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Before arriving at East Carolina University in 2003, Katie taught in the
North Carolina public schools for nine years. Additionally, Katie
serves on the Academically/Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Team for the
College of Education. She helps to facilitate a summer learning
experience for 100 Pitt County gifted students each summer, and
co-directs the Annual ECU Gifted Education Conference with Drs. Fogarty
and Housand.
Katie is one of the founding editorial team members
of East Carolina University’s nationally peer-reviewed online journal,
The Journal of Curriculum and Instruction (JoCI) which is currently read
in 161 countries and territories. The Journal of Curriculum and
Instruction (JoCI) received the 2009 American Association of Colleges of
Teacher Education (AACTE) Edward C. Pomeroy Award for Outstanding
Contributions to Teacher Education.
Katie was awarded the
2009-2010 UNC Board of Governors Distinguished Professors Teaching Award
and the 2009-2010 ECU Scholar-Teacher Award at East Carolina
University. Katie has over 20 publications and 40 presentations at
regional and national conferences. Additionally, Katie spends time
advocating for increased gifted education services and increased social
studies instructional time for students. Katie lives in Winterville
with her husband, Colin, and two incredible daughters, Delaney (9) and
Brogan (5).
Mr. James Ellis
Academic Advisor
252.328.6373
ellisja@ecu.edu
Jim joined the Honors College in August, 2004 after completing a Masters of Science in Higher Education Administration at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. While studying at Indiana, Jim also worked as a lab instructor at the Kelly School of Business. Prior to his days at IU, Jim spent many years as a mortgage banker, underwriting supervisor and branch manager for various mortgage companies in Indianapolis, Indiana. He began his career in the mortgage business after graduating from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance in 1983. He completed a second undergraduate degree in Secondary Business Education from Ball State in 1992 and spent three years teaching business courses at a community college in Indianapolis.
As an Honors College Advisor at ECU, Jim understands that there is a tremendous amount of pressure placed on honors students to succeed. Research suggests that honors students require specific attention due to challenges unique to enrollment in their program. Jim very much enjoys assisting students with managing their college experience, providing ongoing assistance with Honors College requirements and serving as a resource for information about campus entities.
When Jim is not working with ECU’s best and brightest students, he enjoys spending time with his wife Maureen and their son James and daughter Kathryn.Ms. Sue Chapman
Business Services Coordinator
252.328.6373
chapmansu@ecu.edu
Sue Chapman joined the Honors College in January 2007. Sue has worked at East Carolina University since 1979 in several different areas such as The Brody School of Medicine, The School of Theatre and Dance, and the ECU Police Department. Sue graduated with Honors in 1975 from Wayne Community College earning an Associate Degree in Medical Secretarial Science. She began her career with the State of North Carolina in 1976 at another agency. She is an avid reader, enjoying many genres including science fiction, mysteries, mythology, ancient history and eastern philosophy. Sue and her husband Don enjoy many mutual hobbies including classic cars, antique radios, and music.
Ms. Kim Smith
Executive Assistant
252.328.6373
smithki@ecu.edu
Kim Smith joined the Honors College in January 2011. Kim has worked at East Carolina University since 1985 at the Brody School of Medicine and the Department of Economics. Kim graduated in 1984 from Pitt Community College earning an Associate Degree in Medical Secretarial Science. She is a “Coastie” wife to her U.S. Coast Guard husband, Steve, and a “Cheer Extreme Mom” to her daughter, Hannah. She enjoys traveling, flower gardening, watching movies, and spending time with her family and pets.
