To begin an evaluation of the university as a whole and its contributions to its constituents locally and nationally, ECU has identified three Areas of Distinction that make it relatively unique in the UNC system.
These distinctions include serving as a Cultural Champion—enhancing the quality of lives through economic development and cultural enrichment; Social Mobility—being a leader in providing professional educational opportunities for students including those from distressed counties; and Transformative Engagement—developing and leveraging public and private partnerships to serve the region.
East Carolina University enhances the quality of lives of eastern North Carolinians through diverse offerings of cultural enrichment, academics, the arts, and athletics. Our School of Art and Design is the most comprehensive art school in North Carolina and one of the largest in the Southeast. People of varied ages and backgrounds come to ECU for sporting events, art exhibitions, performances, and scholarly lectures. These activities provide opportunities to discuss and share cultural experiences and educational opportunities with ECU students and other residents of North Carolina, while also boosting economic development in the community and region.
ECU further broadens its reach by encouraging students and faculty to explore global cultures via study-abroad and other experiences, while actively expanding opportunities for students from around the world to engage in an ECU education.
ECU remains committed to its role as the cultural champion of eastern North Carolina and strives to distinguish itself as a gateway to the world.
By 2022, East Carolina University aspires to: