Laura McMaster

Director

Laura McMaster, originally from Pennsylvania, joined the ECU community in Spring of 2012. She has a bachelor's in Communications from The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a Master's in College Student Affairs Administration from The University of Georgia. Currently working on her dissertation towards a Ph. D. in Educational Leadership from Clemson University, her research is focused on the impact of stereotype threat on college women's political leadership efficacy. She is a member of several national leadership associations and is currently serving her second term as Leadership Chair for the Commission for Student Involvement for the American College Personnel Association. Finding her passion in helping students gain access to and realize their full leadership potential, Laura works to help students find ways of creating positive sustainable change for their community.

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." - Michelangelo

Patrick Edwards, ph.d.

Associate Director

Dr. Patrick Edwards is the new Associate Director and serves as primary adviser to the East Carolina University Student Government Association. Prior to ECU Dr. Edwards most recently served as an Adjunct Faculty at Shorter University where he taught student development courses. Dr. Edwards has over seven years of experience in higher education. His background is primarily in Student Affairs, and most recently served as the Director, Office of Student Leadership Development at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Edwards also has backgrounds in Multicultural Affairs, Campus/Student Life, and collaborating with Academic Affairs/faculty to facilitate student development initiatives. His student leadership experience includes serving as co-lead facilitator for the Student Leadership Institute, alum and faculty member for the Leadership Institute, developing and facilitating leadership seminars and workshops, training student, and advising student governance organizations.

Dr. Edwards earned a B.B.A. in Marketing from Georgia State, a M.S. in Higher Education from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in Education Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education from Mercer University. His research interest is in policy and completion (student success) for underrepresented college students. His dissertation study is titled The Personal and Institutional Dimensions of Success for Low-Income Students: Implications for Collaboration between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.

"Leadership is a process, not a position" - Unknown

Ira Lawson

Graduate Assistant

Ira Lawson is a graduate student from Timberlake, North Carolina in the Masters of Art in Communication with an emphasis in health program here at ECU. He is currently the graduate assistant for the Center for Student Leadership engagement. Ira enjoys learning and being involved with leadership as his entire college career has encompassed holding leadership positions and being involved with leadership. He has served in the SGA cabinet and executive assistant to the Student Body President in 2007, while then moving on to become the Vice President for the Association of Student Governments for the State of North Carolina. Ira has been a member of many university committees at ECU to continue his leadership involvement. Enriching others with leadership skills is a passion Ira holds dear and he has presented numerous leadership programs. In the past year Ira was a presenter for state leadership conferences including NC L.E.A.D. and the NC W.I.L.D. Also, this upcoming year, Ira will have the honor to present at the National Collegiate Conference in Arizona to students from across the United States.

"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." - Oprah Winfrey

Jennifer Stalls

Student Leadership Assistant

Jennifer Stalls is a Middle Grades Education Major with concentrations in Language Arts and Science. She serves as a volunteer tutor for the Pirate Tutoring Center, as well as volunteers at local schools. She is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, has served as the Co-Chair and Activities Coordinator of the Rising Leaders Circle, and is a member of SNCAE.

In her free time, Jennifer enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends.

"Leaders instill in their people a hope for success and a belief in themselves. Positive leaders empower people to accomplish their goals." - Unknown

Alex Anders

Student Leadership Assistant

Alex Anders is a Nutrition Science major with interest in public policy and food safety and sanitation standards. He volunteers weekly at the ECU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Office (LGBTRO), and currently serves as President of the ECU Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Union (GLBTSU). In addition, he is an active member of ECU Young Americans for Liberty, Voices for Victims, Honors College Ambassadors, and serves on the Student Government Association Student Advisory Council, as well as the LGBTRO Advisory Board. He is also a student member of the American Dietetic Association. Alex aspires to become a Registered Dietitian in North Carolina and to help educate others on the harms of nutritional misinformation.

In his spare time, Alex is a passionate advocate for equality and attends many state conferences on human rights issues.

"The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there." - John Buchan

Taylor Gulley

Student Leadership Assistant

Taylor is originally from Cincinnati, OH but has lived in Fayetteville, NC since her early youth. She chose ECU because she wanted to stay in state, loved the school spirit and it wasn't too far away from home. She started at ECU in fall 2008 and since then has become a declared psychology major, participating in French Club and has even studied abroad in Scotland. While in Europe she traveled throughout England, Ireland, Spain, France and Germany. She believes studying abroad is among the greatest things she has experiences and encourages anyone who is interested to do so! She expects to graduate in May 2013 and plans to continue her studies at ECU for a MA in Child Development or School Psychology. She enjoys working with children and aspires to one day become a child therapist, counselor, or to work with children in art therapy.

"If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good." - Dr. Seuss

Alexandria Caple

Student Leadership Assistant

Alexandria is a senior Psychology major with a minor in Rehabilitation Studies. She is currently involved with several student organizations. Most notably, she serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Rising Leaders Circle, an active member of Psi Chi: International Honour Society in Psychology, as well as Omicron Delta Kappa: The National Leadership Honor Society. She has obtained 3 Undergraduate Research Assistantships in psychology and was recently awarded the prestigious honor of Elite Pirate. Her future aspirations are to obtain a PhD in Health Psychology and to conduct research at the National Institutes of Health.

In her spare time, Alex enjoys spending time with her two dogs and painting.

"People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it." - Simon Sinek

Sebastian Hale

Student Leadership Assistant

Sebastian is a senior English major from Winston Salem, NC and is the oldest of four siblings. As an active student in high school Sebastian served as captain of both his school's varsity tennis and cross-country teams. In addition, he has helped operate tennis and sailing camps for several years in Winston Salem and on Hilton Head Island. Sebastian is also an active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. After graduation, he plans to work in public relations and marketing for a professional sports franchise.

"There are big ships and small ships, but the best ship is leadership." - Anonymous

Samantha Oliever

Student Leadership Assistant

Samantha Oliver is a senior Business Management major with a focus in Marketing. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, where she has served as Unity and Social chair over the past four years. Samantha is also an active volunteer in Relay for Life and other community enrichment projects. After graduation in May, Samantha plans to continue to develop and utilize her leadership skills in the business world. In her free time, Samantha enjoys reading, running and spending time with her friends, family and dog.

"Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall." - Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Ron Hinton

Student Leadership Assistant

Ron Cliff Hinton III is a Sophomore Business Marketing Major with a Minor in Leadership studies from Reidsville, North Carolina and the brother of two siblings. His mother and sister attended University of North Carolina at Chapel hill and his interest in the University of North Carolina Higher Education system influenced his decision to attend East Carolina University. In high school, Ron was the captain of his varsity basketball team for two years and was involved with Student Council. At East Carolina University Ron became very involved in the University of North Carolina Association of Student Governments as the Associate Vice President of Government Operations and Constituent Services and this is his second year with the association. Ron was the youngest student to become an Executive Officer for the association that did not attend the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Ron is also a brother of the Delta Alpha Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Also at East Carolina,Ron has been a two year member of the ECU Marching Pirates Drumline. Ron has been heavily invested with the Center for Student Leadership & Engagement completing Emerging Leaders (EL) and Business Emerging Leaders (BEL) and mentoring for BEL prior to becoming a Student Leadership Assistant in the fall of 2011. Post graduation, Ron plans to work with Higher Education and Student Affairs.

"Speak softly and carry a big stick." - Theodore Roosevelt