ECU recognized as military friendly

This article was written for our sponsor, East Carolina University

East Carolina University is considered one of the most military-friendly educational institutions in the United States – and with good reason. The university makes it easy to transition from soldier to student, and offers an eclectic array of programs and initiatives designed to give veterans an important leg up in their education and future.

In 2022, ECU was once again recognized by Military Times as a "Best for Vets" college. ECU was ranked in the top 30% of U.S. colleges and universities. To formulate the ranking, Military Times asked colleges and universities to answer 70 questions about services and programs tailored for military students, whether active-duty, veterans, families or dependents of service members.

ECU provides several resources to help students transition from the military to college life. For example, the Military and Veterans Resource Center, located in the Mendenhall Building, plays a vital role in making ECU’s campus welcoming for veterans, service members and their families.

In addition, ECU was the first campus in North Carolina with a VetSuccess On Campus counselor, a program funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It also offers a veteran-specific orientation and COAD 1000 seminar, mentoring programs, a Veteran Leadership Academy and a Veteran to Scholar Boot Camp – an intensive two-week program that helps integrate veterans to university life. The program is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

ECU understands that even with funding and scholarships, at times it is difficult for anyone to fully afford a college education. It is a truth that former ECU student Paul Singleton lived firsthand. Unable to continue to afford classes, Singleton dropped out of college to join the Air Force in 1954. Years later, he was able to return and finish his ECU degree. In light of his history, he established a fund to help other students who serve.

"When I went to school, they didn’t have Pell grants or government loans. Very few people were on scholarships. When I went back to school (after serving in the Air Force), I had a family, and even on the GI Bill, it covered tuition but not all the other expenses. I didn’t want students to put up with what I had to put up with," Singleton said.

The Paul Singleton Military Academic Success Fund helps veterans, reservists and dependents of disabled veterans. The fund can pay for tuition, textbooks, or whatever associated educational fees may arise, to help service members pursue their dreams.

ECU also offers courses to military personnel, reservists, eligible retired military personnel and Department of Defense employees where they are. In 2021, Chancellor Philip Rogers and Col. Mikel Huber, commanding officer at Cherry Point, signed a memorandum of understanding which cleared the way for face-to-face instruction on base.

"We are excited to offer the Bachelor of Science in industrial distribution and logistics and the B.S. in industrial technology degree programs at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point," Rogers said. "Designed to accommodate working professionals and the military, these degree programs offer maximum flexibility for students to be enrolled in academic programs while maintaining their personal and professional obligations. This agreement is fully aligned with our mission and is an important step in our commitment to strengthen ties with the Marine Corps in the region."

The relationship with Cherry Point also opens the door for ECU students to have incredible hands-on opportunities.

In 2022, 10 ECU students participated in the Engineering Development Assistance Program (EDAP) through Fleet Readiness Center East at Cherry Point. FRC East is an aircraft maintenance and repair facility tasked with keeping America’s military aircraft, such as the AV-88 Harrier, V-22 Osprey, KC-130 Hercules and the fifth generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, at peak operating efficiency.

"This job blows my mind every day," observed senior Tristan Wagoner. "The amount of work that goes into making them work and fly makes me appreciate the hard work all the [FRC East workers] have done. Today alone I’ve had to have full conversations with structural analysis engineers, materials engineers and electrical engineers on how to solve one problem. The degree that I’m getting at ECU makes me knowledgeable in all these areas so I can ask the experts all the right questions."

The program’s primary goal is to help ECU engineering students gain valuable experience through paid internships while providing FRC East with a future workforce of needed engineers. The depot counts more than 800 engineers among its nearly 3,800 employees. FRC East is the largest single employer of ECU engineering graduates.

Michael Borer, senior teaching instructor in the Department of Engineering, said FRC East contacted ECU in 2021 about expanding a partnership that has been strong since the engineering program at ECU began in 2004. He credits Brittany Cline, FRC East recruitment and development branch head and a 2016 ECU graduate, with her leadership in helping get the program up and running.

Cline said EDAP began as a partnership with North Carolina State University’s Havelock campus to show local students the hands-on engineering opportunities available in the area.

"EDAP gives eastern North Carolina’s best and brightest engineering students the opportunity to see how their work can benefit our nation’s Marines and sailors, and provides a means for FRC East to invest in its community," Cline said. "That community encompasses not just Havelock but the greater ENC region. We’re excited to expand the program to include East Carolina University and build upon the relationship our organizations have developed."

Borer added, "The education of the students participating in the EDAP program is greatly enhanced by this experiential learning experience. They gain hands-on experience applying concepts they have learned in the classroom to problems experienced in everyday work life. Their development as engineers is significantly enhanced."

This article was written for our sponsor, East Carolina University