August 2025 Newsletter
A note from Dean Orlikoff
Summer greetings to all Pirates of the Allied Health Sciences!
This much-welcomed break in the weather is a clear reminder that fall is on the way. For us here in the College of Allied Health Sciences, it’s closer than we think. After all, fall orientation and convocation is just a few short weeks away!
We enter the 2025-26 fiscal year even as our state budget awaits approval. Although we have been assessed a 1.5% budget cut (as have all other colleges, schools, and certain offices), we can expect lean and constrained resources this year. To address this, the Chancellor’s Future Focused Resource Optimization Task Force, comprised of several focused workgroups, continues assisting ECU to develop ways to optimize “fiscal health amidst enrollment shifts, state budget pressures, and other challenges.”
As we and the institution assess how we can operate more efficiently, effectively, and sustainably, we are presented with a unique opportunity to advance our programs, clinical outreach, and scholarship within a supportive mission-driven and respectful learning, working, and serving environment for all.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Harrison Jones, who began his faculty position with us as chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders this month. I want to once again thank Dr. Ian Hines for his exceptional service to that department as interim chair for the past year and a half, all while keeping his “day job.” My sincere appreciation also to Dr. Yolanda Holt, Barbara W. Bremer Distinguished Professor, who will be leaving the university this month after many years of service to CSDI, CAHS, and ECU promoting scholarship and community partnership to address school-age language learning and literacy disorders. We wish her the very best in all future endeavors.
Warmest regards,
Bob Orlikoff
CAHS in the news!
Check out some of the latest stories and publications from the CAHS.
🎉 Speech Students blend science, compassion for dysphagia study. Read more here.
🎉 Samuel Stafford, a Nutrition Sciences student who serves as a graduate research assistant and department ambassador, had an article titled “Regulation of hepatic Sirt1 expression and lipid metabolism through TNF receptor signaling” published in the July edition of the journal Frontiers in Immunology. He shares the publication along with ECU Nutrition professors Drs. Ian Hines and Michael Wheeler and Blair Bradford from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Let us know when you publish!!! Send the information to Ben Abel, abelb18@ecu.edu and/or Mandy Messerli, messerlim@ecu.edu.
New Student Orientation
It’s almost the start of a new semester, and we are excited to welcome our newly declared undergraduate students and our new professional students for New Student Orientation (NSO). NSO will be held at 1pm in the East Carolina Heart Institute.
Students can register here for the event here.
Please direct any questions to Mandy Messerli, Alumni Director, at messerlim@ecu.edu.
CAHS Field Day
The CAHS hosted our first ever Field Day on July 15, 2025. More than 70 faculty, staff, and student participated with nearly all our academic programs represented.
Congratulations to our CAHS Field Day winners:
🏆 Most Points: Red Team
🎉 Most Team Spirit: Gray Team
💦 Most Drenched: Gold Team
Everyone had a blast (check out the pictures below for confirmation). We are looking forward to next years field day!!!
Special thanks to Melissa Wallace, Senior Academic Support Specialist, for organizing the event and supporting CAHS inside and outside of the classroom!
Meet our Career Center Liaison Rebecca Bergene
Rebecca Bergene is the new Career Liaison for the College of Allied Health Sciences and College of Nursing! She hopes to help students discover, plan, and pursue meaningful career paths, through resume reviews, interview prep, and everything in between! Rebecca earned a Master of Arts in Higher Education from Elon University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from NC State. Originally from Greensboro, NC, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her two orange cats, Wade and Walter. Rebecca’s office is located on Main Campus in the Career Center (701 E. 5th Street) Mondays through Wednesdays and in room 221 in the Health Sciences Student Center on Thursdays and Fridays!
Spotlights
Alumni Spotlight – Jarmichael Harris
Degree(s): BS Rehabilitation Services ’10, MS Substance Use and Clinical Counseling ’15 both from ECU.
What are you doing now: I am currently the Director of Scholastic Recovery at the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina and serve as an Adjunct Instructor for the Dept of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies.
Advice you would give to current or incoming students: Get involved! During my time as both an undergraduate and graduate student, I actively participated in student organizations. This involvement not only offered me a social outlet but also provided opportunities to be mentored by faculty and staff on campus. These relationships have significantly contributed to my career advancement and impact in a relatively short period of time.
Check out his latest Ted-style talk, Grab a Shovel, Treat the Soil: Read more here!
Faculty Spotlight – Ann Mannie
Degree(s): Lawrence University (Appleton, WI) Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Northwestern University (Chicago, IL) Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) Postdoctoral position
What is your position at ECU: I was a Research Assistant Professor for seven years at Brody School of Medicine working on breast cancer research, and I am currently a Clinical Associate Professor teaching a variety of courses in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Science.
Starting 19 years this fall.
What advice would you give to students: The best advice that I can give all students is that learning is for a lifetime! For our laboratorians, my advice is always: 1. Read and follow directions 2. If you don’t know, ask!
One thing people don’t know about me: I play both folk and classical guitar (not well, but for my own enjoyment).
Staff Spotlight – Brandon Jones
Degree(s): Bachelor of Arts in English, History, and Religious Studies (triple major) from North Carolina Wesleyan College (now University). I have a Master of Arts in English with a concentration in Multicultural and Transnational Literature from ECU.
What is your position at ECU: I serve as the academic advisor for the departments of Nutrition Science and Clinical Laboratory Science. I am a Pre-Professional Advisor for all ECU students preparing for Physician Assistant programs. I also serve on the Interprofessional Education Task force for the college.
Professional Organizations: Outside of ECU, I serve on the AHEC Scholars Advisory Committee over at Eastern AHEC. I am a member of two national advising organizations – NACADA and NAAHP (National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions) and help with research, member engagement and retention, and advisor well-being work. Last book you read: The Caring University by Kevin McClure
One thing people don’t know about me: I can read Korean and I play guitar.
Student Spotlight – Abby Scarborough
Degree(s): B.S in Exercise Science from the College of Charleston (2023), Physician Assistant Studies anticipated graduation date December 2026.
Person who has influenced you the most so far at ECU: All of the PA faculty are amazing and I think are one of the greatest strengths of this program! My faculty advisor, Mrs. Grimone has been extremely encouraging both academically and personally throughout my first year.
Favorite Place to Study: The library! I love a quiet space to get things done. Sometimes, I also enjoy the occasional study session at Giddy Up Coffee House.
Words of wisdom for those interested or entering the program: Believe in yourself! PA school is tough, but it really shows you what you are capable of. It is such a gift to be able to study medicine. Lean on those around you, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and enjoy the journey (even when it’s hard!)
If you’d like to nominate an alumni, faculty, staff, or student to be featured please send recommendations to messerlim@ecu.edu
Key Dates
August 12 – Fall Tuition due by 5:00 pm. All schedules may be cancelled for non-payment after 5:00 pm. If you do not plan to attend, you must officially withdraw on or before the final cancellation date.
August 22 – CAHS New Student Orientation
August 25 – 📚✏️ Fall 2025 Classes begin
August 27 – Last day to make schedule changes (add/drop) for 1st 8-week Fall classes by 5:00 pm
August 29 – Last day to make schedule changes (add/drop) for Fall (full-semester) classes by 5:00 pm
September 1 – University Closed 🏖️
September 3– Final tuition payment deadline for Fall
September 15– Apply to graduate for Fall 🎓
September 22 – Last day to withdraw from 1st 8 week fall classes by 5:00pm
October 9– 1st 8-week Fall Classes End
October 11-14– 🍂 Fall Break 🍂
October 15– 2nd 8-week Fall Classes begin
October 17 – Last day to make schedule changes (add/drop for 2nd 8-week Fall classes by 5:00pm
November 10 – Registration begins for Spring 2026 – schedule an appointment in October to ensure you are ready for registration!
November 26 – 30th – Thanksgiving Break 🦃
December 9 – 📚 Reading Day
December 10 – Final Exams Begin
December 17– Final exams end
December 19 – Fall Commencement
December 19 – Final grades due by 4:30 pm