Student Spotlight

Ernestina Akorfa Akorli (PhD. 2028)

Being a PhD student in RWPC at ECU has been intellectually enriching and personally transformative. The highlights of my experiences in the English department have been the opportunities to learn, teach as a GTA, work on research papers, attend and present at conferences, and serve on the Graduate Committee as Graduate Student Representative. These experiences have given me a clearer sense of purpose and direction in both my research and professional life. The seminar courses I’ve taken in both my first and second semesters have deepened my understanding of writing, rhetoric, technical communication, research, and pedagogy. A defining experience of my graduate program is the theoretical expertise I have gained. My Critical Discourse Analysis and Theory courses in Rhetoric and Black feminism have empowered me to critically engage with issues affecting marginalized communities. They have also equipped me to explore AI and digital literacy practices in ways that affirm and liberate contemporary literacies of my Ghanaian community. I am grateful that my advisor and faculty members have been consistently accessible, supportive, and attentive in guiding me through the academic, professional, and personal dimensions of graduate study. I hope my Ph.D. opens up more advanced pathways for my research and professionalism.

Gracie Parker (B.A., B.S. 2027)

As a student in the English department, I have enjoyed exploring the various categories of literature, as I have discovered that reading greatly deepens empathy for those around you and improves creativity. The experiences that I have had so far in the department have exemplified the level of enthusiasm and dedication that I hope to mirror as a teacher. The professors in the English department that I have had the opportunity to learn from have always been a community of support for me because they hold high expectations while prioritizing student wellbeing. These characteristics have both catapulted my success as a student and inspired me to be the future educator that I am today.

Outside of the department, I am the president of Apple Ambassadors and a mentor for the ECU Education Living-Learning Community. I work in the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement as a Student Leadership Assistant, where I plan volunteer opportunities for students on campus and aid the office in running Purple Pantry. It is especially meaningful to me to be recognized for the Russell Christman Memorial Scholarship because of the legacy that Mr. Christman had as an educator. I feel very grateful to be the recipient of this scholarship because this will eliminate financial burden as I go into my junior year.

Emily White (B.A., 2024, M.S. 2026)

“I took Linguistic Theory for Speech and Hearing Clinicians my first semester at ECU as a prerequisite to my Bachelor’s program and was really drawn to linguistics and second language acquisition, so I took more classes every semester after that. I’m incredibly grateful for the professors I have had in the English department — they have been encouraging and have supported me throughout my time at ECU and through my graduate school application process. My additional coursework in linguistics and TESOL has aided in my understanding of language disorders and will allow me to be a better and more informed clinician overall. I was accepted into the Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program for the fall 2024 semester, and I am excited to apply my knowledge in the clinic and through my coursework and continue in my learning.”

Once Ms. White completes her Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, she plans to practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist in a medical setting.