EDEC Members
ECU’s EDEC is made up of 13 university faculty and staff members.
Teal Darkenwald
darkenwaldt@ecu.edu
Fine Arts and Communication
Teal Darkenwald is an associate professor in ECU’s School of Theatre and Dance where she teaches jazz, ballet and modern technique classes, dance composition, and dance science courses. Darkenwald is the founder of UltraBarre®, a barre-based somatic training certification program. She was a guest artist at Ballet Philippines, Visceral Dance Center, Radford University, the University at Buffalo, Glendale Community College, and Salve Regina University. Her dual research focus is in dance science and dances of the African diaspora. She conducts research out of the Innovation Design Lab and collaborates ECU’s Biomechanics Lab and the Department of Physical Therapy.
darkenwaldt@ecu.edu
Fine Arts and Communication
Teal Darkenwald is an associate professor in ECU’s School of Theatre and Dance where she teaches jazz, ballet and modern technique classes, dance composition, and dance science courses. Darkenwald is the founder of UltraBarre®, a barre-based somatic training certification program. She was a guest artist at Ballet Philippines, Visceral Dance Center, Radford University, the University at Buffalo, Glendale Community College, and Salve Regina University. Her dual research focus is in dance science and dances of the African diaspora. She conducts research out of the Innovation Design Lab and collaborates ECU’s Biomechanics Lab and the Department of Physical Therapy.
Todd Fraley
fraleyt@ecu.edu
Honors College
Todd Fraley is the director of the ECU Scholars Program and serves as an associate dean for academic programs. Prior to his leadership position in the Honors College, Fraley taught in the School of Communication where he also served as an associate professor, coordinator for undergraduate studies and internship director. He holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and sociology from James Madison University and earned his master’s and doctorate in journalism and mass communication from the University of Georgia-Athens.
fraleyt@ecu.edu
Honors College
Todd Fraley is the director of the ECU Scholars Program and serves as an associate dean for academic programs. Prior to his leadership position in the Honors College, Fraley taught in the School of Communication where he also served as an associate professor, coordinator for undergraduate studies and internship director. He holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and sociology from James Madison University and earned his master’s and doctorate in journalism and mass communication from the University of Georgia-Athens.
Michael Harris
harrismi@ecu.edu
Miller School of Entrepreneurship
Michael Harris is a professor and director of the Miller School of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business. His research has focused on entrepreneurial attitudes, intentions and the business startup process. Focal areas have included measuring the attitudes of young adults and the strategic resources necessary for new venture launch. His more recent research efforts have focused on entrepreneurial pedagogy and the development of comprehensive entrepreneurship programs and accompanying ecosystems. One of his particular research goals is to create a national model for rural entrepreneurship education.
harrismi@ecu.edu
Miller School of Entrepreneurship
Michael Harris is a professor and director of the Miller School of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business. His research has focused on entrepreneurial attitudes, intentions and the business startup process. Focal areas have included measuring the attitudes of young adults and the strategic resources necessary for new venture launch. His more recent research efforts have focused on entrepreneurial pedagogy and the development of comprehensive entrepreneurship programs and accompanying ecosystems. One of his particular research goals is to create a national model for rural entrepreneurship education.
Elizabeth Hodge
hodgee@ecu.edu
Education
Elizabeth Hodge is a professor and assistant dean of innovation and strategic initiatives in the College of Education where she serves as the assistant dean for innovations and strategic initiatives. Her research is motivated by the use of innovative technological tools to ignite and transform learning. To date, she has produced an array of articles, chapters and books on immersive education, e-learning, multi-user virtual environments, professional learning communities, and innovative instructional methods. Most of the research she conducts explores how a particular technology tool influences behavioral, environmental or personal factors in which learning occurs.
hodgee@ecu.edu
Education
Elizabeth Hodge is a professor and assistant dean of innovation and strategic initiatives in the College of Education where she serves as the assistant dean for innovations and strategic initiatives. Her research is motivated by the use of innovative technological tools to ignite and transform learning. To date, she has produced an array of articles, chapters and books on immersive education, e-learning, multi-user virtual environments, professional learning communities, and innovative instructional methods. Most of the research she conducts explores how a particular technology tool influences behavioral, environmental or personal factors in which learning occurs.
Jayme Host
hostj17@ecu.edu
Fine Arts and Communication
Jayme Host is the director of ECU’s School of Theatre and Dance. A champion of arts integration, Host served as a consultant for the Pennsylvania Department of Education and worked with the Maryland State Board of Education. As a teaching artist, she served in multiple residencies including the Maryland School of Theatre and Dance Artist Teacher Institute, the Prince George’s County Artist Teacher Institute, the 21st Century Teaching Institute and the Global Arts Integration Network. She taught in residence at the Riverside International School in Prague, Czech Republic in 2016 and was invited for a return engagement as their dance scholar-in-residence. As a choreographer, she set work on the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company of Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as the Momentum Dance Company from Panama. The University of Maryland-College Park commissioned her piece, “The Decadent Ball,” which was selected for performance on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage.
hostj17@ecu.edu
Fine Arts and Communication
Jayme Host is the director of ECU’s School of Theatre and Dance. A champion of arts integration, Host served as a consultant for the Pennsylvania Department of Education and worked with the Maryland State Board of Education. As a teaching artist, she served in multiple residencies including the Maryland School of Theatre and Dance Artist Teacher Institute, the Prince George’s County Artist Teacher Institute, the 21st Century Teaching Institute and the Global Arts Integration Network. She taught in residence at the Riverside International School in Prague, Czech Republic in 2016 and was invited for a return engagement as their dance scholar-in-residence. As a choreographer, she set work on the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company of Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as the Momentum Dance Company from Panama. The University of Maryland-College Park commissioned her piece, “The Decadent Ball,” which was selected for performance on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage.
David Mayo
mayod@ecu.edu
Miller School of Entrepreneurship
David Mayo is an entrepreneur and teaching instructor in the Miller School of Entrepreneurship. Mayo has started and led multiple entrepreneurial firms, recording nearly 6,000 hours of consulting experience with small businesses and entrepreneurs. His interests include high-growth companies, equity investments and student venture creation.
mayod@ecu.edu
Miller School of Entrepreneurship
David Mayo is an entrepreneur and teaching instructor in the Miller School of Entrepreneurship. Mayo has started and led multiple entrepreneurial firms, recording nearly 6,000 hours of consulting experience with small businesses and entrepreneurs. His interests include high-growth companies, equity investments and student venture creation.
Merwan Mehta
mehtam@ecu.edu
Engineering and Technology
Merwan Mehta is a professor in the College of Engineering and Technology’s Department of Technology Systems. Mehta’s present research interests are enhancing manufacturing and business processes through Lean principles and theory of constraints and the pursuit of quality and variation control through Six-sigma and design of experiments. Prior to joining academics in 2004, he recorded more than 20 years of experience in business and industry as an owner, vice president, manufacturing manager, project director, industrial engineer, machine tool design engineer, and manufacturing engineer. He has worked as a Lean Six-sigma process improvement consultant helping businesses become more profitable and productive since 2000.
mehtam@ecu.edu
Engineering and Technology
Merwan Mehta is a professor in the College of Engineering and Technology’s Department of Technology Systems. Mehta’s present research interests are enhancing manufacturing and business processes through Lean principles and theory of constraints and the pursuit of quality and variation control through Six-sigma and design of experiments. Prior to joining academics in 2004, he recorded more than 20 years of experience in business and industry as an owner, vice president, manufacturing manager, project director, industrial engineer, machine tool design engineer, and manufacturing engineer. He has worked as a Lean Six-sigma process improvement consultant helping businesses become more profitable and productive since 2000.
Sharon Paynter
paynters@ecu.edu
Economic and Community Engagement
Sharon Paynter is the assistant vice chancellor for economic and community engagement. She joined the faculty in 2009 and serves as an associate professor of political science. She received her doctorate in public administration from North Carolina State University, her master’s from the University of Denver, and her MPA and bachelor’s degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill. Paynter’s research interests include hunger, poverty and public policy.
paynters@ecu.edu
Economic and Community Engagement
Sharon Paynter is the assistant vice chancellor for economic and community engagement. She joined the faculty in 2009 and serves as an associate professor of political science. She received her doctorate in public administration from North Carolina State University, her master’s from the University of Denver, and her MPA and bachelor’s degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill. Paynter’s research interests include hunger, poverty and public policy.
Alice Richman
richmana@ecu.edu
Health and Human Performance
Alice Richman is an associate professor in the Department of Health Education and Promotion in the College of Health and Human Performance. Her training is in public health and social science research methods with content emphasis in cancer health disparities, specifically in the areas of access to preventive health services for HPV-related cancers and breast cancer for disadvantaged populations. Her research in cancer health disparities has been focused in two main areas including understanding cancer health disparities and developing and evaluating interventions to address those disparities. She routinely engages the community in research via coalition building, community-based participatory research, and in training and collaborating with community health workers to create sustainable change.
richmana@ecu.edu
Health and Human Performance
Alice Richman is an associate professor in the Department of Health Education and Promotion in the College of Health and Human Performance. Her training is in public health and social science research methods with content emphasis in cancer health disparities, specifically in the areas of access to preventive health services for HPV-related cancers and breast cancer for disadvantaged populations. Her research in cancer health disparities has been focused in two main areas including understanding cancer health disparities and developing and evaluating interventions to address those disparities. She routinely engages the community in research via coalition building, community-based participatory research, and in training and collaborating with community health workers to create sustainable change.
Carlyle Rogers
rogersar@ecu.edu
Innovation and New Ventures
Carlyle Rogers serves as a licensing associate for innovation and new ventures. As a native of eastern North Carolina, Rogers believes that the seed of innovation – when given the right care – can transform a region’s economy and identity into an engine of economic prosperity. He works diligently to facilitate the development and visibility of inventions, innovations and startups coming out of ECU and is passionate about educating the greater campus community in intellectual property.
rogersar@ecu.edu
Innovation and New Ventures
Carlyle Rogers serves as a licensing associate for innovation and new ventures. As a native of eastern North Carolina, Rogers believes that the seed of innovation – when given the right care – can transform a region’s economy and identity into an engine of economic prosperity. He works diligently to facilitate the development and visibility of inventions, innovations and startups coming out of ECU and is passionate about educating the greater campus community in intellectual property.
Marti Van Scott
vanscottm@ecu.edu
Commercialization and Licensing
Trained in geology and business, Marti Van Scott began her career as an industrial geologist before transitioning to management of federal contracts with the U.S. Department of Energy. This foundation in federal contracts administration quickly evolved into expertise managing complex portfolios of grants and contracts for industry and academia. Van Scott joined ECU’s Office of Sponsored Programs in 1991 and served in a variety of roles ranging from grant and contracts officer to interim OSP director over a span of 20 years. She now serves as the director of commercialization and licensing under the Office of Innovation and New Ventures. Under Van Scott’s direction, ECU has been recognized nationally in several measures for achievements in the field of technology transfer.
vanscottm@ecu.edu
Commercialization and Licensing
Trained in geology and business, Marti Van Scott began her career as an industrial geologist before transitioning to management of federal contracts with the U.S. Department of Energy. This foundation in federal contracts administration quickly evolved into expertise managing complex portfolios of grants and contracts for industry and academia. Van Scott joined ECU’s Office of Sponsored Programs in 1991 and served in a variety of roles ranging from grant and contracts officer to interim OSP director over a span of 20 years. She now serves as the director of commercialization and licensing under the Office of Innovation and New Ventures. Under Van Scott’s direction, ECU has been recognized nationally in several measures for achievements in the field of technology transfer.
Keith Wheeler
wheelerch18@ecu.edu
National Security and Industry Initiatives
Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Keith Wheeler is the executive director for national security and industry initiatives. The Manteo native held numerous leadership positions in the Navy, including commanding officer of U.S.S. McInerney, where he led the Navy’s first at-sea autonomous flight tests of the Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle, as well as a daring night capture of a self-propelled semi-submersible drug sub off the coast of Central America. Other assignments include Chief of Staff at DARPA — the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency charged with creating breakthrough technologies and capabilities for national security — the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. Wheeler earned his master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College and his bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy.
wheelerch18@ecu.edu
National Security and Industry Initiatives
Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Keith Wheeler is the executive director for national security and industry initiatives. The Manteo native held numerous leadership positions in the Navy, including commanding officer of U.S.S. McInerney, where he led the Navy’s first at-sea autonomous flight tests of the Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle, as well as a daring night capture of a self-propelled semi-submersible drug sub off the coast of Central America. Other assignments include Chief of Staff at DARPA — the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency charged with creating breakthrough technologies and capabilities for national security — the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. Wheeler earned his master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College and his bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Matt Whited
whitedm@ecu.edu
Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Matt Whited is an associate professor of psychology in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences. Whited’s research interests center around the association between mental health and health behaviors that influence risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). He is especially interested in understanding the mechanisms of the association between depression and CVD in order to design and apply interventions to reduce CVD risk via treatment of depression and related mental health issues.
whitedm@ecu.edu
Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Matt Whited is an associate professor of psychology in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences. Whited’s research interests center around the association between mental health and health behaviors that influence risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). He is especially interested in understanding the mechanisms of the association between depression and CVD in order to design and apply interventions to reduce CVD risk via treatment of depression and related mental health issues.