Student: Whitley McCoy

• Alondra Martinez

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From creating mentorship opportunities for East Carolina University honors students to leading the Business Scholars Program, Whitley McCoy has made her mark as a dedicated leader within ECU's Honors College and College of Business.

Discovering a Future in Business

When she was younger, McCoy didn't picture herself following in her father's footsteps of working in the business industry.

"My dad started his own business a few years before I was born. Growing up, I got to see the progression of his business. When I was younger, I did not appreciate it at all," McCoy said. "I was like, why would anyone do this? There are so many late nights. It is so many long hours. It is so much work. And I was just always like, 'I would never run my own business.'"

That perspective changed as she got older.

"As I got older, I started to appreciate it. All the hard work and getting to see something that you built and that you put everything into. That is really why I went the business route," she said.

McCoy credits her fascination with marketing campaigns as another reason for pursuing her degree.

"I love watching marketing campaigns. I think that they're so cool, and they're fascinating to me," McCoy said. "You can take something that is just everyday and ordinary, and then you have this insane marketing campaign, and you are like, wow!"

Choosing the Pirate Path

McCoy never imagined she'd become a Pirate like her mother either.

"My mom went here, and I was never drawn to ECU. I never thought I would end up here, but I come from a family of Pirates, and they were all like, just come take a tour," McCoy said.

After staying at ECU for a weekend, her perspective shifted.

"This is going to sound cliche, but as soon as I stepped on campus, it felt like home. Getting to take a tour and hear people talk about how much they love ECU and all the great benefits of coming here," she said.

The Honors College sealed her decision.

"I loved the idea that there was a smaller community within this massive university. It instantly felt like, okay, this is where I want to go," McCoy said. "It honestly made my decision so much easier, having the Honors College and College of Business."

Building Community Through Leadership

As a freshman, McCoy and her classmates began developing an idea that would grow into the ECU Honors College Mentor Program.

"It actually started in our Honors 2000 class. We were presented with coming up with a 'wicked problem' which was a good problem that we could realistically solve, and our problem dealt with mentorship," she said. "Freshman year is terrifying, and you're surrounded by such high-achieving students. It can make it even more intimidating. We started thinking about how we could close that gap and help everyone access all the resources the Honors College has to offer."

After researching more than 30 mentorship programs worldwide, McCoy's group developed a pilot program tailored to ECU's Honors College.

"We spent a year researching that after our freshman year. At the end of our sophomore year, we brought it to the Honors College faculty and proposed a pilot program. They were very supportive and on board. We developed this pilot program and put it into effect last year," McCoy said.

After gathering feedback, the group refined the program. Now, freshmen and mentors complete personality assessments, and new students can review mentor bios to choose who they feel most connected with.

"This is such a big transition, and people do not give themselves enough credit for coming to college because it is a very scary thing to step into. It is special to hear their stories from the freshmen, sharing how much their mentor has impacted them," McCoy said.

Along with her role as lead mentor, McCoy serves as a lead ambassador for the ECU Honors College Ambassadors.

"Recruitment is such a special process to be part of," she said. "It's incredible to meet high school students when they're just starting to explore their college options, and then walk alongside them through every stage. Then we get to welcome them as students on campus, watching them show up, find their place and begin creating their own stories. That full-circle experience is what makes recruitment so meaningful to me."

Shaping the Next Generation of Business Leaders

McCoy has also excelled in the College of Business, where she was recently elected president of the Business Scholars Program, one of the college's most prestigious opportunities.

Business Scholars are recognized not only for academic achievements but also for leadership potential and commitment to excellence. This program provides scholarships, the chance to work alongside faculty and staff, and one of the most impactful benefits, the opportunity to connect with successful alumni who once sat in the same seats.

"Connecting with Dean Harris, the College of Business faculty and alumni has been incredible," McCoy said. "These individuals have done so many amazing things, and to have the chance to meet them, learn from them and get advice is incredible. These experiences have been invaluable in shaping me as a student, leader and professional."

Lessons Beyond the Classroom

McCoy credits both the Honors College and the College of Business as key influences on her personal and professional growth.

"What I love most is getting to represent both of the colleges that have shaped my own experience. When I'm recruiting, I get to share my genuine love for both, how each has challenged me, supported me and helped me grow in different ways. It's such a special feeling to connect with students and show them what it's like to be part of two communities that mean so much to me," she said.

When McCoy gets a chance to unwind she loves creating memories with her friends and family.

"My family and friends are my world. I am an aunt to a nearly 3-year-old girl, and being an aunt is so much fun. I spend a lot of my time with my family. I am lucky to live a life where I can go home and spend time with them or have dinner with them, then come back to ECU," McCoy said.

After graduation, McCoy hopes to pursue an MBA and eventually open her own event venue in her hometown in Johnston County.