ECU the model for US research institutions of the future

ECU the model for US research institutions of the future

It was a purple and gold affair as East Carolina University on Wednesday celebrated its recent designation as a Research 1 university - setting the model for American research institutions in the future.

"For me, why create a blueprint for the new American university when it's right here," said Dr. Ted Mitchell, guest speaker and president of the American Council on Education. "This is the university that is creating the model for what the American research university will be in the future. Period. End."

The achievement places ECU among 5% of U.S. institutions recognized by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for having the highest level of research excellence. ECU is one of five institutions with R1 status in North Carolina.

A panel discussion moderated by ECU Chancellor Philip Rogers served as the centerpiece of the campuswide celebration in the Main Campus Student Center ballrooms.

Mitchell joined Dr. Sharon Paynter, chief innovation and engagement officer and interim chief research officer at ECU, to provide insight on the vital role of collaboration, community impact and future trends in research.

"The institutions that made it in the R1 space is where research is not separate but really is a part of how you think about teaching, a part of how you think about community service. And that for me is really joyful because it's an indication that we can recognize institutions that are bringing research back to the people," Mitchell said.

ECU's focus on student experiential learning and bringing ideas to practice will allow it to leverage its new R1 status, Paynter said.

"As we look forward, this R1 designation gives us more and more opportunity to engage students in the practice of discovery and innovation in ways that drive success from our industry partners, success from our communities, local, state and federal government, to be able to position this university as a player in those spaces," she said.

To her knowledge, Paynter said that ECU is the only U.S. university that is a two-time winner of the C. Peter Magrath Award for Community Engaged Scholarship, and a recipient of the APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation, Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, the inaugural Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose, and now, R1. In addition, ECU has received multiple WK Kellog Foundation awards.

"So if you think about the constellation of preparation that got us to that place where we were recognized in all those places, it is the faculty being mission-driven to do the work that is truly reflective of service as the backbone of ECU, and what that means for eastern North Carolina is really important," Paynter said.

Mitchell noted that there was a national effort a year and half ago to create a new model of the American research university, but he believes that ECU is already the standard-bearer.

"I'm coming to one place to celebrate R1 - here - and it's not by accident," he said. "And despite our great friendship, it's not just because Philip and I are close friends, it's because of the work that you are doing here that really is creating the way out of this public confidence box. It's creating the opportunity for America to see itself in the student body in this institution and to see what real research means when it is put into action. So thank you for everything that you're doing."

Rogers asked what advice Mitchell would give ECU as it looks to keep the momentum.

ECU should diversify funding streams, Mitchell said. "That's not just about the money. It's about embedding the research project in the work of local businesses, local nonprofits, state agencies and so on," he said. "The more that you can build research that connects with those stakeholders, you're also finding revenue streams that are different and may be countercyclical to whatever is going on in the federal government."

One of those stakeholders, Steven LaFevers, vice president for global emerging technology at Hyster-Yale Group, talked about collaborating with ECU faculty and students to create workforce pipelines.

ECU's Maddi Craney, a fourth-year ECU doctoral student in pharmacology and toxicology, discussed her research on cancer therapeutics and efforts in licensing and commercialization that would eventually make those therapies available for patients.

Dr. Bhiba Das, ECU associate professor of kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Performance, shared details of a unique interdisciplinary project with Dr. Adrienne Steiner-Brett, assistant professor of music therapy in the School of Music, for a virtual clinic that combines movement interventions and music therapy for informal or family caregivers in eastern North Carolina.

Going forward, Paynter said ECU will continue to lean into the power of partnerships, public impact and ways that ECU researchers are willing to engage in problem-solving so that student experiences prepare them for the workplace.

"In the future, every R1 is going to aspire to be ECU," Mitchell said.

Following the panel discussion, attendees took a celebratory group photo, enjoyed lunch with music by the ECU Jazz Ensemble, received ARRRGH1-branded T-shirts, and talked with students from several disciplines and schools who presented posters about their research in the hallway as part of ECU's annual Research and Creative Achievement Week.

To learn more about ECU research and its R1 designation, visit ECU's R1 website.

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