Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds light and variable..

Mainly clear. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.

Michael L. Harris has been appointed interim dean of the East Carolina University College of Business, effective July 1, following Paul Schwager, who will begin a new role as dean of the College of Charleston School of Business this summer.

“It has been gratifying to see the College of Business pull together and adjust as needed during these challenging times,” Schwager said. “Mike’s positivity, energy and passion for eastern North Carolina is a real benefit to the college and the university. His 20-plus years of institutional knowledge will enable him to build on the outstanding existing and emerging initiatives. I know the COB will continue to thrive under his leadership.”

Harris is a leader within the College of Business and is an ECU alumnus having earned his bachelor of science in business administration and master of business degrees at ECU. He earned his doctorate in higher education administration at N.C. State University before returning to the ECU College of Business as an assistant professor in 2004. He was named associate professor in 2010 and professor in 2015, and served as chair of the Department of Management from 2014 until 2017, when he was named director of the Miller School of Entrepreneurship. He also holds the title of J. Fielding Miller Distinguished Professor.

As director of the COB’s Small Business Institute from 2000-2019, Harris worked with student teams to complete consulting projects for small business clients, and he has served as editor of the Small Business Institute Journal and as co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Small Business Strategy.

The Miller School has launched the Pirate Entrepreneurship Challenge, the Bachelor of Science in entrepreneurship degree, the Crisp Small Business Resource Center and the Isley Innovation Hub.

Schwager was dean in 2019 after serving one year as interim dean.

Under his leadership, the college has made noteworthy progress in support of ECU’s mission of student success, public service and regional transformation. It established the Thomas D. Arthur Graduate School of Business, the Cunanan Center for Professional Success and the Copeland Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship program.

“I am confident that Mike is the right choice to work with the faculty, staff and leadership team of the College of Business to continue to build on the college’s record of success,” said Grant Hayes, interim provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “I also thank Dean Schwager for his service to ECU and wish him the best in his new role.”

Harris said he looks forward to building on the foundation laid by Schwager and former deans like Dr. Stanley Eakins. “I’m focused on being authentic to our mission and action-oriented in our approach to serving our students, the regional business community and our passionate Pirate alumni base,” he said.

State bar recognizes Withers for ‘filling justice gap’

The North Carolina Bar Association in June recognized attorney Sarah Beth Withers, founder of Inner Banks Legal Services, as the first-ever recipient of the “Filling the Justice Gap Award”.

The award was created to be presented to an attorney or organization making innovative strides with providing legal services to close the justice gap in North Carolina.

Since founding the nonprofit law firm Inner Banks Legal Services in 2017, Withers has been lauded as a leading legal mind in her community. In 2021, Withers was certified as a consumer bankruptcy law specialist by the North Carolina State Bar, and was recognized by the American Bankruptcy Institute as a “40 under 40,” a select group of individuals who demonstrate leadership and achievement in bankruptcy and insolvency law. Withers was named a “Rising Star” in consumer bankruptcy by Super Lawyers and inducted into the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

To date, Inner Banks Legal Services have served more than 800 families throughout eastern North Carolina in the areas of bankruptcy, family and estate law. The firm works on a sliding scale, basing client fees on household income and size.

“I am honored to be recognized by the North Carolina Bar Association as the first recipient of the Filling the Justice Gap Award. The opportunity to serve the needs of the people in eastern N.C. in this way is the reason I founded Inner Banks Legal Services, and remains the mission of our firm.

Too often individuals and families go without proper legal representation. We are here to ensure our community understands their legal rights and to lift their voices so that they too have access to the justice system,” Withers said.

Greenville resident Jennifer Bowers has been appointed as director with BAYADA Home Healthcare, a leading not-for-profit home health care provider.

Bowers will lead a team of home health professionals who help pediatric clients live safely at home with comfort, independence and dignity.

Bowers brings extensive experience in home health care recruitment, staffing, and meeting client needs. A graduate of East Carolina University, she holds a bachelor’s degree in family and community services and a nonprofit management certificate from Duke University.

BAYADA Pediatrics offers care at home and school for children with complex medical needs. Children benefit from skilled nurses as well as home health aides who provide support with personal care services such as bathing and grooming. All professionals are experienced and specially trained to care for children with special needs.

“Making a difference in the lives of others, especially our nurses, pediatric clients and their families, is extremely gratifying and rewarding,” Bowers said. “I am fortunate that my new role with BAYADA enables me to love on our clients, provide an ear for families who are struggling, and support our nurses and the tough work they do every day. I look forward to working with the Greenville community and providing quality care to its littlest patients.”

All BAYADA staff are guided by The BAYADA Way, which is the company’s philosophy. It encompasses the company’s core values of compassion, excellence and reliability.

For more information, visit bayada.com or call 551-0555.

BAYADA Home Health Care was founded by J. Mark Baiada in 1975 and provides nursing, rehabilitative, therapeutic, hospice, behavioral health and assistive care services to children, adults, and seniors in the comfort of their homes. .

Gov. Roy Cooper has appointed a Greenville resident to the North Carolina Human Relations Commission.

Kennis Earl Wilkins of Greenville was named the representative of the 1st Congressional District. Wilkins is the CEO and Founder of Faith Works Community Services in Williamston and Raleigh. Wilkins also has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. He has previously served on the board of directors for Martin Community College and Elizabeth City State University.

Pitt County Government has announced the following staff retirements:

Contact jstorm@reflector.com or 252-329-9587.

www.Reflector.com 1150 Sugg Pkwy Greenville, NC 27834 Main Phone: 252-329-9500 Customer Care Phone: 252-329-9505

Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.

Check your email for details.

Invalid password or account does not exist

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account.

Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.

A receipt was sent to your email.