Leadership at ECSU

Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CURRENT MEMBERS

The purpose of the Board of Trustees of Elizabeth City State University is to perform the duties and exercise the powers prescribed by the applicable provisions of Chapter 116 of the North Carolina General Statutes and by The Code of the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina. 

Stephanie D. B. Johnson
Dr. Stephanie D. B. Johnson (Chair) | Term: 2021 - 2025
Dr.  Stephanie D.B. Johnson, a 1974 graduate of ECSU, is a mentor for the National Association of Elementary School Principals and an adjunct professor at Hampton University. She holds a Master of Science in Elementary Education and Certificate of Advanced Studies in Elementary Education from Old Dominion University. She also holds a Doctor of Administration and Policy from George Washington University.
Stephen Friedrich
Johnny Tillett (Vice-Chair) | Term: 2021 - 2027

Johnny Tillett is the senior vice president of state government relations with the McGuire Woods Consulting firm in Raleigh, N.C. He specializes in energy and utilities, healthcare, environmental interest, transportation and education. Prior to joining McGuire Woods in 2007, Tillett led his own lobbying firm in Raleigh. Before opening his lobbying firm, he served in key positions with Dare County and the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. 


Tillett has been recognized as a top lobbyist at the North Carolina General Assembly. He is ranked as the 9thMost Influential Lobbyist of the 2013-14 legislative session by the North Carolina Center for Policy Research.

Phyllis Bosomworth
Phyllis N. Bosomworth (Secretary) | Term: 2021 - 2025
Phyllis N. Bosomworth is a native of North Carolina. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Political Science. Her designations include Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager, Accredited Buyer Representative, and Senior Real Estate Specialist. She is a seasoned veteran in the real estate business with Long and Foster and is active in the Local REALTORS Association, having served as past president of the Board.
James R. Copland, IV
James R. Copland, IV | Term: 2021 - 2025
James R. Copland IV, a North Carolina native and New Bern resident, is a senior fellow with and director of Legal Policy for the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. He has served on many private company, nonprofit, and public boards, including as a trustee at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) and as a founding trustee of the African American Heritage and Culture Center of New Bern. Board governance is one of his research interests; on multiple occasions, he has been named to the National Association of Corporate Directors “Directorship 100” list, which designates the individuals most influential over U.S. corporate governance. Copland has a B.A. from UNC Chapel Hill, an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics, and a J.D. and M.B.A. from Yale University.
Tiffany Jones
Chris Evans | Term: 2019 - 2027
Chris Evans is the director of State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina where she monitors and responds to legislative and regulatory issues that impact the company through direct lobbying and development of internal and external networks. She was previously associate counsel for Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina. Evans began her career as a high school social studies teacher before entering the practice of law. She graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law with a Juris Doctor with Honors. She earned a Master of Arts in Education from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with High Honors from Denison University in Granville, Ohio.
 
Stephen Friedrich
Stephen Friedrich | Term: April 22, 2021 - June 2025
Stephen Friedrich is the chief commercial officer for Embraer Executive Jets. He has spent his career in the aviation and aerospace industry. In his current role with Embraer, Friedrich oversees sales, client and industry relations, and business development. Prior to joining Embraer, he led global sales and marketing for Rolls Royce Civil Aerospace Business Aviation. He has also served in senior positions for financial institutions. Friedrich graduated from Lafayette College with a degree in economics and business, and from the Stern School at New York University with an M.B.A.
James Gailliard
James Gailliard | Term: 2023-2027
Pastor James Gailliard is the organizing and Senior Pastor of Word Tabernacle Church with campuses in Rocky Mount and Tarboro, North Carolina. Pastor Gailliard served two consecutive terms in the North Carolina General Assembly. During his two terms, he introduced over 35 Bills, co-sponsored numerous others, held two Governor appointments, and served on five of the most critical Standing Committees, including Health and Education. As a Commissioner of MyFutureNC, he was one of the architects of the statewide educational attainment goal. He currently serves on many boards including Charman of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation and Founder/Chairman of the REACH Center, Inc.
 
Kathryn Holding
Kathryn Roebuck Holding | Term: 2023 – 2027

Kathryn Holding is a non-profit leader with nine years of experience in strategic planning, leadership, asset development, and community philanthropy. A licensed attorney, Holding has experience in charitable giving, community foundation, estate planning and tax law. Born, raised, and educated in North Carolina, Holding has a deep love and respect for our state, and believes community-led philanthropy and access to higher education are core elements of its progress and sustainability.

Tiffany Jones
Tiffany Jones | Term: 2021 - 2025
Dr. Tiffany Jones is deputy director of data, measurement, learning and evaluation for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She leads the foundation’s team responsible for using postsecondary data, measurement, learning, and evaluation to help reach the Postsecondary Success strategy’s goals of dramatically increasing student success and eliminating race, ethnicity, and income as predictors of that success.
 
Patricia B. Norman
Patricia B. Norman | Term: 2023 – 2027

Patricia Bond Norman, a native of Windsor, North Carolina, attended Elizabeth City State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Currently, Mrs. Norman works for the Office of Secretary of State on special projects, including the organization and setting up of conferences as needed. She also serves on the State Employee Advisory Board of her branch of the State Employees Credit Union and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Ms. Norman has provided encouragement to students, by providing resources to students, and provided financial support to students. 

Paul Tine
Paul Tine | Term: 2023-2027
Paul Tine is a former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from Dare County. He is the owner of Midgett Insurance Agency in Manteo and Kitty Hawk. Tine has served on numerous boards including North Carolina Museum of Natural History advisory board, Northeast Commission, Northeast Rural Broadband, the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, and the Roanoke Island Historical Association. He is a graduate of James Madison University.
Justin L. Waddell
Justin L. Waddell | Term: 2021 – 2025
Justin Waddell is a 2014 graduate of Elizabeth City State University, earning a B.S. in Aviation Science and a minor in Public Administration.  After graduating, he furthered his career with a major defense contractor Science Applications International Corporation in Washington, D.C., as a Research & Development Systems Engineer. He has held prominent positions at a wide variety of prestigious companies. Waddell currently holds a position at Metron Aviation, as a Technical Project Manager, where he oversees the development, deployment and maintenance of Air Traffic Flow automation systems to foreign and domestic clientele.
Kayla Dixon
Kayla Dixon (Ex-Officio Member)| Term: 2024 – 2025
Kayla Dixon is the current Student Government Association President.

 

The most updated Board of Trustees Bylaws can be found here.

2024

September 10, 2024 | 9 AM
K.E. White Graduate Center
 
June 18, 2024 | 9 AM
K.E. White Graduate Center
 
March 19, 2024 | 9 AM

K.E. White Graduate Center

9 a.m. – Committees |  2 p.m. – Full Board Meeting


2023

December 12, 2023 | 9 AM
K.E. White Graduate Center
 
September 12, 2023 | 9 AM
K.E. White Graduate Center
 
March 16, 2023 | 9 AM
Board of Trustees Meeting

K.E. White Graduate Center

9 a.m. – Committees |  2 p.m. – Full Board Meeting


2022

December 13, 2022 | 9 AM
Board of Trustees Meeting

K.E. White Graduate Center

9 a.m. – Committees |  2 p.m. – Full Board Meeting  

September 12, 2022 | 9 AM

Board of Trustees Retreat
G.R. Little Library – P.W. Moore Boardroom

 

September 13, 2022 

Board of Trustees Quarterly Meeting

K.E. White Graduate Center

9 a.m. – Committees |  2:30 p.m. – Full Board Meeting  

 
June 27, 2022
 
June 6, 2022
ECSU Board of Trustees Special Meeting

The Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Board of Trustees will hold a special, virtual meeting on Monday, June 6 at 1:00 p.m.  The purpose of the meeting is to approve the construction manager and commissioning agent for the housing and dining capital project.  The Board of Trustees will also consider the authorization of a new heating, ventilation, and cooling system for Viking Village.

April 6, 2022
ECSU Board of Trustees Special Meeting
The purpose of the meeting is to consider awarding honorary degrees, professor emeritus status, and approval of a designer for a campus project.  The meeting will begin in open session and move to closed session. The approval of the designer for the campus project will be discussed and approved in open session.

March 25, 2022

Recorded Virtual Meeting 


2021


December 14, 2021

September 14, 2021
Virtual Meeting

June 8, 2021
Recorded Virtual Meeting 


March 8-9, 2021
Recorded Virtual Meetings

March 8, 2021  
March 9, 2021


2020

March 10, 2020

June 1-2, 2020
Recorded Virtual Meetings
June 1, 2020
June 2, 2020

September 21-22, 2020
Recorded Virtual Meetings 

September 21, 2020
September 22, 2020

November 11, 2020 - Virtual Board of Trustees Annual Retreat 

December 14-15, 2020
Recorded Virtual Meetings
December 14, 2020
December 15, 2020