Sponsored Programs

Ebere A Oriaku joined Elizabeth City State University in 1985 as an assistant Professor of Business and Economics. Presently Ebere Oriaku is an endowed professor of Economics.

Professor Oriaku had chaired the Department of Business and Economics for over ten years and introduced many programs. He served the University as Director Center for Economic Education, Director for Summer School. He had taken students to several competitions under SIFE, now Enactus. And had several regional, and national awards. Professor Oriaku has written numerous articles in his field and has been awarded grants in collaboration with others. 

He was appointed endowed professor in 2013 with a mandate to work with Dean Bejou to obtain international accreditation in Business for ECSU Business Program. That task was accomplished. He was also mandated to write a curriculum for MBA program with international dimensions and this was done waiting for funding from the UNC system.

Professor Oriaku serves as an external, Ph.D. examiner for many Foreign Universities such as India and Dubai. He serves

ETS CLEP as a syndicate, and as reader for AP economics for ETS. He continues to serve ECSU with efficiency and high dedication. He served   as a consultant in ECSU’s award winning Choir tour to Africa in 2006.

Dr. Kuldeep Rawat is Thorpe Endowed Professor and Dean of School of Science, Aviation, Health and Technology at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Dr. Rawat holds an MS in Computer Science, MS in Computer Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Center for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Louisiana-Lafayette (ULL). At ULL he conducted research into video compression techniques for applications in aerial surveillance platforms used for monitoring wetlands. He has more than eighteen years of combined Industrial and Academic Research and Teaching experience. Dr. Rawat is an International Air Transportation Association (IATA) certified Aviation Management Professional.

Dr. Rawat provides leadership and manages the School’s administrative operations. The School of Science, Aviation, Health, and Technology (SAHT) is home to four academic departments and fifteen academic programs:  Natural Sciences (Biology BS/MS, Chemistry, and Sustainability Studies); Health & Human Studies (Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kinesiology, Psychology, and Social Work); Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering Technology (Mathematics BS/MS, Computer Science, Engineering Technology); and Aviation & Emergency Management (Aviation Science, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and Emergency Management), which includes over sixty full-time and temporary employees.  In addition, the SAHT houses Aviation Science, the institution’s signature program. The SAHT also houses Center for Excellence in Remote Sensing Research and Education, NC Math/Science Enrichment Network (NC-MSEN), and ECSU’s Khan Planetarium.

Dr. Rawat has served as the Principal Investigator/Project Director on multiple grants, including National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Hewlett-Packard, the US Department of Transportation, NC Division of Aviation, NASA, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and the Golden LEAF Foundation. He has secured over $5 Million in external funding to support research, teaching, program development/enhancement, and outreach projects at ECSU.

He also serves as the Director of ECSU’s signature/flagship program in Aviation Science. As the director of state’s only 4-year collegiate aviation program, he is responsible for conducting aviation program needs assessment, purchasing aircraft, flight simulators and ATC lab equipment, avionics trainers, laboratory upgrades and developing a strategic plan to grow and sustain state’s only four-year aviation education program. Recently, Dr. Rawat led the efforts to establish BS degree in Unmanned Aircraft Systems program at ECSU.

Other administrative responsibilities that he holds on campus are the Chief Research Officer, Campus Director for NC Space Grant Consortium, Activity Director for Department of Education/SAFRA project, Director of Unmanned Vehicle Systems Lab, and Director of Summer Transportation Institute and Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship program at ECSU.

His areas of interest are in designing embedded systems, PC-based instrumentation, mobile and aerial robotics, civilian applications of unmanned aerial systems, and innovative uses of educational technologies. He is one of the 10 recipients of 2009 HP Innovations in Education award to transform teaching and learning through innovative uses of technology.

 

Prof. V. Lakshmi Narasimhan obtained his PhD from the University of Queensland, Australia. He worked at his Alma Mater in Australia inititally as a Senior Research Fellow and later as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor. He then moved to the Defense Science and Technology Organization (DSTO) of Australia as a Principal Research Scientist and head of Information Management and Fusion. At DTSO, he was instrumental in seeding and shaping several large-scale mission-critical projects for the Australian Defense Forces.

Prof. VI. Narasimhan presently serves as the Patterson Endowed Professor at Elizabeth City State University, NC, USA. Over the past, he has served as Senior Professor & Consultant Director to Kaffec, Kalasalingam University, India. He was also a Senior Vice-President, Srikar & Associates International Inc. (non-profit), USA, and the Chief Technical Officer ( CTO) of Ms. Gill LLC, California, USA. Prof. Narasimhan has also served as a full professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Newcastle, Australia, and the University of North Texax, Western Kentucky University, and East Carolina University, USA. He is also a Senior Vice-President at Srikar & Associates, Intl. Inc. for an extended period of time. He has published more than 480 research papers in archival journals and leading international conferences. His papers have appearedin such archival jounals as the various IEEE Transactions and IEE Proceedings. He has also been the technical chair of nine international conferences and has been on the technical panel of over 90 leading internation Conferences. He has obtained more than $9 million in research funding from various competitive granting bodies, MNCs and the Department of Defense. He has also served as a Technical Consultant to many industries, including the Boeing Aerospacce Inc., St. Louis, USA.   

 

 

Dr. Robert White, E.V. Wilkins Endowed Professor in Education, is an esteemed educator, researcher, and advocate dedicated to advancing equitable and transformative education. Dr. White's contributions extend far beyond traditional academia. With a rich blend of experience spanning academia, leadership, and community engagement, he is a driving force in fostering inclusive environments and empowering marginalized communities.

Having been an Elementary Teacher, District Behavior Support Teacher,  and Elementary School Principal; Dr. White's journey in academia began with a PhD in Educational Studies from Durham University, specializing in Special Education and Educational Psychology with a focus on Inclusive Practice. This foundation propelled him into numerous leadership roles, including Reader in Education at Queen Margaret University, Director of Educational Leadership at Le Moyne College, and Reader and Research and Excellence Coordinator at the University of Aberdeen.

His extensive expertise lies at the intersection of critical theory-informed educational leadership, emancipatory pedagogies, and inclusive education. Dr. White's influence extends globally, highlighted by his role as the International Coordinator of Inclusion and Equity for the UNESCO Teacher Taskforce, where he collaborates with schools and communities worldwide to develop culturally responsive programs for marginalized children.

As an accomplished author and researcher, Dr. White's work spans critical theory-informed educational leadership, educational psychology, multicultural education, and inclusive education. His forthcoming book on Critical Theory Informed School Leadership and leadership in the 'Transforming Education' series with Bloomsbury Academic exemplify his commitment to advancing knowledge and practice.

Beyond research, Dr. White's impact resonates through teaching excellence. He has crafted courses such as Emancipatory Educational Leadership and Comparative and International Educational Studies, blending theory and practice to foster critical thinking and social engagement among students. His dedication to teaching has earned him nominations for teaching awards and heartfelt praise from students.

Dr. White's service to the academic community is profound, demonstrated through committee work, leadership roles, mentoring, and contributions to initiatives like the Research Excellence Framework, The Teaching, Research and Academic Mentoring Scheme and more recently The Southeast Coalition for University Assisted Community Schools. His passion for promoting diversity, autonomy, and agency aligns seamlessly with the values of institutions he serves.

With a rich academic journey marked by innovation, equity, and social justice, Dr. White's influence encompasses academia, research, teaching, and community engagement. His commitment to advancing education that transforms lives underscores his role as an advocate and activist for inclusive and equitable excellence.