Meet the Staff
Advisor Kudos!
If you think your advisor is GREAT and want to send them (and their supervisor!) a quick note of appreciation, click this link Advisor Kudos.
LeAnn Taylor,
Director
LeAnn Taylor is a 1st generation college student who was born and raised in eastern North Carolina. She received a B.A. in English from Barton College (in her hometown of “Wilt-sun”) before venturing to Greenville where she received an M.A. in English from East Carolina University. She has been an advisor at ECU in the College of Arts & Sciences since 2004 and can’t imagine ever doing anything else.
LeAnn is a homebody who enjoys watching football (KC Chiefs), decorating her house for every season, and just hanging out at home with her hubby Robert and their fur-babies Shelby (cat) and Mo (dog). She has a sarcastic wit, enjoys dad jokes (What does a nosey pepper do? It gets jalapeño business), and loves helping students find their way. P.S. Diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2021 so if you want to talk gluten free food in Greenville—let me know.
John Trifilo,
Associate Director
John Trifilo was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. He received a B.S. in Health and Human Services from Medaille College and M.S. in Student Personnel Administration from SUNY at Buffalo State. He started at ECU in 2004 and has worked in a variety of areas on campus. John enjoys watching football, volunteering at the animal shelter, spending time with family/friends and his dog Corbin.
Peggy Newsome,
Academic Advisor
Peggy Newsome was born and raised in Wilson, NC. In fall 1998, she came to East Carolina University as a freshman and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services in May 2002. She taught GED preparation classes at Wilson Community College for 4 years. While she was doing this, she realized she loved working with students and she asked herself why not do it at her beloved alma mater. She needed a master’s degree to do this so she began her graduate studies at East Carolina University in May 2007 and she received a Masters of Arts in Education (MAEd) specializing in Adult Education in May 2010. She loves all things ECU and enjoy advising half of the Criminal Justice students in the College of Arts and Sciences. She has been advising since September 1, 2010, and she still loves to advise each and every day! Go Pirates!!!
Michael Goodhart,
Academic Advisor
Mike Goodhart was born in the small town of Warsaw, NY and spent most of his childhood in Richmond and Chesapeake, VA. He received a B.S. in Psychology from Radford University (VA) and an M.A. in Higher Education & Student Affairs at The Ohio State University. Mike worked as a residence hall director and student organization advisor in Idaho and Massachusetts before coming to East Carolina University in 2018 as an academic advisor. Mike enjoys doing landscape/travel photography and family history research in his spare time. He is an avid San Francisco 49ers fan and also collects walking sticks!
Chalisa Harrell,
Academic Advisor
Chalisa Harrell was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. She received a BS in English from SUNY Brockport and a MS in Student Personnel Administration from SUNY at Buffalo State. She has worked in higher education over the last twenty years, primarily in admissions at the University and Community College level.
Chalisa enjoys photography, making jewelry and pottery, and visiting all types of festivals.
Mary Myers,
Academic Advisor
Mary Myers was born and raised in Ahoskie, a small town in eastern North Carolina. She earned her B.A. in English with a minor in Creative Writing and her M.A. in English Studies from East Carolina University where she realized her passion for higher education. After graduation, she taught in the North Carolina Community College System. Mary has returned to not only to her alma mater University but also in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Science where she is an Academic Advisor. When she has free time, you can find her reading, gardening, or working on her current DIY project.
Taylor McFarland,
Academic Advisor
Taylor McFarland grew up in Garner, North Carolina. She attended East Carolina University for her undergraduate and graduate degrees, earning a B.A in Psychology and a Master of Social Work. During her time there, she discovered her love for education and for working with students. After graduation, she worked as a School Social Worker in Eastern North Carolina. Her love for ECU and for higher education guided her to return to ECU as an Academic Advisor so that she could help future Pirates to have as great of an experience as she did and find their own success! During her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with her family, watching HGTV, snuggling with her dogs, reading, and watching Yankees games with her husband.
Bailey Warren,
Academic Advisor
Bailey Warren grew up in Kinston, North Carolina. She began her academic journey at Lenoir Community College, earning her Associate in Arts degree before transferring to UNC Chapel Hill, where she completed a B.A. in Management and Society. She went on to earn her M.B.A. from East Carolina University in 2024.
Bailey has held several student-centered roles in higher education, including working in Undergraduate Admissions with transfer students and the Pirate Promise Program. She now serves as an Academic Advisor in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences at ECU, where she is passionate about helping students navigate degree requirements, explore their academic interests, and achieve their goals. Outside of work, Bailey enjoys watching reality TV and trying new restaurants around Greenville.