East Carolina University
Already a leader in online learning, ECU sought to expand its offerings with a set of programs designed specifically for working adults. Since launching, more than 1,030 new students have started in ECU Flight Path programs, and university leadership sees its partnership with Project Kitty Hawk as a catalyst to drive more online enrollment growth.
Project Kitty Hawk worked closely with leaders, faculty, and staff to complete the steps necessary to develop and launch Flight Path programs, from designing eight-week courses to developing and deploying the applicant portal to optimizing financial aid for adult students.
ECU launched three Flight Path programs in February 2024: Psychology, Information & Cybersecurity Technology, and Security Studies. ECU launched a fourth program in June 2024: Criminal Justice. Enrollment within Flight Path programs has grown to the hundreds, with that number expected to rise in the coming years.
“We were one of the early movers in the online education space… ECU’s also been a first mover in the Project Kitty Hawk space.”
– ECU Chancellor Philip Rogers
Student story
Meet Jessica.
Jessica was, in her own words, “getting her life together.” She had picked a new career, enrolled in ECU, and was excelling in class. Then, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.
After her diagnosis, one of the first things she thought about was her education.
“I did think about finishing my degree immediately, because I didn’t want to be slowed down,” she said.
Jessica made the decision to continue on in her coursework, and was heartened by the support she received from her Student Success Coach and professors who gave her the flexibility she needed to fight cancer and continue her education.
For example, her regular chemotherapy treatments left her drained and unable to focus on schoolwork. She worked with professors so that she could get most of her schoolwork done at the furthest point from her chemotherapy treatment, so that she could have the physical and mental energy to focus on quizzes and tests.
This often meant starting her coursework when she felt better, finishing her assignments up until her next round of treatment on Wednesdays, and doing it all over again the next week. Jessica credits her schooling with being a guiding light in her treatment.
“I love school, and I love learning,” Jessica said. “I haven’t let it slow me down at all. It’s honestly been one of my big motivators to get treatment and get it done.”
Through her own perseverance and determination, coupled with the flexibility the Flight Path program offered her, Jessica walked across the stage at ECU’s commencement ceremony as a proud graduate in May 2025.
She said her prognosis is encouraging, and if all goes well, she will stop chemotherapy treatment in July and then become the first person in her family to attend graduate school in August.
“I’m graduating bald,” she laughed, “but I am graduating.”
“I haven’t let it slow me down at all. It’s honestly been one of my big motivators to get treatment and get it done.”
– Jessica, ECU Flight Path Student
Embracing Lifelong Learning
Sheri enrolled in the ICT program in Fall 2024 and has enjoyed the flexibility the asynchronous learning environment offers. After her 10-hour workday, she tends to the needs of her two sons, cooking them dinner and making sure homework is completed. “It’s huge for me having the flexibility. With me being a full-time mom, having full-time work, the only way I can squeeze school in is having that flexibility.”
Sheri Williams, ECU Flight Path Student
Taking the Next Step in Career
“Once I took my much-needed time off to spend with my family and sweet baby boy, I found that my program had finally been put online. This gave me the chance to finish want I started and to not only make others, along with myself, proud, but to make my mom proud, too. I know she would have wanted me to finish.”
Sarah Branch, ECU Flight Path Graduate ’24
A Mother–Daughter Journey
Sarah and Sheila Williams enrolled in ECU’s online psychology program through Flight Path in 2024. Balancing work, family, and school, they rely on the program’s flexible schedule. “The mini-mesters and flexibility make it possible for both of us to keep up with school while managing everything else.”
Sarah & Sheila Williams, ECU Flight Path Students