Jed Smith is the Executive Director of the East Carolina Study Center. Having spent the last three decades in education, Jed shares a deep commitment with the students of Pitt County and ECU. As his first career working for public education drew to a close, he was called into beginning a new career looking to support the growth and spiritual development of students and faculty in those same communities.

Growing up in Badin, NC, Jed majored in biology at Duke University and graduated with a certificate to teach high school science. He later received a masters degree in instructional design and technology from ECU. He is a proud Blue Devil and Pirate. Jed seeks to bring value as a cultivator and wayfinder throughout all of his roles. He has been involved in the community through several small groups, coaching youth soccer, and serving on some local non-profit boards of directors.

Jed and his wife, Heather, live in Greenville and have four school-aged children. They all enjoy reading, playing board games, going to theater and sporting events. Wherever you find Jed, he’ll be looking for ways to grow and improve, both himself and those around him, while following the path of Jesus.

Mary McCoy is the Human Resources, Partnership, & Spiritual Formation Coordinator of the East Carolina Study Center. She supports the ECSC staff team, students, volunteers, and financial partners in this role with her organization skills and desire to see others grow in their relationship with Christ. 

Mary graduated from Meredith College in 1996 with a degree in Communications. She has experience in corporate training, ministry leadership, and involvement in nonprofits. After homeschooling her children for over ten years, she was honored to enter the workforce again by joining the ECSC team. 

Originally from Raleigh, she now calls Greenville home. She has lived here with her husband and three children for over 20 years. Two of her children are young adults now, and one is still in high school. While not working, you can find Mary boating with her husband, watching her youngest play sports, spending time with friends, attending group fitness classes, or discipling young ladies one-on-one.

Shelby Hudnall is the Director of Marketing and Development at the East Carolina Study Center. She supports the ECSC team through brand messaging and storytelling, email communications, website, social media and more.

Originally from West Virginia, Shelby graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in higher-education marketing.

With a diverse career spanning New York City, Washington, DC, and higher education institutions, she came to the EC Study Center drawn by her love of Christ and passion for serving college students.

When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, exploring new coffee shops, traveling, leading her small group, and giving back to her community.

Meridith Rizzuti is the Co-Founder of the East Carolina Study Center. An ECU Pirate for life (BS ’00), Meridith has a deep love for Greenville and ECU. As years go by, children grow up, and things change, she prayed about a Christian Study Center for the students at East Carolina University. In 2022 that prayer became a reality, and with the support of faculty, students, and the community, the East Carolina Study Center began.

Originally from Morehead City, Meridith studied Exercise Physiology at ECU and focused on being a health and fitness specialist. She has since travelled the world as a short term missionary and enjoyed teaching both couples and women's Bible studies. After years of homeschooling many of the Rizzuti crew, it is finally time to hang up her school teacher hat.

Meridith and her husband, Dr. Richard Rizzuti, live in Farmville, NC and have 7, now adult, children. She enjoys gardening, exercise, hot tea, dog walks, reading, and time with people. Meridith is an active member in the community volunteering and serving with numerous faith-based nonprofits that focus on transformation though the gospel of Jesus.

Richard was born in Brooklyn, NY, growing up in the Northeast. He attended Boston College for his undergraduate degree in Chemistry and eventually relocated to North Carolina. He obtained his medical degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in general surgery at Pitt County Memorial Hospital (now ECU Health) and his plastic surgery residency at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Rizzuti has practiced plastic surgery in Greenville, NC since 1991 after opening his own private practice.

He is active in his local church and has a passion for local and international outreach ministry. He enjoys cycling as well as hunting and fishing with his wife and children. You can expect to find him working on a project, building things in his workshop, or deep in thought after reading a good book.

Vicki Everhart is a native of Buffalo, New York, but has lived in Eastern North Carolina for over 24 years. She cherishes family time with their three adult children and daughter-in-law. With their youngest currently pursuing graduate studies at ECU and spending lots of time at the ECSC, the center holds a special place in her heart. As the office manager at Integrity Church, Vicki balances her professional life with her love for Bible study, one on one discipleship, walks with the dog, and the joy of music.

Erik Everhart is originally from Florence, South Carolina. He is a clinical neuropsychologist and has taught at East Carolina University for 24 years and he also maintains a practice. He became interested in the ECSC primarily through his daughters involvement while studying to become a physical therapist. Erik has a passion for music and serves on the worship team at Integrity Church and he also performs as a solo artist throughout Eastern North Carolina. Erik married his childhood sweetheart Vicky over 30 years ago and they have known each other since third grade.

Nathan Hudson has been involved in the EC Study Center since its inception and is excited about the opportunities for students to explore questions about the Christian faith in a welcoming environment. 

Nathan grew up in Northeast Ohio and attended Kent State University, where he studied physics with a minor in biology. He was actively involved with campus ministries during his time as an undergraduate and is excited that many campus ministries at ECU & PCC will be able to utilize the Study Center. He attended UNC-Chapel Hill where he received a PhD in physics, with a concentration in molecular and cellular biophysics. While attending UNC, he met his amazing wife, Robin, and they now celebrate having four kids together. 

After finishing his PhD, Nathan spent five years as a postdoctoral researcher in Boston, before moving to Greenville. 

In Chapel Hill, Boston, and at his church in Winterville, Nathan has led study groups where “students” of all ages and backgrounds can come and investigate difficult questions about faith, morality, and science. 

In his free time, Nathan enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, playing strategy board games, watching sports, and coaching a Lego robotics team.

Joy Karriker is a native of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley but has called Greenville home since joining the ECU College of Business faculty in 2005. She is a Professor of Management and the Chair of the Department of Management where she teaches graduate Strategic Management and helps coordinate the COB’s Study Abroad program. Joy has been married to Todd Karriker for over 33 years, and they have two adult children. She enjoys spending time with her family - which definitely includes her dogs - and friends, traveling, snow skiing, singing (Greenville Choral Society), day-hiking, and watching movies and sports. She is both grateful and excited for the impact of the EC Study Center on the university community!

Jan Workman has been associated with East Carolina University since 1984 when she and her husband made Greenville their home. Both Jan and her husband have been associated with ECU in various capacities for over 40 years. After a short stent in the banking industry, Jan graduated with her MBA from ECU and found her passion was teaching.  She has served on the Accounting Department faculty in the ECU College of Business for over twenty-six years. Jan has a heart for college students as demonstrated through her teaching, mentoring, and service as a faculty advisor to a campus ministry. Jan is active in her local church and enjoys attending Community Bible Study. Jan grew up in East Tennessee, has two adult children and three grandchildren.  In her free time, along with spending time with family, she enjoys reading, knitting, sewing and other hand crafts. Jan is honored and excited to serve on the East Carolina Study Center board, which she feels is a true gem of the university community.