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Welcome to the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center at East Carolina University. As part of the Department of Student Engagement within Student Life at ECU, the Peel LGBTQ Center works in conjunction with our colleagues in the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement, Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center, the Military & Veterans Resource Center, Student Activities and Organizations, and the Women and Gender Center to support student success at ECU.
Since our founding in 2011, we have served the entire ECU campus. Our Center is located in Suite 209 in the Main Campus Student Center and we are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Our resources include: a lending library; information on campus, local, and national resources; and two computer workstations, in addition to a social area, a conference room, and offices for our staff. Throughout the year, we offer educational programs and events, and participate in nationally recognized campaigns. We invite you to visit the Peel LGBTQ Center–everyone is always welcome!
Coffee House Spring 2025
Resumes every Wednesday at 6 pm on January 22
Coffee House is a weekly discussion group for ECU students with topics selected by students. The 90-minute session offers the opportunity for community building and connection with other students. Refreshments are served and Coffee House is held in the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center (Suite 209 in the Main Campus Student Center).
“Mr. Soul” opens Spring 2025 Film Series
Monday, February 3 at 6 pm
From 1968 to 1973, the public television variety show SOUL!, guided by the enigmatic producer and host Ellis Haizlip, offered an unfiltered, uncompromising celebration of Black literature, poetry, music, and politics—voices that had few other options for national exposure, and, as a result, found the program an improbable place to call home.
Presented in celebration of Black History Month in the Black Box Theater in ECU’s Main Campus Student Center. Free and open to the public.
PFLAG of Eastern North Carolina Scholarship
Supports ECU students from one of 12 counties in the east
The PFLAG of Eastern North Carolina Scholarship was established through donations from PFLAG Rocky Mount and PFLAG Greenville, NC. This need-based scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded annually to a current ECU student and ongoing donations will support the fund for future years to come to ensure its long-term viability.
PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. With nearly 400 chapters and 250,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.
The application process for currently enrolled ECU students is open now with the first scholarship being awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year. Eligible students must have a permanent residence in one of 12 eligible counties in eastern North Carolina (Pitt, Greene, Wayne, Martin, Beaufort, Craven, Lenoir, Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, Franklin, or Halifax).
The deadline to apply is February 16, 2025.
This scholarship selection will be made without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or other status prohibited by law.
Applications are now open for 2025/2026 LGBTQ Scholarships
The Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center established a scholarship program in 2017. The $1,000 scholarships were created to support students with financial need, as well as to recognize academic merit. Applications are now open to current ECU students and the deadline to apply is February 16, 2025.
The LGBTQ Equality Scholarship
The LGBTQ Equality Scholarship is a need-based award to support students with a motivation to complete their degree, as well as a demonstrated interest in supporting the work of the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center. The Equality Scholarship was created in recognition of the financial need of students whose life circumstances may create economic hardship due to limited or no family support. Further, the Equality Scholarship is designed to support students to achieve success by easing some of the stress of financial hardship. This scholarship is available to current students in good academic standing and is renewable annually but the recipient is expected to complete a new application each academic year. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required.
The LGBTQ Pride Scholarship
The LGBTQ Pride Scholarship is a merit-based award to recognize outstanding students that thrive academically and are committed to advocacy for the LGBTQ community at East Carolina University. The Pride Scholarship was created to recognize academic excellence among students actively involved in promoting a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ students at ECU with a demonstrated interest in supporting the work of the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center. Open to current students in good academic standing and is renewable annually but the recipient is expected to complete a new application each academic year. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 is required.
This scholarship selection will be made without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or other status prohibited by law.