“EVERYDAY LEADERS ARE EVERYWHERE AND ANYONE”: A PHOTOVOICE EXPLORATION OF LEADERSHIP IDENTITY AT EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study explores how members of the East Carolina University (ECU) community define leadership and whether these definitions align with institutional frameworks or reflect more individualized interpretations. Using Photovoice, a visual research methodology that empowers participants to share experiences through images and reflection, the project invited students, faculty, staff, and alumni to submit a photo representing the phrase “Everyday leaders are everywhere and anyone”, along with their personal definition of leadership and brief demographic information.

A total of 193 participants responded. The data revealed strong themes of service, empathy, inspiration, and leading by example, with many respondents emphasizing the importance of relational leadership over positional authority. Word frequency analysis and photo reflections highlighted leadership as an everyday act rooted in ECU’s motto, Servire—“to serve.” While the project did not reach the scale required to produce a large-scale mural as initially envisioned, the findings offer a meaningful insight into Pirate leadership identity.

The study contributes to ongoing conversations about leadership development in higher education and demonstrates the power of storytelling, visual expression, and inclusive research design. It also lays the groundwork for future student-led projects aimed at continuing this work and visually celebrating the diverse leaders who shape the ECU community.