Hegde encourages, stresses principles to graduates

A few days after Dr. Archana Hegde talked to beaming college graduates about the importance of presence, principles and self-care, Hegde described the opportunity as one of her favorite professional moments.

Dr. Anu Hegde, left, stands with Dr. Carl Mattacola, dean of the UNCG School of Health and Human Sciences.

It was a full-circle moment for Hegde, a Nancy W. Darden Distinguished Professor in East Carolina University’s College of Health and Human Performance and a UNC Greensboro alumna, as the chosen alum to give a commencement speech for the master’s and doctoral students at UNCG during spring 2025 commencement. When she was a student, Hegde was named the 2005 outstanding graduate from UNCG in human development and family studies.

She is featured throughout a graduation video recap, including voicing at the podium that, “You have found your calling, and your calling has found you.”

As a guest speaker, Hegde told graduates, “To strive for presence, rather than perfection; abide by the principles of duty, deeds and devotion,” and urged self-care to take priority in their lives. She also reminded students to look at their work and opportunities as their calling and not a job, and to remember that they are well-trained to “be the best, and should always strive for excellence.”

Hegde teaches in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at ECU and is a respected leader in the field of early childhood care and education, enhancing her expertise on topics such as quality childcare, teacher professional development, STEM education and early childhood mental health. She also has served as coordinator of the master’s in curriculum and instruction birth through kindergarten education concentration.