From the Desk of Vice Chancellor Brandon Frye
Division of Student Affairs and Friends:
Just like that, it is August, and we are about to start the Fall 2025 semester! Before we get fully “locked in” for the Fall semester, I want to take time to celebrate some of the successes we had this summer and thank everyone for all the work you completed during June and July.
- A big shout out to our orientation team and everyone that assisted with orientation this summer. We enjoyed 10 multi-day orientation sessions for new first-year Pirates and their families, where we welcomed about 10,000 people to campus this summer.
- Thanks to our housing and residence life team, as we are already moving in students, as a part of the “early drop off” program. I appreciate all the work you completed to get the residence halls ready for our students.
- Thanks to all our team members who traveled across North Carolina and attended a Pirates Set Sail event this summer.
- I want to thank everyone that worked on our July 2025 Annual Report and all that contributed to our submission for ECU annual reporting requirements.
- Finally, thanks to all our campus and community partners who aided in any planning and implementation efforts to prepare our campus for the Fall 2025 semester.
I hope that everyone is excited as I am about the start of a new semester. Please remember to keep in mind that about 3,500 new students will join Pirate Nation in about a week. Let’s go out of our way to make sure that they feel welcomed to this great city and university. I hope to see many of you at move-in and during our welcome event programs.
Go Pirates
Opening Weekend Events
Volunteers Needed
The Division of Student Affairs is seeking volunteers for our Opening Weekend activities.
Pirate Palooza will be held on Saturday, August 23rd, from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Main Campus Student Center and in surrounding parking lots. ECU's largest welcome back celebration filled with Pirate traditions. Students will have the opportunity to participate in novelty activities and enjoy dessert food trucks.
Volunteers can begin checking in at 5 pm in the Department of Student Engagement on the first floor of MCSC and should be in place no later than 5:30 pm. Volunteers will be provided a t-shirt for this event--we will be in touch about how to get your shirt beforehand, or you can wait until you arrive. Dinner will be provided for volunteers.
If you have any questions, please contact Daniel McFadden at mcfaddend23@ecu.edu. We will reach out with volunteer assignments later this month!
On Sunday, August 24th, we will kick off the academic year with New Student Welcome and First Year Photo - designed to foster community building traditions, student involvement and campus commitment. This event is designed to celebrate new students’ entry into higher education and building a sense of group identity among members of the entering class.
This event will take place in Minges Coliseum and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, beginning at 4 pm. Volunteers will be needed from 3 pm- 5:45 pm and should receive additional instructions from Karen Smith prior to the event about attire and volunteer roles. For questions, please contact her at smithka@ecu.edu.
Red Zone Programming
Submitted by Peter Groenendyk, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs - Campus Living
Many universities refer to the period at the start of every academic year when a majority of sexual assaults occur on college campuses as the Red Zone. This 6 to 8-week period is when students develop new social networks, celebrate their arrival on campus, gather at parties, and when new social norms and habits are shaped. First-year students are especially vulnerable during these weeks as they develop autonomy away from the guidance/structure of their homes.
Knowing this is a time of year that our students are especially vulnerable, Student Affairs has expanded our traditional Pledge Purple week, into a programming series that will begin in the early fall and culminate with Pledge Purple Week (October 20th - 24th ). These activities, billed as the Pledge Purple Programming Series, are a collaborative effort involving our colleagues in Residence Life, the Women & Gender Center, Campus Recreation & Wellness, Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement, and the University Police Department.
The goal of the Pledge Purple Programming Series is to educate students about healthy relationships, consent, and bystander intervention, empowering students to create a safer campus environment.
New Student Orientation Complete
Submitted by Kaitlyn Gumann, Assistant Director, First Year Programs - Office of Student Transitions
New Student Orientation 2025 has come to a close! We had 7,781 total new Pirates and Pirate families join us over the Summer and left feeling excited for August. It was no small feat, and the Orientation Assistants kept the energy high and made excellent connections throughout the Summer. From smart resource referral to aiding connections between students with commonalities, the Orientation Assistants were bright stars across campus and impacted every single new student.
Incoming Pirates made new friendships, learned about academic and support resources available to them, and engaged with student clubs and organizations. While families got to learn more about how ECU will support them and their student while building relationships with staff of the university.
This summer was a huge success, below are some highlights from the data collected:
- 94% of students stated that they believe they made the right decision choosing ECU for their college journey.
- 95% of families shared that they feel more confident about sending their student to ECU.
- 98% of students and families found the staff of ECU to be knowledgeable, helpful, and having very positive attitudes throughout their experience.
New Student Orientation is a large group effort. Thank you for your support and willingness to assist wherever needed this summer. Whether you presented, helped point a family in the right direction, or checked in on the team, your presence made Orientation that much better!
60 Second Videos
During the summer, these videos were created and shared on social media to help students and their families attending orientation learn about important topics.
Student Government Association
SGA officers prepare for new year
Written by Crystal Baity, ECU News Services
While many East Carolina University students take a pause this summer, Student Government Association president Daniel Walker and vice president Katie Council are busy preparing for the fall semester that starts Aug. 25.
New this year will be SGA Sips and Solutions, where students can enjoy coffee and conversations with SGA members and an ECU administrator each semester on the Main Campus Student Center lawn.
Helping students be seen and heard was a key platform point in Walker and Council’s election campaign. They created a director position to liaison with student clubs to promote all that SGA offers such as a photo booth inside the SGA office that provides free head shots for students. They also encourage impromptu drop-ins at the SGA office.
Another new initiative in coordination with ECU Student Health will be the placement of health vending machines and lockers, where students can discreetly pick up needed hygiene items and information on campus after hours and weekends.
Learn more about Walker and Council by clicking here.
Family Weekend
Family Weekend will be held September 19-21. All ECU families are invited to experience ECU, as well as discover a wide variety of events on campus and the Pirate community. Many campus departments work together to make Family Weekend a great event for you and your family. In addition to a tailgate hosted by Parent and Family Programs, there will be many other ways for families to explore the campus and Greenville community.
Items available for purchase:
- 🏈 Discounted Football Tickets (while available)
- 🎟️ Family Weekend Tailgate Tickets (sold out)
- 🚙 Game Day Park & Ride Passes
- 👚 Family Weekend T-shirts
- ✨And events requiring a pre-registration
Sales end Thursday, August 28.
SA Making Headlines - Publications and Conferences
Student Affairs Today
Carter Fenwick, Parent and Family Programs Director, was recently featured in the August 2025 edition of Student Affairs Today publication. In this edition, Carter shares insight into making the most of family engagement.
Click here to read the PDF version of the article.
DSS Staff Attend and Present AHEAD 2025
During the week of July 14, three staff members from ECU’s Disability Support Services (DSS) attended and presented at the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) annual conference in Denver, Colorado. This national gathering brought together professionals from across the country to share best practices, explore emerging trends, and strengthen the collective effectiveness as disability professionals in higher education, which continue to inform and enrich our work at ECU. DSS is grateful for the opportunity to attend and represent ECU at this year’s AHEAD conference.
ECU staff led three sessions during the week:
- Davis Wilson and Paul Harwell presented A Beginner’s Guide: Strategies for Building a Manageable and Meaningful Assessment Plan, offering foundational information and practical strategies for developing meaningful assessment practices regardless of staff size and resources.
- Paul Harwell and Maddie Adams presented Make Confident Decisions: A Practical Framework to Determine Necessary and Reasonable Accommodation. This presentation introduced a structured decision-making model that helps disability services professionals make consistent, clear, and confident determinations about accommodations.
- Paul Harwell, in collaboration with Mandie Greiwe from Purdue University, co-led a full-day preconference workshop titled Leading with Intentionality: Foundations of Effective Leadership in Disability Resource Offices. This interactive session guided a 50+ participants through essential elements of leadership in higher education disability services. Topics included developing intentional and robust department operations, aligning practices with institutional culture, building trust and accountability, empowering teams through thoughtful delegation, managing up, navigating change, and crafting a personalized philosophy to guide future reflection and growth. Though intensive and reflective, participants left with actionable strategies to lead with purpose and clarity.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Get a Clue - Sign Up for a Table
ECU’s largest annual involvement fair called Get a Clue will take place on Wednesday September 3 from 11am-2pm on the Campus Mall (rain date is Thursday, September 4). Student Organizations, academic departments, student support services, and other university organizations are invited to sign up for a table to engage students and share information about what you can provide to their overall student success.. This event generally sees several thousand students, particularly new ECU students, each year and is a great way to showcase the resources you provide.
Part-Time Job Fair
ECU Faculty and Staff:
Are you planning to hire student workers for the upcoming academic year? ECU is hosting the Fall Part-Time Job Fair on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 from 1:00pm-4:00pm in the Main Campus Student Center (Ballrooms A-C).
This is a tremendous opportunity to support ECU students of all majors and class years with their career development as well as fill departmental needs. These positions are perfectly suited for hourly student employees (formerly called self-help) and students eligible for federal work study.
This job fair is free to ECU campus departments, but all participants must have an ECU Handshake account to register.
Don't have a Handshake Account? Please contact Lynn Copeland, ECU Career Services, at copelandl17@ecu.edu or 252-328-6393.
Already have a Handshake account?
If you have any questions, please contact career@ecu.edu.
The East Carolinian BOGO Advertising Opportunity
Looking for a great way to promote your programs, services, or upcoming events this fall? ECU's student-run newspaper The East Carolinian is offering a limited-time Buy One, Get One Free advertising opportunity!
Reserve any ad space before November 10, 2025 and get a second ad FREE. This is a fantastic way to double your exposure and connect with the campus community, all while supporting The East Carolinian’s 100th year!
To view available sizes, campus pricing and deadlines, please see the flyer below.
If you have questions or are ready to reserve your space, contact Annah Howell at schwartza18@ecu.edu or 252-328-9236.
Career Fairs - Save the Date
Click here to learn more about the Fall 2025 ECU Career Fairs.
New Hires, Promotions and Retirements
New Hires
Xaiver Williams – Campus Living
Xaiver will serve as the Residence Hall Coordinator for Fletcher Residence Hall in Campus Living, where he will oversee daily operations, supervise student staff, and foster a safe and engaging living environment for residential students. Xaiver is a proud graduate of James Madison University where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree in 2023. In 2025, Xaiver graduated from the University of Georgia where he earned his Master's in College Student Affairs Administration and worked as a Graduate Resident in the University Housing department. He enjoys watching college football and baseball, trying new foods, and spending time with his family (who primarily live in Hampton Roads).
David Wynne – Campus Living
David Wynne is a Facilities Maintenance Technician with ECU Dining Services, bringing over 32 years of experience in facilities maintenance. He has been a part of the ECU community for more than a decade, primarily serving in the Heating and Air Conditioning Department before recently joining the dining team. A licensed CSE professional, David is known for his reliable service, technical expertise, and dedication to keeping campus operations running smoothly.
Originally from Bear Grass, North Carolina, where he has lived for the past 35 years, David enjoys spending time outdoors. He is an avid deer hunter, and he and his wife love camping at Camp Hatteras beach. They have two children: a 25-year-old son and a 22-year-old daughter.
Dylan Craddock – Career Services
Dylan joined Career Services as a Career Counselor in June. He previously served as a Graduate Assistant within Career Services and Career Advisor within the College of Engineering and Technology. As a Career Counselor, Dylan's mission is to assist students when it comes to attacking their goals and reaching their potential. He is an ECU alum and graduated in Spring 2024 with his Master of Science in Kinesiology, with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology. Dylan is originally from Hope Mills, North Carolina and enjoys watching sports, particularly the San Francisco 49ers and Golden State Warriors. He also enjoys spending time with family and playing video games.
Becca Monahan – Career Services
Becca Monahan is a new hire in the ECU Career Services under the Career Counselor Role.
Becca is originally from Cheyenne, WY and went to school at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska. She is a two-time CSC alum with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and a master’s degree in organizational management. Becca’s career experience includes working as a Student Affairs and Eagle Mentorship Coordinator and most recently as the Retention Specialist for the Office of Academic Success.
In her free time, she likes reading, cooking, and building LEGOs! Becca is looking forward to being here at ECU and is excited to meet the students and explore the Greenville area!
Rebecca Bergene – Career Services
Rebecca Bergene joined the Career Services team as a Career Counselor in June. In this role, she hopes to help students discover, plan, and pursue meaningful career paths. Rebecca recently earned a Master of Arts in Higher Education from Elon University, where she served as the Graduate Assistant for New Student Programs. Originally from Greensboro, NC, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her two orange cats, Wade and Walter.
Jacob Garman – Counseling
Jacob Garman joins the Center for Counseling and Student Development as a Staff Counselor. He holds a master’s degree from the East Carolina University Counselor Education program with a focus in clinical mental health counseling as well as a licensure as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Jacob is originally from Southwest Virginia and moved to Greenville, North Carolina in 2016. He has experience working with clients struggling with stress, burnout, grief, trauma, anxious distress and interpersonal distress. Jacob utilizes a person-centered approach to address individual needs of all clients and seeks to connect with all clients to strengthen the counseling relationship. He also utilizes a humanistic/person-centered and solution-focused counseling approach drawing primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Jacob is determined to maintain an eclectic approach to counseling services to ensure that individuals are given available options for well-being and development of resiliency. His clinical focus ranges from interpersonal distress, grief, stress, burnout, and mood disorders and believes that coping can be refined as many times as required and well-being means showing oneself the kindness, patience and empathy needed to grow into the most authentic versions of ourselves.
Jacob enjoys gaming, going to the gym, watching anime, loves most animals (geese are up for discussion), and spending his time with his wife, two dogs and fluffy cat at home.
Gage Dowling – Campus Living
Gage will serve as the Residence Hall Coordinator for Scott Residence Hall in Campus Living, where he will oversee daily operations, supervise student staff, and foster a safe and engaging living environment for residential students. Originally from Greer, SC, Gage earned a Bachelor's degree in History from Charleston Southern University in 2018 and a Master's degree in Management from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2021. He and his wife, Casey Dowling, are excited to welcome their first child in November. In his free time, Gage enjoys playing video games, basketball, and watching movies.
Dan Haycock – Dean of Students
Dan Haycock recently joined the Office of the Dean of Students, where he serves as a Case Manager supporting students navigating personal, academic, or crisis-related challenges. As part of the DOS team, Dan is a key resource in helping students navigate the complexities of college life. As a case manager, he provides personalized support, connects students to campus resources, and helps promote their overall well-being and success.
Dan is originally from Bountiful, Utah. He and his wife recently moved from Pleasant Grove, Utah, and are currently living in Winterville. Dan has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Utah Valley University, a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Utah, and a Master of Legal Studies degree also from the University of Utah.
Throughout his professional career, he has worked in universities, hospitals, governments, and multiple mental health therapy private practices. He and his wife have been married for just over four years and have a cute and sassy 16-month-old daughter. In his free time, Dan enjoys baking, doing puzzles, watching movies and tv shows, playing video games, reading books, and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Crystal Tyson – Student Health Services
Crystal Tyson joins Student Health Services as the Accreditation & Quality Improvement Specialist where she plays a critical role in supporting the quality, safety, and compliance of clinical and administrative operations. This position is responsible for leading and managing a range of quality improvement initiatives, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, and guiding departments in data-driven decision-making that supports student health outcomes.
Crystal holds an associate’s degree in healthcare management and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree. She has over twenty-one years of experience with ECU Physicians and the ECU School of Dental Medicine, specializing in billing and reimbursement, credentialing, payer enrollments, audits, and accreditation with various governing bodies. Additionally, she is certified as a Provider Credentialing Specialist through the National Association of Medical Staff Services.
A native of North Carolina, Crystal was born and raised in Greenville. During her youth, she worked on the family farm and primed tobacco for eight years, starting from sixth grade until her first year in college. She is married and has two children, along with two dogs. In her spare time, Crystal enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking, various crafts, and decorating for every season. She is excited to return to the medical side and use her experience to contribute to the Student Health Center.
Promotion
- Jayden Brown – University Program Specialist – Transit – July 1
Retirements
- Kimberly Battle – Student Health – July 25
- Shonda Clemons – Central Reservations Office – July 31
- Tammy Heller – Student Health – July 31
Credits:
Created with images by Creative Services, University Photographers, ECU Video, SA Communications and by Phanithi - "Background and wallpaper by purple fabric and stripe textile."