On Deck with Student Affairs October 2025 Edition

From the Desk of Vice Chancellor Brandon Frye

Brandon A. Frye, PhD

Dear Colleagues and Friends of Student Affairs:

I know that the start of the fall semester is hectic and can often present challenges as we support and aid students in navigating the collegiate experience. In fact, it can take a great deal of energy to accomplish our objectives. Yet, I am also energized during this time of year as we move into the mid-point of the semester, because it’s essential that we continue to focus on what matters most - serving our students.

To aid in serving our students, I distributed three email communications to campus (Sept. 10-12) with important information related to the start of the semester. Each day focused on an area specific to students and/or faculty and staff. I hope that you found the information helpful and encourage you to continue to utilize this information below as we carry forward the momentum we’ve built in August, September, and October and finish the semester strong.

As I close, I will note that the changing of the leaves though various colors this time of year brings with it a certain beauty. It makes me think about change and reflect on how our students are changing as they move through life at ECU. Change also reminds me of the need to be adaptive as we navigate some of the challenges we are seeing in higher education. As we look ahead to the second half of the fall semester, I ask that we embrace an innovative spirit and flexibility as we support our students.

I also hope that the communications I listed above will serve as a resource as we assist our students as they develop through the changing seasons.

Thanks again for all you do to support our students.

Purple and Gold

Pledge Purple Week 2025

Submitted by Chelsie Hargrove, Women and Gender Center Associate Director

Beginning Monday, October 20th, our campus will kick off Pledge Purple week, part of a year-long initiative focused on education, awareness, and advocacy with the goal of ending sexual violence, harassment, and bullying.

Each academic year, the university offers focused programming from the start of fall through the first eight weeks, creating opportunities to learn, connect, and take action to promote a safer campus for all.

This year’s Pledge Purple Week builds on those efforts, continuing the commitments to fostering respect and accountability within our community.

ECU’s Division of Student Affairs got together for a group photo in support of the Pledge Purple initiative

Monday, October 20

The week begins with the Pledge Purple Resource Fair on the Main Campus Student Center Lawn, from 11 AM–1 PM.

Stop by to learn more about the Pledge Purple initiative, explore campus and community resources, and discover how you can get involved throughout the week and beyond.

That evening, Campus Recreation and Wellness, along with the Women and Gender Center, will co-host Treasure Your Mates from 6–7:30 PM in the Main Campus Student Center, Ballroom B.

Treasure Your Mates is a fun, fast-paced speed-friending event designed to help college students build community, make new connections, and strengthen their networking skills, while learning how to look out for one another. Through a series of quick, engaging conversations, students will meet new people and explore the basics of bystander intervention in a casual, supportive setting.

Tuesday, October 21

Students are invited to stop by the Women and Gender Center (Main Campus Student Center, Suite 108) between 11 AM–4 PM to take part in Messages in a Bottle, where participants can write notes of support and encouragement for survivors of sexual violence. During this time, students can also create signs for the Take Back the Night Walk occurring later in the week.

That evening, Campus Recreation and Wellness will host a Collegiate Recovery Community Happy Hour from 5–6 PM in the Health and Well-Being Hub (Main Campus Student Center). Students can enjoy refreshing mocktails while creating bracelets with positive messages of support for survivors of intimate partner violence. This event focuses on spreading kindness, raising awareness, and fostering healing through small acts of care.

Also on Tuesday, the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement will host Dinner and Discourse in the Blackbox Theater from 6–7:30 PM. Join fellow students for an open conversation and shared meal focused on building empathy, understanding, and community engagement. RSVP on The Pirate Experience.

Thursday, October 24

Pledge Purple week will wrap up with the annual Take Back the Night Walk, which has been held at ECU since 2015. Take Back the Night will begin on the Main Campus Student Center Lawn at 5 PM. Following the walk, please join us in the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center’s gallery space for a light reception where Staff from the Center for Counseling and Student Development will be present.

Visit the Pledge Purple website for more information and to sign the pledge.

New Pledge Purple Series Program - Got Consent?

Submitted by Angelina Weglarczyk, Assistant Director for Recruitment, Leadership, Programming, and Projects for Campus Living

Throughout September, Campus Living hosted the Got Consent? ACOW program series across College Hill, Central, and West End neighborhoods. ACOW, which stands for Active, Coherent, Ongoing, and Willing, encouraged students to explore what healthy consent looks like in relationships. Across all six programs, nearly 400 students attended and engaged in interactive activities and conversations that highlighted the importance of communication, respect, and building positive relationship experiences.

Brief Individual Counseling

Submitted by Dr. Valerie Kisler-van Reede, Center for Counseling and Student Development Director

What is Brief Individual Counseling?

Brief individual counseling is a short-term form of therapy focusing on a student’s specific, immediate concerns and uses their strengths to find solutions. It is typically solution-focused and aims to help individuals manage issues like stress, anxiety, relationship problems, or adjustment difficulties in a shorter period of time and may involve a limited number of sessions.

For students whose counseling concerns are not a good fit for brief therapy, case management services are available to connect them with an appropriate provider to meet their needs.

Did You Know?

  • The Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) offers ongoing brief individual counseling services to enrolled students.
  • *Staff counselors typically meet with students for therapy every other week within a brief therapy model.
  • Many students may be unsure of seeking services at the CCSD early in their college experience.
  • Please remind first year and returning students about counseling center services and normalize seeking support at any time during their college career, assuring students that CCSD is here to help.

Think About It!

  • Students often access counseling services for their mental health and emotional needs during college as this can be a time of adjustment, change, self-learning and new challenges.
  • Some students may present to our campus with pre-existing emotional health concerns and seeking support with CCSD can help address these longer-standing issues.
  • As the fall semester progresses academic demands may change which may exacerbate existing stressors.
  • CCSD is here to help students address these and other potential barriers to students’ academic success.

About Us!

Fall Career Season Success

Submitted by Suzanne Vinson, Assistant Director of Career Development

ECU Career Services hosted two major Fall Career Fairs on September 24th at the Greenville Convention Center with more than 1,600 students participating in both events. The morning started with the Job & Internship Fair where the Career Services team hosted 100 employers from various industries who interacted and engaged with more than 760 students. In the afternoon, the Science, Engineering & Technology Fair kicked off and played host to over 200 employers and over 860 students in attendance.

ECU Transit buses provided rides from Main Campus to the Convention Center and during the trip staff from Career Services and the College of Business prepared the students for what to expect at the fair, including a list of employers in attendance, a map of the employer booths and answered last minute questions. Students were also able to get a free professional headshot taken while at the fair.

These career fairs are a great way to bridge the gap between employers and students and build professional connections to help ECU students develop and accomplish their career goals. On September 17th, one week prior to these two large career fairs, Career Services hosted Resumania in the Main Campus Student Center and worked with over 300 students to review and prepare their professional resumes.

The Career Services team would like to send a HUGE thank you to all the faculty and staff who volunteered at the job fairs. The volunteers and are our campus partners enhanced the experience for all students.

Career Services will also host the Health Careers Job Fair on October 23rd from 10:00 am- 1:00 pm at the East Carolina Heart Institute.

Check out the amazing videos, stories and content on the Career Services social media accounts (Instagram - @ecucareerservices / Facebook – “ECU Career Services”).

WITN - Hundreds attend ECU Career Fair for students and alumni

National Hazing Prevention Week

Submitted by Christopher Cooper, Associate Director for Student Engagement and Fraternity and Sorority Life

East Carolina University’s Fraternity and Sorority Life community observed National Hazing Prevention Week from September 22–26, featuring programs that promoted education, reflection, and accountability. Chapters began the week by designing anti-hazing banners, followed by “Pirates Donut Haze” on the MCSC Lawn where students signed the pledge banner. Midweek featured a screening of Breathe, Nolan, Breathe and a conversation with ECU Police about hazing prevention. On Thursday, students explored a Walking Gallery of real hazing cases, and the week concluded with a social media recap celebrating the message that Pirates Don’t Haze.

SA Making Headlines

Building Bridges Article Published

Dennis McCunney, Center for Student Success, published an article in the most recent issue of Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement. The essay was written as part of his 2024 fellowship through the Society for Experiential Education (SEE), and the goal was to help higher education and Student Affairs professionals navigate the dynamic challenges of their roles. Thanks to the Division of Student Affairs for supporting this professional development opportunity!

Pirates Plunder

The Student Centers department held its first Pirates Plunder Friday Market on September 26. This event brought together local artisans, small business owners, and students.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Pirates to the Polls

The Student Government Association (SGA) and Pirates Vote from the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement (CLCE) would like to share information with you about the 2025 Municipal Elections. We are committed to providing our students, faculty, and staff with non-partisan information and encouraging everyone to vote.

The Main Campus Student Center will be a one-stop early voting location for this election. The one-stop early voting site in the Main Campus Student Center (room 125) will be open October 27 – November 1 (specific dates/times can be found above). College students have the option to register to vote using their campus address (dorm or apartment) or permanent home address. You must be registered in Pitt County to vote at this early voting location. You can register and vote same day at this location! For more information about same day registration during One Stop click here.

ECU has partnered with the Andrew Goodman Foundation to provide an online portal where you can check your registration status, register to vote, look up candidates through your sample ballot, request an absentee ballot, and more! Visit our Election 2025 Website for more information.

Should you have any questions related to voting please feel free to stop by the Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement in 208 of the Main Campus Student Center or email vote@ecu.edu.

Halloween Havoc - Volunteers Needed

We are seeking volunteers for Halloween Havoc 2025! Halloween Havoc, part of the Division of Student Affairs, is an on-campus event designed to provide a fun and safe environment for students on Halloween. Especially with October 31 being on a Friday this year, your help is needed for us to have a successful event.

Halloween Havoc will be held on Friday October 31 (Halloween) from 8pm to midnight in the Main Campus Student Center. There will be activities throughout the building and volunteers are needed to help run activities, help assist students in finding their way, and serve food. Volunteers are also needed throughout the day on October 31 to decorate and set up Halloween Havoc.

Volunteers can check in at their selected time in the Student Engagement office in 107 Main Campus Student Center. Volunteers working at the event will be provided a t-shirt - we will be in touch about how to get your shirt beforehand, or you can wait until you arrive. Food will be provided for volunteers working at the event.

If you have any questions, please contact Hank Bowen in Student Activities and Organizations at bowenh@ecu.edu. We will reach out with volunteer assignments closer to the event date.

Click here to volunteer for Halloween Havoc. Please share with anyone else that might be interested in volunteering at Halloween Havoc.

Homecoming 2025 - Pirates Hit the Jackpot!

This year’s Homecoming celebrations will take place November 2-8 and there is something for everyone. We want students, staff, and faculty across all campuses to take part in this year’s festivities. For a full list of events and competitions, visit the Homecoming website. If you have Homecoming-related events that you’d like included in the overall Homecoming event list, please send the title, time and location, and a brief description as it should appear on the website to Hank Bowen at bowenh@ecu.edu.

Here are a few highlights you shouldn't miss, and some ways to be involved.

Campus Department Door Decoration Contest

We're excited to bring back a contest for campus departments to show their school spirit by decorating their office entrances in the Pirates Hit the Jackpot theme! Judging will take place on Monday, November 3 and the winning department will receive a trophy that will rotate each year to the new winner. For a full list of rules and to sign up, visit the Door Decoration Competition page.

Student Organization Banner Competition

Student organizations competing in the Homecoming Spirit Cup Competition participate in several events including the Banner Competition. Visit the Main Campus Student Center throughout Homecoming week to check out these banners on display in the Commons area.

Student Organization Skit Competition

One of the most beloved student Homecoming traditions is back in Minges Coliseum on Wednesday, November 5 at 7 p.m.! Watch a variety of skits and dances from our student organizations designed to show our Pirate Pride! This event is open to the public – you don’t want to miss the fun!

Homecoming Food Drive - Benefitting the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and the Williams-Ross Purple Pantry

Student Organizations put ECU’s motto, Servire, into practice by collecting food and water to be donated to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and ECU’s Williams-Ross Purple Pantry on Thursday, November 6 from 9am-4pm.

New this year: We invite all members of the ECU community to donate food items by stopping by the donation site in the A-1 parking lot on Tenth Street near the Main Campus Student Center. For a list of recommended donation items, visit the Williams-Ross Purple Pantry website. Your donations will help us make a difference in our community and for our students on campus. Please no large cans, items in glass containers, or items that may melt. Food should come in its original packaging.

Health Sciences Homecoming Cookout

Students, faculty, and staff on the Health Sciences campus are invited to join us for Homecoming’s newest event – a tailgate lunch outside the Health Sciences Student Center! Enjoy a cookout while enjoying music, games, and Homecoming t-shirts. If you're on the Health Sciences campus, encourage your students to come out for lunch as we bring Homecoming to you!

Homecoming Parade

The Homecoming Parade will be on Saturday, November 8 at 9am. The route will once again start at Wahl-Coates Elementary School and travel down Fifth Street past the heart of ECU’s main campus. If your department would like to participate in the Homecoming Parade, please complete the non-competing parade form to sign up.

The Student Homecoming Committee is ready to bring you an amazing week of activities, and we hope you will join us for all the fun of Homecoming 2025!

Call the free, confidential helpline at 1-877-718-5543 or visit the More Than a Game website for resources and support. The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program (NCPGP) provides no-cost treatment and support services for individuals and families affected by gambling – including students.

TEC 100th Anniversary Luncheon

Pirate™ Media 1 invites you to the culminating luncheon honoring The East Carolinian’s 100th anniversary on Friday, November 7 at 12pm in the Main Campus Student Center. This milestone event will feature guest speaker Mark Kemp, ECU alumnus and a former editor of Our State magazine.

Join us in the Main Campus Student Center’s Black Box Theater as we celebrate a century of student journalism, reflect on our shared history and look ahead to the future.

Tickets are $30 and may be purchased through ECU’s Central Reservations Office by Oct. 24.

Promotions and Retirements

PROMOTIONS

  • Kristin Riggs – Business Services Coordinator – Transit – September 16
  • Amy Welsh – Professional Nurse II – Student Health Services – October 1

RETIREMENTS

  • Leeann Proffitt – Professional Nurse – Student Health Services – September 30
  • Charlene Padgett – Admin Support Specialist – Student Centers – September 30
CREATED BY
ECU InnerPirate

Credits:

Created with images by Creative Services, University Photographers, ECU Video, the Division of Student Affairs units and an image by Phanithi - "Background and wallpaper by purple fabric and stripe textile."