On Deck April 2026

From the Desk of Vice Chancellor Brandon Frye

Colleagues and Friends of Student Affairs:

It is hard for me to believe that we are in the last weeks of the Spring 2026 semester!  Our divisional focus this time of year is to help our students “finish strong” as some close out their first-year at East Carolina University (ECU), as some finish preparing for interviews to earn internships, as some finish out their terms as student organization leaders, and most importantly as some complete their respective degrees at ECU and begin their careers and/or graduate studies.

I want our team and campus partners to continue to live our mission of student success by placing students at the center of our work over the last few weeks of the semester.  When we do so, we enhance student success and deepen connections with ECU, which typically leads to Pirate alumni that value their ECU experience and increases the chances of them giving back to support students.

This time of year, it is also important to remain focused on another important population– our prospective students/future Pirates.  Thanks to everyone who prepared the campus for and participated in Pirates Aboard last month.  It is important that we continue to “close the deal” with admitted students as we continue to yield efforts through the spring and transition to orientation sessions this summer.

At every admitted student event that remains on the calendar, in every upcoming orientation session, and each time we have a question from a prospective student or their families, ensuring we provide the highest level of service and have a positive interaction is key. Student recruitment isn’t just the job of our admissions professionals.  We have a collective opportunity and responsibility in this space, and we know our fiscal health is directly connected to our success.  In short, let’s keep focused on student recruitment and welcoming new students to Pirate Nation.

Thanks for all that you do to make this a wonderful place.

Purple and Gold