May 1, 2017 Edition

2017-2018 Executive Board:
Michele Whaley (Parent, Class of 2019) will serve as President
Walter Holt (Parent, Class of 2018) will serve as Vice President
Cora Michelle Conde (Parent, Class of 2018) will serve as Secretary

*Johna Faulconer will move to the role of Past President

To conclude the meeting, the Family of the Year award was presented to the Faulconer Family, nominated by daughter Lily (Class of 2017).  The Family of the Year award is intended to celebrate the supportive role parents and families play in the lives of their students and the University community. Honoring you, our outstanding parents and families helps remind the East Carolina community that families are an essential part of the support network for our students.  Below is the nomination poem submitted by Lily Faulconer:

A Pirate’s True Treasure: My Pirate Family

Following in my mom’s footsteps, a Pirate I chose to become
What followed was years of my family finding new ways to show ECU love

This year especially they have gone above and beyond
Of their hard work, passion and dedication I am incredibly fond

Donning purple and gold at all sorts of events,
I could not be prouder of my ‘rents.
Outside of being a supportive mom and dad,
They work to support other Pirate families, which is totally rad.

On the Parents’ Advisory Council they serve as co-presidents
Striving to engage both in-and out-of-state residents.
Under their leadership, membership in the organization has doubled
And enthusiasm and support for new initiatives and programs has bubbled.

They work with partners of the Parent’s Council like Dowdy Student Stores
And if you ask, they’re always willing to give more.
They organize parents’ weekend events and presentations
Even my dad, who’s not an ECU grad, has become quite the Pirate sensation.
They participate in monthly parent council phone calls and speak on parent panels
Ensuring that questions are answered and information is sent through the proper channels.
They promote school spirit by organizing tailgates and representing ECU in the community
Fostering inclusivity and increasing Pirate unity.

Undaunted is my family in their service to my school…
To receive the honor of Family of the Year would be more than cool.
When I joined the Pirate nation,
my family did too—they needed no explanation.
We’re a unit that loves purple and gold,
and for East Carolina we will always be loyal and bold.

2015-2016 Student Affairs Annual Report

The Divisions of Student Affairs celebrated some amazing accomplishments in 2015-16. Please enjoy the 2015-16 Annual Report that chronicles the divisions commitments to student success, public service and regional transformation.

Click Here to view the Annual Report for 2015-2016.

Inter-Generational Community Center (IGCC)

Dancing with the Stars

The Lucille W. Gorham Intergenerational Community Center (IGCC) hosted its first annual Dancing with the Stars event on April 1, 2017, at the Holiday Inn in Greenville.

The event was a fundraiser for IGCC programs and services. Nine couples showcased their skills on the dance floor to a sell-out crowd, including IGCC namesake Lucille Gorham with her son Charles.

Other dance teams included…

• Mr. Chris Godley (State Farm Insurance) and his partner Mrs. Rochelle Lee (NC Dept. of Corrections)
• Mr. and Mrs. G. Todd and Diane Taylor (TaylorMade Publishing)
• Dr. Dennis McCunney (ECU) and his wife Mrs. Amy McCunney (Vidant Medical Center)
• The Honorable Kandie Smith (Greenville Mayor Pro Temp) and her partner Mr. Calvin Garris, Jr. (student at JH Rose High School)
• Mrs. Mery Caldwell (Pitt Community College) and her partner Mr. Prudencio Martinez- Menegel (ECU)
• Dr. Maria Picton (Physicians East) and her partner Mr. Procopio Serrano (The East Group PA)
• Mrs. Tonya Lynch (JGirls Style Solutions, LLC) and her son Mr. Jacob Jefferson (student at EB Aycock Middle School)
• Miss Rebekah Thurston (Greenville Fire-Rescue) and her partner Mr. Scott Allenspach (RE/MAX Preferred Realty)

Judges for the event included Dr. Virginia Hardy, vice chancellor of Student Affairs at ECU, Rodney Bullock, owner of Altitude Academy (Barber School), Tony Cannon, general manager/CEO of Greenville Utilities Commission and Shareen Berkowitz, small business counselor at Pitt Community College’s Small Business Center.

The emcee for the event was Mr. Dave Jordan of WITN News.

The first place winner went to the team of The Honorable Kandie Smith and Mr. Calvin Garris, Jr.

The event raised approximately $25,000.

IGCC Day 2017

The Lucille W. Gorham Intergenerational Community Center celebrated 10 years of service to the community at IGCC Day on Saturday, April 8th from 10:00 am to 3:00pm.  IGCC Day is a free “block party” that stretches across the 1100 block of Ward Street in West Greenville.

This year’s event hosted over 850 participants who had an opportunity to enjoy free food, music, dancing, youth activities, games, donation giveaways, merchant & informational vendors, health and wellness information that addresses the needs of the community.

IGCC Day also featured a performance by The Nile Project musicians. The Nile Project is a collection of intriguing musicians from Egypt to Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi founded in 2011.  The group consists of Egyptian singers, Sudanese percussionists, guitarist from Kenya and a singer from Burundi that collaborate to create new sounds in traditional genres and with unfamiliar instruments as the kraar, the bowl-shaped Ethiopian lyre, a plucked zither, Egyptian drums, and Ugandan adungau (harp).  The Nile Project addresses the Nile Basin cultural and environmental challenges with an innovative approach to combine music and education.

Throughout the day, community members, partners, vendors, family members & friends expressed how grateful they were for IGCC Day. The event was planned, outreached, and implemented by ECU Spring interns: Sydney McDowell, Chelsi Watts, Demetrus Dixon, & Rodney Johnson.

Student Affairs Leads by Example at 2017 Spring Conferences

Conference Presentations:

• A CALL TO MEN LIVERESPECT on Campus – Preventing Sexual Assault in High School and College (March 2017)

  The Myth of the Slut: How Sexual Double Standards Lead to Violence Against Women by Kathleen Bursky, CCSD
  Explore the concepts of sluttiness and virginity, exposing them as social constructs, and show how these constructs lead to sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence against women. Also explore what is known as “purity culture” and challenge the societal belief that women who engage in sex outside of a narrow context are immoral, untrustworthy, and unclean. Finally, cover the physical and emotional effects of slut shaming and offer tips on how to combat it, which will ultimately create a safer, more equitable environment for women.

• ACUI National Conference – Association of College Unions International (March 2017)

  Accountability in Programming presented by Dean Smith, SIL
  The integration of assessment with financial rations and performance matrixes. These performance measurements measure the financial efficiency of programs, and a program’s alignment with institution goals.
  Team Cohesion presented by Dean Smith, SIL
  Building a successful brand for your organization through effective hiring, team building, and marketing.

• American College Counseling Association (February 2017)

  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on campus: Introducing ACT and its effectiveness in counseling, outreach, and university programming by Leslie Veach, CCSD
  Two-part presentation that provided an introductory overview of the Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and review ways to implement ACT-based interventions in the college counseling environment.

• Conference Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values and The National Black Greek Leadership Conference (February 2017)

  How to be Number One while being the Low Person on the Totem Pole by Dorothea Mack and Jess Turuc, SIL
  Advisors often feel neglected, overwhelmed, and not supported for the time and effort they put in with their students. Their work can be overlooked and minimized by others. You are not alone. This session is designed to uplift, motivate, and encourage you to continue your work. Professionals will be given an opportunity to express their challenges at work while learning how to demonstrate and identify strategies to stay focused, positive, and connected to their students and their purpose.

• Eastern Region AHEC (Area Health Education Center) Adult Services Conference (April 2017)

  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy’s Core Principles and Its Applications for Individuals Struggling with Addictive Behaviors by Leslie Veach, CCSD
  Introduce Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a mindfulness, client-values focused approach to supporting clients with addictions.

• Gulf South Summit Conference (March 2017)

  Designing Intentional Partnerships to Support Transformational Learning by Tara Kermiet and Nichelle Shuck, SIL
  Developing strong partnerships between the campus and the community is at the heart of civic engagement. The Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement (CLCE) at East Carolina University has made efforts this year to focus on its community partnerships. In this session, participants will learn how CLCE organized its partnership process by setting parameters for partnerships, implementing a partner intake process, planning for assessment, and improving ongoing communication with community partners through a liaison model.
  It’s not Flip or Flop, it’s Fixer Upper Service and Leadership Style by Lauren Howard, Tara Kermiet, Suzannah Lott, and Nichelle Shuck, SIL
  A practical application of developing learning outcomes for service and leadership programs with limited foundation and/or structure. Leading participants through a leadership competency-based approach by Dr. Corey Seemiller to developing curriculum. Applying the leadership competency-based approach to your own programs by sharing best practices.
  Learn, Lead, Serve: An Integrative Multi-Stage Approach to Leadership Learning by Tara Kermiet, Suzannah Lott, and Dennis McCunney, SIL
  Discuss a multi-stage, partnership-based leadership education program linking co-curricular leadership learning, academic coursework, and civic engagement. Rooted in a specific campus context, this presentation will provide an overview of a newly evolving initiative that frames leadership learning within the context of social change.  Discuss the relevance of institutional context and culture, role of partnership theory, significance of stakeholder development, and the value of leveraged campus resources.

• NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) Conference (March 2017)

  2 for 1: Development Planning for 2 New Student Centers by Dr. Erik Kneubuehl and Zack Hawkins
  Discuss the construction and fundraising related to ECU’s two new student center projects.
  Civil Discourse: Turning Conflict into Conversation by Dr. Erik Kneubuehl and Chris Stansbury
  Discuss the increased presence of protests and marches on ECU’s campus and how the Student Affairs leadership has taken an engaging, intentional and direct approach to connect with students and student leaders to build relationships and have conversations rather than confrontations.

• NC Counseling Association (February 2017)

  The Integration of Animal Assisted Therapy within Clinical Counseling by Tracie Atherton, CCSD
  Overview of AAT (including Equine Assisted Learning/Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy), focusing on knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Participants will learn current research on the use of AAT in counseling, including competency standards and specific interventions, as well as the importance of animal advocacy.

• NE Collaborative to Support Initially Licensed Professionals – Beginning Teacher Support System for Northeastern NC Member Districts – Beginning Teacher Conference (April 2017)

  What Every Beginning Teacher Should Know to Make You Shine by Catrina Davis and Nadirah Pippin, Career Services
  Perpetual practice of professional behaviors and characteristics (sometimes called ½ percent’s) that can help you create a positive professional identity that will make you shine!  This session will provide participants with tips and tools for developing and maintaining a successful professional identity.

• North Carolina Association of Colleges and Employer Annual Conference (May 2017)

  HEY! Effective Marketing Strategies by Patrick Roberts, Career Services
  Five years ago, ECU Career Services had little to no marketing structure. Now, we have a step-by-step guide that helps the career services staff strategically execute event marketing by optimizing both digital and print mediums. Discuss the benefits of designating one marketing coordinator within a department and steps to creating an effective marketing strategy.

Panel Discussion:

• American Staffing Association, North Carolina Staffing and Recruiting Conference

  Increasing Partnerships with Career Services
  Panel Members: Patrick Roberts, Assistant Director, ECU Career Services, and Thom Rakes, Director and Assistant to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs for Technology, UNC Wilmington Career Center

Conference Committee Appointments:

• Lauren Howard, CLCE Assistant Director, recently joined the LeaderShape Co-Lead community which teaches and facilitates the curriculum for the LeaderShape Institute at different campus colleges and national sessions. They also support and role model for the faculty of the Institute, including On-Site Coordinators, Cluster Facilitators, and participants.
• Janelle Keller, Campus Living Coordinator, will serve on the Social Justice Committee for SEAHO (Southeastern Association of Housing Officers) for Fall 2017.
• Hillary Liles, CCSD Alcohol and Other Drug Staff Counselor, was named to the planning committee for the Annual EAHEC (Eastern Area Health Education Center) State of the art Substance Abuse conference in the fall.
• Dennis McCunney, CLCE Director, has been appointed to the NASPA Region 3 Advisory Board and the Leadership Team for Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement.
• Kim McIntyre, CCSD Staff Counselor/Clinical Coordinator, is a committee member for the annual AHEC Adult Mental Health Conference held every April.
• Karen Smith, Student Transitions Associate Director, will serve as the Awards Chair on the SROW (Southern Regional Orientation Workshop) 2018 Planning Committee.  SROW is the Region VI conference of NODA (Association of Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education).
• Tamika Wordlow, OSRR Associate Dean of Students, was recently elected to serve on the Directorate of the ACPA Commission for Student Conduct and Legal Issues.  This is a two-year term appointment.

Campus Recreation and Wellness

Website

East Carolina Campus Recreation & Wellness is excited to announce that with the help of ECU’s Creative Services team, and data collection from students, the new CRW website has been completed and is now live.  It took over a year and a half of dedicated planning and research for this project to be completed.

It’s been a long time coming, but we are so excited to give our students an easier way to navigate our programs and services, stated Jenny Gregory, CRW coordinator for promotions, staff development & special events.

Check out the NEW website here!

First Mate of the Month

Each month CRW recognizes an outstanding employee who has risen above the normal job expectations. Congratulations to our First Mate of the Month for April, Tessa Gibson!  Tessa has stepped outside her comfort zone this semester to be a leader within the graphic design area.  She takes on projects at the last minute and helps mentor the other designers.  She has also shown her professionalism while communicating with design applicants, scheduling and assisting with interviews.  Her carefree spirit and daily office hiccups will be missed next year!

RHA Banquet

On Tuesday, April 18th, RHA (Residence Hall Association) celebrated their End of the Year Banquet in the Gateway Sounds. The event was to say thank you to the Hall Government leaders for their involvement during the 2016-2017 year. The night was also filled with awarding this year’s winners for their achievements, recognizing our outgoing Executive Board Members and installing our 2017-2018 Executive Board.

Guest speaker, Janet (JJ) Johnson, spoke about Leaving your Legacy at ECU.  JJ will be retiring from ECU and Campus Living on May 31st, after 37 years of service to the University.

The following students/residence halls were awarded with the following awards:

• First Year Resident of the Year: Wyleed Slade, Jarvis Residence Hall
• Resident of the Year: Madison Donnenwirth, Legacy Hall
• Most Improved Hall Government of the Year: Jones Residence Hall
• Advisor of the Year: Moses Hollis, Legacy Hall Residence Hall Coordinator
• Best Attendance to attend RHA General Assembly Meetings: College Hill Suites
• Program of the Year: Hollywood in the Hill: Jones Hall and College Hill Suites
• President of the Year: Ariel Bermudez, College Hill Suites
• Most Spirited Hall Government of the Year: College Hill Suites
• Hall Government of the Year: College Hill Suites

The 2017-2018 RHA Executive Board are looking forward to the start of Fall 2017!

• Tim Higgins, RHA Marketing Manager
• Hayden Gary, RHA Business Manager
• Haleigh Crouson, RHA Parliamentarian
• Troy Nance, RHA President
• Molly Parham, RHA National Communications Coord.
• Jayke Pressley, RHA Vice President

Club Sports Banquet

ECU Club Sports celebrated a night reflecting on the 2016-2017 season in Harvey Hall on Tuesday, April 18th.  Over 200 club officers, captains and student leaders were able to celebrate all of their victories on and off their respective playing surfaces. With over 15 clubs attending regional and national competition in 2016-2017, it was a great night to share stories of success!

The night was highlighted by several clubs winning programmatic awards:

• Women’s Lacrosse- Club of the Year
• Women’s Soccer – Servire Award
• Field Hockey- Business Club of the Year
• Matt Wedding (Men’s Soccer President) – Officer of the Year

In addition to these awards they also celebrated their first year of having a Club Sport Coordinator, Hannah Roberts, who through her leadership, has been instrumental in the growth and success of the program.

The night concluded with the announcement of a gift to the Club Sports Foundation of $13,000 – given by Justin and Pat Waters, in memory of Jay Waters, who passed away unexpectedly in August 2016 at the start of the school year. Jay was the father of Justin Waters, who is the Assistant Director of Club Sports at East Carolina University. His father’s proudest achievement was that he was the first person in the family to attend college and befitting, this donation brought the scholarship to being fully funded.

The Club Sports Program will now be able to offer scholarships for Club Sport athletes to assist with the rising cost to attend and remain in college.

Cupola Conversations

Student Affairs wrapped up the first year of Cupola Conversations on April 12th with an engaging discussion.  The topic for this discussion was “Intersecting Identities: Are We Stereotyping Muslims” and was held in Mendenhall Student Center.

The discussion involved a six-person panel of ECU students, faculty, staff and community members.  The panelists offered opening remarks about what the topic title meant to them and the shared their perspective about how the Muslim community is perceived on campus, in Greenville/Pitt County and across the country.

Those in the audience spent the next hour posing questions to the panel on topics such as the wearing of hijab and its significance to the Muslim faith, gender differences within the Muslim faith, and the role of modern-day media on the portrayal of Muslims.

This was the third and final installment of Cupola Conversations for the spring semester.  The first two topics focused on the Presidential Election and how an individual’s vote does/doesn’t fully define them as well as a Facebook Live session looking at ECU Athletics.  The latter session involved ECU coaches, current and past student athletes, and staff.

The objective of Cupola Conversations is to promote a shared understanding of the value of diversity across the spectrum and to create and maintain a civil, welcoming campus climate for everyone.  Additionally, this initiative will continue to serve to create an institutional culture that welcomes and nourishes difficult conversations throughout university life.

Play for Peace Concert

After a challenging 2016, East Carolina University students have come together with the desire to create a program that promotes the positive message of ONE Pirate Nation. The Play for Peace Concert was a part of the #ECUnited movement and utilized music to send a message of unity to the entire Greenville and East Carolina community. The FREE concert occurred twice; April 8th at 10am at Pirate Fest in Uptown Greenville as well as April 10th at 6pm on the Brickyard.

The Concerts showcased eight songs (Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Living On A Prayer, Toxic Lips, Walking On Sunshine, We Are The World, Teach Me How To Smile, and Armed Forces On Parade) that connect with our community focused on One Pirate Nation. Play for Peace was organized and sponsored by Kappa Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, Turning Point USA, ECU Army ROTC, Elite Pirates, Interfaith Pirates – Better Together, ECU Police, and Student Involvement & Leadership.

Both concerts had a number of students, faculty, staff, and community members in attendance. The program hopes to become an annual part of the ECUnited movement. Visit https://ecunited.ecu.edu/ for more information about the two concerts and the songs. Continue to support ECUnited by using the hashtag #ECUnited.

New Hires/Departures in Student Affairs

Student Affairs New Hires Since April 1:

• William Bullock – Title IX Investigator – OSRR – April 17
• John Mountz – Director of Greek Life – April 17
• Aqiyla Simmons – Administrative Support – OSRR – April 17
• Dave Hilbert – Public Communication Specialist – Campus Living – April 24

Student Affairs Departures Since April 1:

• Caitlin Butler – Title IX Investigator – OSRR – April 14
• Branson Dail – Training Specialist – Transit – April 26