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On Deck with Student Affairs April 2023 Edition

Table of Contents

  • Message from Vice Chancellor Frye
  • Student Affairs Scholarly Activity
  • DSS Opens New HSC Testing Center
  • Voter Friendly Campus Designation
  • SGA Meal Swipe Initiative
  • Yam Jam
  • Upcoming Events
  • New Hires and Separations

From the Desk of Vice Chancellor Brandon Frye

Brandon A. Frye, PhD

ECU Pirates – we are in the stretch run of the spring semester. The month of April creates a mixed bag of emotions for our students, but also for our staff and faculty too. The last day of classes (April 25) is right around the corner, then final exams and Commencement. It’s the finish line!

Before we can Finish Strong, there are a lot of challenges we will face. April, after all, is National Stress Awareness Month and that is never more evident nowadays than on a college campus.

The cram sessions and late night / all night study preparations are underway and an entire semester worth of projects, presentations and assignments are coming due all at once.

This stretch run impacts our staff and faculty too as we no doubt recognize the short fuses, frustration, and fatigue of our Pirates. And we are also reaching a breaking point in our daily efforts to cross the finish line. Burnout, stress, physical/mental fatigue and a lost focus on self-care and well-being became the norm in the pandemic but continue still for many in higher education.

Let’s face it – lower budgets and less staff hasn’t helped but actually has exacerbated the situation for so many.

Here’s a quick reminder about some of the resources available for our ECU community.

Students

Students / Faculty / Staff

  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available by calling or texting 9-8-8. This resource connects you with trained counselors who can listen, provide support and shares resources in an emotional crisis.

Staff and Faculty

  • ECU partners with ComPsych to provide Faculty and Staff Assistance for faculty and staff as well as immediate family members. This 24/7 service is accessed by calling 1-833-743-8183 or at Guidance Resources online.

The pollen is finally clearing away and temps are going up. Take advantage of our amazing eastern North Carolina spring and seek ways to find joys, even amid all the things that give us heartburn.

We are going to Finish Strong to put a wrap on the spring semester. Let’s do it together, looking out for ourselves and our colleagues and, of course, our students.

Go Pirates!

Student Affairs Scholarly Activity

If you would like more information on any of the presentations listed below, please contact vcsa@ecu.edu.

Behavioral Health Convening (BHC)

The 2023 Behavioral Health Convening (BHC) was held on March 21 at The Friday Center in Chapel Hill. The BHC was an opportunity for institutions to develop ideas, share best practices, and discuss the mechanisms and steps needed to nurture a healthy and resilient student body. The partnership included UNC System schools, North Carolina Community Colleges and NC Independent Colleges and Universities to expand this important dialogue across the state.

The Convening included engaging participants in conversations about innovative and evidence-informed programming that supports student mental health, social connection, and well-being; discussion on the scope of student mental health challenges on campuses and better understand current trends and issues within student mental health, including but not limited to eating concerns, social media, suicidality, and substance use; sharing strategies and ideas to promote increased education and access to mental health services for a diverse population of students, their experiences, and across different campus environments; and exploring the relationship among counseling centers, wellness initiatives, and other campus support services with faculty, staff, student leaders, and community members, to increase collaboration, communication, and understanding about how these efforts work in tandem to address the overall health and wellness of students.

ECU Student Affairs were involved in multiple presentations and panel discussions including:

Why the push for Integrated Behavioral Health?

  • Abstract: As many as 70% of individuals will receive mental health treatment from their primary care providers. Approximately, 80% of individuals referred to a mental health specialist will never seek care from a mental health provider. Individuals who commit suicide are likely to have seen their primary care provider in the week to month prior to their death. Thus, the integration of behavioral health into primary care has become necessary. Research suggests that adolescents are 66%-73% more likely to have positive outcomes from receiving integrated behavioral health interventions. This session will discuss the need for Integrated Behavioral Health and the various models of integration.
  • Presenter: Dr. LaNika Wright (Health and Well-Being)

Using Stress and Mental Health Measures to Create a Robust Student

  • Abstract: This session used a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and student success outcomes to build collaborative partnerships and intervention strategies with academic and student affairs educators.
  • Presenters: Dr. Jeremy Tuchmayer (SA Assessment, Research and Planning), Dr. Lynn Roeder (Dean of Students), and Lauren Thorn (Center for Student Success)

Discover Well-Being: from theory to practice

  • Abstract: Creating impactful well-being programs is more than throwing spaghetti against a wall and seeing what sticks. There is also more to it than getting so lost in health behavior theory that the program doesn’t attract anyone. This session will blend the perfect amount of behavior change models and strategic marketing principles for a recipe that will keep your students and members coming back for more!
  • Presenters: Steven Trotter (Campus Recreation and Wellness), Gwen Krause (Campus Recreation and Wellness), Lauren Thorn (Center for Student Success)

College Mental Health

  • Abstract: This presentation focuses on the needed shift in approaching mental health and wellness on campus in a way the entire community can be involved. The impact of COVID on students’ mental well-being and strategies for addressing these effects will be discussed by the panelists. Additionally, the impact and complexity of the high demands on college counseling centers will be explored while focusing on the critical nature of creating a campus culture of caring and collaboration among partners on/off campus.
  • Presenters: Dr. Valerie Kisler-van Reede (Counseling Center), Dr. Chris Hogan (Appalachian State), Dr. Monica Osburn (NC State), Dr. Mark Lopez-Perez (UNC Wilmington), Dr. Kimberly Gorman (Western Carolina) and Dr. Vivian Barnette (North Carolina A&T).

Southern College Health Association Conference

East Carolina University hosted the Southern Conference Health Association (SCHA) Conference on March 8-10 in the Main Campus Student Center as well as various other locations on ECU’s campus. The conference was attended by more than 250 people from universities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee.

The SCHA Conference is an opportunity to provide education to the college health community in the southeast. The key topics for the conference included physical health, mental health, public health, nutrition, and administration. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Brandon Frye kicked off the conference with a welcome address and one of the keynote speakers was Christina Bowen with ECU Health who presented “Creating a Culture of Well-Being Where You and Your Teams THRIVE.”

Congratulation to these Student Affairs staff who presented/co-presented during SCHA sessions:

Hot Topic: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

  • Abstract: Substance use is a primary concern on college campuses. This roundtable will provide space for group sharing, open dialogue, and innovative approaches to take center stage. Through sharing stories and asking questions, participants will be able to network with colleagues and reflect on how they can continue bringing awareness to substance use on college campuses.
  • Presenters: Jordan Jean (Collegiate Recovery Coordinator) and Hilary Liles (Counseling Center)

What’s affecting the health of our students?

  • Abstract: It is known that health is affected by more than physiological issues. Many students are facing challenges in life that affect their health and may lead to somatic symptoms or somatization disorders. This presentation will seek to present information on current trends seen in offices on campus that do not have a health care focus but are seeing students in crisis. It will describe how these issues affect the health of the students on our campuses.
  • Presenters: Dr. LaNika Wright (Health and Well-Being), Dr. Lynn Roeder (Dean of Students), Stephen Gray (Disability Support Services) and Dr. Valerie Kisler-van Reede (Counseling Center).

Hot Topics: Sexual Health inside and outside of the classroom

  • Abstract: From course work to campus events, this presentation will cover the current efforts, initiatives, and tactics used to provide pivotal Health Education on this topic. A conversational Q&A will follow a brief presentation so that we may come together to strategize ideas that will help us better serve our campuses and communities.
  • Presenters: Jarecia Jacobs (Student Health Services) and Brian Cavanaugh (College of Health and Human Performance)

Integrated Health & Well-Being Panel

  • Abstract: Integrated health & well-being is more than a catchphrase; it’s an operational philosophy. This interactive panel discussion will showcase integrated well-being on various campuses across size, public vs. private, and location differences followed by a Q&A session.
  • Presenters: Steven Trotter (Campus Recreation and Wellness), Willie Ehling (Campus Recreation and Wellness) and Joe Cassidy (Wake Forest University)

Hot Topic: Mental Health Roundtable

  • Abstract: Mental health is a primary concern that requires strategic, intentional, and unified approaches in care. This roundtable will provide space for group sharing, open dialogue, and innovative approaches to take center stage. Through sharing stories and asking questions, participants will be able to network with colleagues and reflect on how they may improve mental health care on their campuses.
  • Presenters: Gabriela Dickey (Campus Recreation and Wellness) and Dr. Valerie Kisler-van Reede (Counseling Center).

Building Rockstar Teams

  • Abstract: Leadership and influence is not about getting people to do something, it’s about getting people to be something. Gallup research shows that if an employee is highly engaged at work, they are more likely to have higher levels of reported well-being in other domains (social, financial, community and physical). This seminar will address effective strategies to utilize individual strengths while protecting the core and structure of your organization and programs. Learn how to build a Rockstar team of diverse talent that will surely take your organization to the next level!
  • Presenter: Steven Trotter (Campus Recreation and Wellness)

Hot Topics: Administration

  • Abstract: Members of the SCHA Board of Directors facilitate a discussion of the hot topics facing student health centers. All are invited to participate in an exchange of ideas around issues such as insurance billing, staffing, organizational structure, clinic operations, strategic planning and public health concerns on a college campus.
  • Presenters: Dr. LaNika Wright (Health and Well-Being), Amy Magnuson (Florida State University), Kathy Carstens (Davidson College), and Darren Aaron (UNC Greensboro)

Get Your Patients Moving: Exercise is Medicine Referral Programs on College Campuses

  • Abstract: Exercise is Medicine referral systems allow campuses to bridge the gap between clinicians and practitioners to improve student health outcomes, increase awareness and access to campus well-being service, and promote holistic approaches to student health needs. Learn the benefits of the systems, their structures, and the integrative models that aid allied health and well-being professionals to work strategically.
  • Presenters: Gabriela Dickey (Campus Recreation and Wellness) and Suzanne McDonald (Campus Recreation and Wellness)

Hot Topics: Nursing

  • Abstract: A facilitated discussion on the hot topics in college health nursing. Participants are encouraged to share ideas and dialogue about relevant topics such as staffing, morale, clinic operations, novel services offered, and how to maximize quality patient care.
  • Presenter: Ellen Goldberg (Student Health Services)

Removing the Roadblocks: Taking a Research-Informed Approach to Case Management and Student Support Services

  • Abstract: When a student hits a "roadblock" at the university, how we respond can determine their long-term success and retention. Using research and best-practices, this presentation will examine some of our most common campus barriers and potential solutions.
  • Presenters: Lauren Thorn (Center for Student Success) and Dr. Stacy Stanford (Dean of Students Office)

NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education)

ECU won the Student Affairs Professional Global Partnerships Award in Boston

The NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) International Education Knowledge Community recognizes student affairs involvement and collaboration in international education related programs and services around the world.

ECU and partner Amizade are the recipients of this year’s “Student Affairs Professional Global Partnership” award, honoring programs that encourage international engagement, cooperation, and collaboration with and between student affairs professionals in two or more countries. ECU’s Division of Student Affairs was recognized for its ethical global learning programs at the NASPA annual conference in Boston.

In addition, ECU Student Affairs were involved in multiple presentations and panel discussions including:

Reinvesting in our Greatest Resource: Recruitment and Retention of Staff

  • Panel Topic: Following the pandemic isolation, the entire workplace culture has shifted in our country. Professionals from every generation are focusing on work-life harmony with the expectation of flexible schedules and benefits that include a focus on well-being. This panel, which includes leaders from both the recruiting sector as well as student affairs, will share new and evolving strategies around recruitment and retention for the workplace of today.
  • MODERATOR: Dr. Dennis McCunney, East Carolina University
  • PANELISTS: Dr. Erik Kneubuehl: East Carolina University, Don Donaldson: LinkedIn, Recruitment & Retention Account Manager, Mark Hall, President of Spelman Johnson, Senior Consultant, Dr. Tierney Bates: USC Upstate

Student Affairs: Systems Thinking Applied to New Priorities

  • Abstract: Higher education is on the front lines of an increasingly changing society, and student affairs has an opportunity to assist in creating a new societal narrative that harnesses the power of educational exploration, social responsibility, and innovation. Systems thinking will be critical in reimagining how we think about student, staff, and institutional priorities in an endemic landscape.
  • Presenter: Dr. Erik Kneubuehl

Creating Data-Informed Intervention Strategies to Combat First-Year Student Stress, Mental Health and Loneliness

  • Abstract: Mental health and student success are integrally related and merit concerted attention and data-informed approaches. Presenters will share findings from self-assessments collected from all first-year students, elucidating relationships among students’ stress, mental health, and loneliness. Presenters will also discuss the design and outcomes of data-informed outreach and early intervention strategies to proactively connect students with university resources, highlighting the impact on student success outcomes related to persistence, retention, and GPA.
  • Presenters: Lauren Thorn, Dr. Jeremy Tuchmayer, and Dr. Lynn Roeder

Certification for Student Affairs Educators (CSAEd) Bootcamp

  • Abstract: The Certification for Student Affairs Educators launched this year! This immersive workshop is designed to help you prepare for the Core Certification for Student Affairs Educators Assessment. Focusing on the eight Certification Learning Domains, join other mid-to-senior level Student Affairs Educators in a boot camp that will provide a sample of literature, an understanding of the skills, and additional resources for your preparation to pass the assessment.
  • Presenters: Brooke Lecky Supple, NASPA, Stephanie Gordon, NASPA, Joseph DeSanto Jones, Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification, Dr. Helen Mulhern Halasz, East Carolina University, Brian Regan, Boston College, Justin M. Sipes, University of North Florida, and Rayna A.I. Tagalicod, University of Hawai’i at Manoa

Applying Instructional Design for Learner-Centered Professional Development Poster Presentation

  • Our people -professional, graduate, and student staff- are our best organizational asset! A comprehensive talent development strategy includes training and professional development to increase employee competencies. Applying Instructional Design principles can guide building better learning experiences, whether through instructor led or self-paced delivery methods. This session outlines how incorporating a systematic process of Instructional Design facilitates creating high-quality, innovative, learner-centered professional development.
  • Presenter: Dr. Helen Mulhern Halasz

Disability Support Services Opens New HSC Testing Center

The Office of Disability Support Services is excited to announce the grand opening of a second testing location. This new testing center is located on the Health Sciences Campus within the Student Center (HCSC 222). The hours of operation will be (Monday – Friday) 8am – 5pm. When the testing room is not in use, anyone is welcome to use it as a study space. The space is prioritized for testing specifically for registered DSS Students but can be reserved in certain circumstances if available by contacting Kristina Page – pagek@ecu.edu.

There has been an overwhelming need for a secondary testing center to connect the two campuses for quite some time. The number of registered students has continuously grown each year and the time has finally come to make this dream a reality. The amount of teamwork and effort within the Health Sciences Community to accommodate students up until this point has been graciously appreciated and no easy task. We hope that this will be the start of something great and grow as the need continues to rise.

Since the opening of the Disability Support Office back in the 70s, the goals have continuously changed to align with the needs of the populations we serve. With the opening of this new site, the goals are to now make testing for students on the Health Sciences Campus more accessible, as well as accommodating the needs of instructors. With the recent installation of ClockWork (CW), this system creates a more efficient way in contacting students as well as faculty, and keeping testing information more organized and safeguarded. The confidential CW Portal will allow for a more integrated, accessible and organized way to track testing across the University. This will allow us to better understand the numbers of students we serve and where our focus is needed. With faculty input and cooperation this transition will be a successful next step in moving forward.

Our office is truly ecstatic to be able to provide this service that has been much needed for so long and we look forward to this new partnership.

CLCE Leads Effort for Voter Friendly Campus Designation

East Carolina University is one of more than 258 campuses in 38 states and the District of Columbia designated as a Voter Friendly Campus through 2024.

Two national nonpartisan organizations — the Fair Elections Center Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education — led the initiative, which held participating institutions accountable for planning and implementing practices that encouraged their students to register and vote in 2022 and future elections.

The Voter Friendly Campus designation recognizes bolstered efforts that help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process. ECU was evaluated based on a campus plan to register, educate and encourage student voter turnout in 2022. Additional factors included how ECU facilitated voter engagement efforts on campus and a final analysis of its efforts.

As part of our effort to be designated a Voter Friendly Campus, ECU’s Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement (CLCE) continues to provide nonpartisan voter registration and civic engagement opportunities for students including multiple ways for students to get registered to vote and educated about the process, a Citizen U workshop series, a civility program called Dinner and Discourse, and an Alternative Break Experience that has a civic engagement focus. CLCE leads this work through its non-partisan Pirates Vote branding and initiatives. This is the fourth year in a row that ECU has been designated a Voter Friendly Campus!

The institutions designated Voter Friendly Campuses represent a wide range of two-year, four-year, public, private, rural, and urban campuses, collectively serving over 3.5 million students. Notably, the list of designated institutions includes 49 Minority Serving Institutions and 13 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as 41 Community Colleges.

For more information about Pirates Vote visit https://clce.ecu.edu/students/pirates-vote/ or contact Alex Dennis, Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement, at 737-4988 or dennisa15@ecu.edu.

Swipe Out Hunger Program

This semester SGA partnered with ECU Dining and the Purple Pantry to launch the Swipe Out Hunger program. Swipe Out Hunger offers short-term help until students obtain sustainable funding or other resources. Students experiencing food insecurity and/or a student emergency, will now get access to healthy and well-balanced meals at West End and Todd Dining Halls. Swipe Out Hunger is for students who live off-campus (undergraduate, graduate, dental and medical).

The program officially launched in January 2023. Students were able to donate up to 5 meals, and those requesting are able to request up to 5 meals. A total of 89 meals were donated. Students in need of assistance can complete applications by going to https://clce.ecu.edu/purple-pantry/. In addition, SGA purchased an Industrial Freezer for the Purple Pantry for distribution of frozen meats and meals.

The Cupola Award

Awarded to a student and an ECU faculty/staff/administration member who demonstrates the ability to promote diversity, protect student welfare, and foster a positive student image while enhancing the total student experience. Nominations are received from SGA members.

At the end of March, SGA presented the Cupola Award to Peter Groenendyk, Associate Vice Chancellor of Campus Living, who embodies the qualities of a strong leader willing to advocate for the students. He has listened to members of SGA during conversations with other departments throughout this semester providing support. Swipe Out Hunger would not be possible without his willingness to protect the students and foster an environment willing to assist all. His work with SGA has enhanced the total student experience.

The recipient of The Cupola Award for staff, Peter Groenendyk.

New Leadership

Incoming SGA President and VP - Javier Limon (left) and Matthew Blount (Right)

Javier Limon and Matt Blount, were elected as next year’s Student Government Association president and vice president. Javier is the first Hispanic/Latino Student Body President.

Outgoing and Incoming SGA Presidents and VP (Left to right) - 2022-2023 President Ryan Bonnett, 2022-2023 VP Emily, 2023-2024 President Javier Limon, 2023-2024 VP Matt Blount

ECU partners with Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC for annual Yam Jam

ECU in partnership with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, hosted Yam Jam on March 22. Yam Jam is intended to help raise awareness of food insecurity and was held in the lot between ECU’s Parking and Transportation Building and the Main Campus Student Center on 10th Street.

During the event, more than 200 volunteers sorted 50,000 pounds of sweet potatoes into family-sized portions to be distributed by the food bank. The event was in conjunction with the Pack the Pantry campaign, and volunteers were encouraged to bring items needed at ECU’s Purple Pantry.

Nearly 70,000 people in the Greenville area are currently experiencing hunger, and of that number, almost 24,000 are children. Additionally, almost 18,000 seniors live below the poverty level, and organizers hope that the sweet potatoes will play a part in alleviating the daily hunger found in central and eastern North Carolina.

Sponsors included the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and ECU’s Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement, College of Business, Campus Recreation and Wellness, ECU Sustainability and the Student Engagement Office.

To help raise attention about the food insecurity among ECU students, ECU’s Purple Pantry was on site to celebrate its fifth year. The pantry encouraged volunteers to donate food and hygiene products to help students who call eastern North Carolina home.

Upcoming Events

Barefoot on the Mall

GradBash

Spring Commencement

New Student Orientation

  • Monday and Tuesday, June 12th and 13th
  • Wednesday and Thursday, June 14th and 15th
  • Monday and Tuesday, June 19th and 20th
  • Wednesday and Thursday, June 21st and 22nd
  • Monday and Tuesday, June 26th and 27th
  • Wednesday and Thursday, June 28th and 29th
  • Wednesday and Thursday, July 5th and 6th
  • Monday and Tuesday, July 10th and 11th
  • Wednesday and Tuesday, July 12th and 13th
  • Monday and Tuesday, July 17th and 18th

Click here to learn more about Summer 2023 orientation sessions.

Promotions and Separations

Promotions

  • Rose Bogue – Program Coordinator – Dr. Peel LGBTQ Center – March 16
  • Chase Wheaton – Assistant Director, Living Learning Communities – Campus Living – April 3

Separations

  • Jessica Simms – Admin Support – March 13
  • Jacob Livingston – Residence Hall Coordinator – Campus Living – March 15
  • Melissa Allay – Senior Assistant Director – SAARP – March 17
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