1. It just takes one...
Did You Know?
How important is it for a student to develop a sense of belonging at ECU? It is critical! It is
especially important for students whose family live far from Greenville because they are generally
retained at a lower rate than students whose families live closer.
• Get to know students as much as possible. If you teach a class and notice a student is
disengaged, ask to speak to the student after class.
• If you know a student is “homesick,” talk to him/her about ways to deal with the adjustment
and/or assist them in connecting with the Counseling Center.
• Help students learn about student activities on campus and encourage them to join.
• Consider being an advisor to a student organization.
Jayne Geissler, PhD
Executive Director, Retention Programs and Enrollment Services
Did you know that developing a sense of belonging to the university
community is a key to a student staying at ECU? Everyone at ECU has
the opportunity to be that one person who could make a difference in a
student graduating or dropping out.
Ms. Bernice Gay (Ms. B), a cashier at West End Dining Hall, is a great
example of being that one person. Each day she welcomes about 2000
students to her “home” and treats each person as if they were family.
Kori Burton, an ECU junior from Virginia, is one of Ms. Bernice’s daily
guests. Burton says, “Every day I get up for an early 7 a.m. breakfast. I
can barely open my eyes, still tired from studying the night before, but
one woman makes every morning into a smile."Ms. B" can't help but
make everyone who passes her leave with a smile and new outlook on the day. She wakes me up
every morning with her cheer and enthusiasm that makes even the longest of days seem chipper.
She is an amazing woman and I am so glad that she’s at ECU.”
Ms. B’s effect on others is not limited to students. Her manager relayed a story from a summer
freshman Orientation. “Two parents from New Jersey accompanied a daughter to ECU and were
anxious about her attending college so far away from home. Mrs. B. welcomed them at the front
door of West End dining, and because of Ms. B’s contagious enthusiasm, the couple said they knew
that ECU was the right place for their daughter. They knew then that their child would be taken care
of here!”
When co-workers were asked about Ms. B, the stories rolled in. Ms. B is called the “West End’s
Rock” and is a vital part in creating an enjoyable work environment. One manager noted that when
Ms. B takes a day off there is a noticeable difference, a missing piece that is not easily replaced. A
number of students will ask about her absence and are disappointed when Ms. B is not there to
share a warm welcome. Many felt that there is not a stronger presence on this campus when it
comes to making a difference in a student’s life on a day-to-day basis than Ms. B.
Ms. B embraces the idea that every interaction with a student is an opportunity to make a
connection and nurture that sense of community. She knows that it just takes one.
...to make a difference in a student’s life.
One Cashier...
What You Can Do…
Kori Burton and Ms. Bernice