Student: Teandrea Wilkins

Teandrea Wilkins is reflecting on his academic journey as he enters his final semester at East Carolina University.

“It has been a long journey, considering everything from kindergarten until now,” Wilkins said. “I am turning toward the future and going about it in the best way I can.”

Wilkins is grateful for the opportunities for networking and relationship building offered within East Carolina University’s College of Health and Human Performance.

He’ll receive his graduate degree in sports management through the College of Health and Human Performance this spring. Wilkins is setting his sights on becoming a head coach in track and field or taking on an administrative role within sports. He aims to take on a Division I program and eventually the Olympics.

“Attending ECU meant I would be at a university where the name itself holds weight,” Wilkins said. “The opportunities for networking and building relationships would be like nothing else.”

Wilkins began studying at ECU as a junior after transferring from North Carolina Central University. Once he was acclimated with the campus and program, he was able to successfully complete his undergraduate degree and move on to the graduate level.

“I have been fortunate enough to be in a program that places a big emphasis on networking. I was able to be in classes where I was able to meet individuals working in the sports industry right now,” Wilkins said. “Gaining insights from them and becoming more knowledgeable about what is needed for my desired career is what will help set me apart from others when entering the field.”

Stacey Warner, Lisa Frederickson and Patrick Rider have all left lasting impacts on Wilkins throughout his time at ECU. “I always felt like I could ask questions, I felt valued and I got practical experience within my program,” he said. “They have all individually brought something to me that I know I will take with me into the future.”

During his undergraduate years, Wilkins was involved with groups like ECU Collegiate 100, Healthy Pirates and ECU Ambassadors. He was also a part of the student advisory council through ECU Campus Recreation and Wellness, where he is now a graduate assistant working in facility operations. Through his assistantship he makes sure all four locations are kept up to ECU standards and operate smoothly, oversees student staff, works in scheduling facility reservations, and assists with hiring.

As a Greenville native and South Central High School alumnus, Wilkins has spent most of his time around the ECU community. “I am open to leaving Greenville,” he said. “I know there are even more opportunities out there that can put me in a better position to give back to the community that gave so much to me.

“Being there and being involved and being active is just as important as being a leader,” Wilkins said.

He stays involved in the Greenville community through being a student member of the National Intramural-Recreation and Sports Association, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, and the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Wilkins has worked hard to get where he is. “I had to understand delayed didn’t mean denied,” he said. “You can achieve anything you put your mind to, and you can be successful. Everything is earned, not given.

“I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason,” Wilkins said. “Everything holds and serves a purpose. You can’t put yourself down because things aren’t going the way you think they should be going.”

Throughout his undergraduate and graduate careers, Wilkins has worked hard to stay involved and reach his goals at ECU and is working even harder to achieve them in his future.

“I tell myself, ‘You are where you are supposed to be,’” he said.

STATISTICS

Name: Teandrea Wilkins

College: College of Health and Human Performance

Major: Sports management

Age: 24

Classification/Year: Graduate student

Hometown: Greenville, North Carolina

Hobbies/interests: I love working out and watching my favorite sports such as basketball, track and field, as well as football. When I am not doing either one of those, I enjoy traveling to new destinations and being able to see the wonderful creations this world has to offer.

Clubs and Organizations: National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletic, National Society of Leadership and Success, G.O.L.D. Leader Series, Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society

FAVORITES

Favorite hangout: The beach

Favorite place on campus: Health Sciences Campus Student Center

Favorite place to eat: China Wok

Favorite class: Coaching theories

Professor who influenced you the most: Dr. Stacy Warner

Favorite TV show: “Martin”

Favorite bands/musicians: Future

Favorite movie: “The Pursuit of Happyness”

Favorite app: ESPN

MOTIVATIONS

Dream job: NCAA Division 1 head track and field coach

Role model: Lebron James

Your words to live by: “Failure is Opportunity. Opportunity is Learning. Learning is Winning. Winning is Knowledge. Knowledge is Power.”