ECU OA: Jayden Kelly

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Raleigh

Why did you choose ECU and what are some things that you love most about ECU? I chose ECU because when I first stepped on campus, I finally felt somewhere I had a connection with. I saw the other students and I finally felt like I was a part of something. ECU felt like home it felt like somewhere I could build the version of myself I wanted to be. My favorite thing about ECU is the social life. There’s so many organizations and communities to join where you can really make an impact!

What do you remember from your own orientation that made you want to be an OA? I remember my awesome OA who helped me make friends and really come out of my shell. I was so nervous about going to school and facing this new journey by myself she helped me realize I wasn’t on my own and that everyone was feeling the same, easing my anxiety and making me feel 10 times more welcome.

How will your experiences shape your approach as an OA? I am the type of person where it takes a little bit of warming up to get me comfortable somewhere and I hope to help those other students who are feeling shy or uneasy get out of their shell and feel more at ease with ECU and our campus and community as a whole!

What do you hope incoming students and family members takeaway from orientation?

I hope they take away that though this transition is one of the scariest things you’re going to do, it will be the most rewarding and an experience you will take for the rest of your life. Your years in college are some of the most formative years of your whole life and ECU is truly one of the best places to spend them.