ECU Communication Graduate Wants to Share Positive Experiences

by Aaron Murdock

Recent ECU School of Communication graduate Matthew McCarthy never envisioned his future would lead him to the state of Mississippi. 

Currently enrolled at the University of Mississippi, better known as "Ole Miss," McCarthy holds a bachelor's degree in communication with a concentration in media production and is pursuing a master's degree in higher education. He is also working for the Department of Student Housing and Residence Life as a graduate assistant. 

By obtaining a degree in higher education, he would be able to work in different areas within a college community, including housing, Greek Life, admissions, and orientation.  

"I had such a blast at East Carolina, that I strive to make sure the students that I work with get the same experience, even though they attend a different university," McCarthy said. 

As Coordinator of Student Tours and Recruitment, he leads a group of approximately 25 students that serve as Housing Ambassadors. These select students give tours of residence halls at Ole Miss to possible future students and their families.  

He also works in close conjunction with the Office of Enrollment Services, for which he speaks to groups and showcases the residence halls during special events.   

Not only does McCarthy work on recruiting high school graduates, but he also focuses on the Ole Miss staff.   

"I'm currently doing a research project on the level of conflict resolution training that the University of Mississippi and the Department of Student Housing and Residence Life provides to their professional staff, the residence hall directors, and their RAs."   

He is also involved in multiple video projects for the Department of Student Housing. His job includes re-shooting and editing informational footage used on the school's Web site.   

Another project requires him to visit various residence halls to present the vice chancellor with evidence of how chaotic residents actually are on Thursday nights, a night that is popular for going out.   

His final project includes creating a video for the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO) conference, which is scheduled to be held in Mobile, Ala. in March 2011.   

Referring back to ECU, McCarthy feels that being highly involved as an undergraduate student, he learned an essential lesson that can be used in his current position as well as the future.   

"One great lesson I learned from East Carolina was to make connections and how to use my resources.  In Higher Education, it is all about networking."   

Although he is enjoying his time at Ole Miss, McCarthy claims that the best four years of his life were at ECU.   

"I will always always bleed Purple and Gold and cheer on the Pirates no matter where I am."

January 2010