Blake Bennett, Retention Specialist
Blake Bennett joined the Academic Success Center team during 2023. Along with enrolling students, Blake provides students with academic coaching, such as note-taking strategies. Blake oversees CLEP testing, works with students who are on academic probation and serves as the ASC liaison for the College of Language and Social Sciences. He can be reached through e-mail at blaben@ecok.edu.
Nichole Beyer, Project Coordinator
Nichole Beyer is the coordinator for the Academic Success Center’s PEER-START grant, a $2M project that provides enhanced academic support to the ECU campus. As part of Nichole’s work, she coordinates the Tiger Connect course for incoming students, creates and provides training to faculty advisors and supervises students in peer-teaching roles. Before joining the ASC team, Nichole worked with the NASNTI REACHE grant at ECU. Nichole can be reached through e-mail at nicabey@ecok.edu.
Shawna Case, M.Ed., Director of Native American Academic Services
Shawna Case has been part of the Academic Success Center since it was established in 2016. Shawna works closely with several area Native American tribes to provide ECU students with opportunities and also teaches Tiger Connect, ECU’s seminar for first-time college students. Additionally, Shawna helps enroll incoming students and serves as the ASC liaison for the College of Education. She can be reached through e-mail at scase@ecok.edu.
Chris Conway, Academic Advisor
Chris Conway joined the Academic Success Center during 2024 after working for ECU as a Residence Director. Chris helps incoming students enroll and manages concurrent enrollment at ECU. Chris routinely communicates with more than 12 area high schools to ensure concurrent students are successful. Chris can be reached through e-mail at chracon1@ecok.edu.
Stephanie Cox, Purple Program Advisor
Stephanie Cox began working in the Academic Success Center during 2023 as part of the PEER-START grant team. Stephanie oversees the Purple Program, which provides extra support for students who are admitted to ECU through petition. Stephanie works closely with students to develop study plans, provide guidance and help them reach their potential. She can be reached at scox@ecok.edu.
Haley Hoyt, MPA, Ph.D., Academic Success Center Director
Haley Hoyt joined the Academic Success Center during 2021. Along with serving on the Enrollment Management Committee, she is part of the Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE) team, which ensures students in crisis receive comprehensive support. Dr. Hoyt is also the Project Director for the PEER-START grant. She can be reached through e-mail at hmatlock@ecok.edu.
Jill Miller, Academic Advisor and Student Worker Supervisor
After almost five years in administration at ECU’s Stonecipher School of Business, Jill became an academic advisor during 2023. In addition to helping students enroll, Jill oversees the department’s student workers, including tutors, writing consultants, and reception area staff. Jill is the ASC liaison for the School of Business and can be reached at amiller@ecok.edu.
Ryan Smotherman, Remediation Academic Advisor
Ryan Smotherman joined the team in 2024 as part of the PEER-START grant. Ryan’s work focuses on helping students who are in developmental courses. Ryan routinely works with faculty and students to help students develop a fundamental understanding so they are prepared for the rest of their academic courses. Ryan can be reached at ryamsmo@ecok.edu.
Royanna Willis, M.Ed., Retention Specialist
Royanna brought over a decade of education experience to the team when she joined the ASC in 2022. Royanna works with students to develop effective study strategies and has created templates and worksheets to help students with organizational skills. Royanna is the liaison for the College of Sciences and a Tiger Connect instructor. Royanna can be reached via e-mail at roymwil@eock.edu.