University Communications & Marketing

The Marketing Department at North Carolina Wesleyan University provides leadership, strategy, services and support to advance the brand of the University. Working in collaboration with all campus constituents, the marketing team creates and disseminates images, messaging, advertising and ideas to tell the story of Wesleyan, uphold the mission and values of the University, and to ensure consistency and unification. This includes projects related to print materials, website, social media, press releases, media interviews, campus signage, photography, videography and all other marketing initiatives that promote NCWU.

With over 60 years of combined marketing experience in the public and private sector, the marketing team strives to increase brand awareness, create a positive perception, attract and engage prospective students and bolster Wesleyan pride among students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, donors and the local community.

Michael Frye

Senior Graphic & Web Designer

e: MFrye@ncwu.edu

Employment Type STAFF

p 252-985-5441

e MFrye@ncwu.edu

Program/Department Marketing Dept.

Michael Frye

Senior Graphic & Web Designer

My interests outside of work
I love to "piddle" as my wife calls it... outside handyman work, landscaping, restoring our vintage competition ski boat or just plain finding something to do, I'm looking for it. I enjoying camping (glamping if you call it for what it really is), spending time boating on a calm lake with family and staying involved with a couple of non-profits. You also might find me doodling on the back of napkins to "master" the art of design- NOT... and I strive to have an eye for making the ordinary extraordinary.

My short backstory
Raised in Rocky Mount, attended Rocky Mount Senior High back when the Marching Band was KING. I studied Fine Arts at Chowan College and then Architectural Design at NCC. Found out math was not my friend so I assumed roles in the world of screenprinting where I helped a few promotional product suppliers in NC, SC and MD grow to record levels. As an Art Director and Pre-Press Manager for many years, my time in that industry was fulfilling and then decided to move back to NC and dive into the more "creative side of things" Marketing and Ad Agency sector as a Designer. NCWU was a client of ours and I was familiar with their brand so now... here I am!

My personal backstory revolves around my faith in God who keeps me grounded (along with my wife sometimes). I have 3 wonderful kids that are accomplishing more than I could ever image. My inspiration each day is seeing them and others around me get better. This also includes the students that exemplify the values of North Carolina Wesleyan University, and those that leave an indelible mark on the institution and the lives of those they serve.

What gets me up in the morning
Jess, our golden retrievers tongue on my face. Literally! After that, a grateful THANK YOU to my Lord and saver Jesus Christ for giving me another day. OH and greeting my lovely wife of 30 years and realize how blessed I am to have her!!

My passions and values
Career related: Everything design and somethings web across the digital landscape! Personal related: Integrity, finding ways to serve others, strong work ethic, and plain ole "common sense" stuff that quite frankly is lost in this era. God forgive US!

My goals
To one day find a place of solitude (physically and spiritually) that I can retire and spend the rest of my days volunteering, perhaps producing "stop and stare" pen & ink drawings again and living unselfishly for God.

Taylor “Brooke” Fassnacht

Communications Specialist

e: TFassnacht@ncwu.edu

p 252-985-5202

e TFassnacht@ncwu.edu

Location Rocky Mount Campus

Program/Department Marketing Dept.

Taylor “Brooke” Fassnacht

Communications Specialist

My interests outside of work
Outside of work, you can find me at Lake Gaston, an ECU Football game, or somewhere with my friends and family listening to live music. I love to travel locally and abroad, but bonus points of there is a body of water nearby!

My backstory
Born and raised in Rocky Mount, NC – I have done nothing short of move up and down the East Coast my whole life. I attended Faith Christian School all of my minority years and then spent 4 years falling in love with my beautiful Alma Mater, University of North Carolina Wilmington, where I had the pleasure of calling home for a while. Although that may appear as a smooth and seamless transition, I can promise you it was not. I often say that I am thankful for God’s sense of humor because I know He gets a good kick out of me, especially when I think I have a roadmap for how things are supposed to be. While all of my friends were receiving their acceptance letters and roommate assignments during my senior year, I was anxiously waiting to confirm where I would spend my next 4 years. It was not until one week before my high school graduation that my decision was made and I would be spending my first semester of college in Ireland at Maynooth University, and then transitioning to UNCW.

This is where I established life-long connections, a passion for Marketing, and a fearless mentality to “just try it”. I was a Covid-year 2020 graduate and quickly became part of the marketing team with Aramark at UNCW, where I had been an intern for the previous 3 years. This position led to three more promotions and two more Universities: East Carolina University and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. If not obvious enough, my passions lie with marketing and Higher Education. I love living in college towns and when the opportunity arose for me to extend my experience to NC Wesleyan, I had to take it! So, here I finally am, where I work with a team that I cherish and doing a job that I love daily!

What gets me up in the morning!
A chai latte and jam session with either Dolly Parton or Kenny Chesney while I get ready for the day.

My passions and values
All things creativity: thinking it, working at it, selling it, and then making it happen! Value: hard work, supportive relationships, kindness, deep belly laughs, and enjoying the little things in life!

My favorite quote
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it” – Charles Swindoll

Judie Taylor

Graphic Designer

e: JDTaylor@ncwu.edu

Employment Type STAFF

p 252-985-5229

e JDTaylor@ncwu.edu

Program/Department Marketing Dept.

Judie Taylor

Graphic Designer

My interests outside of work
When I’m not busy tackling my to-do list, I enjoy traveling, playing pickleball, roller skating, reading, and binge-watching alllllll the shows.

My backstory
Growing up in Illinois, I knew from a young age that I wanted to spend my life creating art in any way, shape, or form possible. Despite my dad's efforts to turn me into an athletic child, my mom’s spark of creativity ran through my veins and ultimately took over. By the time I moved to North Carolina, I had joined the yearbook staff at Northern Nash High School as a designer, and by my senior year, was named Yearbook Editor. At that point, I knew there was no other path for me; becoming a graphic designer was my calling.

I spent two incredible years in the Advertising & Graphic Design program at Nash Community College, where I had the opportunity to design the NightHawk mascot they still use today (cool, right?!), before graduating and moving to Georgia to pursue my BFA from the Savannah College of Art & Design. While there, new doors opened, and I discovered my passion for the film industry. I spent the next three years working on film sets, applying my design skills in various ways: creating labels for props, designing artwork for sets, and even providing graphics for post-production. This newfound passion ultimately led me to becoming the Head of the Graphic Design Department for the school's first-ever production of SCADurday Night Live, graduating with a minor in Film & Television, and moving to New York City post-graduation.

Over the next several years, I continued to chase my passions in the city, working in various roles on feature films and officially launching my career as a Marketing Graphic Designer at Vida Shoes International, where I worked with children's brands such as Stride Rite, Carter's, and Oshkosh B'Gosh. In the midst of the pandemic, I decided to return to North Carolina to be with family. Today, I am more thankful than ever to be home and near them—and just as thankful to not have to take a subway to work every day.

What gets me up in the morning!
My yorkie, Callie Rue. And about 7 alarms. #wheresthecoffee

My passions and values
Graphic design, obviously. Values include: Adventure, strong support systems, good vibes, creative freedom, connection to nature, self-care, balance, peace and a good cup of iced coffee.

My favorite quote
“I want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares.”- Saul Bass, American Graphic Designer

Meet Our Team

Marketing & Communications

University Communications & Marketing

Michael Frye

Taylor “Brooke” Fassnacht

Judie Taylor