Emily Krechel

Dr. Emily Krechel serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for Campus Engagement and Strategic Initiatives at Elon University. A native of Virginia, Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from James Madison University, a Master of Science degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Miami University (Ohio), and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her doctoral research explored how institutional structures and campus environments shape the experiences of Students of Color during their transition to college, with a particular focus on belonging, student success, and the first-year experience.

Emily began her career in higher education at Earlham College, where she served in Residence Life and supported first-year students through residential education, orientation, and leadership development initiatives. She later joined the University of California, Berkeley, where she spent five years in New Student Services, progressing through roles of increasing responsibility. At Berkeley, she helped lead orientation and transition programs serving more than 9,000 new students annually, managed large-scale student leadership programs, and collaborated with academic and student affairs partners to strengthen the student onboarding experience.

In 2017, Emily joined Elon University as Director of New Student Programs. During her nine years in that role, she led the university's orientation and transition efforts, overseeing programs that supported thousands of students and families each year. She coordinated large-scale campus initiatives including move-in and orientation, collaborated extensively with faculty and staff across the university, and advanced efforts to strengthen student engagement, leadership development, and belonging. As a member of the Division of Student Life Leadership Team, Emily contributed to divisional strategy, assessment, and organizational development initiatives that enhanced the student experience and strengthened institutional effectiveness.

Beyond her departmental responsibilities, Emily played key leadership roles in several university-wide initiatives. She co-led the Mentoring Design Team as part of the Boldly Elon strategic plan, helping develop recommendations to strengthen mentoring across the institution and expand opportunities for meaningful relationships among students, faculty, and staff. She also chaired the Student Employment Work Group, leading efforts to institutionalize and expand ElonGROW, Elon University's approach to student employment that integrates mentoring and reflective learning into on-campus work. Through this work, she helped advance student employment as a high-impact practice that supports student success, belonging, and career readiness. She also helped launch and facilitate the Early Career Institute, a professional development program designed to support new and emerging staff members. In addition, Emily chaired the Staff Advisory Council and served on numerous committees and working groups focused on enrollment, strategic planning, innovation, assessment, mentoring, and organizational effectiveness.

In June 2026, Emily joined the Office of the President as Deputy Chief of Staff for Campus Engagement and Strategic Initiatives. In this role, she partners with university leaders to advance institutional priorities, coordinate strategic initiatives, strengthen campus engagement, and foster collaboration across the university community. Working closely with senior leaders, faculty, staff, and students, Emily helps support initiatives that advance Elon University's mission and strategic vision. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in higher education, she is committed to creating environments where individuals and communities can thrive through meaningful engagement, collaboration, and shared purpose.