SHL Alumni Spotlight: JoeRoyal Evans

I graduated from East Carolina University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and business management. This year, I proudly celebrated 13 years with my first employer, Aramark — a career that began while I was still an ECU student. My journey started as a student manager in Wright Place, where I had the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world operations and leadership.

Following my first year with Aramark, I accepted an internship with the New York Mets organization. My summer in New York was an incredible experience, where I connected with ECU alumni while serving as a culinary intern supporting MLB All-Star activities.

After graduation, I entered Aramark’s Accelerate to Leadership Program at ECU as a manager. Within six months, I was promoted and transferred to Fayetteville State University, where I gained additional leadership experience, eventually becoming general manager and supporting operations across the region.

Today, I serve as director of operations at Elon University, where I oversee day-to-day dining operations and lead a large team dedicated to delivering excellent experiences for students, faculty and staff.

No matter what campus I support, my love and respect for the ECU family always remain strong. I could never have imagined I’d find this level of success in my career. My confidence, communication and leadership skills truly began to flourish while taking SHL classes at ECU, and those experiences continue to influence how I lead today. I look forward to seeing what’s next in my career journey.