Camila Nguyen

The Student Affairs Office, located on the second floor of Martin University Center to the right of the elevator, houses the offices of Eugene Frier, Barbara Walker and Carson Dinger.

Eugene Frier, Barbara Walker and Carson Dinger, have stepped into new roles this semester in the Division of Student Affairs, as part of a university-wide reorganization. 

Frier, who built the university’s nationally recognized Esports & Gaming program, is now executive director of student development and strategic initiatives. His position expands his scope across several areas of student success.  

“The most simple way to explain it is that my main responsibility is to support holistic student success, persistence, retention and post-graduate readiness,” Frier said. “I do that in a variety of ways through the macro areas I am responsible for.” 

He said his work includes supervising three directors, leading divisional assessment and data infrastructure, developing digital communication strategies for Student Affairs, managing parts of the esports and gaming program and helping with senior leadership responsibilities.  

“There is not a single responsibility, it’s several things,” Frier said. 

Frier added that his new position allows him to expand his work beyond esports.  

“It’s kind of exciting to get back to more of what the field that I got into in a lot of ways,” he said. “I’m excited that I’m still going to get to do the esports stuff, but it’s fun to get back more into some of the data and more broadly general student affairs work.” 

Michael Nguyen, assistant director of esports, said Frier’s promotion reflects his impact across campus.  

“I think it is a very fitting role for him,” Nguyen said. “A lot of people see him as the esports guy, but they neglect to see that he’s probably the most qualified person for this position due to all the experience he has before he came to Wesleyan.”

Barbara Walker, who has served in nearly eight roles at Texas Wesleyan, is now executive director of student engagement and connection. In her new role, she organizes educational, leadership and service-oriented programs, oversees co-curricular activities and designs initiatives that strengthen student retention and campus involvement. 

“The Executive Director of Student Engagement & Connection is responsible for organizing engaging educational, leadership, and service-oriented programs that promote student and campus connection,” Walker said. “The position will design and implement co-curricular, non-credit programs and activities focused on developing campus involvement and enhancing the student experience.” 

Her responsibilities also include developing strategies for student success, helping lead New Student Orientation, Ram Camp, Registration Days, Campus Recreation and campuswide events, while ensuring policies are clear and transparent.  

“This role will develop, integrate, and evaluate strategies for retention and student success in all departmental initiatives,” Walker said. “This staff member will be actively engaged in the creation and support of many campus wide events, New Student Orientation, Ram Camps, Registration Days, Campus Recreation, as well as the development and enforcement of clear and transparent policies.” 

She said the promotion is especially meaningful as a first-generation Latina student.  

“It means a great deal to me to be able to continue to progress in my career,” Walker said. 

Walker added that her life experiences shaped her leadership style.  

“I grew up in a low SES [socioeconomic status] home,” she said. “My dad was also completely blind and that often added to the complication issues. Home was often a rocky and sometimes hostile environment. Beyond my early childhood I lost my father to cancer and I am actually a cancer survivor myself.” 

Her goal, she said, is to create a culture of belonging.  

“I hope that the type of culture I create is one of community and connection,” Walker said. 

Carson Dinger, now assistant dean of students for student support and community standards, leads the university’s accountability processes and student support systems. His focus is on refining conduct procedures, strengthening resources and making support more accessible.  

“This new role gives me the chance to not just support individual students, but to step back and look at the bigger picture,” he said. “I can help shape the systems and processes that make up our support network and student accountability process, making sure they’re stronger, more consistent, and easier for students to navigate.” 

Dinger said his first priority was updating the Code of Student Conduct to make it easier for students.  

“One of my top priorities has already been updating the Code of Student Conduct to make it easier for students to navigate, and I’m proud that we’ve accomplished that,” Dinger said. “Next, I want to focus on building a central landing page on the university website that pulls together student support resources in one place. 

Dinger, formerly the assistant director of residence life, added that his leadership is rooted in accountability and compassion.  

“Accountability and compassion don’t need to be mutually exclusive,” he said. “To me, holding a student accountable is like telling them they have broccoli in their teeth. Our behaviors don’t define our worth, but if someone doesn’t know they need to address something, they can’t learn and grow.” 

He believes that success will be measured by how comfortable students feel seeking help.  

“I define success by how comfortable students feel coming to our office for support—whether the issue is big or small,” Dinger said. “If students leave here feeling supported and better prepared to make thoughtful choices, then I know we’re on the right track.” 

The three leaders said the promotions are part of a shared commitment to enhancing student life at Wesleyan.  

“My goal has always been in higher education to help students learn in an environment where they can have fun and make connections,” Frier said. “When I think back on college, my first thoughts aren’t math class, they’re friendships and memories. That’s what I want for our students.”