Talley Turns 10
We celebrate a decade of the iconic space that’s been powered by students.
When Talley Student Union renovation was completed a decade ago, the university did more than just open an upgraded building — it created a student-centered space that would energize campus life and deepen Pack pride.
But without student employees, that vision would not be possible. “Student employees have always been part of the student union,” says TJ Willis, associate director of building services. “I love it when alumni come back and tell us they worked the info desk in the ’70s. There’s a legacy there, and when we reopened Talley, we wanted to create a student employment program that lived up to the state-of-the-art facility we were building.”
With the transition from a smaller operation in Witherspoon, staff had the opportunity to rebuild the student employment program. Today, the student centers employ nearly 100 students each year in roles ranging from event setup and tech support to information desk staff and building managers.
The new expanded model helps Talley run longer hours and host more events, and students gain vital learning experience.
Casey Kenner ’16, ’20 MED, assistant director of reservations and event planning, says, “This isn’t just a clock-in, clock-out job” for students. “It’s a high-impact experience. Students go through performance reviews, learn soft skills and time management, and often gain their first real professional experience.”
The result? Students find belonging. They meet peers and alumni, develop confidence and often get more involved across campus.
“Working at Talley completely shaped my time at NC State,” says Megan Mallamas ’17, who worked in Talley for four years. “I loved the amazing mentorship I received from the student center teams who had vested interests in us, not just as student workers, but as future alumni and young adults about to make our way in the world.”
Sentiments like Mallamas’ are common, Willis says: “You’re not just filling a shift, you’re a link in a long chain of Pack tradition.”
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