"I think she's running for mayor," says the maitre d' at a local restaurant as Terri DeCenzo threads her way through the crowd, stopping at every other table to hug hello, offer a friendly pat on the shoulder, admire a sleeping newborn. Seemingly, there is no one in the room she does not know, including the wait staff, by name. And she gives each person she speaks to her direct gaze and full attention.

Terri DeCenzo is working the room. It's what she does as first lady of Coastal Carolina University. "There's no job description, so you make it what you can," she says, adding that she defines her duties as being an enthusiastic advocate for students and for the University.

"I try to make sure everyone knows about all the positive energy that is on this campus. Even the people who work there don't realize Coastal's full impact in the region and even globally."

The DeCenzo family moved to the area in 2002 when David DeCenzo left Towson University in Maryland to take a job as dean of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration. He became University president in 2007.
"We were embraced by the Coastal Carolina University family, and now we want to make sure the campus community feels that same warm embrace," says Terri, who grew up in Eldersburg, Md., with four brothers and a sister whom she calls her "best friends." She met her future husband at the University of Baltimore where he was an assistant professor of management. Terri had a nursing degree and was taking courses to complete a business degree in hopes of entering law school to practice risk management. It never happened ("I wasn't sure that was for me anyway," she admits) because the couple married a year later in 1982 and began their family.

The DeCenzos have four children. Mark, 25, who recently graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a business degree, is working on a golf course in Montana. Meredith, 22, is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and works at WMBF-TV. Gabriella, 17, is a junior at Waccamaw High School who would love to attend Coastal Carolina University if not for the fact that she might run into her dad on campus. Natalie, 15, is a freshman at Waccamaw High who plays on the varsity tennis team and also enjoys riding her horse Foster. Both Gabriella and Natalie were chosen this year to serve on the Habitat for Humanity Warrior Build Project, and both are members of the Georgetown Hospital System Junior Women's Board.

It is a typically busy family with young people in and out of their Pawleys Island house and many demands on parental schedules. Choosing what to attend on any given day or evening is often a daunting decision for the tireless woman who serves on many community organizations, including the Promise Committee of Horry County for the Susan G. Komen Foundation; the Georgetown Memorial Hospital Foundation Board; the American Red Cross Coastal South Carolina Chapter, Clara Barton Society; and Women in Philanthropy and Leadership for Coastal Carolina University. She is a representative of the Superintendant's Parent Council for the Georgetown County School District and an adviser for Outreach Farm and St. Christopher's Children, plus she works with the Safe Families Initiative in Georgetown County.

If that's not enough, she finds time to belong to a book club, works with University Advancement and speaks to groups and organizations—especially student groups. She is comfortable hosting an elegant donor reception one night, attending a Chanticleer baseball game the next, and leaving in the fifth inning to stop by another University event or community function before heading home. "I am experienced in the art of balancing," says the woman who often has a conflict between an important University event and an activity involving one of her children.

Terri DeCenzo (center) and President DeCenzo (right) at a University function.

One recent evening she had to choose between a Student Alumni Ambassadors awards dinner and a final soccer game for one of the children. While she wanted to support the student group she has worked with this past year, DeCenzo made the decision to go to her child's game because "family is first in all that I do." Last year she had to miss Coastal's May commencement because daughter Meredith was graduating from UNCW on the same day.

But, after her children, Coastal Carolina University students come next on DeCenzo's priority scale. She is known for inviting students into her home and for sending them congratulatory text messages and encouraging e-mails, though she prefers the intimacy of face-to-face conversation. She is plugged into the lives of many students and believes students can make a difference in the lives of others.

DeCenzo mentions a Wall Fellow who wanted her to meet his parents at commencement—"I was so touched; he told me I had a great impact on his life"—and another student who called her with an offer to help those affected by the recent wildfires in Myrtle Beach (the student built a Web site for donations).
She's had an ongoing relationship with the girls' basketball team and often attends their games, cheering them on. She also works on programs sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Services.

"I use my parent lectures when I talk to students," she says. "It's usually about lifting each other up, doing your best, giving your best, empowering others." DeCenzo says she keeps a journal of inspirational quotes in which she jots down thoughts that move her. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Teresa are two of her favorites. A verse from the Bible, Micah 6: 1-8, is also especially meaningful to her: "You have been told what to do—to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God."

With so much on her plate, with board meetings and entertaining and parenting, it is natural to wonder how she winds down (a book at the beach) and what motivates her to be the person she is.

"My parents were my first models of service, faith and family. And I know it sounds corny, but my husband truly inspires me," she says. "He is always willing to take the negative, and he doesn't seek glory or power. He is so committed and so focused; I am inspired by his passion for service."

Working with students is also a source of inspiration for DeCenzo. "I love college students," she says. "Their energy and their certainty that they can change the world are enviable. I tell people to be around First Year Experience students if they want to be inspired—like the girls who raised $62,000 for Relay for Life, or the students who raised $11,000 for schools in Africa.

"I'm always talking to people about Coastal Carolina University, I'm always asking what we can do better. I love being a vital part of an energetic community. I feel blessed to do what I can."

Virginia Bradshaw of Pawleys Island, friend
"In addition to all that she does for Coastal, she will drop anything for a friend. When the fires were going on, she dropped everything and went to help the Red Cross. When a friend's father passed away recently, she dropped everything and went to the services in another town. She has a very loving heart, and we just try to help each other out."

Gabe Timpano, Pawleys Island, godparent to Natalie DeCenzo
"I first met Terri while working with Habitat for Humanity. She wanted to learn how to put up siding. She's always reaching out—not just in terms of money or material things—but if someone needs spiritual help, or maybe just a hug, she is there for them. Her middle name should be Generosity; she'd take the shirt right off her back and give it to you. God says love your neighbor if you want to please Him, so she must keep Him very happy!"

Trevor Arrowood, former Student Government Association president
"There couldn't be a better student advocate than Terri DeCenzo. You just fall in love with her personality. She's more of a friend than a mentor. With her, there is no pretension; you get what you see, a down-to-earth person. She opened up her house to student leaders and has been a great supporter of Schools for Schools (a fundraising program to help northern African children). She asked me to keep in touch with her after graduation, and I plan to!"

Ryan Green, Chief of Staff, Wall Fellows Program
"Terri DeCenzo is a woman of compassion, character, family and faith. She is always concerned about student progress as individuals beyond the classroom. I proudly attribute my success at Coastal Carolina University to the DeCenzo family. Terri DeCenzo reinforced a hope that leaders of today can be focused on more than a title. She is a gracious and thoughtful leader who takes time to meet and remember everyone in her life. Terri DeCenzo and her family are the perfect role models to lead Coastal Carolina University for years to come."

Erica Ayersman, '09, director of health for Orphans International Worldwide
"Terri Decenzo and I met while I was working to create a North Myrtle Beach Fire Disaster Relief database for Coastal Carolina University. I was in constant contact with the American Red Cross, where she is a board member. She stepped outside of her responsibilities to help me with an individual project that I wanted to create to benefit the community. Terri Decenzo has made a difference in my life by dedicating her time and innovative spirit to working with me as well as other students to improve our campus and surrounding community."