Julie Cheney, a 10-year veteran of the University of Georgia Office of Alumni Relations, has been named executive director of alumni relations at Coastal Carolina University. She replaces Jean Ann Brakefield, who has accepted a fundraising position within CCU's Office for Philanthropy and is responsible for the TEAL 1000 and faculty/staff giving initiatives.

Cheney is responsible for all functions of CCU's Office of Alumni Relations, which include cultivating relationships with alumni; leading the alumni association and its activities; planning on- and off-campus alumni events; and developing the student alumni ambassador club.

"Julie is an outstanding addition to the Coastal Carolina University family," said Mark Roach, vice president for philanthropy. "With her positive energy and extensive experience at the University of Georgia, I am confident that she will make meaningful and lasting relationships with Coastal's alumni of all ages and take our alumni initiatives to the next level."

While at Georgia, Cheney held positions of increasing responsibility and finished her tenure as senior director of alumni operations. Among her accomplishments were establishing a strategic plan while working closely with the alumni association's board of directors; leading signature events such as 40 Under 40 and Freshman Welcome; and establishing a student engagement program.

"It is an honor to serve Coastal Carolina University as its executive director of alumni relations," Cheney said. "This is a transformational time for CCU, and it's clear this is an institution on the rise. I look forward to working with colleagues on campus, alumni here and across the country, and community partners to advance the Coastal mission."

Cheney's background also includes serving as community income manager with the American Cancer Society in Athens, Ga.; coordinator of membership services with the University of North Carolina General Alumni Association; and membership assistant with the University of Georgia Alumni Association. A native of Athens, Ga., Cheney attended the University of Georgia, where she earned both a bachelor's degree in communication studies and a Master of Education. She has also completed Ph.D. coursework in human resource and organizational development at Georgia. Cheney is a member of Council for Advancement and Support of Education and is a frequent presenter at the organizations' conferences.

Her husband, Jim Cheney, is a nationally certified massage therapist, who will be relocating his business to Myrtle Beach. The two were married 15 years ago in Myrtle Beach and look forward to calling the Grand Strand home.