Join in the first Community Connection of the academic year. The discussion will center on the local and national results of the midterm elections. Experts on topics such as the Alamance County School Bond and the makeup of the U.S. Congress will be on hand to have a robust discussion about the status of political discourse.

Panelists include representatives from Alamance County’s Republican and Democratic parties and the 51±¬ÁÏÍø Poll.

Moderator: Assistant Professor Jane O’Boyle, School of Communications

This fast-paced panel will discuss the implications of events such as the trade tariffs, immigration policies, nuclear deals with North Korea and Iran, news from the White House, and more. Attendees are free to ask questions of our panelists from political science, international studies, business, and communications.

“I look forward to this event every year,” said Naeemah Clark, associate professor of communications who will serve as moderator for the discussion. “First, it’s always a good trip down memory lane. Second, I always learn something new.”

Clark said last year’s discussion that included the protests in Charlottesville, widespread devastation from hurricanes and other topics were so informative she was able to use what she learned in her classes and in discussions with friends. “There’s a lot I don’t know about how trade and tariffs affect me, so I’m especially looking forward to that.”

This year’s panel and their areas of expertise:

• Jessica Carew, assistant professor of political science, domestic policy
• Baris Kesgin, assistant professor of political science, foreign policy
• Andrew Greenland, assistant professor of economics, trade and economic development
• Damion Blake, assistant professor of political science, national security
• Kate Croxton, reporter, The Burlington Times-News

The event begins at 7 p.m. and the public is invited. 

Sponsored by the Council on Civic Engagement

There has been much discussion about the role social media, especially Facebook, played in distributing and circulating political information during the 2016 election. You are invited to participate in an hour-long ethics exploration and discussion about social media systems and their effect on political discourse.

Discussants: William Moner and Megan Squire

Diminished trust in the institutions that serve as a foundation for our society can lead to apathy, low rates of voting, volunteerism, and civic participation.

On Wednesday, Feb. 21, Community Connections will bring together a panel of experts to discuss the erosion of the public’s trust and possible ways to rebuild our faith in government, education, corporations, news media via accusations of “fake” news and other essential institutions.

Panelists for the event are: 

• Freebird McKinney, Alamance-Burlington School System Teacher of the Year 
• Tanya Rivera, WFMY
• Allen Johnson, editorial page editor for the Greensboro News & Record  
• Zach Ambrose, Principal at Ambrose Strategy and former Chief of Staff to Governor Perdue

Join Community Connections at 7 p.m. in McKinnon Hall in the Moseley Center on Elon’s main campus. Community Connections forums take on a lively format. They consist in large part of a well-informed panel having an open conversation with audience members.

The goal of Community Connections forums is to create thoughtful dialog with members of the university community as well as those who in live in Alamance County and the surrounding area. Past forums have explored issues surrounding on domestic violence, hunger, downtown revitalization, health care, gun violence and welfare.

Sponsored by the Council on Civic Engagement

Monday, Sept. 18, 5:15 to 6:16 p.m., LaRose Theater, Koury Business Center

After the panel, join in a follow-up discussion organized by Latinx/Hispanic students, featuring personal narratives about the impact of the DACA program and discussion about how to take action.

Discussion and refreshments after the panel until 7 p.m.