The introductory meeting, to be held via Zoom on April 24, will focus on relationship-building and information sharing between the two student government associations. Conversations will include a discussion of how both associations are structured, how often they meet, and how they represent student interests on their campuses.

Leaders will also exchange perspectives on campus traditions, highlighting the events and experiences that define student life at each university. The discussion is expected to begin the process of identifying opportunities for honoring and sharing those traditions across both communities.

The meeting is serves as an early step in aligning student leadership efforts.
Michael Swartz ’27, president of 51±¬ÁÏÍø’s Student Government Association, and Jessica Paredes ’27, president of Queens University’s Student Government Association, answered questions this week in the lead-up to their first meeting.

The duo described their expectations ahead of the conversation and the role of student leadership in shaping what comes next for students on both campuses as the merger progresses.

Describe the role you envision for your Student Government Association as both universities begin to merge operations over the next several months.  

Michael Swartz: I see SGA as being an important bridge between the decisions happening at the highest levels of the university and Elon students. Students sometimes feel a little uninformed, and at both institutions, SGA can be a part of that solution, as well as sharing with administrators and faculty what students think.

Jessica Paredes: The role I envision for Queens University’s Student Government Association is to reflect our motto of “Not to be served, but to serve.” I want to help lay the foundation of service so that when we progress in our relationship with Elon, it goes beyond our campuses into our cities.

Can you share some of the ideas you’ve heard from classmates when they’ve talked about the merger that excite you as a student leader?  

´³±ð²õ²õ¾±³¦²¹: One of the things that I’ve heard from my peers that really excited me is the possibility of being able to take classes on either campus. I think this is an awesome idea that can allow for even more networking, career and friendship opportunities for both Queens and Elon students. Another idea that is exciting is being able to cheer for Elon’s football team! Through organized field trips to Elon’s campus, Queens students can support a team they have close ties to!

Michael: There’s a lot of curiosity I hear from friends and peers. They’re thinking about locations and spaces and potentially taking classes at a different location or pursuing their degree in a place that might make more sense, whether that be in Charlotte for Elon students, or for Queens students in Charlotte to come to Elon. Having options, I think, is a new, valuable asset.

What opportunities for collaboration between the SGAs do you already see that you want to explore first?  

Michael: It makes sense to not plan any huge steps this first year. We’ll want to start a little smaller and think about how we can interact via Zoom, like we’re doing Friday, and really meet the people that are spearheading the change on our campuses. Going from there, hosting retreats together and getting connected in person as soon as possible is a great idea.

´³±ð²õ²õ¾±³¦²¹: Between Queens University’s SGA and Elon’s SGA, I foresee collaborative opportunities such as creating new traditions, whether that is taking regularly scheduled trips to each other’s institutions, hosting joint listening sessions for all students and inviting each other to participate in select board of trustee meetings so that they are hearing from both student populations.

What are the most important qualities or traits of your campus culture that may be important for the other SGA to understand when you work together?

²Ñ¾±³¦³ó²¹±ð±ô: A lot of things at Elon are relationship-driven. I’m thinking about our small class sizes. That’s probably not unique to Elon, but it’s something that is so defining about the student experience here, having those connections. Understanding how involved students are in a lot of different things is also important. Many students don’t have one passion or place where they spend all their time. They’re involved in many activities and in diverse parts of campus.

´³±ð²õ²õ¾±³¦²¹: Queens is unique in the connections it has with its community and throughout the city of Charlotte. I think it’s very crucial to understand that Queens is career readiness driven. Our SGAs can discuss what our jobs are when it comes to connecting Elon students to Charlotte, and Charlotte to Elon.

Define ‘success’ in the context of collaboration. Where do you want your SGAs to be a year from now? 

Michael: For me, success means things feeling more normal than they do now, and this merger not being something that’s happening to students, but something that they’re a part of. I think that collaboration a year from now will also feel more natural.

´³±ð²õ²õ¾±³¦²¹: Success to me looks like being on the same page, and everyone feels their ideas have been heard or even acted on! I want Queens University’s SGA to be in a space where our student body feels confidence and pride in being a part of our mission. I hope the same thing goes for Elon.

A fun question to end the interview: What might surprise your SGA counterpart to learn about you? 

´³±ð²õ²õ¾±³¦²¹: I am a very open book and have built connections with most of the people in our SGA. However, I think a surprising thing about me is that I am always learning from them. The President title bears a lot of weight, but if it weren’t for the Senate showing up and giving new perspectives, my job would be way less fun.

²Ñ¾±³¦³ó²¹±ð±ô: I’ve been on the Queens campus more times than I can count because my mom went there as a student and she currently works there in their advancement department. I spent my childhood traveling from Davidson, North Carolina, to Charlotte, hanging out around Queens and seeing it grow in its own way before I had any idea at all I was going to end up at Elon. I used to say that I didn’t want to go to a school where my mom works. It’s funny that, one way or another, that happened.

“As soon as I finished moving in, I walked over to the McEwen Communications Building and met a guy named Joe Bruno and a woman named Julie Morse, and not 72 hours later, I was in a car on my way to Charlotte, as part of Elon Local News’ (Elon News Network) Democratic National Convention coverage,� he recalled. “Sure, I was carrying a tripod around the streets of Charlotte for one of the senior reporters, but I was there. And that was just the beginning.�

That “beginning” launched a trajectory that would take him from the student-run newsroom of Elon Local News to the heart of the nation’s capital as a reporter for NBC News. Today, Grumbach is a key player in the network’s reporting, covering everything from the Supreme Court to the criminal trials of some of the most important people in American politics.

Grumbach credits his success to the immersive, high-pressure environment of Elon Local News.

“We took ourselves very seriously at Elon Local News. Some might say too seriously,â€� he said. “But we did that, because we loved it. We loved learning, we loved reporting, we loved breaking news, and we loved the people we did all of that with.â€�

Over the next four years, Grumbach traveled from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa; from Concord, New Hampshire, to João Pessoa, Brazil, reporting on everything from North Carolina’s controversial bathroom bill to the future of the internet.

Reflecting on the fast-paced newsroom environment at Elon, Grumbach sees how directly those experiences translated to his career today.

“Whether it was 1 a.m. in the edit suites finishing a piece for the morning show, or 5:59 p.m. in the control room trying to load all of the video into the system, the adrenaline kept you going,� he explained. “After graduating, I realized that same feeling crosses the stage with you.�

The hustle and dedication he developed at Elon Local News carried over to national television, where, as Grumbach puts it, “the show goes on the air at its scheduled time, whether or not you’re ready.�

He points to specific mentors, like Professor of Journalism Janna Anderson, whose Reporting for the Public Good class pushed students to find, write and submit stories within hours.

“It was a fast, exhilarating, stressful experience—but so is real-life journalism,� he said.

Grumbach also credits recently retired professor Richard Landesberg, along with faculty members Anthony Hatcher and Staci Saltz, as key influences in shaping him into the journalist he is today. Grumbach knew Elon was the school for him after his first tour, led by a family friend.

“I picked Elon because of the incredible broadcast journalism program,� he said. “From top to bottom, there is no School of Communication like Elon’s. Professors don’t just know about broadcasting—they’ve worked in broadcasting.�

That foundation helped Grumbach transition seamlessly from the classroom to a career at one of the biggest broadcast news organizations in the country.

“At NBC News, millions of viewers and readers rely on you for fast, accurate, and digestible information,� he explained. “Having the opportunity to learn those core tenets through Elon Local News and in the classroom was invaluable.�

Since joining NBC News, Grumbach has been on the front lines of history. He has traveled to 41 states and Canada, covering Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders on the 2020 campaign trail, and as part of the NBC News White House team covering the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

On the trail, his daily life often resembled a one‑man production crew.

“I did it all with a camera, tripod, LiveU satellite backpack, luggage and two phones in my pocket,� he said. “I shot video, logged video, broke news, walked backwards following the candidate in a parade—and that was just before lunch.�

One of Grumbach’s proudest professional moments came during the 2024 Hunter Biden gun charges trial. Inside a federal courthouse where phones and computers were prohibited, Grumbach needed a creative way to beat the competition in reporting the verdict.

“In the media room of the federal courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware, there are windows that look down to the street below,� he explained. “The nice thing about windows is that they work both ways.�

Grumbach and his team devised a plan using color‑coded pieces of paper labeled “Gâ€� for “Guiltyâ€� and “N” for “Not Guilty.â€� As the verdict was read, Grumbach held up the papers for each count. By the time the judge finished, three pieces of paper read “G.â€� NBC News beat every other television network to the story.

“The other networks may still be trying to get out of that building,� he jokes.

Grumbach notes that some of the hardest moments in his job come while covering high‑tension events such as protests. He emphasizes the importance of situational awareness as conditions can change quickly.

“I’m thankful NBC News takes our safety and security in the field seriously and doesn’t take any chances,� he said.

On the technical side, large crowds such as those at protests present additional challenges.

“When tens of thousands of people are streaming, tweeting and texting at the same time, it can be difficult to get a quality live signal,” Grumbach said. That requires creativity and ingenuity.â€�

Despite the intensity of his career, Grumbach says one of his favorite parts of the job has been connecting with people on the ground.

“What I found most interesting, particularly from covering candidates on the campaign trail, is that from Nevada to Iowa to South Carolina to Vermont, the answers from voters weren’t all that different,� he said. That realization has reinforced his commitment to reporting the truth and helping connect people across the country.

Despite his national success, Grumbach remains deeply connected to his roots. He was recently selected as one of Elon’s Top 10 Under 10 Alumni, a recognition he views with immense gratitude. For him, the “Elon bubble” never truly burst; it just expanded. He now lives and works with fellow alumni and had nearly two dozen of them attend his wedding.

Looking ahead to the next decade in a rapidly changing media landscape, Grumbach’s goal remains simple—to keep the public informed.

“There’s nothing I love more than explaining breaking news to colleagues and viewers—from the latest lawsuit filed to a complicated Supreme Court decision,� he said. “Having the opportunity to tell people something that could truly impact their lives, and making sure that information is easy to understand and fact‑based, will always be important.�

Since 2011, 51±¬ÁÏÍø has honored 10 recipients each year with the Elon Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Award, recognizing their significant professional achievements. This award celebrates accomplished alumni from the last decade who not only excel in their careers but also actively contribute to their communities and serve as dedicated alumni role models.

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell? Please share your feedback or those stories online:

For Mirai, her short film shoot was an opportunity to both produce her original script and bring together several Elon alumni for a Hollywood reunion. Serving in various production capacities on her “#StopAsianKate� were Lauren Gadd ’06, who worked camera, Katie Laurence ’24, who worked as assistant camera, Alicia Reynolds ’07, who acted in the film, Stevie Kloeber ’07, who traveled to Los Angeles from Minnesota to serve as script supervisor, and Dean Karasinski ’06, who worked in production design, art department, craft services and as producer.

All three short films, Boyd’s “The Life and Time of …,â€� Evans’s “Shadow Duskâ€� and Mirai’s “#StopAsianKate,â€� will have their world premieres at the first 51±¬ÁÏÍø Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Festival, in late July.

The event, “� will take place on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. in Charlotte, North Carolina and is hosted by the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

The session is open to the public and designed for working professionals interested in strengthening their data and analytics skills in a rapidly changing environment.

The program will focus on how AI tools are being used to move from raw data to usable insights more efficiently. Attendees will be introduced to practical approaches for working with data, building simple visualizations and generating summaries using tools such as ChatGPT, Power BI and Claude.

Participants will also explore how different prompting approaches can influence results, highlighting the role of prompting in shaping analysis, interpretation and communication.

Designed as an introductory, application-focused session, the program offers a practical look at how AI is being incorporated into workflows across analytics, strategy and operations roles, and how professionals can begin to build these capabilities in their own work.

Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop to follow along during the session.

The session will be led by Mustafa Akben, assistant professor of management and director of artificial intelligence integration, in collaboration with Elon AI.

Hollyhock House at Barnsdall Art Park
Perched atop Olive Hill, the Hollyhock House stands as one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most significant West Coast works and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the early 1920s for oil heiress Aline Barnsdall, the home represents Wright’s experimentation with blending architecture and environment, what he called “organic architecture.�

Students explored the house’s Mayan Revival influences, geometric motifs and the iconic hollyhock flower design woven throughout the structure. The site offered a powerful introduction to how Los Angeles became a testing ground for architectural innovation, especially during a time when the city was rapidly expanding and redefining itself culturally.

Downtown Los Angeles: Layers of History and Movement
Traveling via the Los Angeles Metro, students experienced the city as Angelenos do, through its evolving public transit system, before diving into the heart of downtown.

Union Station – Opened in 1939, Union Station is often called the “Last of the Great Railway Stations.â€� Its architecture blends Spanish Colonial Revival, Mission Revival, and Art Deco styles, reflecting Los Angeles’s layered cultural identity. Inside, students observed the grandeur of its waiting rooms, tiled floors, and wooden beam ceilings, symbols of a bygone era when rail travel defined urban movement.

Angels Flight – Just a short walk away, Angels Flight, the world’s shortest railway, offered insight into the city’s early 20th-century infrastructure. Originally built in 1901, the funicular once transported residents up Bunker Hill, a neighborhood that has since undergone dramatic redevelopment. Its preservation speaks to ongoing efforts to maintain pieces of Los Angeles’ historic fabric amid modernization.

Los Angeles City Hall & Chinatown
At City Hall, students discussed civic architecture and governance, noting the building’s Art Deco style and symbolic prominence in the LA skyline. Nearby Chinatown provided a contrasting cultural lens, highlighting immigrant histories, urban displacement and the evolution of ethnic enclaves in Los Angeles.

Olvera Street
Often referred to as the birthplace of Los Angeles, Olvera Street immerses visitors in Mexican-American heritage. Students explored its marketplace, murals and historic buildings while discussing the complexities of cultural preservation versus commercialization. The site reflects both celebration and simplification of heritage, an important conversation in art and public history.

Angelus Temple & Echo Park
In Echo Park, students visited Angelus Temple, a striking example of early 20th-century religious architecture and a cornerstone of the Foursquare Church movement founded by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson. Built in 1923, the temple reflects a blend of revivalist architecture and emerging media-savvy religious practices, as McPherson was one of the first to use radio to reach a national audience.

The surrounding Echo Park neighborhood added another layer to the visit, offering insight into how communities evolve over time. Once a streetcar suburb, Echo Park has transformed into a culturally vibrant area shaped by waves of immigration, artistic communities, and, more recently, gentrification. Together, the site and neighborhood sparked discussion on the intersection of faith, media and urban change.

The Gamble House
In Pasadena, students visited the Gamble House, a masterpiece of the American Arts and Crafts movement designed by architects Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene in 1908. Commissioned by the Procter & Gamble family, the home emphasizes craftsmanship, natural materials, and harmony with its surroundings.

Students examined intricate woodwork, custom furnishings, and the intentional use of light and space—hallmarks of the Arts and Crafts philosophy, which emerged as a reaction against industrialization. The visit provided a striking contrast to Wright’s modernism, allowing students to compare different architectural responses to similar cultural shifts.

Looking ahead: Final excursions
As the semester continues, students will expand their exploration of the city’s artistic and architectural landscape with one final site visit.
The course will conclude with a visit to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. Celebrated for its sweeping stainless-steel forms and innovative acoustics, the building stands as a defining example of contemporary architecture in Los Angeles. Here, students will consider how modern design continues to push artistic and structural boundaries while shaping the city’s global cultural identity.

These excursions bring course themes to life, allowing students to critically engage with Los Angeles as a living museum. From early 20th-century architectural movements to the layered cultural histories embedded in downtown neighborhoods and beyond, each site offers a unique perspective on how art and environment shape one another.

By navigating the city firsthand, students not only deepen their understanding of art history but also develop a stronger connection to LA itself—its stories, its communities and its ever-evolving identity.

The immersive Study USA Los Angeles semester and summer experiences offer students opportunities for alumni engagement, community service, unique academic classes with industry professionals and site-based experiential learning. .

The two-day experience is designed to connect alumni working across the commercial real estate industry with students preparing to enter the field, creating space for insight, mentorship and conversation around how the industry is evolving.

The Summit begins Thursday, April 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. with a Kick-Off Reception at Hi-Wire Brewery. Programming continues Friday, April 17, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Elon Charlotte Center, located at 330 W. Tremont Ave., with a keynote from Nicole Young, managing director and head of CRE portfolio management at Wells Fargo.

Throughout the day, attendees will engage in alumni speed networking and interactive discussions exploring key areas shaping the industry, including capital markets, development, asset management and major property sectors, along with broader trends across multifamily, industrial, office and retail markets. The day also includes opportunities for students to connect directly with alumni and gain perspective on navigating real estate careers across changing market cycles.

The Summit concludes with an applied AI workshop led by Assistant Professor of Finance Thibaut Morillon, highlighting how machine learning and generative AI are being used in real estate analysis, underwriting and day-to-day workflows.

The event, “Charlotte’s Next Competitive Edge: Decision Intelligence,� will take place on April 15 at 6 p.m. at 330 W. Tremont Ave in Charlotte, North Carolina and is sponsored by the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business’ MSBA Flex program in Charlotte.

The conversation will focus on how AI is moving analytics from insight to action, and how organizations are adapting in response. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how AI is being used in practice, how roles and workflows are evolving, and what skills are becoming more important in a rapidly changing landscape.

Panelists include:

• Su Dong, associate professor of management information systems
• April Frazer ’03, CFO for Corporate and Investment Banking at Wells Fargo
• Eric Fender, enterprise transformation executive at Truist
• Danielle Nashold ’04, enterprise data, AI and data science technology strategy at Bank of America
• Derek Gould ’14, chief growth officer at Home Solutions

Designed as a candid and grounded conversation, the panel will highlight real-world examples, emerging challenges and the tradeoffs organizations are navigating as they integrate AI into decision making.

The program will include moderated discussion segments on analytics and judgment, organizational change and workforce readiness, followed by an audience Q and A.

This year’s group is the largest in the program’s history. Elon doubled the size of its physician assistant class from 38 to 76 students, growing its capacity to prepare clinicians for communities across North Carolina and the Southeast.

The expansion reflects a broader transformation in graduate eduction underway at 51±¬ÁÏÍø. From classrooms on the main campus in Alamance County to new opportunities in Charlotte, graduate education is evolving with intention and purpose.

Guided by the Boldly Elon Strategic Plan, university leaders are investing in
programs where student interest intersects with societal need — strengthening health sciences, business, counseling and legal education while positioning Elon to serve both emerging professionals and working adults seeking new pathways.

That growth builds on more than 40 years of momentum. Elon launched its Master of Business Administration in 1984, followed by a Master of Education in 1986. Graduate offerings expanded into the health sciences with a Master of Physical Therapy program in 1997, which became a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2003. The university established its School of Law in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Today, that trajectory continues with strategic expansion in fields
experiencing high demand.

“Pursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence,� says Allie Duffney, dean of graduate admissions.

A Changing Landscape

Elon’s growth reflects broader shifts across higher education.

“We’re seeing a decline in the traditional college-age population, so expanding strong graduate programs allows Elon to serve new learners while staying centered on our undergraduate mission,� says Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, applications and enrollment in health professions, counseling, data science and business analytics programs remain strong in recent years. “Health care, law and behavioral health professions are facing sustained shortages across North Carolina and the Southeast,� Duffney says.

Several graduate programs are expanding to Elon’s National Campus in Charlotte, where students can learn, intern and network alongside major health systems, corporations, nonprofits and courts in a major metropolitan area.

“Growth in Charlotte allows Elon to design graduate education aligned with workforce needs and to support interprofessional collaboration and community partnerships,� says Veronica Marciano, associate professor, founding chair and program director of physician assistant studies in Charlotte. “It creates space to innovate across disciplines and opportunities for involvement in system expansion and workforce development.�

Recent and planned expansions include increasing the cohort size in the PA program on main campus; launching a second PA program, a full-time law program and Master of Science in Business Analytics Flex Program in Charlotte; introducing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program; and expanding graduate certificates designed for working professionals.

A Critical Call for Health Care

In response to nationwide demand for physician assistants, Elon expanded its cohort size from 38 to 76 students in January. The program remains committed to engaged learning, hands-on clinical practice, close faculty mentorship and access to diverse, high-quality rotation sites.

Elon plans to matriculate an inaugural PA class on the Charlotte campus in January 2027, pending accreditation-provisional review by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

“Establishing a PA program rooted in Charlotte directly supports workforce needs by preparing highly trained clinicians who understand the local health care landscape and are invested in serving this community,� Marciano says. “Our goal is not only to educate excellent clinicians, but to meaningfully support and strengthen the health care ecosystem in Charlotte.�

That responsiveness also shaped the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which plans to welcome its first cohort in fall 2026 on Elon’s main and Charlotte campuses.

“Mental health care is no longer optional; it is essential,� says Judy Folmar, interim program director and chair of the clinical mental health counseling program. “Communities across North Carolina and the nation are facing rising rates of anxiety, depression, trauma and substance use while the supply of licensed counselors has not kept pace.�

Delivered in a 21-month accelerated hybrid format, the 60-credit program is designed to equip graduates for licensure while combining academic preparation with extensive clinical experience.

“The growth of graduate education at Elon reflects both institutional momentum and a commitment to workforce relevance,� Folmar says. “What excites us most is the alignment between Elon’s engaged-learning ethos and the preparation of advanced practitioners.�

Skills for a Changing Economy

As organizations accelerate digital transformation and integrate artificial intelligence technologies, demand continues to rise for professionals who can translate data into strategic action.

“Organizations are undergoing rapid digital transformation and increasingly rely on data and AI to make faster, higher-stakes decisions,� says Mark Kurt, associate dean for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. “The MSBA Flex Program in Charlotte equips working professionals with applied analytics and AI skills plus the leadership and ethical frameworks needed to translate data into responsible, measurable business outcomes — without pausing their careers.�

Built on the same STEM-certified core as Elon’s full-time MSBA, the flex format is designed for working professionals and emphasizes AI-informed entrepreneurship.

Pursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence. — Allie Duffney, dean of
graduate admissions

“Faculty and leadership are actively refining the curriculum, building stronger employer partnerships and adapting quickly to changes in the business and analytics landscape,� says Elon alum Craig Brandstetter ’25 g’25. “That flexibility and openness to feedback mean the program can stay relevant and cutting-edge, rather than being locked into outdated structures.�

Alongside degree programs, Elon is also expanding stackable graduate certificates designed for working professionals. Certificates in health care analytics and operations excellence can serve as stand-alone credentials or pathways toward an MBA or MSBA.

The Office of Continuing and Professional Studies recently launched its second cohort of an AI certificate for professionals, delivered fully online to provide practical AI fluency grounded in ethical application.

Expanding Access to Legal Education

Elon Law has built a national reputation for experiential, practice-ready legal education. In 2024 the law school expanded its presence in Charlotte through the part-time Flex Program for working professionals and place-bound students seeking an in-person J.D. in North Carolina’s largest city.

That program quickly gained momentum, reflecting strong regional demand and Elon Law’s established ties to the Queen City, where nearly 10% of its alumni live and work. Elon has applied to the American Bar Association to begin a full-time law program in Charlotte in fall 2027.

“We already have strong relationships there through our programs and alumni,� says Zak Kramer, dean of the School of Law. “The legal community’s embrace of our Flex Program students confirmed that. A full-time program will allow our graduates to learn alongside Charlotte lawyers, build networks and launch careers there.�

Together, Greensboro and Charlotte position Elon’s School of Law as a statewide presence while maintaining the relationship-rich model that defines the institution.

Looking Ahead

As higher education evolves, graduate education is becoming an increasingly important part of the university’s future.

“The heart of Elon will always be our undergraduate liberal arts education,� Kohn says, “but we are strengthening and growing our graduate programs to meet changing societal and workforce needs.�

From Alamance County to Charlotte and beyond, Elon is expanding opportunities for graduate students to learn alongside health systems, businesses and legal institutions across the region. Those programs are preparing the next generation of physician assistants, counselors, analysts and attorneys to serve the communities that need them most.

In December, as Anderson presented the agency’s Gold Bear Award – a peer-driven recognition celebrating employees who best represent the company’s culture and values – he lauded Young’s willingness to take on “massive responsibilities,� commending her ability to “effortlessly power through high-pressure projects.�

“She’s the person everyone turns to for answers and support, uplifting every team she touches and quietly cleaning up problems that aren’t even hers to solve,â€� Anderson told audience members.

As he concluded and Young’s name flashed across the massive screen behind him, the room erupted in applause – a moment captured in a video Young shared on her LinkedIn page.

The award capped off a standout year for Young, who serves as an assistant producer at TBWA\Media Arts Lab, the global network of agencies responsible for one of the world’s most iconic brands, Apple. Her year included work on major Apple-related projects such as the Mac for Students campaign, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Dua Lipa’s “Shot on iPhone� tour and Apple TV rebranding efforts.

Reflecting on that work, Young said the experience has been both challenging and rewarding.

“I am so incredibly grateful for these experiences and the amazing, incredibly talented teams behind them,� she said, noting how meaningful it was to be part of such high-profile, creatively ambitious work.

Young’s path to TBWA\Media Arts Lab began at Elon, where a DEI in Hollywood class helped shape her professional direction. Encouraged by former Elon faculty members J. McMerty and Rachel Ramist, she applied for and landed an internship with the Television Academy. That experience, along with her participation in the Elon in LA program, led her to move to Los Angeles after graduation. Once on the West Coast, she first worked as a personal assistant, then as a production coordinator at a social media marketing company.

As Young began thinking about her next step, a recruiter from TBWA\Media Arts Lab contacted her about a production coordinator role in the agency’s broadcast production department. During interviews, she learned that her internships – especially with the Television Academy and RadicalMedia – helped her stand out. She was offered the position and later moved into her current role, where she supports lead producers to ensure projects run smoothly from start to finish.

As part of her work, Young organizes security plans, tracks creative assets, coordinates meetings with production companies, and supports communication among producers in editorial, finishing and mix. Her goal, she said, is to make sure every project has what it needs to succeed.

Working at a global creative agency has reshaped how Young views storytelling. She said she was surprised by how much care goes into even the shortest pieces of content. Creative teams analyze work frame by frame, fixing even the smallest details before releasing it into the world. Seeing that process firsthand has made her more aware of the thought, precision and responsibility behind creative work.

When she learned she had received the Gold Bear Award, Young said she felt grateful more than anything else. “I consider myself lucky to work with the teams I have,� she said. “The whole production team is a bunch of rockstars, not to mention our creative department and account teams. To be recognized by them makes me feel like I am doing something right.�

As she reflects on her journey from Elon to one of the world’s most influential creative agencies, Young emphasizes the importance of attitude, effort and openness to opportunity. Her advice to current Elon students is simple: say yes often and show that you are willing to work. Some of the best projects, she said, come from teams who are fully committed to making something great – and who bring a positive attitude, even when things get stressful.

“What I’ve found in internships and entry-level roles is that folks who show that they are passionate and team-oriented seem to do well,� Young said. “When I first started at MAL, the people who stood out to me, who had clearly left their mark on the agency, were those who were team players, focused on supporting others and achieving the best final result.�

In the past week, administrators and staff from Queens traveled to Elon for a day of meetings and tours, the integration team members from both organizations met on the Elon campus, and admissions leaders welcomed counselors from across the country for a joint fly-in experience that included both campuses.

At the same time, excitement around Queens’ first Division I NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament appearance has drawn national attention and engagement from students, alumni and fans, with media focus on the historic run of success by members of the Royals men’s basketball team in its first year of eligibility.

Together, these moments reflect steady progress as both institutions continue building relationships, sharing information and preparing for a combined future.

Daylong Visit Strengthens Campus Connections

Administrators and staff from Queens, representing a dozen offices and divisions, made day trips to Elon on March 18 and 19 for presentations, lunches and one-on-one conversations with their counterparts.

For the March 18 visit, the Queens team was comprised primarily of staff who had not yet visited the Elon campus. The group arrived mid-morning by bus and began with a welcome in the Great Hall of Sato Commons. An admissions presentation offered an overview of Elon’s student experience before guests departed for guided campus tours.

The group reconvened at noon for lunch in the McEwen Dining Engagement Space, where conversations focused on shared priorities and institutional strengths. Afternoon meetings with Elon colleagues provided time for more focused discussion across divisions.

Queens Staff Reflections on Their Visit to 51±¬ÁÏÍø

• “My visit to Elon was truly inspiring. There’s a clear, shared passion for student success there that mirrors our own at Queens. I’m excited to see how our collaborative efforts will drive exceptional outcomes for our students.â€�
  Angela Tsuei-Strause
  Executive Director, Vandiver Center for Career Development
• “Seeing the beautiful campus and hearing the story of success was not the best part of the visit – the best part was meeting my new colleagues in Accounting, Payroll and Purchasing. Elon and Queens have so much in common and after visiting today my head is full of ideas about how staff at each campus can support each other to meet the challenges facing higher education.â€�
  Donald F. Barton
  Controller, Finance Office
• “This visit affirmed that the future of higher education is strongest when collaboration leads, grounded in shared innovation, renewed efficiency, and a deep commitment to the health and well-being of the whole person in a globally connected community.â€�
  Kristin Tokić
  Assistant Director for International Student Services
  Myrta Pulliam Center for International Education

A Counselor Fly-In to Elon and Queens

Elon hosted high school and independent counselors from across the United States in an annual program intended to broaden knowledge and awareness of the university’s unique academic attributes and its brand promise for students and families.

In addition to presentations by academic leaders and tours of campus facilities, this year’s experience included a visit to Queens for nearly two dozen counselors who work with students to identify which colleges are right for them.

Evan Sprinkle, 51±¬ÁÏÍø’s dean of undergraduate admissions, said that expanding the counselor program to include a visit to Queens was only natural given the interest families have expressed in the planned merger.

“A lot of people are curious,� Sprinkle said. “There are questions we’ve received since it was announced and it only made sense to include Queens on an expanded itinerary. When we complete our merger, there will be lots of opportunities on both campuses that might encourage counselors to send applicants our way.�

Counselor Reflections on Their Fly-In Experience

• “This visit is important to understand the merger and to get a sense of what both campuses feel like and what it will look like as they come together. It always helps to be in a place, look people in the eye and ask them questions. I’m excited to have a chance to see the Queens campus up close again. I’ve been there before, and I have students who are there. And my early impressions of Elon’s campus are that it is amazing. The community is big, but also very caring, and you can see there has been a lot of investment in facilities.â€�
  Jessica Hardy
  Director of College Counseling
  Charleston Collegiate School – Johns Island, South Carolina
• “It’s valuable to get your feet on the ground and see what’s actually happening on campus. It gives you the chance to understand the school so you can share it accurately with students. One thing that really surprised me was how many specialized programs are available in communications, nursing and other majors, and that students can pursue a lot of different interests here. And we’ve heard about the (Elon-Queens merger) but we wanted to understand what it will look like and what it means for students. Getting that level of detail has been helpful.â€�
  Marissa Margosian
  Associate Director of College Counseling
  Severn School – Severna Park, Maryland

Celebrating Selection Sunday in Style

Not even the rain could dampen the enthusiasm at Queens on March 15 when a crowd of more than 1,000 students and fans packed Curry Arena for an NCAA Men’s Basketball Selection Sunday Celebration.

Dressed in navy and gold, supporters of all ages shared in the electric energy, enjoying food and refreshments while waiting for CBS to reveal the bracket on a massive 23-foot screen.

The crowd erupted in cheers when it was announced that the No.15 seed Queens Royals would face No. 2 seed Purdue University Boilermakers in the first round of the West region of the NCAA Tournament. The game will take place Friday, March 20, at 7:35 p.m. ET at Enterprise Center in Saint Louis.

Students are invited to the Trexler Student Center for an on-campus viewing party featuring food, games and prizes. For alumni and fans across the country, the action will be broadcast live on truTV.

Additionally, official have been organized in Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, Charleston, Washington D.C., and New York City to ensure that Royals fans can cheer together from coast to coast.

For the latest information regarding Queens’ historic NCAA bid, visit