She has had plenty of opportunities to find out.

As a commercial sales operations intern with Labcorp’s Southeast Division team in Tampa, Fla., Green has worked on projects involving client communication, sales data, finance and presentations. No two assignments have looked exactly the same, which has become one of her favorite parts of the experience.

“I’ve had the opportunity to try a little bit of everything, in both finance and sales, which has helped me discover what I enjoy and what I want to continue exploring,” Green said.

Green was drawn to Labcorp by its mission to improve health and improve lives. She saw the internship as a chance to gain corporate experience while contributing to a company whose work has a direct impact on others.

Throughout the summer, she worked on multiple projects. Some required her to reach out to clients and gather information. Others involved analyzing sales data, creating graphs and tables, and presenting her findings in a way that could help leaders better understand performance.

One assignment challenged Green to make sense of a spreadsheet containing thousands of data points. She built pivot tables to organize the information, identify relevant patterns and answer specific business questions.

“At first, the volume of data felt overwhelming, but working through it taught me how to organize complex information and use it to answer specific business questions,” Green said.

The experience strengthened more than her technical Excel skills. It showed her how analysts determine what information matters, identify patterns and present their findings in a way that can guide decisions.

“The project helped me understand how data analysis turns a large amount of information into insights that can support business decisions,” she said.

Another project required Green to translate large amounts of sales data into graphs and tables that leaders could review quickly and use to assess performance.

“It was rewarding to create something that helped make the data more accessible and gave leaders a clearer view of where the team stood,” Green said. “The experience showed me how important it is not only to analyze information, but also to present it in a way that supports decision-making.”

The range of assignments has helped Green build technical skills while also learning more about the kind of work that interests her. She has enjoyed moving between data analysis, problem-solving and collaboration with colleagues across different areas of the business.

Although she has not settled on a specific career path, the internship has clarified what she wants her future work to involve.

“I want to pursue a career where I can use data to solve problems, contribute to business decisions and do work that has a meaningful impact,” Green said.

Green credits her Elon coursework and professors with helping her arrive prepared to contribute. She specifically recognized professors Feng Dong, Brandon Sheridan, Julie Swanner, Lakeisha Vance and Drew Peabody for helping her build the knowledge and confidence she has relied on throughout the summer.

“Looking back, every class I have taken at Elon has helped me in one way or another, whether I realized it at the time or not,” Green said. “They gave me the foundation and confidence I needed to walk into my internship ready to learn, contribute and make the most of every opportunity.”

Her days are full. As a member of the Elon women’s soccer team, Green is often up around 5:45 a.m. for practice before beginning her workday. But between the early mornings, new software and varied assignments, she has learned the value of remaining curious and open to unfamiliar work.

Her advice to other Love School of Business students is to ask questions and take advantage of opportunities outside their comfort zones.

“Every opportunity is a chance to learn something new,” Green said, “and you never know what experience might end up shaping your future career.”

The impact of reading

For Lyric Gregory ’28, that impact is measured one child, and one book, at a time.

“It’s amazing. I feel like I’m making such a big difference,” said Gregory. “I feel like I’m actually contributing to making Alamance a little bit better.”

Gregory, a psychology major from Virginia Beach, Virginia, is spending his summer as an intern with Alamance Partnership for Children, a nonprofit organization serving young children and families throughout Alamance County. He supports the organization’s efforts to provide supplies to families in need, advance literacy initiatives and redesign its library and children’s area.

“It’s a really cool feeling to give a child a book and see their eyes light up,” Gregory said. “I never thought kids would be so excited to see books. There was this one kid, just seeing the joy on his face when he asked his mom, ‘Look, they’re going to have books. Can I have one?’ It hit me in the feels.”

Launched in 2021, Campus Alamance connects Elon students with paid internships throughout Alamance County while helping build a pipeline of talent for local organizations. Since its launch, 97% of participants have reported their internships were valuable to their professional development.

Gregory has long been fascinated by psychology and hopes to become a child therapist. He said the internship has strengthened his passion for helping others.

“I’m already motivated, but it motivated me even more to continue to pursue psychology, because I’m looking at people in this office who still have the same passion as me, and they’re making a difference,” he said.

‘Real time’ experience

Like Gregory, McKenna Blount ’27 entered college with an interest in psychology. A psychology major with minors in and criminal justice studies, Blount wanted an internship that combined both fields but initially struggled to find opportunities that fit her interests.

Through the Student Professional Development Center, she connected with the Campus Alamance Program and secured an internship with the Burlington Police Department, where she works with both the Aerial Reconnaissance & Tactical Intelligence Center (ARTIC), and the Crime Scene Investigation unit.

“I’ve had a lot of broad experience in the police department,” said Blount, who is from Raleigh. “They’re super flexible, just letting me have as much experience that I possibly can.”

In ARTIC, a real-time crime center, Blount assists officers by monitoring camera systems and databases during active investigations. In the Crime Scene Investigation unit, she observes investigators and gains firsthand experience with forensic work.

“I didn’t know how interested I was in the law enforcement aspect of things,” said Blount. “I thought I was more interested in the psychology aspect. It’s really nice to meet people outside of the ‘Elon bubble.’”

Connecting the community and history

Katie Baylett ’27, a strategic communications major from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, is also gaining hands-on professional experience through Campus Alamance as a social media intern for the Alamance Historical Museum.

“The internship has helped me know how to work and navigate in a professional environment,” Baylett said. “I took a class at Elon where we briefly touched on the local history and the textile industry history of Alamance County specifically, but this has really given me hands-on experience and helped me connect with the local community and also just connect with the local history.”

Baylett develops the museum’s social media content calendar, creates photo and video content, updates the museum’s website and assists with an email marketing campaign. A key part of her role is translating the work of museum staff into engaging, accessible content for the public.

“My classes at Elon have helped me know how to create a social media calendar and have helped me know how to navigate a wide variety of systems that I am using with my internship,” she said.

Internships are a central part of the Elon experience. Through the university’s Experiential Learning Requirement, students must complete two of five Elon Experiences: internships, service, leadership, undergraduate research or global engagement.

For Blount, the internship has also changed how she sees the community surrounding campus.

“You take the same three roads to get where you need to go as an Elon student, and I had no idea how much more goes on in Burlington,” Blount said. “This internship has really benefited my professional career development.”

Students and alumni in Washington, D.C., visited American University’s School of Public Affairs, where they learned about graduate education, careers in public service, and the many opportunities available through advanced study in law, business, and public and international service.

In New York City, students and alums were welcomed by Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business for an evening exploring graduate programs across multiple disciplines, including social service and the humanities. A highlight of both programs was the meaningful engagement with Elon alumni living and working in the city, who shared candid reflections about the transition from college to career, pursuing graduate education, and building fulfilling professional lives. Together, the university partners and alumni provided students with both practical information and authentic perspectives that encouraged them to imagine new possibilities for life after Elon.

The experiences reflect Elon’s commitment to preparing students for lives of purpose through intentional collaboration across campus. By bringing together the career expertise of the Student Professional Development Center, the immersive learning opportunities offered through Study USA and National Campus Programs, and the lifelong connections fostered by Alumni Engagement, students were able to explore graduate education while strengthening their professional networks and broadening their vision for the future.

Bishop is serving as a summer intern at the Office of Historic Alexandria, which oversees all the museums in Historic Alexandria. During her internship, she catalogs artifacts in the city archives, assists with citywide events and cleans museum collections. One of her biggest projects has been designing and proposing an interactive activity to accompany an exhibit at the Alexandria Black History Museum.

“Since being at this internship, I have learned how different departments in the museum environment interact with each other,” Bishop said. “I have worked with museum educators, archivists, archaeologists and directors and have seen how their roles overlap and work together. I’ve also learned practical skills like collections handling, through cleaning the collections, and archival practices.”

Bishop’s favorite part of the internship has been working with her co-intern to develop the interactive activity for the Moss Kendrix exhibit at the Alexandria Black History Museum.

“I have loved getting to apply the research processes I’ve learned in my art history and history classes at Elon to a real-world exhibition,” Bishop said.

While searching for an internship to accompany Capital Connections, a Study USA program in Washington, D.C., Bishop expanded her search beyond the city. She discovered Old Town Alexandria community-centered network of museums, preservation projects, archaeology and public programming. She jumped at the opportunity to work in a smaller office where she would get hands-on, diversified experience in several areas of museum work.

She learned about the internship through George Mason University’s database of history internships, which was recommended by Cindy Sweeney in the Student Professional Development Center.

The internship has helped Bishop explore different areas of museum work while preparing her for a future career in the field.

“This internship has exposed me to several areas of museum work that I was not previously familiar with, which has allowed me to test which parts I enjoy and want to pursue further,” Bishop said. “I will take away significant hands-on experience in the museum space and strong connections with several staff members at the Office of Historic Alexandria.”

As she enters her senior year at Elon, Bishop has developed a passion for museum education, an area she is considering pursuing in graduate school. After graduation, Bishop plans to gain professional experience before attending graduate school.

51±ŹÁÏÍű celebrated the dedication, innovation and service of its staff during Staff Appreciation Day on May 29, honoring individuals and teams whose work exemplifies the university’s mission and values.

“Each of you exemplifies the spirit of 51±ŹÁÏÍű through your passion, innovation and teamwork–all of which has created an environment for excellence in learning, growth and success,” Melissa Clodfelter, associate vice president for Human Resources and chief human resources officer, shared in her welcoming remarks to hundreds of university staff who had gathered for the celebration inside Schar Center.

The Rev. Kirstin Boswell, 51±ŹÁÏÍű’s chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement and an assistant professor of religious studies, followed with the invocation, where she encouraged staff to recognize and celebrate those who were honored during the ceremony, as well as those whose contributions often go unseen.

“May we recognize the dignity in every role and the value in every contribution,” Boswell said. “And may all of us leave this gathering renewed in purpose, strengthened by community and grateful for the opportunity to contribute our gifts to something larger than ourselves.”

President Connie Ledoux Book provided updates on several university priorities, including progress on the Slattery Center, the university’s new center for health and wellness; the Roberts Academy at 51±ŹÁÏÍű for children with dyslexia; the merger of Elon and Queens University of Charlotte; and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classification for community and civic engagement.

Book said Staff Appreciation Day is about sharing thanks with colleagues for helping one another accomplish goals. “I really love the strength of this community,” she reflected. “Today is a day for us to pause and take a day of gratitude for us to say ‘thank you.’”

Retirees

Two retirees elected to have someone speak on their behalf as part of the ceremony. Kelly Elliston retired on December 31 as the executive assistant to the president. In a pre-recorded video, Book thanked Elliston for her friendship, commitment, excellence and partnership.

Now retired, Elliston shared that she appreciates drinking coffee on the porch to the sounds of birds singing. She recalled Elizabeth Bowman’s acceptance speech after winning the 2025 professional hourly staff member of the year award, where Bowen described Elon as a ship with captains, wheels, nuts and bolts. “I’ve been one of those nuts for a really long time!” Elliston said to friendly laughter from the audience.

Julie Myers, assistant for information technology, was recognized in a prepared video by her supervisor, Pat Donohue, deputy CIO. Donohue said Myers played a key role in budgeting, personnel management, business efficiency, bringing structural, accountability and cost awareness and was so meticulous that she would have backup plans for plans. Myers thanked several staff members in the audience for their time worked together.

Myers encouraged the audience to continue to look forward and not back as they take on new challenges. “That is why the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror,” she shared.

Read the stories of 2025-26 Elon retirees in the Today at Elon story.

Phoenix Awards

Four Phoenix Awards are presented each year to recognize outstanding innovation, collaboration and dedication to the university’s mission. Janet Williams, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, announced the award winners.

Phoenix Innovation Award

Terrance Copling was named the 2026 Phoenix Innovation Award winner. The Phoenix Innovation Award is presented to a member of the Elon staff who has displayed innovation by creating, designing, improving or implementing a new idea or program that benefits the university or the community.

In his role as senior ERP application developer, Copling was recognized for designing a solution to allow Elon Benefits Hub, powered by PlanSource, to communicate directly with Colleague, a feat that was previously thought not possible. Copling’s innovation has eliminated manual data entry, which reduces errors, improves processing time and creates a smoother and more efficient experience for Elon employees.

Copling was described as someone who consistently demonstrates an ability to translate complex challenges into thoughtful and effective solutions – which he approaches with humility, patience and a palpable desire to help others succeed.

One nominator said about Copling, “He is the person colleagues turn to when a challenge seems unsolvable because time and again, he proves that with enough creativity and persistence, nothing is out of reach.”

When accepting the award, Copling shared his gratitude for the team effort, within his team and other partners on campus. “I couldn’t do this with you,” he shared.

Phoenix Rising Award

Andrew Moffa was named the 2026 Phoenix Rising Award winner. The award is presented to one newer member of Elon’s staff who has consistently displayed excellence in pursuit of Elon’s mission with an engaged mind in inspired leadership and global citizenship.

Moffa is the assistant director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life. He was described as the “mentor people dream of having” and someone who “creates an environment where students feel valued and empowered” in several roles he plays, including advising students in Elon 101, mentoring members of the Elon Votes! Team and supporting students who work in the office.

One nominator shared that Moffa “embodies the essence of allyship: showing up consistently, listening deeply and helping students bring their goals and ideas to life.” Students said he is “an amazing support to any student he comes across” and “an open space for us.”

Moffa expressed gratitude towards the Kernodle Center and the Division of Student Life, as well the students he works with. “It comes back to the students that we work with,” he shared. “That’s why I’m here, that’s why I love showing up to work – it wouldn’t be the same without them.”

Phoenix Collaboration Award

The 2026 Phoenix Collaboration Award was presented to Elon Guided Reflection on Work Student Employment Mentoring Implementation Work Group, led by Alison Doherty, Jo-Rae Jennings, Emily Krechel, Noah Orr and Kameryn Taylor. ElonGROW is a framework designed to help students connect what they’re learning in the classroom with the skills they are developing in their campus jobs. Through brief conversations with their supervisors, students reflect on how their work supports their academic, professional and personal growth.

The award is presented to an Elon staff team or group that has fostered cooperation, collaboration and open communication across two or more departments/offices/centers on campus.

A nominator said about the group, “The team modeled the very competencies it seeks to cultivate in students: communication, teamwork, leadership, professionalism and adaptive thinking.”

ElonGROW was designed to be the fabric of supervision and student employment university-wide. Due to the collaborative efforts, supervisors now have clearer expectations, stronger training and accessible tools to facilitate intentional developmental conversations, and student employees are more likely to recognize transferable skills, articulate growth and connect work to academics and future careers.

Emily Krechel, director of new student programs, addressed the audience with ElonGROW members standing near the podium. As chair of the workgroup, she described the team as “the most productive, efficient and collaborative people she has ever had the privilege of working with.”

Phoenix Community Engagement Award

Tammy Hill, student health insurance and immunization compliance project manager, was named the 2026 Phoenix Community Engagement Award winner. The award recognizes a member of the Elon staff who has demonstrated exemplary service to the university, local or global community through their engagement in volunteer organizations.

Hill is a leader within the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation and was described as someone who tirelessly contributes her time, expertise and energy to support cultural preservation, community engagement and organizational leadership.

Hill is profoundly dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of her tribal community’s history, culture and traditions. When she was 55, she pursued a degree in American history to deepen her understanding of Western expansion and the many successes of other tribes in the United States. She has served the OBSN as newsletter editor, a member of the Scholarship Committee and Tribal Secretary on the Tribal Council, and she is self-taught in the skills needed for her current role managing the tribal website, web store and trading post.

One nominator stated, “Whether supporting her tribal community, fostering cultural awareness or strengthening connections within the Elon community, she leads with humility, integrity and dedication. She demonstrates that service is not simply something she does — it is who she is.”

Hill has been at Elon for more than two decades and leaves an indelible mark on students and colleagues alike who fondly reflect on her guidance, warmth and genuine care. She was not present at the ceremony and Jana Lynn Patterson, associate vice president for Student Life/dean of Student Health & Well-Being/assistant professor, accepted on her behalf.

Blanche Garrison Memorial Award

Drema Holder was named the 2026 Blanche Garrison Memorial Award recipient. The award was established in memory of the late Blanche Garrison, an Elon Medallion awardee, who served the university with distinction as a staff member at Maynard House. This award was created through the generosity of President Emeritus Leo Lambert and Laurie Lambert and recognizes a staff member who has contributed significantly to shaping the student experience at 51±ŹÁÏÍű through their everyday commitments and actions to support, encourage and mentor Elon students.

Holder is the Moseley Center program assistant and was described as the epitome of graciousness and customer service, someone whose authentic kindheartedness, commitment and enthusiasm are vital to keeping her area of campus running effectively and making all who pass through its halls feel welcome.

One nominator shared that Holder “continually puts others before herself, uplifting students and advocating for them to receive the recognition they deserve.” Another nominator added, “If Moseley is the heart of campus, then Drema is the heart of Moseley.”

Holder shared that this is her 48th year in higher education and “all my students and all my coworkers have a special place in my heart.”

Staff Member of the Year Awards

Three Staff Member of the Year Awards are presented annually to university non-teaching staff – one for each of the following categories: facilities management, professional hourly staff and administrative staff. Elon President Connie Ledoux Book announced the award winners.

Staff Member of the Year – Professional Hourly

Sharon Holmes was honored as the 2026 professional hourly staff member of the year. Holmes is a program assistant in the Office of Alumni Engagement and described as someone who goes above and beyond to facilitate events, manage student workers and make alumni feel welcome.

Nominators shared that Holmes is a “mom away from home” for student workers and a valued source of support and friendship for her colleagues.” Another team member added, whatever the team needs, she will do without question and with the biggest smile you will ever see.”

She was further described as “the welcoming voice on the phone, the smiling face when alumni stop by her office and the helpful hand when students have questions.”

Upon receiving the award, Holmes shared that working at Elon is meaningful to her because she is from Alamance County. She expressed her appreciation to her team members, saying, “They are truly a pleasure to be around, to work with and to collaborate with. It’s a joy to support them.”

Staff Member of the Year – Administrative

Ross Wade was named the 2026 administrative staff member of the year. He is Elon’s interim associate vice president for the Student Professional Development Center.

Wade was recognized for steering his department through a period of critical transition with “remarkable grace transparency and intentionality.” He is described as having thoughtful, future-focused leadership and lauded for restoring a sense of direction and vigor to the team and introduced policies that have substantially improved workflow efficiency.

One nominator stated that “He leads by example — rolling up his sleeves, staying engaged and demonstrating through his own actions what dedication to this work actually looks like.”

Wade expressed the challenges of stepping into a leadership role during a time of transition for SPDC. “I stumble through it every single day with the grace and the help from the SPDC team,” he shared. “Thank you so much for your patience, kindness and ideas.”

Staff Member of the Year – Facilities Management

Carol Pulliam received the facilities management staff member of the year award. She is the custodian for Sato Commons.

Nominators used an array of sentiments to describe why Pulliam is, as they describe, one of the most important members of her building’s team: exceptionally detail-oriented, proud of her work and orderly. “She ensures every facet of the physical space reflects the excellence for which Elon is known,” a nominator said.

Pulliam was not only recognized for her immaculate work, but also her willingness to submit FixIt requests and helping students set up research posters.

Another nominator shared that her genuine warmth truly sets her apart. “Her willingness to engage people on the floor in meaningful conversations helps make our floor more connected and caring.”

Addressing her staff peers, she expressed, “thank you, God, and thank you to all the people that made this possible – I love each and every one of you.”

Patrick Murphy G’01

Assistant vice president for financial aid

Patrick Murphy joined Elon at the beginning of 1994 as bursar for Elon College to find a career that would, as he put it, add positivity to his day. Retiring at the end of the month, Murphy has served in a myriad of roles at Elon, including director of financial aid, senior associate dean and director of financial aid and assistant vice president for financial aid.

During the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Greg Zaiser, vice president for enrollment, credited Murphy with quietly and deliberately supporting Elon’s growth from a regional college to national and international distinction.

“What I know now is because of Pat’s patience, accessibility and strong desire for success,” added Zaiser.

After retirement, Murphy looks forward to spending more time with his wife and his five grandchildren, who are all under the age of six. He says his favorite memory at Elon was picking up astronaut and former senator John Glenn and his wife from the airport and guiding them across campus to multiple events.

“I will miss the people I work with,” he said. “Elon has been the only place I worked where my friends are also people I work with.”

Beth McCain

Assistant teaching professor of accounting

Beth McCain joined Elon in 2016 teaching part-time as an adjunct after teaching at a community college. She was hired permanently in 2021 as a lecturer and also served as the director of the Master of Science accounting program. She retired on December 31, 2025.

While at Elon, McCain led January Term study abroad courses to Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and was the inaugural faculty member for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business study abroad program in Singapore.

At the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Catherine Chiang, professor of accounting and chair of the department of accounting, described McCain as one of the most dedicated and student-centered educators she had the privilege of knowing. “Your decade of service has shaped careers, strengthened our programs and raised the standards for what it means to be an Elon educator,” said Chiang.

McCain returned the compliments to her department chair and gave a shoutout to Linda Poulson, who gave McCain “a chance” and also to her husband, who was in attendance.

Now retired, McCain is volunteering for Guilford County Animal Services in Greensboro and taking a French course at Elon in preparation for a three-month trip to France in the fall. Reflecting on her time at Elon, McCain said, “I will greatly miss the amazing faculty and staff that I worked with as well as relationships that I developed with my students over the years.”

Linda Niedziela

Associate professor of biology and chair of the Department of Biology

Linda Niedziela joined Elon in 2001 excited to teach courses in genetics and biotechnology. She was attracted to the university’s strengths in undergraduate education and undergraduate research. She will retire at the end of May after serving in a myriad of roles, including biology department chair, assistant professor, associate professor, director of the science branch of Elon College Fellows and the Japheth E. Rawls chair for undergraduate research in science.

Niedziela said she will miss what she calls the “daily therapy sessions.” She shared that every day during the semester, whoever is able will meet for lunch on the first floor of McMichael and discuss wide-ranging topics, including teaching tips, research reports, personal stories about families and pets and anything else that is on the mind of lunch attendees.

She said, “I will miss the wonderful faculty and staff colleagues in the biology department who have become like family to me.”

After retirement, Niedziela and her husband, Carl, an adjunct assistant professor of biology at Elon, who will also be retiring, will travel with their dogs in an airstream travel trailer and spend time in their woodworking shop. She will also be devoting more time training and competing with her Shetland sheepdog in performance dog sports.

Anthony Hatcher

Professor of journalism and chair of the Journalism Department

Anthony Hatcher joined Elon in 2002 and has served as associate professor of journalism, full professor of journalism and the inaugural chair of the Department of Journalism.

Hatcher said he did not have a passport until he joined Elon in his early 40’s. “Since 2004, I have taken students to Hong Kong, South Africa and multiple European countries,” he reflected. Hatcher also created a religion and media course in his first year, which he taught every year since.

One of those colleagues, Harlen Makemson, professor of communication design, praised Hatcher at the Faculty/Staff Luncheon for Hatcher’s empathy and humanity during what he described as a time of upheaval in the media world, brought on by new technologies. “And while it’s true that Anthony Hatcher serves on virtually every major standing committee at Elon, it’s his humanity, his warmth and his care, that is his most impactful service to his university.”

“I will miss being with students, and I will miss seeing my colleagues – my friends – daily or weekly,” said Hatcher. During the ceremony, he added, “I hope in addition to teaching all those wonderful students I’ve had over the past nearly quarter century, I hope in some small way, I made their lives a little better because God knows they helped me be better.

After retirement, Hatcher looks forward to biking, hiking, travel and spending time with his granddaughter. “Writing will be part of retirement as well, since I can’t sing or paint,” he added.

Robert Moorman

Frank S. Holt, Jr. professor of business leadership and professor of organizational behavior

Robert Moorman joined Elon as the Frank Holt Jr professor of business leadership in 2011, a title he held throughout his time at Elon. Retiring in May, Moorman has also served as the department chair for the Department of Management, Entrepreneurship and International Business.

During the Faculty, Staff Awards Luncheon, Haya Ajjan, dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and professor of management information systems, shared that Moorman has a gift few others do – the ability to ask the types of questions that “make you stop walking, look around at where you actually are and suddenly see it
a question that stays with you for the rest of your life.” Ajjan offered Moorman a golf club afterwards in the spirit of his retirement.

During the ceremony, Moorman shared that education is so much more than reading books and looking at stats. “It’s really about the relationships we have,” he said. “It’s the relationships with our students and the utter joy of seeing people cycle through during this really important time of their lives, you know, touching you and stepping in and stepping out and then seeing them grow as they go.”

Moorman said his favorite memories are those involving friendships with colleagues and partnerships with students. “I have fond memories of a few colleagues congregating in my office talking about the joys and frustrations of the day,” he said.  “I also have fond memories of holding classes that just seemed to ‘work’ that day and then talking with students afterward about how they continued thinking about our discussions.”

After retiring at the end of this month, Moorman looks forward to what he calls unstructured adventure. “I am looking forward to a time of boredom that then grows into something new, unplanned and adventurous. What fun!”

Charity Johansson

Professor of physical therapy education and chair of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Department.

In 1999, Charity Johnsson joined what would become the Doctor of Physical Therapy program as one of its first faculty. She retired in December 2025 after decades of service in which she held positions of associate professor, full professor, faculty administrative fellow, interim associate department chair, interim department chair and program director, department chair and program director and university parliamentarian.

Johansson said she is already missing the “daily exchanges with colleagues whose brilliant minds and genuinely kind hearts” have shaped her over nearly three decades. Likewise, she will miss the students, and their “infectious enthusiasm, their compassion and the joy of watching them transform in ways they hadn’t even imagined possible.”

During the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Crystal Ramsey praised Johansson as a “cornerstone of the Elon academic community, whose legacy is defined not just by the position she has held, but by the enduring way she has nurtured the hearts, minds and professional identities of future healthcare providers.” Ramsey is an associate professor of physical therapy education and a former student of Johansson’s.

At the ceremony, Johansson reflected on the retirement of Gerry Francis, who served as professor emeritus of mathematics and provost emeritus.

“Gerry Francis told me he doesn’t miss the work, but he really misses the people – and I get that,” she said.

She also said it was a privilege working with so many in the Elon community who have encouraged her, challenged her and made her laugh to help her be a better a human. “Fred Rubeck, you’re among those,” Johansson added, honoring the late professor of performing arts and chair of the Department of Performing Arts.

Now retired, Johansson said she is enjoying time outdoors with family and close friends, planning travel and trying new ventures, including fiction writing.

Marcia Dodson

Program assistant for the Station at Mill Point Neighborhood

Marcia Dodson joined Elon in 2015 and is the proud mother of three sons who graduated from Elon. She will be retiring at the end of May and has served as a service desk analyst for facilities management, program assistant in the Danieley Neighborhood and Station at Mill Point.

A favorite memory of Dodson’s while at Elon is joining the London Experience for staff, where she built relationships with colleagues she had not yet had the opportunity to meet while working at Elon. “What an awesome experience!” she reflected.

After retirement, Dodson looks forward to being a traveling grandparent with her husband.

Rosemary Haskell

Professor of English

Rosemary Haskell joined Elon in 1985 and will be retiring in August. She has held the roles of temporary instructor and assistant, associate and later, full professor of English.

Haskell said she will most miss her kind and interesting colleagues, as well as the “energizing power of the new class of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed first-years each August.”

One of Haskell’s favorite memories at Elon is during the transition of the Fighting Christians to the Phoenix. She enjoyed the papier-mache birds and eggs in trees around campus that offered a clue to the new mascot.

After retirement, Haskell said she plans to spend time with her family and do some home improvement work.

Cheryl Riley

Custodian

Cheryl Riley joined Elon in 2013 as a custodian and will retire at the end of May. “I will miss the people I work with,” she said. “And I look forward to spending time with my grandkids.”

Linda Dunn

Adjunct assistant professor of Peace and Conflict Studies

Linda Dunn joined Elon in 1998 as the director of the Alamance County Dispute Settlement Center, where she trained a group of students and returned to train several faculty members in mediation skills, who later became volunteer mediators for the center. Dunn’s official start date on record is 2001, when she taught a two-credit mediation and conflict resolution skills course as part of a new minor called Nonviolent Studies. She retired at the end of December, 2025.

Federico Pous spoke on behalf of Dunn during the Faculty/Staff Awards luncheon, praising Dunn’s ability to teach hands-on peaceful conflict resolution skills and strategies across different social backgrounds.

“Linda’s way of teaching and interacting with students, staff and professors, makes you feel that you are equal to her in the same community space,” he shared.

“I will miss the students and their passion the things I teach,” said Dunn. Two of her students attended the luncheon.

After retirement, she plans to attend cultural events on campus and potentially assist in future facilitated discussions on campus. She will also continue to volunteer as a mediator at the Alamance County District court, continue restorative circle skills and mediation and training skills with Restorative Justice Durham and the Orange County District County District court.

“I will continue to be an activist for restorative justice and peacemaking organizations as we navigate the chaos and violence in our world,” she added.

Elizabeth Bailey

Assistant teaching professor of exercise science

Elizabeth Bailey began her career at Elon in 2004 and, enjoying the vibe of the community, wanted to be “part of it all.” She started as a lecturer for the required wellness course, lectured for the School of Education before joining Exercise Science.

Retiring at the end of Spring semester, Bailey said she will most miss her colleagues and all the “friends among the faculty and staff” she has made while at Elon.

“I will also miss the opportunities to continue to learn that are available at Elon, whether it be through taking classes or participating in workshops or going abroad,” she added. She said, while at Elon, he has learned a lot.

Bailey said her retirement plans continue to evolve, and she still intends to exercise classes and do some research on the side.

Kim Giles, ’11 G’16

Associate director of communications for the Student Professional Development Center

Since her first role in 1995, Kim Giles has served in various roles at the university, including data entry in admissions and accounting, budget clerk in the physical plant, program assistant for Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics, and assistant director of communications in the Student Professional Development Center.

Giles retired during the summer of 2025. She said she cherishes the opportunity to earn an MBA at Elon along with her daughter. She said about the experience, “what an unforgettable experience that was in crossing the stage along with my daughter to get our MBA’s together – it was quite surreal.”

Giles also reflected on traveling with peers and faculty to Vietnam and Singapore, the many evolutions of Staff Appreciation Day, and being honored as the staff member of the year – an experience she said she will cherish forever.

Since retiring, Giles has taken nine cruises and has done kayaking, camping and gardening. She looks forward to continuing to spend time with family.

Sharon Moss LaRocco

University accompanist and instructor in music

Sharon Moss LaRocco was recognized at the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon by Hallie Hogan, associate professor of music. LaRocco joined the Elon Music Department in 1988 as a pianist for musical theater productions, music ensembles and student recitals.

Hogan shared, “Although she kept a very low profile, there was never any doubt about this, because she never missed a beat, much less a note, and maintained high quality for every performance she gave,” Hogan said.

She shared that students developed a strong admiration for LaRocco’s talent and a deep love for her kind and understanding nature.

Beyond Elon, Sharon has devoted herself to advocating for people with autism, through her work as a leader in the Office of Society of North Carolina, notably promoting autism awareness for the Native American communities of Western North Carolina.

At the awards ceremony, LaRocco shared that one of her favorite memories was the construction of Rhodes Stadium, which signaled to her the emergence of a marching band.

“Who doesn’t love a marching band?” asked LaRocco to the audience. “And the spirit and the energy it creates walking through the campus, en route to the games.”

Jana Lynn Patterson

Associate vice president for Student Life/dean of student health & well-being/assistant professor

During the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Jon Dooley, vice president for Student Life and associate professor of education, described Patterson as someone who is consistent in how she shows up for others, patient when a young leader makes a mistake, honest with students and colleagues even when it is hard and someone who not only believes in others, and one who helps others believe in themselves.

“She supported students in college through tragedy, advised student organizations, and celebrated their success,” said Dooley. “She has created spaces of welcome and belonging, and met the students in their darkest hours, helping them piece together on plans to move forward.”

Patterson was also recognized for her 40 years of service and held back tears while addressing the audience. A first-generation student from Hope Mills, North Carolina, Patterson said her parents could have never dreamed where she is today.

“To my staff and colleagues, you are the A-Team,” she shared. “But to everyone in this community, I want you to know that every day has been an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this community and to have worked with you.”

Also retiring

Retiring staff members will be recognized on May 29 as part of Staff Appreciation Day.

• Joan Barnatt
• Mona DeVries
• Chris Dockrill, head women’s golf coach
• Sharon Hodge
• John Chinnici, community service officer
• David “DD” Donohue, painter
• Kelly Elliston
• Gloria Graves, custodian
• William “Tom” Hall, telecommunications technician
• Rhonda Kosusko, associate director of career services, education and Elon
• Katherine Rodriguez, assistant director for application processing
• Michelle Stephens, custodian
• Ed Williams, service desk analyst
• Donna Wood , electronic services/ acquisitions librarian

Macy AI is a consulting company that educates organizations on how to confidently and ethically use AI. Akben also developed and teaches the Elon NEXT AI Certificate for Professionals.

Amanda Traugutt, senior associate director of career services for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, said the Porter Center wanted to put on this workshop to make sure that students had the information and education to use these tools properly.

“[AI tools] can be really powerful if you know how to use them right,” Traugutt said.

Before beginning to teach students the specifics of these AI tools, Akben made a point to emphasize that, while AI is good at recognizing patterns, it can’t make judgements. It’s up to human users to determine what content matters from the output AI has given them.

While some think that educating students on AI use supports them offloading their thinking and blindly using these tools, Akben said that’s not the reality.

“The more you learn how to use AI ethically, the more you are able to see what skills are uniquely human, how we can amplify those skills, and when AI should be pulled in and when it should not,” Akben said.

During the workshop, Akben first taught students how to use NotebookLM to store their resumes, writing samples, class work, etc. Then, using Gemini, students were able to create a Gem — which is a repeated task — that used what they had put into NotebookLM to determine if a certain job or internship posting was the right fit for them. The Gem also gave suggestions as to how they could tailor their resume and skills for specific job opportunities.

In addition, Akben showed students how to create a recurring job search through Gemini, that took location, interests, work format, and more into consideration. Each tool Akben taught was designed to streamline the job search process, while keeping the human element of writing and making decisions about what suggestions to pursue.

Ava Paolino-Sarcia ’28 said she came to the event to learn how to utilize AI when searching for summer internships.

“I think searching will be a little bit easier and more efficient with AI, and I’ll probably be able to find some more opportunities than I could have before,” Paolino-Sarcia said.

Junior Alex Roberts also appreciated the efficiency that using AI as a tool could bring to his job search, and said he liked how easy it was to learn how to use the tools taught through the workshop. Roberts pointed out how rough the job market can seem to students who will soon enter the workforce, but said that using these tools can make it easier to get ahead of the pack.

“Rather than you having to do the work, it’s letting the machine do the work. You just do all the writing and make it human and sound like yourself,” Roberts said.

The event had a large turnout, with every seat filled, showing not only the desire of students to learn how to effectively use these tools but also the importance of hosting workshops to educate on how to use AI properly and ethically.

Looking to the future, Traugutt hopes that students continue to make use of these AI tools in tandem with the resources provided through the Porter Center.

“It’s great to start with AI,” Traugutt said. “But having someone to talk to about what you’re learning about yourself and what guidance you might be getting from AI is really, really helpful.”

April 16, 2026 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Pathways to Amazon: Navigating the Hiring Process
Where: Sankey Hall 316
Hosted by Amazon
Join an Amazon recruiter for an inside look at the company’s hiring process and full-time job opportunities. Learn what recruiters are looking for, how to position yourself as a competitive candidate and strategies to stand out in the application process. The session will conclude with time to network and ask questions directly. Light refreshments will be provided.
Ideal for School of Business students graduating in May or August 2026 | Limited to 25 students
RSVP required using .

April 16, 2026 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Accenture x Elon Consulting Challenge – Final Presentations
Where: Koury Business Center, La Rose Theater
Hosted by Accenture
Ready to think like a consultant? 51±ŹÁÏÍű would like to extend an invitation for you to join Accenture for a consulting challenge and put your skills to the test. Work in teams to tackle a real-world business challenge, develop innovative solutions, and present your ideas to Accenture professionals.

Gain hands-on experience in problem-solving, collaboration, and strategic thinking, just like real consultants do. If selected, you will be assigned to a 3–5-person team to explore and solve the business case, alongside an Accenture mentor to provide guidance and help as needed. You will then be expected to coordinate meetings with your assigned team and mentor throughout the following two weeks to create your solution. Final presentations, in front of Accenture judges, will take place in person at 51±ŹÁÏÍű on Thursday, April 16th, from 5:30-7:30 pm. Teams will be given 8-10 minutes to present their final presentation.

April 21, 2026 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Bank of America Employer Information Session
Where: Virtual
Explore a Career in Accounting at Bank of America Virtual Event!
Are you an accounting major curious about where your degree can take you? Join us for a virtual panel hosted by Bank of America, where you’ll hear directly from professionals who have grown into impactful roles within one of the world’s leading financial institutions. You will also learn more about the 2027 Finance Management Summer Analyst Program internship opportunity. There will be time for Q&A from students.

Please follow the to register for the event. The Webex link will be emailed closer to the event date.

April 22, 2026 | 12 – 1 p.m.
Wells Fargo Corporate Risk Lunch & Learn
Where: Sankey Hall 314
Hosted by Wells Fargo
Join Wells Fargo representatives for a networking lunch focused on their Corporate Risk Early Careers Program. Learn about career paths in risk management, what the program offers, and how to prepare for opportunities within the organization. This session also provides a valuable chance to connect directly with recruiters and professionals in a smaller, more personal setting.
First 25 students admitted. RSVP is required to secure your spot.

April 22, 2026 | 3 -4 p.m.
Bank of America Employer Information Session
Where: Virtual
Explore a career in corporate finance at the Bank of America virtual event!
Join Bank of America for a virtual event to hear from a panel of members from the Corporate Financial Officer (CFO) Group at Bank of America. Presenters will share how they launched their career after college & have been able to expand their knowledge and grow in their career at Bank of America. You will also learn more about the 2027 Finance Management Summer Analyst Program internship opportunity. There will be time for Q&A from students.

Please follow the to register for the event. The Webex link will be emailed closer to the event date.

April 22, 2026 | 5:00 – 6:00 PM
AlphaSights Employer Information Session 
Where: Virtual
You must register on Zoom; registrations only in Handshake will not be accepted.
Join the webinar to learn more about AlphaSights and our internship opportunities. Attendees will receive early access to our Summer 2027 Internship application (for 2028 grads).
Founded in 2008, AlphaSights is the global leader in knowledge on demand. We connect investors and business leaders with the knowledge they need to succeed.

April 23, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Honda Mobility Day
Where: IQ Founders Hall & Koury Business Center
Hosted by Honda Motor
Curious about careers in mobility, innovation and emerging technology? Spend the day with Honda Mobility and explore a variety of interactive experiences. Attend classroom presentations, connect with company representatives at information tables and network over lunch. For a hands-on highlight, students will even have the opportunity to ride a Honda ATV. Drop in anytime during the event – you won’t want to miss this engaging, immersive experience.

April 23, 2026 | 12 – 1:30 p.m. 
Clinical Mental Health Counseling 
Where: Moseley Center
Whether you’re curious about career opportunities in mental health, interested in graduate study options, or simply want to learn how this program can help you make a meaningful impact, this is a great chance to connect. Chat with knowledgeable staff, ask questions, and explore how this exciting new program can support your goals.

Questions? Contact the Student Professional Development Center:
careerservices@elon.edu
336-278-6538

Through the Elon Year of Service Fellows program, these recent graduates are spending a year working with local organizations across Alamance County, contributing to efforts that strengthen health, education and economic opportunity. Along the way, they’re gaining hands-on experience, mentorship and a deeper understanding of the community just beyond Elon’s campus.

The 2025–26 fellows are putting their Elon education into action and helping build a stronger future for Alamance County.

Sam Hinton ’25

Advancing Community Health

By Avery Craine Powell

When Sam Hinton ’25 decided to pursue the Year of Service Fellows program, she saw it as an opportunity to deepen her connection to a community she had already come to care about.

“I really wanted to get the opportunity to have a more hands-on role here as opposed to research, which is a little bit more like a bird’s-eye view,” Hinton says.

Hinton, who earned a degree in public health studies and political science with minors in Spanish, Latin American studies, and peace and conflict studies, now works with the Alamance County Health Department through the fellows program.

Although she didn’t grow up in Alamance County, Hinton says the area feels like home. Her grandparents and extended family live nearby, and her academic work at Elon strengthened those ties. As a Lumen Scholar, she studied how immigration policy and discrimination in Alamance County influence how members of the Latino community access health care and social services.

“I was interviewing health care and social service providers from across the county on where they were seeing gaps in their ability to provide care,” she explains. “Through that research, I got to meet a lot of the people that I work with now and familiarized myself with the different service provision organizations throughout Alamance County.”

That familiarity helped ease her transition into the fellowship. At the health department, Hinton’s responsibilities range from administrative and event planning work to engaging directly with community partners. She primarily works with the Behavioral Health and Substance Use Division, which focuses on addressing the opioid crisis and expanding addiction services.

It’s been really great to see how deeply everyone there is motivated by the mission of providing health care and improving the lives of people in Alamance County. — Sam Hinton ’25

The experience has given her a deeper appreciation for the people committed to this work.

“It’s been really great to see how deeply everyone there is motivated by the mission of providing health care and improving the lives of people in Alamance County,” she says. “Despite the fact that everyone there has so much work to do and is incredibly busy, people are really committed to improving conditions for people across different communities.”

Hinton credits Elon’s public health studies program, including its required practicum, for preparing her to step confidently into the role. The program, she says, ensures students graduate with a strong understanding of the broader forces shaping health and equity.

“They make sure students leave Elon aware of the disparities and inequalities that exist and really gear the program toward a health equity lens.”

For Hinton, the fellowship represents both a continuation of her academic work and a new beginning.

“I feel like the hands-on nature of all of my education at Elon has really come in handy as I’m transitioning into the workforce,” she says. “I feel really adequately prepared for whatever projects are being thrown my way.”

Anna Matawaran ’25

Strengthening Community Partnerships

By Avery Craine Powell

Community engagement has been central to Anna Matawaran’s Elon experience, and it continues to guide her work after graduation.

“The program stood out to me because of that piece of civic engagement and making a difference in a community that I’ve already lived in and gotten to know for the last four years,” she says.

Matawaran, who graduated with a degree in sociology and a minor in communications, now works with Impact Alamance, a community health legacy foundation created from the merger of Alamance Regional Medical Center and Cone Health.

Impact Alamance focuses on improving community health, strengthening education and building partnerships across Alamance County. Matawaran serves on the organization’s “stronger” team as a program assistant.

One of the projects she has enjoyed most is the For Alamance initiative, a partnership with the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation that encourages residents to take action on issues that matter to them.

“That has been really rewarding,” she says. “I’ve met so many different people through that, which I’ve really enjoyed, folks from all parts of the county that I didn’t know existed before the fellowship.”

Community was also what first drew Matawaran to Elon from her hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

“That small community feel was so unique from all the other colleges I looked at, and I knew I wanted a liberal arts education and loved that Elon offered all the resources that it does for undergraduates specifically,” she says. “It’s a beautiful campus. How can you not love it?”

Her path to sociology began unexpectedly.

“On a whim, I signed up for a sociology course my first semester here,” she says. “It was a class on how sociology can look at housing and unhoused people, and that class stood out to me above all my other courses. I fell in love with the way that sociologists think about the world and the problems that it can solve.”

Matawaran credits Elon’s liberal arts approach for preparing her to work in the nonprofit sector.

“My Elon education gave me the liberal arts background that I needed to step into the nonprofit sphere,” she says. “My degree gave me a lot of the building blocks to understand what I’m hearing from community members and what issues Alamance County is facing.”

Now, her fellowship continues to deepen the understanding of community she discovered at Elon.

“Something that my mentor always says is that community is messy,” Matawaran says. “I love how rich and diverse the community here is; it brings this authenticity to the work.”

Jasmine Walker ’25

Supporting Local Students

By Avery Craine Powell

Giving back to her hometown is what drew Jasmine Walker ’25 to the Elon Year of Service Fellows program.

She now works with Alamance Achieves, an organization focused on improving education outcomes from “cradle to career,” while also collaborating with Impact Alamance to promote educational equity across the county.

“When I found out it was through the Alamance-Burlington School System, which I’m a product of, I wanted to help the school system since they helped me become who I am,” says Walker, who earned a degree in human service studies with a minor in poverty and social justice.

Walker began her fellowship in June 2025 and quickly found herself immersed in the work, helping lead “Ready Freddy,” a three-week summer program that prepares students for kindergarten.

She also assists with the Teachers Leadership Academy, which helps educators develop leadership skills, and supports “The Basics Alamance,” a countywide initiative that provides caregivers with evidence-based strategies to promote healthy brain development in young children.

I don’t think I realized how many
organizations and partnerships there are to make Alamance County continue to thrive. — Jasmine Walker ’25

Walker’s passion for helping others guided her to choose human service studies as her major.

“I wanted to help people, and I’ve always been passionate about supporting others,” she says. “I grew up volunteering and doing different things with my church. When I was a freshman, I met a senior in the program, and I took the intro course and really liked it. I liked how personable the department was.”

A native of Elon, Walker attended the Elon Academy in high school before enrolling at the university as an Odyssey Program scholar and later joining the Periclean Scholars program.

“The Odyssey Program really changed my life,” Walker says. “I was able to study abroad in Florence, Italy, during my junior year, and I was there for three and a half months. That was cool; I never thought I was going to be able to leave the country because of finances.”

Through Periclean Scholars, she also traveled to Costa Rica during Winter Term to study the needs of a partner community.

“We studied Costa Rica as a whole and looked at what the specific community that we were going to travel to needed,” she says.

Even though she grew up in Alamance County, Walker says the fellowship has helped her see her hometown in new ways.

“It’s cool to be able to meet different leaders and partners in the community, and hear what they do,” Walker says. “I don’t think I realized how many organizations and partnerships there are to make Alamance County continue to thrive.”

Abby Lee ’25

Expanding Community Wellness

By Olivia Grady ’26

Abby Lee ’25 arrived at Elon with a strong interest in civic engagement. The Elon Year of Service Fellows program gave her the opportunity to continue that work after graduation.

“Living in Alamance County for four years, I just thought it would be really beneficial to give back to the community that gave me so much,” Lee says. “This position sounded exactly like what I wanted to do.”

Lee, who earned a degree in public health studies and political science, works with Impact Alamance’s “healthier” team on a range of grant-funded initiatives that support community wellness.

Her projects have included helping install a new basketball court in Mebane, supporting a mobile recreation unit that brings activities to neighborhoods across the county and assisting with planning Impact Alamance’s annual wellness summit.

“I’ve worked on smaller projects, but it means so much to the people that we help,” Lee says. “That’s probably my favorite part, just seeing how much Impact Alamance truly does.”

Lee says her experiences at Elon helped prepare her for the work, particularly her public health practicum with the Women’s Resource Center of Alamance County.

“That was my first local internship and really shaped my path, showing how great it was to work for and help the people of Alamance,” Lee says. “I think ultimately that’s what led me to decide and apply.”

She also credits Elon faculty members with shaping her academic interests and encouraging her to pursue a broader view of public health.

“Yanica Faustin was the reason I decided to double major in public health after taking one of her courses, Reproductive Justice,” Lee says. “She definitely shaped my time at Elon, as well as Stephanie Baker, who was my senior seminar professor for public health. She really showed me that this is what I wanted to do.”

Now working with Impact Alamance, Lee is able to see firsthand how community partnerships and targeted investments can improve health outcomes across the county.

The fellowship has allowed her to build on the experiences she gained at Elon while making a direct impact in the community she called home during college.

Juliana Buter ’25

Supporting Local Businesses

By Jordan Armstead ’28

Local government work has quickly become a passion for Juliana Buter ’25.

Through the Elon Year of Service Fellows program, Buter works with the City of Burlington’s Economic Development Office, supporting initiatives designed to strengthen the local economy and improve quality of life across the community.

In the role, she helps coordinate projects that attract new investment, support existing businesses and promote Burlington as a place where people want to live, work and visit.

“This fellowship has helped me a lot because it taught me about my strengths and areas where I need to grow,” Buter says.

One of her primary responsibilities is serving as a liaison with the Burlington Downtown Corporation, helping coordinate communication between city officials and local businesses and ensuring that information flows smoothly between partners working to strengthen the downtown area.

Originally from Atlanta, Buter chose Elon because of its small class sizes and opportunities to build relationships with professors. She majored in political science and minored in communications, a combination that has helped her analyze policy decisions while communicating effectively with a wide range of audiences.

During summer 2024, Buter participated in Campus Alamance, a program that connects Elon students with internships at local businesses, nonprofits and government agencies. She interned with the Alamance Chamber of Commerce, where she gained a broader understanding of the community beyond Elon’s campus and developed an interest in the region’s economic development efforts.

That experience introduced her to the Year of Service Fellows program and encouraged her to apply.

Buter credits her political science degree with helping her understand how public decisions shape communities and influence the people who live and work within them.

“There is a misconception about political science simply being about politics, parties and government,” Buter says. “I think the science aspect has taught me how people interact with one another and with groups.”

Through her work with the City of Burlington, she has developed a deeper appreciation for local government and the people working behind the scenes to strengthen their communities.

“I have absolutely fallen in love with local government, just watching the behind-the-scenes of people working hard for their community,” she says.

The fellowship has also helped her clarify the type of work she hopes to pursue long term — community-focused roles where she can see the tangible impact of public initiatives and partnerships.

Aniya Scott ’25

Improving Patient Access

By Avery Craine Powell

Aniya Scott ’25 describes her year as an Elon Year of Service Fellow as a “gap year,” but the experience is bringing her closer to her long-term goal of becoming a physical therapist.

Through the program, Scott works with Alamance Regional Medical Center, where she supports operational initiatives that help the hospital serve patients more effectively.

“Even though I’m not currently working on the clinical side, gaining experience with the hospital’s backend operations has been incredibly valuable,” Scott says. “Understanding how operations work helps me anticipate what patients may go through to access care in the future.”

Her work includes assisting with project management, supporting philanthropy initiatives and helping improve campus signage.

Scott earned a degree in biology from Elon and says many parts of her Elon experience prepared her for the community-focused nature of the work.

I’ve learned that much of community work involves engaging with underrepresented populations. This fellowship really allows us to get outside of that Elon bubble and explore issues affecting Alamance County residents. — Aniya Scott ’25

As an Honors Fellow and Lumen Scholar, she conducted research on PFAS contamination and how to help residents in Pittsboro, North Carolina, better understand and reduce exposure to forever chemicals.

“Residents may not be able to change how they access water or the presence of PFAS in their water, but we can help identify and educate them on day-to-day practices that can reduce their exposure,” Scott says.

Beyond research, Scott served as a statistics learning assistant and worked with the Center for Access and Success while also holding leadership roles with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the National Council of Negro Women.

“Through my experiences, I’ve learned that much of community work involves engaging with underrepresented populations,” Scott says. “This fellowship really allows us to get outside of that Elon bubble and explore issues affecting Alamance County residents.”

The experience has also given Scott a broader perspective on how health care systems operate and the many factors that shape patient care. Seeing the operational side of the hospital has helped her better understand how decisions behind the scenes affect the experiences patients have every day.

“Before this fellowship, most of my experience in health care was on the clinical side,” she says. “This fellowship opened my eyes to how administrative decisions and operational processes directly impact frontline care.”

Hosted by Kameryn Taylor, assistant director of Career Services for student employment, the event was kicked off by Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence, who spoke about his formative experience with a supervisor during his undergraduate years. His supervisor became a mentor, and through her, Vice President Williams learned to communicate professionally with faculty, manage his time effectively, and accomplish goals, even when others didn’t believe in him.

Throughout the event, senior student employees reflected on their experiences with their supervisors and had the opportunity to share the influence these mentors had on their time at Elon. Some students invited multiple supervisors, explaining how each helped them better understand their personal goals for life and work after graduation. One student shared her appreciation for the ways her supervisors supported her post-graduate plans by writing recommendation letters for law school and celebrating with her when she was accepted.

Additionally, many supervisors were nominated for the Excellence in Student Supervision Award, given to faculty or staff recognized as outstanding mentors and leaders. This year’s recipients of the Excellence in Student Supervision Award included Dan Reis, assistant director of Creative Learning Technologies, Julie Prouty, lead for Technology Checkout Operations and Dallas Smith, Event Support Specialist. Student nominators shared numerous comments about the positive impact of their supervisors, highlighting their community-building skills and their willingness to support student ambitions.

Whether formally recognized or not, each supervisor has undoubtedly impacted their students’ lives, providing a constant and steadfast support system.