Rachel Curtis 鈥�24 became a service ambassador at the Kernodle Center for Civic Life through PACE, and has come to an understanding that, 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to give back and develop an understanding of the world around us so that we can all be better.鈥�

As a College Fellow, Curtis conducted research on Afghan refugee resettlement, which has opened her eyes to the lack of resources available to them. She is passionate about increasing the perceived self-sufficiency for refugees, and her human services minor has assisted in that endeavor. Curtis encourages students to engage with the community during their time at Elon, which is exactly what the Kernodle Center promotes through Alternative Breaks.

In the spring of 2022, Curtis led a 鈥淗unger and Homelessness鈥� service experience to Washington D.C. Students partnered with agencies Martha鈥檚 Table and Bread for the City to prepare food for families in need. She states that Alternative Breaks are a great way to dig into social issues, enhance personal growth, work alongside the community and pop the 鈥淓lon bubble.鈥� The breaks, which occur during Elon鈥檚 fall and spring breaks, provide students an immersive experience and allow them to connect with communities they wouldn鈥檛 typically connect with. This year, the Kernodle Center piloted a one-day experience to the International Civil Rights Center and Museum to learn about the role that Greensboro played in the Civil Rights Movement.聽The group then served at the Morrowtown Community Garden in Burlington.

As a service ambassador, Curtis promotes collegiate involvement in sustainable service, equitable communities and social justice.

鈥淢y role as a service ambassador has helped me find my purpose at Elon, and now I know what I鈥檇 like to do after graduation.鈥� That purpose is promoting equity and implementing social justice initiatives where she can.

She came to Elon at the height of the pandemic, and the Kernodle Center provided her connection and acceptance. This connection was enhanced by the mentorship of Kernodle Center鈥檚 Program Assistant Nicole Bergen, who has empowered her during her time at Elon.

In addition to her involvement as service ambassador, Alternative Break leader, and College Fellow, Curtis is an Alpha Xi Delta sorority member. She encourages Elon students to get involved and apply for future Alternative Breaks. Students can learn more about participation in or leadership for Alternative Breaks on or by visiting Moseley Center 232.

Corinne Brager 鈥�23 studied abroad during her junior year in Israel and returned with a desire to lead and a belief in uplifting the community. That mindset is what propelled Brager to become the president of Elon鈥檚 Panhellenic Association.

She said she owes learning how to delegate and work with diverse leadership styles to the job as president. Brager takes pride in the ways that her team has come back from COVID-19. Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives were a positive outcome of the pandemic for Brager and the Panhellenic Association. The team is aiming to establish affinity and identity groups among Greek organizations, and give chapters the resources to connect with offices on campus such as the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education as well as the Gender + LGBTQIA Center located upstairs in the Moseley Center.

Brager feels that her role as the association president has helped her find a great place at Elon. She doesn鈥檛 feel limited to interactions with her Sigma Kappa sisters or her friend group because the position has presented opportunities to interact with people from different areas of the university. Brager is grateful to Alexis Swider, director of student involvement for fraternities and sororities. Her relationship with Swider has given her experience with understanding the relationships she鈥檇 like to have with future supervisors and colleagues.

Brager and Swider along with others from the National Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, Student Government Association, Elon News Network and other student organizations came together to host Greek Dance during Greek Week. Brager began planning for Greek Week in the spring of 2022 and took the lead on communication among chapters about what could be expected for the Greek Dance and other events during Greek Week. Neither Greek Week nor Greek Dance had occurred since 2016 and 2019, respectively, so these were highly anticipated events. Brager first ensured that affiliated students participated in field day and philanthropy day.

Field day consisted of games such as a water balloon toss, three-legged-race and tug-of-war. On philanthropy day, Greek organizations partnered with the Kernodle Center for Civic Life to participate in a blood drive and a school and hygiene supply drive. Chapters exceeded their goal by raising over $36,000 from Elon鈥檚 sponsored Habitat for Humanity house, which was double their initial goal.

Furthermore, Brager worked to advertise the Greek Dance. The Greek Dance was an opportunity for sororities and fraternities to participate in a thematic dance competition. This year鈥檚 Greek Dance was sponsored by SGA which allowed the Panhellenic Association to make it a non-ticketed event for the first time. Brager says, 鈥�37% of attendees at the event were unaffiliated. While the event was put on by the Panhellenic Association, it was open to the Elon Community, not just Greek members. That鈥檚 how every event should be.鈥�

Field day, philanthropy day and Greek Dance came together to form a meaningful Greek Week.

鈥淥rganizations got the chance to team up, strengthen bonds, and get excited for one another which is especially helpful as we head into spring recruitment,鈥� says Brager.

While she has been involved as a Tour Guide, a member of the Board at Hillel and Elonthon, Brager has grown as she鈥檚 managed groups of 2,500 women. She is thrilled to see who takes over her position as president and trusts that her decision to take this role was the best she鈥檚 made. Students can find purpose through organizations like those that Brager was involved in by visiting PhoenixConnect or by speaking with a Student Involvement Ambassador.