“I was in this place of, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do?'” she said.

She remembers a moment of doubt during her final year when Professor Emeritus Rich Landesberg provided the “tough love” she needed to move forward.

“He kept saying, ‘Just pick. You鈥檙e going to be fine. No matter what, you鈥檙e going to land on your feet.’ I really needed that at the time,” Polk said.

That foundation was built primarily within the School of Communications, where Polk, a broadcast communications major, found a safe space to test her leadership skills. She points to a producing class taught by Assistant Professor Ray Johnson as a key turning point where the details of the profession finally clicked. Johnson tasked her with being the executive producer for the class, a role that involved managing her peers and overseeing a project from concept to delivery.

“It was so much work, but I loved it,” she said. “You just realize how many people are leaning on you.”

She credits Johnson鈥檚 ability to “put on a show” in the classroom as a major inspiration for her own leadership style, teaching her that engagement and enthusiasm are just as important as technical skills.

“He was so good at his job… I think about him often,” she said.

Upon graduation, Polk鈥檚 preparation was put to the test when she was accepted into the prestigious NBC Page Program in New York City. Moving from the college environment of Elon to the fast-paced world of NBC required a quick adjustment. She rotated through high-stakes assignments, including “The Today Show,” the US Open, and Syfy publicity, a journey that required her to adapt to a more rigorous schedule, one that demanded the fundamental discipline of the network.

“I used to be a very late person,” she admitted. “But I got it out of my system because of the Page Program. Elon prepared me for the presence, how to present yourself well and dress the part, but the Page Program taught me the discipline.”

Her trajectory eventually led her to Los Angeles and the Hallmark Channel for 12 years, where she rose to the position of vice president of development and programming. In this role, she oversaw the production of up to 30 projects annually, yet she never lost sight of the “human-centric” focus she cultivated at Elon. Polk made it a priority to increase diversity and inclusion within the network鈥檚 programming, working to amplify diverse voices to ensure that Hallmark鈥檚 signature films reflected a broader range of the human experience. She describes herself as a kindness-first connector, a philosophy that has allowed her to attract top-tier talent and build lasting relationships with writers and agents across the industry.

Now, as she leads Simply Believe Creative, Polk is focused on catalyzing original romantic comedies and holiday films for the modern streaming market. Even from her home in California, she remains deeply connected to the campus where her journey began. She notes with a smile that she still sees familiar faces in the Elon news, including former classmates who have returned to the university in leadership roles.

Her advice to the next generation of Phoenix is a reflection of her own resilient path.

“Go after the things that scare you and push right through the fear to do them anyway,” she said.

“Take on as many projects as you can, but do them to the absolute best of your ability. Stay curious… the yeses always come,” she said.

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

As Sofia聽Galazzi聽鈥�19 first navigated her university opportunities, she was looking for a place where she聽wouldn鈥檛聽just be a number. Coming from the聽vibrant聽city of聽Piacenza, where she spent the first two years of her dual-degree program at Universit脿 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, the oaks of North Carolina offered exactly the cozy environment she needed.

鈥淚 was looking for a place where I could feel welcomed,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 loved the fact that Elon was smaller. I thought the engagement with the students聽and the professors聽would be higher. I really wanted to be taken care of during the time I was going to spend there.鈥�

That personal attention quickly translated into a professional advantage. While European universities often focus heavily on traditional exams and theory,聽Galazzi聽found that Elon鈥檚 college culture was obsessed with the world of work. She spent her days doing weekly assignments, leading group projects, and standing up in front of her peers to deliver presentations; aspects she said shaped her personality as much as her resume.

鈥淭he university really prepares you,鈥� she said. 鈥淒oing those presentations and working with other people gave me the confidence to stand up and speak in front of others. In Europe,聽it鈥檚聽mostly just you and the book. At Elon,聽it鈥檚聽about the people.鈥�

After graduating in 2019,聽Galazzi鈥檚聽path took her into the high-fashion聽world of Milan. She spent聽nearly four聽years working in merchandising and data analysis for luxury giants Gucci and Zegna, where she managed KPIs and sales planning. But even as she navigated the private sector, she felt a pull toward public service. She eventually made the pivot to Brussels, joining the European Commission through its prestigious “Blue Book” traineeship program before rising to her current role as a Budget Officer.

Today,聽Galazzi聽works within the Directorate-General for Budget (DG BUDG). Her daily life involves defining and implementing the annual EU budget, a role that requires her to work across different languages,聽cultures聽and legal systems.

鈥淭he European Commission is a very international environment,鈥澛燝alazzi聽said. 鈥淐oming from a dual degree, where I was already used to moving countries and adapting to new environments, it was much easier for me to step into this role. Elon鈥檚 global community prepared me to work with people from all over the world.鈥�

Despite the high-stakes nature of her work in Brussels,聽Galazzi聽remains聽a major advocate for the Elon network. She is particularly passionate about encouraging current students to look beyond the U.S. and Italy for opportunities. She notes that the European Commission offers a massive traineeship program twice a year. While it鈥檚聽mostly for EU citizens, there are spots specifically reserved for non-EU nationals, including Americans.

鈥淚 don’t think Americans know very well how the European聽Union聽works, and Europeans don鈥檛 always know how the U.S. works,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f someone has ambitions in the public sector or political affairs, this is such a good opportunity to bridge that gap.鈥�

When reflecting on why Elon alumni seem to thrive in these high-pressure global roles,聽Galazzi聽points back to that聽initial cozy feeling. She believes that because Elon makes students feel like they belong, they leave campus with the confidence to take on big responsibilities early.

Her advice for the next generation of Phoenix, especially those currently navigating the Dual Degree program, is to lean into the discomfort of being in a new place.

鈥淕et to know the people and the culture as much as you can,鈥� she said. 鈥淒on鈥檛聽just stick with people from your own country. If I could go back to my 18-year-old self,聽I鈥檇聽tell her:聽don鈥檛聽be afraid. Everything will work out if you stay curious.鈥�

Doug Williams ’13 has a specific rule about writing news copy: You can only use the phrase “only time will tell” if your story is about clocks. It’s a piece of advice he received from Professor Emeritus Richard Landesberg, and he uses it subconsciously every morning behind the anchor desk for CBS New York.

Whether he is recapping a local strike or reporting from a war zone, those lessons from his professors remain the backbone of his daily scripts.

“I realistically use those teachings with every single script I write,” Williams said. “Everything is copy. Everyone has a story.”

Anthony Hatcher, professor of journalism and chair of the Journalism Department, vividly remembers that drive.

“Several things stood out about Doug when he was my student,” Hatcher said. “He was naturally curious and asked good questions. He was also smart and a go-getter. When he was assigned stories in my Media Writing class, he had an instinct for finding people… and getting good quotes.”

For many, the Jane and Brian Williams Studio in McEwen is a landmark of the university鈥檚 state-of-the-art facilities. For Doug, it is a reminder of why his parents “bought into” the Elon experience. Though neither attended the university, they were impressed by the real-world training Doug received as a broadcast journalism major. They were blown away that he was already writing, shooting and editing as an undergraduate.

“I think the ‘legacy’ was made possible by the professors I learned from and the education I left with,” Williams said. “It was a way for my parents to express their gratitude for that, while paying it forward”.

Hatcher notes that Williams’ composure was evident even during a study abroad trip.

“He has a calm demeanor that sets other people at ease,” Hatcher said. “When he traveled with me on a Winter Term study abroad, I never worried about him getting left behind. He absorbed the material quickly and made the most of his time.”

Initially, Williams believed his future was set in stone; in a 2017 interview, he intending to stick strictly to sports. However, after seven years at SNY, a period he describes as “magic,” he began to feel the risk of becoming too comfortable.

Following the advice of his mentor and former boss, Curt Gowdy Jr., Williams decided to diversify his skillset. The transition was a “humbling leap” that didn’t immediately lead to a new desk. Williams spent a year navigating the “crickets” of the job market, an experience that forced him to build his networking muscle from scratch.

During this time, he embraced an entrepreneurial spirit, taking overnight shifts and freelancing for MLB Network Radio, CBS Sports Radio and WFAN. He credits these grueling live radio sessions with making his current TV ad-libbing feel easy by comparison.

Since starting at CBS New York in January 2023, Williams has found a new sense of purpose in local journalism. While he traded clubhouse interviews for the unpredictable world of breaking news, the move was put to its highest test in late 2023 when he spent . This assignment remains his most challenging to date, leaving him with a profound perspective on his own luck and a professional hope to be called for such vital reporting again.

Today, the “magic” of his career has evolved from the baseball diamond to the grit of the morning news cycle. He now reports on high-stakes human interest stories, from the to sensitive criminal investigations.

“The job shatters the walls of your comfort zone every day,” Williams said, noting that the lack of routine is exactly what he now loves about the role.

Professor Hatcher, a print journalist by trade, isn’t surprised by Doug’s success in the transition.

“I stress accuracy, context, fairness, self-editing, and completeness… I’m not surprised Doug puts those qualities into practice as he writes news copy, primarily because he’s a consummate professional.”

While his professional excellence is expected, Williams continues to surprise the industry through his dedication to his alma mater. Hatcher emphasizes that Williams’ willingness to mentor current students and network with majors has a “huge impact on elevating the Journalism Department.”

Throughout his rise in the New York market, Williams has navigated the unique pressure that comes with a famous last name. It was a challenge his parents prepared him for early on, advising him that he would often have to “destroy assumptions” people might have about his path.

“People will assume you’re going to be a certain type of person before they meet you,” Williams said, echoing his parents’ guidance. “It’s up to you to surprise them.”

While he credits his family for that foundation, Doug has made that mission his own, focusing on his unique craft to ensure his work, not his name, defines his reputation in the newsroom.

Now a father to a one-year-old son, Williams’ current advice to students is focused on balance. He warns that while fun doesn’t disappear after graduation, it stops happening by accident.

“Fun is now something I have to put on my calendar,” he said.

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share your feedback or those stories online: elon.edu/u/advancement/alumni-in-action-feedback/.

As Nikki Sanz 鈥�18 first stepped onto Elon鈥檚 campus, she found a stage. A student who succeeded on a busy schedule, Sanz spent her four years leaning into the culture of involvement that represents the Elon experience. She found that the university鈥檚 environment encouraged students to take initiative from the very start.

“Most Elon students just love to get involved,” Sanz said. “I was able to jump right into those opportunities starting in my freshman year”.

Today, that same spirit of initiative has led Sanz to the front of the music and tech world. As the founder and CEO of , a professional career platform designed specifically for the live event industry, she was recently recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her work in turning the industry into a modernized community.

Majoring in sport and event management, along with a double minor in business administration and leadership studies, Sanz used Elon as a sandbox to test her ideas. The Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow balanced academics with leadership roles in Alpha Xi Delta and the LEAD program, where she served as a tier captain mentoring new students.

Shaina Dabbs, associate professor of sport management, said that Sanz鈥檚 internal drive was evident early on.

鈥淣ikki consistently showed a strong eagerness to be involved and fully engaged,鈥� Dabbs said. 鈥淪he brought a genuine passion for the details and the process, understanding that executing the small things well is what elevates the overall outcome. Her internal drive to excel set her apart, and she developed a system that allowed her to successfully manage multiple roles and responsibilities without compromising quality.鈥�

Sanz credits the Elon environment for giving her the room to experiment and create. Whether she was working with Elonthon or performing her own music around town, she was building the foundation for her future career in event production.

鈥淚 brought music to Oak House,鈥� Sanz said. 鈥淚 asked Phil [the owner] if I could do an open mic one night… I did it about once a month, and then he got bands to come and play. And so, the fun fact is, I started music there.鈥�

After graduation, Sanz鈥檚 career took her into the heart of the touring world, working with industry giants like Live Nation and the CMA Awards. She spent years on the road as a production professional for major artists, including Eric Church and George Strait. It was during these high-pressure tours that she noticed an opportunity, as there was no center for the thousands of “gig” workers who make live events possible.

鈥淪port and live events are becoming increasingly complex and commercialized, and relying on informal hiring practices is no longer sustainable,鈥� Dabbs explained. 鈥淧latforms like Giggs help standardize the way talent is sourced, evaluated and deployed, much like analytics transformed player evaluation. When opportunities are only 鈥榳ord-of-mouth,鈥� they limit access and opportunity for highly qualified people who may not 鈥榢now鈥� the right person.鈥�

Sanz spoke very highly of her senior-year experience in Dabbs’ Event and Venue Management course, where students were tasked with running an event without a ‘how-to’ guide. According to Dabbs, this learning by doing model is intentional.

鈥淭he point is to place students in situations where there isn鈥檛 a script, because the live event and sport industry rarely provides one,鈥� Dabbs said. 鈥淭his experiential approach builds professional resilience and shifts students鈥� mindset to see challenges as opportunities to lead and create solutions. It equips them with the confidence, adaptability and problem-solving skills needed to navigate an industry that is constantly evolving, and to shape it, rather than simply react to it.鈥�

Despite her success in Nashville and her global ambitions for Giggs, Sanz remains rooted in the lessons she learned as a student leader. Her advice for current Phoenix looking to break into the industry is to be open to the different paths the “gig” world offers.

鈥淚f you really want to work in sports or concerts, you can move,鈥� she said, encouraging students to explore the various sectors of the industry to find where they fit best.

Reflecting on her own journey from Phoenix to tech founder, Sanz emphasizes that there is no single “right” way to enter the industry.

鈥淭he impact that I want this to have on the industry is that there’s a way in, there’s actually a path,鈥� she said.

For Dabbs, Sanz鈥檚 trajectory serves as a blueprint for the next generation of sport management students.

鈥淣ikki鈥檚 journey shows students that they do not have to accept the industry as it is. They can change it,鈥� Dabbs said. 鈥淗er story highlights that leadership is about impact, not title, and that success comes from trusting yourself, building inclusive networks and being willing to act.鈥�

This spirit of leadership earned her a spot among Elon鈥檚 Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Award winners. 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.

Sanz encourages students to use their time at Elon to explore the size of the field, whether your interest is in concerts, TV or corporate trade shows; the goal is to find a professional community where you can truly thrive.

As she continues to change the traditional hiring process, her mission remains to head in the same direction of inclusivity she felt on her first day at Elon by ensuring every professional in the live event space has a way to be seen.

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share your feedback or those stories online:

鈥淲hen I was a student, there weren鈥檛 a huge number of local alumni that I was able to connect with,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited that this is a way I can highlight that staying in the community is an option.鈥�

For Jensen Roll 鈥�16, the path to building a business began long before he ever stepped onto a construction site. His path started with service, leadership and a long-standing connection to North Carolina. Both of his parents were born and raised in North Carolina, and summers spent visiting grandparents made it feel like a second home. So, when he began looking at colleges, North Carolina topped his list. Elon stood out almost immediately.

鈥淚 discovered Elon while looking at multiple schools and immediately fell in love with the service opportunities, the Leadership Fellows program and the deep commitment to study abroad,鈥� he said.

The Leadership Fellows program was the primary motivation for his enrollment; he was accepted into the program before receiving his acceptance to the university.

Once on campus, Roll leaned into innovation. He designed a custom major in social entrepreneurship that bridged the gap between the business school, environmental studies and the humanities. He helped bring the University Innovation Fellowship program to Elon. This experience introduced him to design thinking and the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Silicon Valley, including visits to Google and Stanford University.

Because his self-designed major didn’t fit into a standard study abroad box, Roll worked with Angela Llewellyn, now assistant provost for academic excellence and integrity, to create a bespoke program. This journey took him to San Francisco and eventually to Cape Town, South Africa, for six months. It was there, while attending Jubilee Church through a connection from Emma Burress (then overseeing study abroad students), that he met his future wife, Mtende. After a year and a half of long-distance dating, she moved to North Carolina and today they are 50-50 partners in life and business.

While Jensen oversees the construction side as a licensed general contractor, Mtende is a licensed realtor who manages the investment and real estate side of their ventures.

鈥淲e co-own all of our companies together. Both of us have a very entrepreneurial and creative spirit,鈥� he explained, stating that their shared vision is the backbone of their company culture.

He credits a wide network of mentors for pushing him to think differently. In addition to Leon Williams, former director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE), he points to Gary Palin, former executive director of the Doherty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, for challenging him to “be” an entrepreneur rather than just study it. He also highlights the influence of Steve Moore, a retired faculty member in environmental studies who shaped his views on urban sustainability. His growth was further guided by Phil Miller, a former lecturer in human services studies; Rex Waters, former dean of student development; and Steven Mencarini, former director of the Center for Leadership.

鈥淭he ability to work one-on-one with professors and attend national conferences gave me the confidence to launch initiatives like H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Eat),鈥� he said.

Perhaps the most significant application of this “Triple Bottom Line” education, focusing on people, profit, and planet, is a current project Roll is particularly proud of: building seven tiny homes for Benevolence Farm. The project provides housing for women and non-binary individuals transitioning out of incarceration.

鈥淎s a construction company, not every project we take on has that opportunity to provide that triple bottom line in a meaningful way,鈥� Roll said. 鈥淭his is going to increase their capacity to serve that population.鈥�

What鈥檚 been most rewarding, he said, is watching that impact accumulate.

鈥淐onstruction is unique because the results are tangible and lasting,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ears later, you can drive by something you worked on and see how it鈥檚 become part of someone鈥檚 life.鈥�

He credits Elon with giving him the freedom to experiment early, without the pressure of getting everything right.

鈥淓lon was the ultimate sandbox,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was a place to try things, take risks and even fail safely.鈥�

He notes that while he didn’t graduate with a construction management degree, the problem-solving and systems-building skills he learned at Elon translated perfectly to the industry.

鈥淲hat I spent four years learning at Elon had much more to do with the problem-solving, the engaged learning, the building of systems,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat is what we are doing in the real world.鈥�

His advice to current students interested in entrepreneurship mirrors that mindset.

鈥淪tart now,鈥� he said. 鈥淪pend time with business owners. Read. Build something. Use your four years to experiment while you still have that safety net. The best way to learn is by doing.鈥�

Looking ahead, Roll is eager to take on larger, more complex and more creative projects. He thrives on unique builds and clients with distinct design visions. At the same time, he sees affordable housing as an area where his background in both entrepreneurship and service naturally converges.

鈥淥ur goal is to build a community that we want to live in,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he company is so closely aligned with the things that we care about.鈥�

From building a tiny house as a student to shaping the built environment of his community, Roll鈥檚 journey highlights the combination of service and entrepreneurship, a foundation strengthened at Elon and carried forward through every project he takes on.

鈥淚 was in complete shock,鈥� she said. 鈥淓lated, ecstatic, excited; it鈥檚 a big deal. Especially for girls and women, we鈥檝e all had at least one L鈥橭r茅al Paris product in our purses or bathrooms. I grew up watching their commercials. Their tagline is 鈥楤ecause You鈥檙e Worth It.鈥� For a brand like that to see my worth, and the worth of ScholarCHIPS, means so much.鈥�

The recognition follows her recent honor as a Top 10 CNN Hero in 2023, another milestone in the journey that began when she founded ScholarCHIPS, a nonprofit providing college scholarships and community support for students with incarcerated parents. Over the past year, her organization has undergone its most significant transformation yet.

After CNN Heroes aired, ScholarCHIPS expanded its eligibility beyond the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region and began accepting applications from students across the United States. The results were immediate, as more than 120 applications from students nationwide, many of whom learned about the program because of a new partnership with Securus Technologies. The company鈥檚 500,000+ tablets in jails and prisons helped spread the word to incarcerated parents, who then contacted their children to encourage them to apply.

鈥淲hat we saw was incredible,鈥� Arrington Brooks said. 鈥淭hat year, we welcomed our largest cohort of 24 students. We鈥檙e now serving 45 scholars. Since 2012, ScholarCHIPS has awarded over $600,000 in scholarships to more than 120 students, and we鈥檝e had 54 graduates. Opening our doors to the country has been amazing, and it鈥檚 only the beginning.鈥�

The heart of ScholarCHIPS has always been its community. Alumni return to mentor new scholars. Students bond through karaoke nights, game nights, advocacy trips and shared celebrations. Last year, she took several scholars and alumni to Arizona State University for the National Children of Incarcerated Parents Conference, where she moderated a panel featuring ScholarCHIPS students sharing their experiences.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a community where we uplift one another,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e laugh together, we cry together, we grow together. So many friendships have formed here. So many mentorships. I want to replicate this on college campuses across the country.鈥�

Among the many students who remind her why the work matters is Temya Jackson, a biomedical engineering student from Arizona who has excelled academically while supporting her family. ScholarCHIPS has provided her with mentorship, technology support and a place to feel understood and encouraged.

鈥淭emya is brilliant,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 straight-A student doing advanced research. She feels seen here. She feels celebrated. And now she鈥檚 working toward becoming a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar, a program I鈥檓 also an alum of. That鈥檚 what ScholarCHIPS does.鈥�

Arrington Brooks鈥� commitment to her organization is deeply tied to her own lived experiences. Raised by her grandmother while her father was incarcerated, she learned resilience, creativity and the value of education by watching the woman who held her family together.

鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be where I am without my grandmother,鈥� she said. 鈥淪he taught me what faith looks like, what sacrifice looks like, what it means to love family no matter what you鈥檙e going through. I refused to allow my dad鈥檚 circumstances, or growing up in poverty, to be the end of my story. Those experiences were my beginning, but not my final destination.鈥�

Her time at Elon shaped her leadership philosophy in lasting ways. As an undergraduate, she participated in Elon LEADS, alternative service trips with the gospel choir and study-abroad programs, became an Elon College Fellow (Arts & Sciences), a Ghana Periclean Scholar, and even organized a benefit concert on campus to raise money for ScholarCHIPS, bringing together a cappella groups, fraternities and sororities.

鈥淎ll of my Elon experiences helped form who I am,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 developed lifelong relationships with professors, some of whom I鈥檓 still close with ten years later.鈥� She shared special gratitude for President Emeritus Leo M. Lambert, President Connie Book, Randy Williams, Dean Kenn Gaither, Anthony Hatcher, Rodney Clare, Marnia McIntyre, and Marilyn Slade, all of whom played meaningful roles in her time at Elon.

Her advice for students hoping to create something that helps others is simple: 鈥淪tart it now. Find a social issue you care about. Be creative about how you want to help. Share it with classmates, professors and people in the Elon community. You鈥檇 be surprised how many will want to support you.鈥�

Looking ahead, her dream is to establish ScholarCHIPS chapters on college campuses, expand donor support and reach more of the nearly five million children of incarcerated parents in the United States.

鈥淭here鈥檚 so much work to be done,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e want to keep growing our family; new scholars, new donors, new volunteers. We want to scale our impact so even more young people know they鈥檙e worthy and they鈥檙e not alone.鈥�

She encourages Elon alumni and community members to learn more or get involved by visiting or reaching out through ScholarCHIPS鈥� social media channels on and .

From national stages like CNN Heroes to being honored as a Woman of Worth, Arrington Brooks continues to rise and brings her scholars with her. Her mission remains to turn pain into purpose, to build community and to help young people believe in their own worth.

Are you enjoying our Alumni in Action series? Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share your feedback or those stories online, here:聽

Arron grew up in Ohio鈥檚 foster-care system before being adopted as a pre-teen. He remembers the moves, the uncertainty and the mix of great and not-so-great foster homes. What stayed with him was his determination not to let his circumstances define him. 鈥淔oster care made me a glass-half-full person,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hings could always be worse, so just be happy.鈥�

When it came time for college, he looked for somewhere far enough away to feel like a fresh start but close enough to reach on a Greyhound bus from Cleveland. Elon fit. He enrolled in 2009 and majored in political science, quickly becoming involved across campus. He served as president of the College Democrats, participated in Model UN, became a Civic Engagement Scholar and joined Pi Gamma Mu, the international social sciences honor society.

鈥淓lon had the most beautiful campus I鈥檇 ever seen,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t just felt like the right place.鈥�

He pieced together his education through federal grants, financial aid and on-campus work, including serving as a resident assistant. But his time at Elon was also shaped by people who stepped in when he needed help.

鈥淎 huge shoutout to Phil Smith, he paid for my books every year,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y best friend since freshman year, Danny, and his mom, Lisa, realized I didn鈥檛 have a laptop or meal plan. She sponsored me. She鈥檚 been my second mom ever since.鈥�

After graduation, Arron moved into finance and consulting. Even while working full-time, he found himself sketching an idea for a company that blended his love for dogs with his desire to make an impact. When his department learned it was being eliminated, he took the severance offer and decided to pursue his idea fully.

鈥淭here were other roles I could鈥檝e taken,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I figured if there was ever a moment to take the leap, that was it.鈥�

Rescue Treats grew out of those first prototypes. Arron designed a checkout system where customers choose which rescue receives a donation from their purchase. The treats are baked with simple, all-natural ingredients, and customers can subscribe to receive recurring deliveries while continuing to support the rescue of their choice. He doesn鈥檛 take a salary, so more money can go back to the organizations they work with.

He remembers one moment when the impact of his work felt real. He was leaving the bakery, walking to the post office with a stack of orders, when it hit him how far the idea had come.

鈥淭he late nights, the rejections; it all felt worth it,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese bags were going into homes across the country. They were helping dogs I鈥檇 never even met. I went from being tired to thinking, 鈥楬ow do I scale this to help more?鈥欌��

Not every step along the way has been easy. Early on, he pitched to a major grocery chain and was told that 鈥渄og treats don鈥檛 sell well here.鈥� He laughed, thinking back on it.

鈥淢aybe theirs don鈥檛,鈥� he said. 鈥淥urs fly off the shelves and they support rescues.鈥�

Rescue Treats has since been recognized by local and state leaders for its mission-driven model.

One partnership that stayed with him was Strong Paws Rescue. After a particularly slow quarter, he called to apologize for what he thought was too small a donation.

鈥淢eg, the founder, told me never to think like that,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he said $60 can save a dog鈥檚 life; that pays for worm pills. My mind exploded. Every order matters.鈥�

Arron says Elon helped prepare him more than he realized at the time.

鈥淚 like to think I got a second major in studying people and making friends,鈥� he said. 鈥淩unning a business, you learn from your mistakes, you study others to avoid theirs and you build a network of support.鈥�

He also reflects on how Southern manners stuck with him.

鈥淎s a northern kid at a southern school, I learned 鈥榶es ma鈥檃m鈥� and 鈥榶es sir.鈥� I can鈥檛 tell you how far manners go. A smile can start a conversation that teaches you a million things,” he said.

Rescue Treats has recently expanded into a no-cost fundraising program for schools, clubs and sports teams, allowing students to sell the treats while still supporting a rescue on the back end, what Arron calls a 鈥渄ouble fundraiser.鈥� The model has taken off. 鈥淪tudents are outselling traditional fundraisers,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd once a dog has a new favorite treat, families come back for more.鈥�

When asked what advice he鈥檇 give to his 18-year-old self, or to current Elon students with a business idea of their own, he didn鈥檛 hesitate.

鈥淓ntrepreneurs find areas that need improvement,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 all it is. Find the thing that isn鈥檛 being done well or isn鈥檛 being done at all and start there.鈥�

You can purchase all-natural Rescue Treats, as well as learn more information at Find them on and .

Are you enjoying our Alumni in Action series? Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share your feedback or those stories online, here: http://www.elon.edu/u/advancement/alumni-in-action-feedback/.

鈥淭he ACC gave me work that actually mattered; projects you could see reflected in real events,鈥� he said.

Relationships are what drew Gandhi to Elon.

鈥淚 wanted a smaller school because building relationships with professors is the most important thing you can do,鈥� he said.

Those connections, from weekly check-ins with Associate Professor of Journalism Alex Luchsinger to mentorship from Assistant Professor of Sport Management Khirey Walker, have shaped his path in and out of the classroom.

鈥淚f you make an effort at Elon, your professors make that effort back,” said Gandhi.

Support from philanthropy helped unlock the Charlotte opportunity. Through the Queen City Internship Grant, Gandhi could focus fully on learning, not logistics.

鈥淭he grant gave me peace of mind,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t meant I could focus on the experience, my internship, schoolwork and my business, instead of worrying about day-to-day expenses.鈥�

In an earlier feature reflecting on the fall cohort, he added that the ACC helped him strengthen 鈥渢ime management,鈥� learn new tools, adapt on the fly, and most of all, learn 鈥渉ow to be a professional (…) in emails, meetings, and as a teammate.鈥�

The Elon in Charlotte program places students in the center of one of the country鈥檚 most active sports markets, and the Queen City Internship Grant removes barriers to participating, prioritizing unpaid roles and first credit-bearing internships, with typical awards ranging from $1,000鈥�$5,000.

Entrepreneurship is the other half of Gandhi鈥檚 education. As owner of SAG Autographs, he鈥檚 built relationships with athletes and agents while managing high-value inventory and transactions. He鈥檚 learned to stay adaptable; if an injury, trade or headline changes the game overnight, he pivots. Balancing the business with classes and an internship has sharpened his scheduling and discipline, skills he knows will matter beyond campus. Faculty see the same drive.

鈥淪haan is a serious student who had the fire in his belly before he started at Elon,鈥� said Luchsinger. 鈥淗is prior business experience positioned him well to be a leader in the classroom. He鈥檚 a successful entrepreneur in the sports sector and has gotten plugged into complementary sectors within sports. I could see him doing just about anything he wants, from solo entrepreneur to an 鈥榠ntrapreneur鈥� innovating within a larger company.鈥�

For Gandhi, that mentorship has been pivotal.

鈥淭here are different ways to be mentored,鈥� he said. 鈥淒r. Luchsinger and Dr. Walker have helped me think through decisions for my business and my internship. Elon鈥檚 professors really know their students. They care.鈥�

He also carries one piece of advice forward from Luchsinger.

鈥淒r. Luchsinger told me you should never close any doors, even ones you didn鈥檛 expect to open,鈥� Gandhi said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know I鈥檇 love what I was doing at the ACC but keeping that door open led to more opportunities.鈥�

From Sports Illustrated interviews to game-day operations, Gandhi鈥檚 story is about turning access into impact and about the donors who make that access possible.

鈥淧hilanthropy let me say yes to an experience that changed how I work,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for that support, and I hope to pay it forward.鈥�

That spark, born in a hospital room and cultivated at Elon, now powers Rosales鈥� work as a bilingual journalist, TV host and content creator traveling to red carpets and fashion weeks across Latin America and the U.S.

In early 2025, she checked off two vision-board moments: New York Fashion Week and Premio Lo Nuestro, an awards show honoring the best of Latin music. 鈥淪tepping out of the car and seeing the cameras, the fans, I thought, this is real,鈥� she said.

Elon felt like home from the start, Rosales says, even before she enrolled, when her family visited campus during her sister鈥檚 recovery. The support continued when she arrived as a student. 鈥淓l Centro was my support system,鈥� she said, adding that staff like Sylvia Mu帽oz and Diana Prieto were family. She also credits the Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education (CREDE) and the daily kindness of dining staff who 鈥渃hecked on me, cheered me on, and made campus feel like home.鈥�

She entered as a cinema and television arts major but quickly gravitated toward being on-air. A friend encouraged her to try ETalk, the student-run TV show. 鈥淭here was a spark when I saw the host,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey brought so much magic to the table. I thought, 鈥榃hy don鈥檛 I do that?鈥�.鈥�

Another nudge led her to WSOE, where she launched the station鈥檚 first Spanish-language radio program, Tu Cita Favorita, a weekly hour of entertainment news and music. 鈥淚t was just me, myself and I, talking about what I loved,鈥� Rosales said. 鈥淚 wanted the Burlington community to hear Spanish on air.鈥�

Faculty mentors helped her embrace bilingual storytelling. Professor Anthony Hatcher 鈥渟howed me not to be afraid of speaking Spanish in journalism, or of my accent,鈥� she said.

Professor Kelly Furnas remembers the purpose behind her early assignments.

鈥淏eyond energy, engagement and work ethic, she brought a sense of purpose to her writing,” Furnas said.

Professor Alex Luchsinger also noticed a 鈥渓ightbulb moment鈥� as Rosales leaned into reporting on Nicaragua and Latin America. 鈥淗er background and skillset put her in a good position to do this,鈥� Luchsinger said.

A pivotal moment came when Maity Interiano ’07, a Univision host and Elon alumna, returned to campus. While on campus, Rosales asked her for advice.

鈥淢aity says people come to TV for three things: fame, a voice or to do what they love,鈥� Rosales recalled. 鈥淚 realized I want to entertain and inform, to be that spark for someone having a hard day.鈥�

After four years of storytelling and growth, she was ready to take that energy into the professional world. Graduating into the 2020 pandemic, however, meant rescinded offers and a frozen job market. Rosales returned to Managua and pitched a morning segment to the national station, VosTV. The show, Tu Cita con Carmencita, began as a 15-minute feature twice a week. 鈥淚 had no professional camera, just my phone and a lot of ganas (enthusiasm),鈥� she said.

Then came a turning point. In February 2022, as her grandmother鈥檚 health declined, sponsors abruptly pulled out of the show.

鈥淲ithin two days, about 15 brands said they couldn鈥檛 continue,鈥� Rosales said. That same weekend, an international fashion invitation landed in her inbox. 鈥淚t felt like a sign,鈥� she said.

After her grandmother passed on Feb. 14, 鈥渉er favorite date,鈥� Rosales thanked viewers on live TV and announced it would be her last episode on the channel. 鈥淚 took the invitation and went independent.鈥�

Since then, Rosales has covered Miss Nicaragua and Latin American fashion weeks, and booked U.S. commercial work, all while growing Tu Cita con Carmencita as her own platform. She has also explored acting, including a role on a Telemundo project titled Velvet: El Nuevo Imperio.

鈥淏eing on set felt like home,鈥� she said.

She took acting and special-effects classes at Elon and hopes to keep that door open. Rosales is passionate about creating greater visibility for Hispanic journalists and TV hosts in the U.S. entertainment industry. She hopes her work helps open doors for others who share her background.

鈥淚 want young viewers, especially girls across Latin America, to see that their dreams are possible,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou have to believe in yourself and follow your heart.鈥�

She also measures success differently now.

鈥淏efore Elon, I thought success was just making it,鈥� she said. 鈥淭oday, success is being at peace with where you are on the journey. As a Phoenix, we rise, no matter how many times we fall.鈥�

Rosales keeps Elon close to her heart. As a student, she often walked through the School of Communications鈥� 鈥榃all of Fame鈥� for inspiration, reminding herself that the people on those walls once stood where she was.

鈥淚 used to look at those photos and think, one day, I want a Latina student to see my picture and believe it鈥檚 possible,鈥� she said. Now, she hopes current students do the same, finding motivation in the stories of those who came before them.

She hopes to return to campus to speak with students and partner with Latin organizations.

Her advice to current Phoenix: 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to know your path as a first-year. Try everything. Walk the 鈥榃all of Fame鈥� and see yourself there. Those four years are hard, and they shape you,” she said.

And for anyone navigating setbacks, she offers the same encouragement she once gave her sister from a hospital bedside: 鈥淜eep going. Little signs will tell you you鈥檙e on the right track, and the yeses always come.鈥�

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share those stories online.

鈥淪omething about seeing those editing rooms was just really intriguing,鈥� she says. 鈥淏y the time I arrived at Elon, I knew I wanted to be a cinema major. Specifically, within that, I had become interested in becoming an editor.鈥�

That curiosity has since guided Engel through the cutting rooms of major studio projects, from “Extraction” on Netflix to “Joker: Folie 脿 Deux” with Warner Bros. Today, she lives in Los Angeles, cutting out her place in Hollywood鈥檚 fast-moving post-production world, one frame at a time.

Growing up in Connecticut, Engel didn鈥檛 initially know that cinema and television could be a field of study. But after visiting Elon, she was drawn to the university鈥檚 approach.

鈥淚鈥檓 a very hands-on person, other schools I visited talked about doing theory for the first few years,” she said. “At Elon, they encouraged filmmaking from day one.

That approach gave Engel a creative outlet and community. She joined Cinelon Productions, the student-run film organization, where she eventually served as a writing executive.

鈥淓diting is part technical and part storytelling,鈥� she says, 鈥淜nowing how to tell a story, and being able to teach that, is integral to what I do. You need a big-picture understanding so you鈥檙e not just putting shots together.鈥�

By the time she graduated, her professors knew exactly where her passion was. 鈥淚f we were doing a project, they knew I wanted to be the editor,鈥� Engel says. 鈥淭hey let me tailor my time at Elon toward that focus.鈥�

Engel credits several Elon faculty members for helping her build that focus. Cinema & Television Arts faculty Nicole Triche and Youssef Osman, she says, helped refine her technical skills and explore new editing software. Director of Student Engagement and Special Projects and Assistant Professor of Journalism Colin Donohue, who served as her academic advisor, provided constant encouragement.

鈥淗e was always championing me toward my goals and helping me figure out where to position myself,鈥� she said.

Donohue recalls her as 鈥渙ne of the finest students I鈥檝e had in 18 years.鈥�

鈥淟illian exhibited tremendous leadership and empathy. She was thoughtful, creative and curious 鈥� the kind of student who inspired everyone around her to be better,” he said.

That drive carried her beyond campus. Engel interned in both New York and Los Angeles, gaining early exposure to production and post-production environments. She also studied abroad in Paris through Elon鈥檚 French program, an experience that deepened her love of global storytelling.

In 2018, she nearly missed the deadline for the American Cinema Editors鈥� (ACE) Student Editing Competition, but managed to submit her entry just in time. A few months later, she received an email that changed her path 鈥� she was named a finalist and invited to the ACE Eddie Awards in Beverly Hills. 鈥淚t was surreal,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 was meeting people whose names I鈥檇 only ever seen in movie credits.鈥�

The event became her first glimpse into the professional editing world and her first encounter with Elon鈥檚 vast alumni network.

鈥淭here was another Elon alumnus there, and he later referred me for what became my first job. Elon pulled through and got me my start in Hollywood,鈥� she explained.

After graduating, Engel moved to Los Angeles without a job or apartment.

鈥淚 was couch-hopping and networking, but within weeks, two Elon connections reached out at the same time with opportunities,” she said.

One of those connections led her to her first project: Netflix鈥檚 “Extraction,” where she joined the team as an office assistant.

鈥淚t was a really good take-off point, I was learning the back end of how a professional post-production office runs,鈥� said Engel.

She has since worked on high-profile projects, including “Vacation Friends” for Hulu, “Peter Pan & Wendy” for Disney+, and “Joker: Folie 脿 Deux” for Warner Bros. As an assistant editor on “Joker: Folie 脿 Deux,” she helped manage footage organization, sound and music coordination and communication between departments.

鈥淚 was in charge of liaising with the music department, sending and receiving cuts, and integrating the composers鈥� work,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t was a good way for me to learn the process without being totally overwhelmed.鈥�

Despite the differences between genres, Engel says the essence of editing remains the same. 鈥淭he process doesn鈥檛 necessarily change, you still screen, cut, and refine scene by scene with the director. What changes is the scale, but the collaboration and creativity stay constant.鈥�

Now an editor for an independent feature film, she reflects on the challenges of working in an industry that thrives on connections.

鈥淭here are no job boards in editing; everything is word of mouth. You can鈥檛 force the network, it happens organically,” she said.

She鈥檚 also quick to note that setbacks are part of the process: 鈥淢istakes happen, and the key is staying calm and finding a solution. If I鈥檓 confident I can fix it 鈥� the world isn鈥檛 ending. It reflects better to take responsibility, communicate, and move forward.鈥�

Her mentors and collaborators have continued to inspire her growth, including “Joker” editor Jeff Groth.

鈥淛eff would have us assistants come in and ask our opinions,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e made the cutting room collaborative. That taught me a lot about leadership and trust.鈥�

Engel remains connected to Elon鈥檚 film community, seeking to mentor students who want to enter post-production.

鈥淲hen I first moved to LA, I didn鈥檛 know anyone except some other Elon connections; that network has been everything,” she said. “I always want to be a resource for students interested in editing; it鈥檚 not as shiny as directing, but it鈥檚 vital to storytelling.”

Her advice for students: practice constantly, 鈥淓diting is like a muscle; the more you do it, the stronger your eye and timing get. Get involved with projects, apply for competitions, and reach out to professionals. It鈥檚 all about staying curious and connecting with people.鈥�

As for her own future, Engel hopes to keep exploring new genres. 鈥淚鈥檇 love to edit a musical one day, or maybe a period piece, something with a lot of emotion and texture. Right now, success means working on stories I care about and being part of great teams,鈥� she explained.

For those who knew her at Elon, Engel鈥檚 story comes as no surprise. Donohue remembers presenting her “Outstanding Senior in Cinema and Television Arts鈥�” award at the end-of-year ceremony.

鈥淲e didn鈥檛 need prepared remarks to celebrate Lillian,鈥� he said, 鈥淪he inspired people around her to be better. She left an imprint on this place.鈥�

From the editing suites that first caught her eye to the cutting rooms of Hollywood, Engel鈥檚 path reflects the importance of curiosity and perseverance; the same values that continue to shape Elon storytellers today.

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share those stories online.