鈥淭he tour guide explained that from the first day of freshman year, you can have hands-on experience,鈥澛營m聽recalled. 鈥淢any other schools I toured said that the first couple of years were聽mainly theory-based聽classes and less hands-on experience. I find a lot of value in having access to the resources all four years.鈥�

That promise of hands-on experience was kept. Within her first week as a聽freshman,聽Im聽was already behind a Sony 4K camera through Elon鈥檚 Fresh TV program. Now a junior majoring in cinema and television arts with minors in leadership studies and psychology, she recalled, 鈥淭he CTA program was the biggest reason I loved Elon.鈥�

Im grew up in South Korea, where her father still lives, before moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her mother and siblings for high school. She聽said聽that her transition from high school to Elon was comfortable, and that聽compared to her聽previous聽experience, she had more opportunities for interaction with her peers.

鈥淲hen I came to Elon, I had more of a chance to share my culture and interact with people who have different backgrounds,鈥澛爏he聽recalled. 鈥淚t made my perspective change in general. I learned more about how other people from聽different cultures聽think and see the world.鈥�

Much of her growth in her聽freshman聽year happened in her International Living-Learning Community residence hall. She聽remembered聽connecting with the people living in her residence hall who spoke different languages and carried distinct cultural perspectives that they shared freely 鈥� sometimes in unconventional ways.

鈥淲e taught each other how to swear in our languages,鈥澛營m聽laughed. 鈥淭hat was one of my core memories, and still, I hear my friends cursing in Korean聽once in a while. I think聽it鈥檚聽very funny; the聽freshman聽dorm experience was so much fun.鈥�

Her energy to share and inspire carried forward.聽Im聽is聽very involved聽on campus through being an Orientation Leader, Residence Assistant, a Leadership聽Fellow聽and a member of Women’s Club Rugby.

She recalled two examples that solidified what it meant to her to be a positive mentor at Elon. Feeling proud of the work she is involved with,聽Im聽shared聽the personal meaning behind her drive to improve Elon鈥檚 campus.

鈥淲hen I get respect, I feel that I am doing well,鈥� she said. During Fellows Weekend, a student walked up to her, 鈥淗e said,聽鈥業 don鈥檛 think you remember me, but you gave me a tour two years ago, and that tour made me excited to come to Elon.鈥欌��

Not long after, in her sophomore聽summer, she was recognized for being an engaging leader again by a former orientation student who had become an RA, just like her. He sought her out to thank her for being an engaging leader. For聽Im, the pattern was clear.

鈥淚鈥檓聽happy that聽I鈥檓聽doing well in mentorship and getting appreciated in聽many different ways, but聽also聽I鈥檓聽proud that my mentees are doing well on campus. And that brings me joy in聽many different ways,鈥� she added.

In the classroom and production studio,聽Im聽has been equally determined to succeed.聽She聽is currently the producer for聽Elon After Hours, the student-run late-night talk show under Elon Student Television. As a聽freshman, she earned the program’s Rookie of the Year award, recognition she said she聽hadn’t聽seen coming.

鈥淚 did not know that the upperclassmen were appreciating my help until I got that award, and that鈥檚 when I realized they think I鈥檓 doing my job well,鈥� she said.

Im聽also received the highest academic achievement award from CREDE, the university’s Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, though she is quick to express what achievement means to her. “Getting a good grade is important, but what I do and what I learn is more important than just getting a grade.”

This semester,聽her聽focus is on an advanced documentary class where her group is producing a live-broadcast game show, complete with original graphics. Her group plans to produce a live broadcast of the game show when it is being filmed, and the final cut will be a highlight reel of the show鈥檚 best moments. “I’m so excited聽for聽that,” she聽added.

Even though Im received awards and worked well with her mentees, she was conflicted between staying at Elon, and carrying the financial weight of tuition, or leaving.

鈥淚 was considering dropping out of college or transferring, even though I value and appreciate the education I get at Elon, because financial troubles are inevitable,鈥� she expressed.

Through her Reverend Dr. William J. Andes ’35 Endowed Scholarship changed that. The scholarship was not just supportive聽financially, but聽also supported what her values as a student meant to the Elon community. To her, it felt like someone had seen what she was doing and decided it mattered. It proved to her that her talents are worth investing in.

With the scholarship, Im聽was able to expand her reach beyond Elon鈥檚 campus and enroll in the Study USA New York City program.

鈥淚f I were not enrolled with Elon, and supported through a scholarship, I would not have had the experience to meet alumni and connect with people based on our interests in New York City,” said Im.

Im聽is now one year from finishing her degree and acknowledged how close she came to never reaching this point.

鈥淭hank you so much. I cannot explain how much of an impact they made on my life and my family鈥檚 lives,” Im said of her scholarship donors.” The fact that I can tell my family that I received money as recognition of my skills is a huge help.聽I have the opportunity to make this campus a better space, and the fact that I have that privilege聽鈥揑鈥檓 so thankful for that.聽Sincerely, the scholarship changed my life, and now I can contribute to the community.鈥�

鈥淧art of the reason I picked Elon is that I had spent my whole life in Massachusetts,鈥� Honan said. “I was really excited to go somewhere new, meet new people, build new bridges, and most importantly, I was excited to be a part of the Elon community.鈥�

Working alongside his Elon College Fellow mentor, Laura Roselle, former professor of political science and policy studies, Honan completed his application for the Lumen Prize. His focus was to combine his passion for writing and knowledge of political science to explore how presidents use storytelling to shape policy outcomes.

鈥淚 remember sitting in her office, and we were talking through my project. I was there for an hour and a half, and at some point, I stopped and said to her, 鈥楾his is really fun, I really like this.鈥欌�� Honan said. 鈥淔or me, that was the moment that it clicked that I wanted to work in politics. I really enjoy thinking, writing and reading about politics. It certainly was the moment that sparked my intellectual curiosity in politics as a career.鈥�

Both a Lumen Scholar and an Elon College Fellow scholarship recipient, Honan built a successful start in his career at Elon. He studied abroad in London for Winter Term and did a semester at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He held leadership positions in Elon鈥檚 Model UN team and was also the president of the former politics forum club.

Most notably, he was an intern in the Office of the President for former President Leo Lambert. As an executive intern in the president鈥檚 office, he worked closely with Lambert and Jeff Stein, who, at the time, was chief of staff to the president.

鈥淭hey had me working on communications. This was one of the first jobs I had where I was doing communications for a senior leader. In many ways, now, looking back, that was one of those moments where I was doing the career path that I wanted,鈥� Honan said.

This experience led him to advance his career and intern for David Gergen, who was a professor at Harvard Kennedy School and a CNN Senior Political Analyst.

鈥淢ost importantly, David Gergen was from North Carolina and was a huge Elon fan. He was also the chair of the board for Elon Law. I had met him through a few different Elon and Massachusetts connections. I ended up interning for him for two summers, and when I graduated, he hired me full-time, where I worked for him for three years,鈥� explained Honan.

Honan worked alongside Gergen full-time during the 2016 election cycle. His work included booking Gergen’s television hits, writing talking points, doing research and writing memos for Gergen.

“Working with him and being around him made me realize, not only did I like this work broadly as a career, but I wanted to be someone who was actually in these jobs that he had done,” Honan said. “I wanted to serve in government, I wanted to work on campaigns, and work for people that I cared about and believed in.鈥�

Honan finished his two-year master’s in public policy program at Harvard Kennedy School, graduating in 2020, during the first two months of COVID-19.

鈥淲hen I graduated, I told everyone I knew who was working on the campaign for then-Vice President Joe Biden, that I wanted to help and was willing to do anything and go anywhere,鈥� he said.

This drive to work for what he believes in led him to work on the Democratic Convention in Wilmington, Delaware.

鈥淚 was on the team that worked to help run COVID-19 testing centers, which at the time was a completely new thing. It allowed me to help with the convention, meet incredible people, and help build the momentum towards Joe Biden鈥檚 ultimately successful election in November 2020,” he said.

Honan then moved to Washington and spent two years as the Communications Director for a nonprofit called 鈥榃ith Honor鈥�, which works to advance veterans’ affairs issues in Congress.

It was around the time of the midterm elections in 2022 when he suddenly got a call to come into the White House and continue his work on COVID-19 operations. This was a perfect way for Honan to get his foot in the door and start working toward his dream position in the White House.

His hard work in COVID-19 operations eventually earned him a spot on the White House鈥檚 communications team, which Honan stated was 鈥渨hat I had always dreamed of and doing what I wanted to do when I attended Elon.鈥�

During the last year of the administration, Honan was the chief of staff to the White House communications director, the director of message planning and special assistant to the president.

鈥淚n those roles, I got to work with an incredible team of people who were supporting the president鈥檚 communications, and I had the job of a lifetime. If you had asked me what I wanted to do at Elon, it would have been that job,鈥� he expressed.

When reflecting on what choices he made at Elon that helped him get where he is today, Honan said, 鈥淎t Elon, I was surrounded by professors, staff and classmates who challenged me and made me smarter. They had my back and helped me figure out how to pursue the career and the life that I wanted. I just think back, and I鈥檓 so grateful for people like Laura Roselle and Heidi Frontani.鈥�

After his successes at the White House, Honan returned home to Boston to fill the role of deputy chief of communications for the City of Boston.

鈥淓veryone said to me, Mayor Michelle Wu is an incredible person to work for, and working for a mayor in a place that you love is one of the most rewarding jobs you could have in politics. Both of those things are 100% true,” he said. 鈥淚t is so special to live in the city of Boston and get to work on the issues that the people on my street, the people in my neighborhood and the people I take the train with every day really care about, and it impacts their lives. One of the coolest things about local government is that you鈥檙e working on problems that can immediately change people鈥檚 lives.鈥�

This tangible and fulfilling work Honan is doing for his city has led him to extend a helping hand to others interested in politics as a career.

鈥淚 have incredible mentors who helped me get here. I am trying to spend as much time as I can mentoring other people. Politics is a tough business to get into, and you can鈥檛 just apply on LinkedIn, so I鈥檝e helped people figure out how to get in the door because that’s what many good people did for me,鈥� he said. “I would not have any of the career success I’ve had without the people at Elon. To me, it feels like it’s my duty to pay it forward and continue that legacy.”

That sense of duty keeps Elon close to his heart no matter where his career takes him. Every Elon student he mentors, every alum he runs into in the professional world, pulls him right back.

“I’m immediately brought back, and I remember why it was so special and why the people who went there are so special,” said Honan.

The excitement, the community, the sense of purpose he first felt walking through the bricks and under the oaks, never went away. It grew into something bigger, something he now carries with him everywhere he goes, and something he’s committed to passing on.

“It’s the best when you hear the laughs and see the smiles,” Liam said. “To see that piece come to life was really special.”

For two brothers who had started filmmaking with a DSLR camera and the guidance of a high school teacher, it was a milestone in their careers worth remembering.

Liam and Julien Dupas, identical twins born and raised in Atlanta, had a passion for filmmaking long before they discovered 福利亚洲国产精品. In high school, their broadcast teacher owned a production company outside of his teaching, where he would produce music videos for popular Atlanta artists.

鈥淲e started to build a close relationship with him,” Julien said. “Because he saw our passion, he hired us for some of his own projects, showing us a side of filmmaking we had never seen before.鈥�

鈥淚 was saving up for my first-ever camera at the time. I worked a few side jobs to save up, and we both invested in a camera and started shooting a bunch of videos. It was a DSLR camera, the Lumix G85,鈥� Liam said.

As both Liam and Julien were in the early stages of exploring their passion for film, they knew they wanted to continue pursuing it professionally. After touring Elon鈥檚 School of Communications and learning what the program had to offer from day one of enrollment, they decided to apply for scholarships.

Both Liam and Julien were accepted into the Communications Fellows scholarship program, and Julien was also accepted into the Odyssey Program. They expressed their love for Elon鈥檚 School of Communications and pointed out that with the help of their scholarships, they made the final decision to enroll.

Freshman year, they began their Elon journey with FreshTV, a 15-week accelerated program that introduced first-year students to camera operation and video editing. The program, led by Bryan Baker, director of technology, operations and multimedia projects, was one of the biggest factors in their decision.

鈥淚t gave me the feeling that I know where I鈥檓 at, and I need to be here,鈥� Liam said. 鈥淏ryan Baker has been more than a professor to me. Since the beginning, he鈥檚 been a friend and a mentor. It鈥檚 been such a professional relationship that he鈥檚 been able to pour into us. I am truly blessed with the opportunity to work with Bryan Baker inside the classroom and outside the classroom.鈥�

Julien added, 鈥淟iam and I had some experience filming coming into college, so we knew Elon had access to cinema-level cameras like the C70. I remember talking to Bryan and expressing our interest in shooting with the C70. Sure enough, he gave us access as freshmen to that camera, which shows how willing he is to help if he sees your passion.鈥�

In their sophomore year, Liam and Julien collaborated with friends they met through FreshTV and Cinelon Productions, each with varying interests in film production, to create their own production company.

鈥淥ne of our buddies is really interested in producing logistics, and our other friend was really good at directing and screenwriting. I was pretty skilled at shooting, so we all had different interests, and we came together over multiple meetings. We decided to start a production company,鈥� Julien said.

Seismic Studios was born. Under the Seismic Studios name, their team created 30 to 40 videos.

“We did everything from weddings to music videos to corporate stuff and some film for our religious organization we are a part of, and some commercials, short films and short documentaries,” Julien said.

Sour Note was one of their award-winning short films that went on to be shown in a theater with an audience.

鈥淚 remember vividly we went to a screening in Raleigh and saw Sour Note on a big screen with an actual audience full of people I鈥檝e never met, and hearing their reactions was a thrilling experience. It鈥檚 the best when you hear the laughs and see the smiles. To see that piece come to life was really special,鈥� Liam recalled.

Their work was also shown at the Cinelon Productions Film Festival in Turner Theatre. Complete with a mini red carpet, the team鈥檚 family, friends and loved ones got the opportunity to gather for a celebration of the hard work that went into creating the short film.

鈥淲atching our work on the big screen, with everyone around you, brings the film to life,鈥� Julien said.

Their scholarships have launched their Elon careers and set them up for success in their industry post-graduation.

鈥淚 always like to give thanks to the donors first and foremost for the opportunity to be a part of these scholarships. For both Odyssey and Communications Fellows, we鈥檝e taken multiple trips to cities where the communications industries are thriving. We got to meet with professionals, do Q&As with them, pick their brains and it鈥檚 led to my understanding of the film industry in a whole new light,鈥� Julien explained.

鈥淭his scholarship has given me a stepping stone into the industry,” said Liam of the Communications Fellows. “During the Fellows’ first-year January term Florida trip, we got to tour agencies and production companies. I secured a prestigious internship a year and a half later at Diamond Gear, where I was an editor. It was truly one of the most incredible experiences I鈥檝e had.鈥�

鈥淚 got to work with real professionals who were working on commercials with Publix, Red Bull, Amazon, WWE, and it was mind-blowing,” Liam added. “I attribute it all to the Communications Fellows because, had I not gone on that trip, I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to meet such incredible people and get that opportunity.鈥�

Liam and Julien are so grateful for the donors who have made their Elon experience possible.

“These projects and doing contracting work, starting a production company, working with professors in and outside of the classroom. That鈥檚 all because of the Communication Fellows program,鈥� explained Liam.

鈥淚鈥檇 like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart because without the scholarships I鈥檝e received, I wouldn鈥檛 be here or have taken the classes that I have gotten to take, and I wouldn鈥檛 be as far in my career as I am,” Julien said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful for the donors who generously give their money to students like me to have these opportunities and, as clich茅 as it sounds, make my dreams a reality.鈥�

鈥淚 always knew that I wanted a career with kids; it鈥檚 my passion,鈥� she said.

Seeing her family member deal with hardships like a lack of access to resources and a lack of understanding from other students and educators was a driving factor in her wanting to pursue an education major.

鈥淲atching them go through their schooling experience really made me want to be with them throughout that process. It drove me to become that support person for somebody else,” said Ragals.

Ragals initially didn鈥檛 have Elon on her radar until she came to visit a friend and saw the campus firsthand. After her visit, she researched the Teaching Fellows program and came back for Fellows Weekend to tour and meet with a professor.

Her large high school left little room to truly connect with professors, so when she met with Lisa Buchanan, associate professor of education, for her Teaching Fellows interview, she felt an instant connection.

鈥淭hat interview is what sealed the deal for me,” she said. “I knew that I was going to be able to explore my interests in education very deeply throughout the Fellows program. I knew Elon was the place for me.鈥�

Ragals even remembers the exact moment when she received the final decision notification for her admission into the program.

鈥淚 remember driving with a friend, and I had her open the notification for me, and I found out I got in and started crying from joy,” Ragals said.

Her acceptance into the Teaching Fellows program opened the doors for her to become the best educator she strives to be. Through her Fellows cohort, she was able to take her passion for education to the next level through a DC trip, a study abroad program in New Zealand and her research conducted alongside her first Elon connection 鈥撀燣isa Buchanan.

During her DC trip, she had the opportunity to take a course focused on politics in education.

鈥淚鈥檓 a poverty and social justice minor and very interested in the politics of education, so the trip to DC was perfect for me. That solidified my interest and that I want to work in the DC area post-graduation,鈥� said Ragals.

The travel and teaching exploration didn鈥檛 end there. In her spring semester of sophomore year, Ragals had the opportunity to study at the University of Otago in New Zealand. The culture and education system of New Zealand is primarily focused on fostering the students鈥� connection to the environment and indigenous culture.

鈥淭his focus made a lot of the students feel seen and made it an inclusive classroom community; it truly broadened my mindset of what inclusivity means in the classroom,” she explained.

The last month of her semester abroad, the group moved to the west and taught a kindergarten class in Queenstown, New Zealand. This class was collaborative, meaning there were two class sections joined as one to follow the lesson plans. Ragals noted the collaborative environment鈥檚 effects.

鈥淲hen I am working in schools post-graduate, that鈥檚 the kind of energy I want to bring to meetings or any type of grade level work, and lesson planning, it should all be collaborative and a team effort, so I enjoyed that aspect of it,” she said. 鈥淭he (study abroad) experiences completely changed me as a person. It challenged me a lot, but in the best way possible. I am a much better and much more resilient and flexible educator because of it.鈥�

When asked what she is most proud of accomplishing, Ragals noted her comprehensive research done with Buchanan on the exploration of children鈥檚 literature on autism representation in picture books. Inspired by her loved one on the spectrum, Ragals used a book list of 25 children鈥檚 books and analyzed them based on the types of characters that were included in them and if they were portrayed to perpetuate stereotypes.

Her finalized research was presented at the North Carolina Reading State Conference and presented on SURF day. She earned a grant for her research as well, so she now has a stockpile of children鈥檚 literature for her future classroom.

鈥淢y research mentor gave me opportunities to push myself to do bigger things with my research, and that鈥檚 why I got to present it at a state conference,” Ragals said. “That was a very rewarding experience. I left it feeling very proud of myself, and I look back at it now and think I am a lot more capable than I thought I was. And I鈥檓 doing a lot more in my field than I ever thought that I could.鈥�

She is excited to carry these abroad experiences and knowledge learned to her post-graduate adventures. Following graduation, Ragals hopes to make meaningful change in the education system.

鈥淚 want to teach for a while and then go into the field of politics in education, or more analysis or research around educational systems, including global perspectives around them. I think that鈥檚 really interesting and important work,” said Ragals.

And without her scholarship, Ragals says she doesn’t know who she’d be or where.

“I was able to do all these incredible things that are included in the program so that I can now graduate and be a very confident and self-sufficient educator wherever I end up,” she said. “Without this scholarship, I don鈥檛 know if I would鈥檝e had enough confidence to stay in this field. It鈥檚 because of the donors that I can pursue something that I鈥檓 really passionate about with self-confidence.”

鈥淢y dad would put me in any recreational sport that was happening in our town. I played softball, basketball, and even track. But I鈥檝e always loved to dance,” Harrison said.

In the summer of her junior year of high school, Harrison attended a summer dance program at Radford University, where she met Elon West African Dance professor Keshia Gee.

鈥淪he told me about Elon鈥檚 dance science program, and I did my research and decided to apply,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 cried tears of joy when I got admitted.鈥�

Combining her passions for dance and physical therapy, Harrison decided to enroll at Elon for the opportunities that come with the dance science major.

鈥淚 saw that the dance science program was a way for me to open the door for physical therapy. I found that there was more opportunity in this major rather than a typical path,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his major gives me the background to solidify trust with a patient because I know the body and know how to alleviate the pain they may feel, so they can get back to playing a sport or doing their art.鈥�

Harrison is also pursuing minors in exercise science, African studies and dance. Later in her Elon career, she aspires to conduct undergraduate research involving West African dance with Assistant Professor of Dance Keshia Gee. She has also had her sights set on planning a Winter Term study abroad program to broaden her studies on a global scale.

One of Elon鈥檚 opportunities she is using to her advantage is the EMT-Basic certification course done in collaboration with Alamance Community College. Aligned with her physical therapy aspirations, Harrison is excited to complete the course and take the final exam to earn her official EMT certification.

鈥淭he aspect of helping people is why I want to do sports physical therapy. I get to incorporate that into my EMT work,” she said. “I鈥檓 already getting more confident with labs and learning skills from the practice.鈥�

Eager to learn more and advance her career as much as possible, Harrison has connected with Elon’s athletic trainer for club sports and performing arts, Christina Yanakis. Harrison recently attended a club hockey game alongside Yanakis, where she saw a professional in action.

鈥淚 was able to observe her scope of practice and see the different dynamics of hockey players and their pain points. It helped me realize that I want to do both sports and performing arts, which is why I think physical therapy is my correct path,鈥� said Harrison.

When asked about what she is most proud of, Harrison replied, 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of how committed I am to the career path I鈥檓 on. I鈥檝e stayed with it, and there have been times where I鈥檝e debated changing, but as I advance, I realize more and more that this is what I want to do.鈥�

Harrison鈥檚 F.W. Beazley Leadership Scholarship has strengthened her resilience in pursuing her passions.

鈥淲ith any experience, you get what you put into it, so I am giving it all my might, and I hope I get that in return,” she said.

This mindset has led to sustained motivation and incredible progress within her studies.

She notes that the support through scholarships has given her motivation, adding, 鈥淭he donors believe in me so much that they will spend their resources and time to make sure that I succeed in my education and career. I am striving for greatness, and I promise to make you proud, and I will always be grateful for the financial help from Elon donors.鈥�

Gabriela Maldonado Alvarez ’28 built her Elon experience around connection,聽opportunity聽and identity. As a first-generation college student, she has embraced campus communities that strengthen her character while also discovering her passion for strategic communications.

In her junior year of high school in Westchester, New York, Maldonado Alvarez signed up for聽the Immersion experience through the Emerging Journalists Program at 福利亚洲国产精品,聽where she was flown to Elon for a week to gain experience in her passion for news and broadcasting. Before the program, Elon had not been on Maldonado Alvarez鈥檚 radar.

鈥淭he program changed my view of Elon. I had a really聽good time聽and connected with the professors and the cohort I was in.聽So,聽I decided to聽come see聽Elon as a result,” said Maldonado Alvarez, who notes communications faculty聽Colin Donohue, Kelly Furnas and Israel Balderas were influential in her experience.

Her聽campus聽tour was on聽Homecoming聽& Reunion聽weekend, where she spoke聽up聽about her interest in journalism, which resulted in the tour guide encouraging her to explore the newsroom. There, she was able to chat with聽alumni from the聽School聽of Communications, who shared their positive experiences聽from聽their time at Elon.

After聽touring聽the聽communications聽facilities and connecting聽with聽these聽alumni,聽she knew聽Elon was the place for her.

Her first year here, Maldonado Alvarez was a聽journalism聽major, and joining Live Oak Communications Agency became a turning point in her communications career. After contributing to the agency, Maldonado Alvarez realized her passions aligned聽more聽with the strategic communications major.

鈥淚 fell in love with agency life. I liked strategic communications better because there was more creative freedom for me. I enjoy helping businesses that are someone鈥檚 life鈥檚 work, blossom even further,鈥� she said.

As a part of the Communications Fellows cohort, Maldonado Alvarez was able to attend聽a Winter Term Florida聽trip in her first year. She notes that this聽trip gave her the opportunity to explore different fields within communications, which reinforced her passion for strategic communications.

鈥淚 think the Fellows聽is an amazing program.聽It鈥檚聽given me some of my best friends, and it opened doors for me to connect with professors,鈥澛爏aid Maldonado Alvarez.聽鈥淚鈥檓聽so glad I met Professor (Vanessa) Bravo through a Communications Fellows networking event because, like me, she is Hispanic, and聽that鈥檚聽very important聽to my identity. I connected with her, and I joined the Unity in Communications club that helped me connect with other people who are interested in diversity in the communications world.”

Maldonado Alvarez is also a proud first-generation college student.聽As the聽secretary for聽Elon鈥檚 First-Generation Society,聽she聽is consistently making the most out of the opportunities offered to her.

鈥淚 really love being first-generation,” she said. “It鈥檚聽a聽big part of my identity. I try to do as much as I can to make my parents proud and make their sacrifices worth it.鈥�

In addition, she is also a聽Bill and Sue Smith Odyssey聽Scholar. Through attending workshops on financial literacy, discussions on how to stay motivated, and even mental health checks.

鈥淥dyssey has pushed me to be a better person and a better leader who is not afraid to ask for help or try new things.聽I鈥檝e聽become more aware of how to succeed in the future, and I feel prepared for post-graduate,” she said.

Through the many communities and cohorts Maldonado Alvarez is committed to, she has found belonging and purpose on Elon鈥檚 campus.

鈥淚 think being a part of these communities, like Odyssey, First Phoenix and Unity in Communications, is a way for me to stay true to myself,鈥� she聽explained. 鈥淚 grew up in a聽Hispanic-centered community, so coming to a聽predominantly white聽institution was a bit intimidating, but joining these communities helped me connect to others who have similar backgrounds and qualities as me.聽It鈥檚聽important to stay true to the characteristics that are important to you and what makes you, you.鈥�

Her scholarships have been聽a 鈥渨eight off her shoulders鈥� throughout her experience at Elon, allowing her the opportunity to see her dreams realized.

鈥淏eing able to tell my family they聽don鈥檛聽have to worry so much about me and that聽I鈥檝e聽worked hard in school and will continue to work hard is聽very rewarding.聽I鈥檓聽very proud聽of myself.聽I鈥檓聽proud to make my parents happy,鈥� Maldonado Alvarez said.聽鈥淚鈥檓 willing to fight for dreams and fight for what I鈥檓 passionate about, and my scholarships have made that possible for me.鈥�

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 really interested in chemistry whatsoever when I enrolled. I was a lot more interested in sports. That鈥檚 really where my heart was at the time,鈥� Seitz said.

Pursuing his current major in exercise science as a freshman, Seitz was enrolled in a required chemistry course when his professor called him to meet in his office.

鈥淗e wanted to have a one-on-one meeting, which, as a freshman only two months into college, was a little bit intimidating.鈥�

Unsure of what his professor wanted to discuss, Seitz recalls, 鈥淗e thought I had a lot of talent and potential in chemistry. He wanted me to take it seriously, and also to think about taking more chemistry classes that weren鈥檛 required, just to explore and see if I enjoyed it more than I thought I did.鈥�

Having his potential recognized led him to take his professors鈥� advice. It was halfway through his second chemistry course that Seitz decided to change his major to chemistry.

鈥淚 got into chemistry with the broader goal of trying to help people in some way,鈥� Seitz expressed.

During his time at Elon, he took full advantage of the opportunities presented to him. He studied abroad in Europe during Winter Term, conducted research through the Lumen Scholars program, completed two internships and immersed himself in service learning, where he taught children who were struggling to read.

Striving to gain experience in his field, Seitz dove right into his internship abroad. He attended RWTH Aachen University in Aachen, Germany, for the summer, contributing to their research efforts.

鈥淭his was my first real research experience, and it made me realize that I enjoy research so much that I鈥檓 still a researcher today,鈥� he expressed.

The following fall, he started his research with the Lumen Scholars. Alongside his mentor, Sydney F. & Kathleen E. Jackson Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Department of Chemistry Joel Karty, Seitz conducted a project that earned the 2014 Lumen Prize. Focused on expanding research on the reaction preferences of an enolate anion, in both gas and aqueous environments, he aimed to understand why it behaves differently in different environments, with the end goal of other scientists further optimizing the usage of this molecule when they need it.

Seitz鈥檚 passion for chemistry research continued the next summer when he was selected to participate in an internship at the California Institute of Technology. This further learning encouraged his eagerness to contribute to research.

鈥淕oing to Caltech, I was intimidated by being around so many geniuses. This internship was a good confidence-building exercise. It proved that even though I come from a small school with a tiny science program, I can fit in with these types of people and communicate and share ideas with them. That internship gave me the confidence to go to graduate school and then beyond,鈥� he said.

Right after graduating from Elon, Seitz went to the University of California, San Diego, and completed his Ph.D. He then went to the University of Chicago and the Argonne National Lab to work on a project where researchers work with the World Health Organization to create a list of ten viral diseases with the greatest potential to cause a global pandemic.

The virus that would later mutate into COVID-19 was on this list, which became a global pandemic just a year later. Due to this, there was more interest from foreign governments to fund this type of work to make vaccines for the remaining viruses on the list and distribute them to prevent the next pandemic.

Joining this team in 2023, Seitz鈥檚 work is focused on two viruses: Lassa Fever, which affects people in West Africa, and the Nipah Virus, which affects a few countries in Southeast Asia. The Lassa Fever is very transmissible, but often non-lethal; Nipah is the opposite. Not many people get sick with Nipah; however, when they do, it is often lethal.

Both viruses are concerns for a possible pandemic and require preventative research to fully understand, for a vaccine to be created.

鈥淭hose countries in West Africa and Southeast Asia do not have the healthcare capabilities or biotechnology to develop these vaccines themselves,” he said. It鈥檚 private U.S. foundations and Western European governments that put money into this non-profit, which is funding my research through the University of Chicago to develop these vaccines. Once the vaccine is successfully developed, they will go to these countries and give them out for free.鈥�

Connecting his current work back to his time at Elon, Seitz noticed that his ability to work with diverse groups of people and social connection skills that he strengthened at Elon served him in his current role. He notes, 鈥淏ecause I talk with different types of people who don鈥檛 have the experience that I have, I have to accurately communicate what I鈥檓 doing, why I need to do this, and so on. So that鈥檚 certainly something that helped quite a lot from Elon, being able to communicate what I鈥檓 doing.鈥�

Seitz鈥檚 published chemistry research is聽 available online; he hopes other chemists can read these manuscripts and learn something from them, and hopefully build off of that.

鈥淚鈥檓 contributing to advancing science in small steps. Even though I鈥檓 doing more of the basic research of trying to find stuff, the overall goal is that people are going to use these to discover stuff that will directly help people,鈥� he added.

Seitz hopes the future of his career holds opportunities to take up a leadership and mentor role for other chemists.

鈥淚 really enjoy mentoring and teaching people, I want to have my own research group where I have some people working below me so I can mentor them and help them advance science as well,” Seitz said.

In May, Seitz will be awarded the Top 10 Under 10 Award. This award is given to 10 Alumni from the past decade who have bettered their community and serve as alumni role models.

鈥淲atching Grace grow up, I learned聽that,聽while she聽wasn鈥檛聽equipped to deal with certain things in life, she is so talented in聽many ways聽鈥� it just shows up differently. Grace is so happy all the time and she has so many hobbies. She can twirl a baton for longer than anyone聽I鈥檝e聽ever聽met聽and聽she鈥檚聽a great聽swimmer too,鈥� said Crowley.

Since the 8th grade,聽Crowley聽knew she had the skills and passion to pursue teaching聽children聽with disabilities as a career path.聽She grew up with Grace her whole life, but as she got聽older,聽she started to notice differences in their developmental stages.聽She began to teach and aid Grace in her studies, helping her learn to spell and write.

鈥淭o me that was my cue that there are so many people out there that are being treated as if they聽can鈥檛聽do things when聽it鈥檚聽not聽true;聽they can do it. They just do it in聽a different way,” Crowley said.

Grace鈥檚 talents and聽struggles聽emphasized 颁谤辞飞濒别测鈥檚 desire to teach special education.

鈥淕race has the best聽handwriting,聽and聽she’s聽also聽excellent聽at remembering things,” she said. “Teaching Grace encouraged me to want to help others through this, because聽it鈥檚聽difficult when students聽don鈥檛聽have a teacher to encourage what they are already good at, and instead focuses just on the聽skills that they need to develop.鈥�

Crowley was encouraged to explore Elon from one of her other family members, an alum聽of聽Elon鈥檚 Teaching Fellows program.聽She provided Crowley with a list of what to look for in the best teaching programs as she started to explore colleges.

鈥淓lon was the only school that had everything on the list.聽I have always genuinely enjoyed it here,” said Crowley. “Before I even got into the Teaching Fellows, I said to my mom,聽I think this聽is where I need to be.鈥�

Crowley prides herself on being a “social butterfly” who enjoys meeting and talking with others.

“I鈥檓聽always meeting new people and reaching out to them.聽I鈥檓聽most proud of myself for meeting new people and making lasting connections. Meeting others聽through Teaching聽Fellows has been the highlight of my Elon experience,” she said.

As a lifelong dancer, Crowley has connected her creative passions and interest in special education with research聽and a minor in dance. Having previously conducted research in high school on how incorporating dance with individuals who have special needs can enhance their overall body function and awareness of their body, she plans to build on her knowledge by beginning research here at Elon.

鈥淥riginally, my research was just how dance can聽benefit聽those who have special needs, both physically and mentally. I want to hone that into my future profession and discover how it can work in a classroom setting,” she said.

Crowley is also involved in volunteer work with Alamance County schools聽through聽service with the聽鈥淚t Takes a聽Village鈥澛燩roject, a program to aid English as a second language聽for聽elementary students.

She聽says this volunteer work has been聽a catalyst for her future work as a teacher.

鈥淟ast spring, I was placed in a classroom working 30 hours a week, which was huge for me.聽It鈥檚聽exciting, and it reinforces that this is what I want to do聽following graduation,” she said.

颁谤辞飞濒别测鈥檚 Joey Brocato Memorial Teaching Fellows Scholarship was聽established聽by Elon parents Mike and Karen Brocato P’16, in memory of their son Joey. The Brocato family expressed to Crowley that they intentionally wanted to donate to a future educator who wanted to go into special education.

鈥淭o know that聽I鈥檓 privileged enough to be the one they聽want to聽give back to聽encourages聽me to work my hardest,鈥� saoe Crowley.聽鈥淚鈥檓聽lucky enough to have met my donors, the Brocato family, last fall, to meet and talk.聽I鈥檒l聽text them to check in and get updates.聽It鈥檚聽nice to have that personal connection.鈥�

She explained that her close relationship with her donors has only increased her drive to succeed and give back to her community and the children in it.

鈥淜nowing them has pushed me to want to be better. Their story is so meaningful to me because of my cousin, Grace,” said Crowley. “To have that connection and know them only pushes me further to do the best I can because I want them to feel like聽they鈥檙e聽putting their money into something beneficial.

As a future educator, Crowley says she is aware of the聽obstacles聽in聽the聽field, one being lower聽pay.

鈥淎s a future educator,聽I鈥檓聽aware that I am not going to be making a ton of money, but it聽doesn鈥檛聽change the fact that this is what I want to do,” she said. “Being given this scholarship and the opportunity to learn and get all the experiences that I need to be a future educator, without the worry of having too much debt, has been such聽a big help.鈥�

Mitchener’s connection to Elon began through an unexpected source: her mother’s nursing practice. Her mother was treating a patient who was attending Elon, which gave Mitchener access to explore the campus.

She recalls the day she visited for the first time: 鈥淲hile my mom was seeing her patient, she left me downtown. I went to Oak House and walked around the campus. And after the tour, I fell in love with Elon. I knew that this was my campus, and this was my home,” she said.

After this newfound love, Mitchener explored ways to begin her Elon journey through financial aid programs. She discovered and applied to both the Odyssey Program and Public Health Scholars.

She remembers the night her academic potential was recognized; it was the night of her final senior year dance concert. As the show wrapped up, she received a call from Elon鈥檚 Odyssey Program delivering good news of her acceptance into the program through the聽Kerrii Brown Anderson Odyssey Scholarship.

Now a senior double major in public health and policy studies, Mitchener is actively involved in creating solutions for the community鈥檚 public health problems.

鈥淕rowing up, I always thought the way to help others was just being a doctor,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 really love how public health is grounded in not only finding the root issue, but understanding the community that you’re working with.”

While Mitchener was in a public health course that was required for the Public Health Scholars Program, she recalls her professor, Associate Professor of Public Health Studies Stephanie Baker, stating: 鈥淚f you’re going to be a healthcare professional and be upset at the systems that don’t allow you to help your patients to the full extent that you want to, being a healthcare professional might not be for you.鈥�

鈥淭hat stuck with me, because I think of insurance and how much medicines can cost, making it very difficult for people to access healthcare. I want to be a piece of the healthcare solution,” said Mitchener.

Now, Mitchener and her course group are currently working to revise the Public Art & Honorary Policy for the city of Burlington. This includes making an application form for any community member who wants to donate a piece of art or get a memorial plaque. Additionally, she created a resource for community members to connect with local and statewide art collectives.

鈥淲e share all of our deliverables with the city in hopes that they will implement the policy. They can make any edits they see fit, and it was a collaborative process where we were constantly in contact with the city,” said Mitchener.

Also involved with Periclean Scholars, Mitchener was able to mentor the sophomore class and go to their global partner in Sri Lanka.

鈥淭he Periclean cohort has honestly just been such a light in my Elon experience and not only given me community but also purpose,” she said.

Her initiative for change doesn鈥檛 stop there; Micthener is also a HealthEU Senator with Elon Student Government Association.

鈥淎 big piece of Student Government is writing legislation and advocating for the student body and what they need,鈥� she said.

Through the SGA, she has already taken noticeable action to improve the Elon community through HealthEU policy. She identified a lack of seating accessibility at the bus stop near the Dalton L. McMichael Sr. Science Center. Now, there is now a covered seating area that sits beautifully outside the McMichael Science Center.

Mitchener also took the initiative to further amplify student voices at a dinner with Elon President Connie Ledoux Book. Through her connection to the community and the students in it, she identified a common problem among Elon students having access to transportation to the airport during breaks. After she represented and stood up for community needs, changes were made. Students now have wider access to airport transportation through Elon-provided shuttles.

鈥淚t taught me how important having connections is,” she said. “If I didn’t have a connection with those students, if I didn’t take my time to ask and understand their needs and why they have them, the problem wouldn’t have been addressed or been on the radar.鈥�

Remembering the help she received along the way, Mitchener states her Odyssey scholarship acted as a 鈥渓aunching pad鈥� for her success in her public health and policy studies.

鈥淭he Odyssey Program doesn’t just keep you stagnant,” she said. “It empowers you to branch out and pursue whatever you want on campus. It’s allowed me to fully embrace the college experience.鈥�

Mitchener describes a recent 鈥渕elt your heart moment鈥� she experienced with another student. While leading a tour of Elon to prospective students, one girl spoke up and said, 鈥淚 love this school. I want to go here so badly. But I don’t know if I can afford it.鈥� It was then that she offered to share the Odyssey and scholarship resources with the prospective student to help her achieve her dream Elon experience. Just a year later, the prospective student had committed to Elon on an Odyssey scholarship and is now Mitchener’s mentee.

鈥淒onors get to empower a student,” said Mitchener. “I don’t think about it like you just give a student money and walk away. Instead, you’re empowering them and giving them the tools to pursue whatever it is that they want.鈥�

鈥淪ince we were birds of a feather, I figured Elon would be a good choice for me. I was right,” said Guidi of Cesari.

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Guidi committed to Elon on a biology pre-med track. However, after her first semester, she realized that the pre-med track didn鈥檛 align with her artistic interests, and she needed a change.

Now, Guidi is a聽communications design major with a minor in professional writing studies.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been walking the line between arts and sciences, and I鈥檓 very ‘artsy fartsy,’ as my father would lovingly describe it. I just wasn’t sure that I could make my art a marketable skill,” Guidi said.

With her interest in mixed media arts, classical training in oil painting and freelance graphic design gigs, she was led to study at the School of Communications.

鈥淲ith the communications program, I thought this is something where I can do art, but I can also get a job in marketing,” she said.

Guidi describes her first year as starting out 鈥渞ocky鈥�, where she struggled to find her purpose. Through her on-campus job at the Center for Design Thinking, she met Aaron Chan 鈥�26, an accomplished cinema and television arts major.

One afternoon, Chan was running a meeting with friends and those interested in working on a personal short film project. Guidi, sitting in this meeting, only because it was hosted by her friends, was shocked to be tasked with writing the script for the short film.

鈥淚 got so close with all of the people that I worked with on the project,” said Guidi. “I offered my artistry through my work on the poster, social media and writing the script.鈥� It was a project that led her to 鈥渄iscover a passion for creative storytelling and creative collaboration.鈥�

The film titled 鈥淪our Note鈥� was produced by Seismic Studios, an independent production company created by a group of cinema and television arts students聽on campus. The film ended up being submitted at 11:59 p.m., right before the CinElon submission deadline. The film went on to be shown in Berlin at the FilmHaus festival, won three awards, and has been a finalist, or official selection, in five others.

Taking on the film project was not a task she thought would be possible.

鈥淗ad I not met that group of people and gotten a sense of belonging that rekindled my love for Elon and everything it stood for, I was thinking of withdrawing from the university,鈥� said Guidi.

Her newfound sense of belonging and artistic motivations gave Guidi the drive to achieve even more during her time at Elon. She is currently building Elon鈥檚 AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) student group, a graphic design club with a nationwide network of talented students.

After the club鈥檚 executive team graduated, Delaney was selected by staff to continue the club鈥檚 legacy.

鈥淭his club is something that I was really looking for in my freshman and sophomore years,” Guidi said. “I really wanted a club and a community, and I was struggling to find it. So then, when I fell into that position, I said, now I can make this happen for other students. That’s what drives me.”

Now a leader of the organization, she wants to foster mentorship that she felt she wasn鈥檛 involved in previously.

鈥淚t’s helping me with graphic design as I’m helping other people develop themselves, all while fostering a community,” she said.

Off campus, she worked for LabCorp for two summers, starting with blog marketing and moving to a more graphic design-focused role in her second summer. Her supervisor was even an Elon alum.

鈥淚 now have a better sense of self than when I started,” said Guidi of her growth at Elon. “I was so unsure of my every move, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I wasn’t sure where my passions were.鈥�

As she worked to put herself out there and take advantage of Elon鈥檚 many opportunities, Guidi started to foster stronger relationships with professors, enter and place in graphic design competitions, and even win awards for her e-portfolio site.

鈥淚t all helped me determine who I am, what I value, and what I want to do. Now I’m more confident,鈥� said Guidi.

She reflects on her Bevier Family Internship Restricted Annual Fund scholarship: 鈥淣one of this would have happened if not for the scholarships that I’ve received.”

Guidi brings the story full circle, noting her 鈥渇reshman blues鈥� before she found her purpose on Elon鈥檚 campus.

鈥淏ecause of that extra aid and extra generosity that I received, I got space to grow. I got the privilege of struggling with my identity in my first year so that I could later become more confident and figure out who I was,” she said.

Guidi encourages donors to look at the work the student they are sponsoring is producing.

鈥淕o look at that short film that has won awards. Look at that. That is an accomplishment that, in a way, you can take a little bit of credit for, because you made it possible, you gave them the tools, you allowed them to do those things.鈥�