Performers can either do karaoke, sing an original song, or lip sync 鈥� the one stipulation is that it must be in a language other than English. This year, there were 14 performances with songs in 10 different languages:聽French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Italian, Korean, Indonesian, Japanese, and Old French/Latin.

Global Vision was inspired by the Euro Vision Song Contest, which has been hosted since 1956. However, the event at Elon is for languages across the globe, not only languages spoken in Europe.

Elon’s performers were rated in the categories singing, language skills, and performance by Sandy Marshall (Global Neighborhood), Bethanny Sudibyo (World Languages and Cultures), Trudy Arling (Polygot LLC RA), and Joel Thomas (Campus Safety and Police).

There were three prize baskets for the winners filled with international candies, snacks and drinks. In addition to the sweet treats, the first-place winners also went home with a trophy!

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

• 1st place – Vee Brown performed in Italian
• 2nd place – Emma Arruda performed in French
• 3rd place – Tamar Kalisher performed in French/Latin

Elon’s sixth Global Vision Song Contest is scheduled for Spring 2027.

“I always thought, ‘This is home,’ and right now I’m leaving, and think, ‘Am I leaving home?’ It’s the same feeling I had when I left home (Afghanistan) years ago,” said Tahiry, a computer science major and the first recipient of the Commitment to Democracy Scholarship, dedicated to refugee students.

Tahiry was one of about 20 graduating international students, along with their families, who planted their oak sapling in the international student tree grove on May 21, an Elon tradition now celebrating 10 years. When new students arrive at Elon, they receive an acorn and, when they leave, they are gifted a sapling at Senior Baccalaureate. Because international students usually cannot take the sapling home, they have planted their trees in a grove by the Harden Clubhouse.

Denise Teeters, director of international student services, welcomed the students and reminded them of the symbolic nature of the sapling, representing their growth from a first-year student to a graduate.

“Over the last several years, you have grown academically and personally. You learned how to navigate differences, how to build friendships across cultures and languages, and how to speak with courage. Some of you didn’t speak much when you got here, and then, all of a sudden, you grew, you built that courage to speak and also embraced the Elon community,” said Teeters. “Through all this, you’ve seen how growth takes time, just like saplings take time to grow.”

Before students planted their saplings, President Connie Ledoux Book also noted how, just like an oak tree, Elon is also built on connection.

“It’s the root systems that are so critical,” Book said. “You have to have a grove. You need other oak trees for an oak tree to prosper. And that is true about the Elon network.”

Elon has been repeatedly recognized for the number of its alumni who participate in the Fulbright Program as teachers, graduate students, and researchers and has been named a top-producer of Fulbright students in six separate years. Students and alumni interested in the Fulbright Program or other nationally competitive fellowships are invited to contact the National and International Fellowships Office. The deadline to notify the office of your intent to apply for Fulbright in this upcoming cycle is June 1, 2026. Rising seniors are required to work with the National and International Fellowships Office to apply for Fulbright, and alumni are highly encouraged to do so.

Those who received awards this year are:

Azul Bellot 鈥�26

Azul Bellot, a double major in psychology and sociolinguistics with a minor in TESOL, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain. She is The Elon Commitment scholar in the Odyssey Program and a student scholar with The Center for Engaged Learning.

Bellot has been preparing for an experience like Fulbright long before she arrived at Elon. Reflecting on her early years, she says, 鈥淕rowing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants, I was my family鈥檚 translator from a young age. I navigated formal systems, adult conversations, and bureaucratic spaces in both English and Spanish long before I had the language to describe what that experience was doing to me. It gave me a deep understanding of what it means for language to be a gateway, and what it costs when that gateway is closed.鈥�

These formative years laid the groundwork for her time at Elon, where she developed her own independent sociolinguistics major, volunteered as an English tutor for children and adults, and conducted research on meaningful mentoring relationships. To Bellot, a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Spain is 鈥渢he most honest intersection of everything [she鈥檚] been working towards:聽language, identity, education, and community.鈥�

After Fulbright, Bellot plans to pursue more international fellowships before returning to academia to earn her PhD in Applied Linguistics. Her Elon mentors include Archie Crowley, assistant professor of English; Nina Namaste, professor of Spanish; and Sylvia Mu帽oz, assistant dean of students and director for the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education.

Anya Brati膰 鈥�26

Anya Brati膰, a double major in international & global Studies and public policy with a minor in public health, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Vietnam. She is an Elon College Fellow, a Periclean Scholar, and the Student Government Association Student Body President.

To Brati膰, Fulbright represents the intersection of her two greatest passions: global engagement and teaching. She found ways to blend these passions during her time at Elon. As a Periclean Scholar, she had the opportunity to study abroad in India to understand what mutually beneficial relationships look like in practice, not just in theory. As a student consultant with the Center for Design Thinking, she developed a love for teaching and facilitation, specifically the challenge of guiding others through the structured process of finding meaningful solutions to 鈥渨icked鈥� problems. Serving as an English teaching assistant will allow her to refine her intercultural and teaching skills while strengthening diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam.

After Fulbright, Brati膰 is interested in pursuing a career in diplomacy or global social impact. 鈥淪imply put, I want to work at the intersection of people, policy and purpose,鈥� she says. Brati膰鈥檚 constellation of Elon mentors includes Amanda Tapler, associate teaching professor of public health studies; Safia Swimelar, professor of political science and public policy; Sean McMahon, professor of entrepreneurship; and Danielle Lake, director of design thinking and associate professor of human service studies.

Molly Moylan 鈥�26

Biochemistry major Molly Moylan has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain.

At Elon, Moylan took every opportunity to foster and blend her passions for STEM research, teaching and service. As a researcher, Moylan worked with chemistry professor Dan Wright to study trace metals within medicinal herbs and spices. She refined her teaching skills by serving with America Reads, the Village Project, the CityGate Dream Center, and more. Most notably, Moylan found a way to combine her passions by co-founding Imagine Science, a program designed to address declining student engagement in science education by bringing hands-on experiments and activities to local after-school programs.

In Spain, Moylan will serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Galicia, a region that is especially interested in promoting students鈥� scientific thinking skills. This Fulbright year will serve as crucial preparation for Moylan as she applies to medical school. The language and cultural skills she will gain in Spain will allow her to better serve Spanish-speaking patients in the future.

Moylan鈥檚 most influential Elon mentor has been Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dan Wright. 鈥淒r. Dan Wright has been instrumental in my success at Elon,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hrough his continued support, my confidence in both my personal and professional capacities has grown immensely, and I am extremely grateful to have had him as a mentor.鈥�

Madison Powers 鈥�25

Madison Powers, who graduated in 2025 with a degree in journalism and a minor in Spanish, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain. At Elon, Powers was a communications fellow and a 2023 Pulitzer reporting fellow. Since graduating, she has served as an editorial intern at Garden & Gun Magazine in Charleston, South Carolina.

Powers has long had her sights set on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Spain. During her undergraduate years, she spent a semester in Sevilla and fostered her dual passions for cross-cultural exchange and global education. Eager to return, she applied for Fulbright in last year鈥檚 application cycle and was named a semifinalist. She remained so committed to the value of a Fulbright experience that she chose to reapply this year, and her hard work and persistence paid off.

Powers will serve as an English teaching assistant in Madrid. She is excited to live and work in a large, diverse city while improving her Spanish language skills and forming connections with her community. Serving in Madrid will also allow her to work closely with students on Global Classrooms/Model UN projects, which are important to the development of their critical thinking and cross-cultural skills.

This Fulbright year will serve as a bridge between Powers鈥� current and future journalistic work. Upon returning to the U.S, she plans to work as a journalist reporting on and working in Spanish-speaking communities. Her Elon mentors include Kelly Furnas, associate teaching professor of journalism; Jan Register, administrative assistant for the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life; and Pablo Celis-Castillo, associate professor of Spanish.

Aryanna Vindas 鈥�25

Aryanna Vindas, a graduate of the class of 2025, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in South Korea. She graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a minor in Asian studies.

Serving as an English teaching assistant in South Korea is a natural extension of the work Vindas began at Elon. She completed a two-year undergraduate research project about Korean Buddhist mindfulness, studied abroad for a semester in South Korea, and undertook a rigorous course of Korean language study. Simultaneously, she developed her teaching skills by serving as a volunteer English teacher, tutoring Spanish, and leading and assisting dance classes.

Because her grant does not begin until January 2027, Vindas has chosen to go above and beyond to prepare. She will spend this summer in South Korea completing intensive language study at Yonsei University in Seoul, which will help her integrate more successfully into her future host community and build more meaningful relationships with her students.

After Fulbright, Vindas plans to enroll in graduate school to continue the research on Buddhist mindfulness she began at Elon. Vindas鈥� Elon mentors include Renay Aumiller, associate professor of dance; the 鈥渨onderful鈥� dance staff; and Pamela Winfield, professor of religious studies and associate director of international & global studies.

In addition to these students, one senior has been named an alternate. Alternates are still in the competition and have the chance to be promoted to finalists (recipients of the grant) up until the official start of the grant period. We will update this story as we continue to hear news of their progress.

Rebecca Lovasco 鈥�26

Rebecca Lovasco, a psychology major with minors in women鈥檚, gender, and sexuality studies and neuroscience, has been selected as an alternate for a Fulbright study/research grant in Taiwan to earn a master鈥檚 degree in Mind, Brain, and Consciousness at Taipei Medical University.

Lovasco is an Elon College Fellow who went on to win the Lumen Prize. Her research, which integrates cognitive neuroscience, clinical psychology, and philosophy of mind, explores how anxiety and depression affect reinforcement learning and conscious visual perception. Outside of her research, Lovasco is proud to have served as a law enforcement crisis counselor with the Campus Alamance program.

Lovasco鈥檚 Elon mentors include Kristina Krasich, assistant professor of psychology; William Schreiber, associate professor of psychology; Kim Epting, professor of psychology; Alexa Darby, professor of psychology; and Jill McSweeney,聽assistant director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning聽and assistant professor of wellness.

In Alamance County, the class raised funds for the Al-Aqsa Clinic鈥檚 emergency fund, hosted by the Burlington Masjid. Throughout the semester, the scholars organized several restaurant profit-sharing events and other fundraising efforts, generating more than $1,000 in donations. These funds will help the clinic purchase food and personal care items for its Halal food pantry.

The scholars have also continued their partnership with Sarvodaya 鈥� Sri Lanka鈥檚 largest and oldest non-governmental organization 鈥� to promote sustainable and equitable development in rural communities. Working alongside Sarvodaya staff, the students are helping expand consumer markets for locally produced trade goods. Later this summer, a group of scholars will travel to Sri Lanka to continue this work in the country鈥檚 south and east, focusing on creating new market opportunities for producers in areas frequently visited by foreign tourists.

The Periclean Scholars Program is a three-year, cohort-based learning experience centered on building mutually beneficial partnerships both locally and globally. As the centerpiece of Project Pericles, the program is dedicated to advancing civic engagement and social responsibility across the university community while also fostering close, supportive relationships among cohort members and faculty mentors.

Undergraduate students may apply to the program during their first year at Elon. Selected students complete a sequence of academic courses during their sophomore, junior, and senior years, totaling 18 semester hours. The experience culminates in the development of a social justice-focused partnership designed and implemented by the student cohort under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Past and current partnerships have included supporting equitable and sustainable community tourism initiatives in Sri Lanka, producing a documentary focused on lived experiences in Cuba, collaborating with leaders on the Pine Ridge Reservation to strengthen communication and advertising efforts, and partnering with a local organization in Ghana to promote youth leadership and development.

To learn more about the Al-Aqsa clinic and Sarvodaya, visit:聽 补苍诲听

During the next three years, the Periclean Scholars Class of 2029 will work with faculty mentor Vanessa Drew-Branch, associate professor in the Department of Human Service Studies.

During an event on April 30 in Sato Commons, Drew-Branch, welcomed the Class of 2029 by introducing the cohort鈥檚 theme of food sovereignty at 福利亚洲国产精品 and in St. Kitts and Nevis. Drawing connections between local and global food systems, Drew-Branch encouraged Scholars to think critically about issues of food insecurity, food apartheid, justice, dignity and sustainability. She highlighted how colonial legacies, climate change and inequitable systems continue to shape access to healthy and culturally appropriate food while emphasizing the importance of community-centered, sustainable agricultural practices. Through her remarks, students were challenged to approach this work with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to building authentic partnerships rooted in reciprocity and social justice.

The newly inducted members of the Periclean Scholars Class of 2029:

• Melanie Alarcon
• Katherine Banker
• Autumn Boyce
• Kimara delRosario
• Willow Evans
• Travis Greene
• Simone Lewis-Abdeen
• Mason Marks
• Tia Nelson
• Jazline Rogel Sanchez
• Ally Rotenberg
• Kylie Rukavina
• Gabriella Shew
• Hazel Silverstein
• Shukri Siraji
• Caleb Slosberg

The Periclean Scholars Program provides students with a distinctive three-year educational experience focused on global engagement, interdisciplinary learning and ethical community partnership. Each cohort studies a specific country or region, collaborating with local and global partners to gain a deeper understanding of complex social challenges and develop sustainable, justice-centered initiatives.

Throughout the program, acholars complete 18 semester hours of coursework during their sophomore, junior, and senior years under the guidance of their faculty mentor. Through these courses and experiential learning opportunities, students explore best practices in community engagement, examine the critical distinction between charity and partnership, and learn to approach social change through collaboration, reciprocity, and long-term relationship building.

As the Periclean Scholars Class of 2026 prepares to graduate, the induction of the Class of 2029 reflects the continued legacy of student leadership, ethical partnership, and community-engaged global learning that defines the program.

Mathew Gendle, director of Project Pericles and professor of psychology,聽has been selected to serve as a co-director of the Community-Based Global Learning Collaborative, an international network of educational institutions and community organizations. The Collaborative advances best practices in community-based global learning and research for more just, inclusive, and sustainable communities.

In this work, Gendle will join The Collaborative鈥檚 three other co-directors: Sarah Stanlick, associate dean of the Global School and associate professor of integrative and global studies, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Sam Brandauer, associate provost and executive director of the Center for Global Study and Engagement, Dickinson College; and Carolina Bola帽os Palmieri, director of programs at Child Family Health International.

Community-based global learning is a term developed by academics and researchers who are also practitioners. It therefore is defined by a set of seven practical components: community-driven learning and/or service; development of cultural humility; global citizenship; continuous and diverse forms of critically reflective practice; ongoing attention to power, privilege, and positionality throughout programming and course work; deliberate and demonstrable learning; and safe, transparent, and well-managed programs.

Learn more about the work of The Collaborative:聽

Those who knew Allison Keill remember her passion for education and mentoring and how she touched the lives of every student she encountered in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education.

That legacy will live on in the Allison E. Keill Memorial Global Engagement Endowed Scholarship that has been established by Keill鈥檚 husband, Chad Esposito, of Burlington, North Carolina, along with gifts from dozens of friends and family members who have come together to honor her memory.

Keill, 50, served as director of the Curriculum Resources Center and associate librarian in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education before passing away March 25, 2026.

鈥淎llison brought light and love to all in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education,鈥� said Dean Ann Bullock. 鈥淗er genuine, welcoming spirit and boundless sense of adventure make this scholarship聽a fitting tribute to an educator who impacted lives far beyond the classroom.鈥�

The scholarship will assist students with financial need in the Watts Williams School of Education who are pursuing study abroad or Study USA opportunities.

Esposito remembers his wife as a woman of extraordinary grace, strength and heart who loved her family deeply.

鈥淎llison was selfless and giving in every sense of the word鈥攁lways putting others before herself and offering love, comfort and kindness so freely to everyone fortunate enough to know her,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he had a way of making people feel seen, cared for and important, and her beautiful smile could light up even the darkest room. Allison聽will be remembered for her positivity, intelligence, resilience and unwavering spirit.鈥�

Keill was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September 2024 yet refused to let the disease define her, Esposito said.

鈥淓ven in the face of unimaginable hardship, Allison remained inspiring, strong, thoughtful and full of love,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he met life鈥檚 challenges with courage and dignity, and she taught those around her what it truly means to live with purpose, gratitude and grace. Her family was the center of her world, and she poured her heart into every moment spent with them. She also understood deeply that nothing in this life is guaranteed, and because of that, she embraced each moment with love, laughter and intention.鈥�

Esposito hopes the scholarship will inspire students to embrace education and global exploration.

鈥淓ndowing this scholarship ensures that Allison鈥檚 legacy continues in a way that reflects who she was鈥攁 compassionate educator, an inspiring mentor and someone who saw the world as a classroom without borders,鈥� he said. 鈥淎llison had a genuine love of learning, not only through books and teaching, but through experiencing the world firsthand. She believed that understanding different cultures and perspectives made people better educators, better thinkers and better human beings.鈥�

Born in Summit, New Jersey, Keill grew up in Westport, Connecticut, and Brunswick County, North Carolina. After graduating high school from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, she earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree from UNC-Greensboro, and a master鈥檚 degree in library science from East Carolina University.

Make a Gift

Anyone interested in donating to the scholarship may contact Brian Baker, associate vice president of university advancement, at (336) 278-7453 or bbaker7@elon.edu.

“Celebrating Three Decades of International & Global Studies: Advancing Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Excellence鈥� highlighted the efforts and achievements of key faculty and staff in creating the first interdisciplinary major at Elon.

The program on April 21, 2026, included remarks by 福利亚洲国产精品 President Connie Ledoux Book; Hilton Kelly, dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; and Andrea Sinn, an associate professor in the Department of History and Geography and the program鈥檚 current director.

Nancy Mueller 鈥�27 and Emily Ecker 鈥�26, both international and global studies majors, also delivered remarks.

Book shared the early beginnings of the program, and she noted important milestones and alumni accomplishments. She also praised Professor Emeritus Brian Digre for his leadership in launching the program.

鈥淭hree decades later, so many lives have been changed through Dr. Digre鈥檚 vision,鈥� Book said. 鈥淭hank you to faculty and students for continuing to ask important questions, for your curiosity and for reaching beyond where you are comfortable into our really rich and diverse world.鈥�

Launched for the 1995-1996 academic year as International Studies, Elon’s first interdisciplinary major, the program provides students with a knowledge of international affairs as well as expertise on one of five world regions: Europe, Latin America, Asia, Middle East and Africa. From the start, study abroad, foreign language learning and the flexibility for students to shape their own academic paths were central to the program.

鈥淭hrough international and global education, as well as study abroad, we are preparing students intentionally for new opportunities for collaboration, connection and competition in an era of global interconnectedness,鈥� Kelly said. 鈥淪tudy abroad is far more than an opportunity to travel. It is a transformative educational experience. Study abroad is a cornerstone of the International & Global Studies program because it transforms regional concentration from an academic focus into lived understanding.鈥�

Currently home to more than 100 students and a growing alumni network of over 1,000, the International & Global Studies program continues to explore political and cultural dynamics, technological advances and intertwined global economies. The major equips students with this understanding through an interdisciplinary approach that combines broad knowledge of global issues with focused study of one of the five regions.

The program allows students to build a customized interdisciplinary curriculum, drawing from fields such as politics, economics, history, geography, literature, religion and culture, while focusing on a specific world region.

Tributes to the program came from Nancy Mueller 鈥�27 and Emily Ecker 鈥�26.

鈥淚 love that Elon has an array of study abroad opportunities and a unique 鈥榗hoose your own adventure鈥� IGS program where I could align my studies with my interests,鈥� Mueller said. 鈥淚 enjoy the interdisciplinary nature of the program and its emphasis on language learning. I also love that the program faculty themselves come from various backgrounds, each bringing their own expertise to the table. My semester in Tunisia took me a few steps closer to me dream career where I get to travel to new places, meaningfully interact with local people, use and advance my Arabic language and cultural skills and pursue my own research interests.鈥�

Both students expressed gratitude for the faculty that make up the International & Global Studies Program.

鈥淚 am deeply grateful for the faculty here today who are part of what Dr. Idris calls 鈥榤y constellation of mentors鈥� 鈥� people who have supported, challenged, and advocated for me through every high and every setback at Elon,鈥� Ecker said. 鈥淭hese relationships are something no study abroad program, no research project, or line on a resume can replace. The people here today are among the greatest strengths of this program and among the best things about this university, so I urge everyone to take advantage of this unique program.鈥�

Associate Professor of History Andrea Sinn has directed the program since 2023.

鈥淪tudy abroad is a cornerstone of the International & Global Studies major and one of the most powerful ways students bring their academic learning to life. While coursework builds critical knowledge about global systems, cultures and regions, studying abroad allows students to experience these dynamics firsthand,鈥� Sinn said. “Students can further demonstrate their skills through the Intercultural Global Competency digital badge, highlighting their ability to navigate and communicate effectively in diverse global contexts.

鈥淭ogether, these experiences prepare graduates for careers that require strong intercultural understanding and global awareness including roles in government, international business, nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, education, diplomacy, and law, as well as for advanced graduate study.鈥�

Since graduating its first cohort in 1996, the International & Global Studies Program has steadily expanded its global reach. In its first five years, 57 students studied abroad in six countries including Australia, China, Costa Rica, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Today, that number has grown to more than 50 countries. A new interactive StoryMap created by Ryan Kirk, associate professor聽of geography and environmental studies聽and chair of the Department of Environmental Studies, captures this evolution, showcasing the experiences of International & Global Studies majors who complete at least one semester abroad, often in regions tied to their academic focus.

鈥淭his immersive experience enables students to engage directly with local communities, institutions and perspectives, while earning credit toward their major,鈥� Sinn explained. “For IGS students, studying abroad is not just an opportunity: it is an essential component of their education that fosters adaptability, cultural humility and real-world perspective needed for globally engaged careers. Whether studying politics in London, public health in Rwanda, or culture and language in Argentina, students gain a more nuanced and personal understanding of global issues.

鈥淲e take great pride in our students and alumni, whose impactful work embodies and advances the values of IGS across the globe.鈥�

Professor of Religious Studies Pamela Winfield, the program鈥檚 associate director since 2023, said the 30th anniversary serves as a reminder that cultivating the values of global citizenship, international cooperation and cross-cultural collaboration continues to be relevant.

鈥淚 see this milestone anniversary as an opportunity to reaffirm our faith in those values and in our mission to educate and prepare this next generation for their international careers both here and abroad,鈥� Winfield said. 鈥淚t inspires me to look ahead to the next 30 years and beyond, when our substantive coursework, foreign language training, transformative study abroad and real-world internship experience will attract even more IGS majors and expand our already vibrant world-wide network of IGS alumni.鈥�

Many faculty advisory board members attended the celebration, including Damion Blake, associate professor of political science and public policy; Shereen Elgamal, assistant teaching professor of Arabic; Sean Giovanello, assistant professor of political science and public policy; Nick Gozick, dean of global education and assistant professor; Mussa Idris, associate professor of anthropology, Waseem Kasim, assistant professor of history; Douglas Kass, associate professor of cinema and television arts; Juan Leal Ugalde, associate professor of Spanish; Ariela Marcus-Sells, associate professor of religious studies; Vitaliy Strohush, associate professor of economics; and Yidi Wu, O鈥橞riant Developing Professor and associate professor of history.

History of the program

Brian Digre, professor emeritus of history, secured a Department of Education grant to launch the university鈥檚 first interdisciplinary major. Established in 1995-96 as International Studies, with only an African regional concentration, the program grew with additional regional concentrations in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. By 2005, immersive global learning became central, with study abroad, advanced language study and a senior seminar requirement for all majors.

Under the leadership of Safia Swimelar, professor of political science and public policy, the program underwent a transformation during the 2015-16 academic year. The International and Global Studies Program adopted a revised mission, new interdisciplinary themes and enhanced language expectations.

The introduction of IGS 250 International Studies: Approaches and Perspectives further strengthened the curriculum by providing a shared foundation for all majors.

Sudibyo, an assistant teaching professor of Spanish who joined Elon in 2023, brings a global perspective shaped by her Indonesian roots and academic journey. Through her teaching, research and campus involvement, she is creating spaces where students feel a sense of belonging, something she says first drew her to Elon.

鈥淚 really enjoyed the company of my colleagues, and they were such wonderful people,鈥� Sudibyo said of her first visit to Elon. 鈥淭hen the students, during my teaching demo, were all engaged, and it just felt like a great place.鈥�

Being from Indonesia, Sudibyo describes her academic path as somewhat 鈥渞andom.鈥�

鈥淲e don鈥檛 speak Spanish in Indonesia, it鈥檚 not our national language and we don鈥檛 have a lot of connections to the Spanish-speaking world in that way,鈥� said Sudibyo, who decided to major in Spanish.

Now, as a professor, Sudibyo focuses on bridging those connections, encouraging students to think beyond traditional cultural boundaries, particularly through her research studying the intersections of the Asian and the Spanish-speaking world. Her scholarship highlights stories that, she says, are often overlooked, including the history of the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule and the presence of Asian voices within Hispanic culture.

鈥淪omething I鈥檝e discovered that is not talked about a lot are the Hispanic Philippines,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are a lot of cultural productions, all in Spanish, and it was never taught to me as a graduate student. It became very personal.鈥�

By bringing these perspectives into her courses, including 鈥淲omen鈥檚 Writing in the Hispanic World,鈥� Sudibyo is broadening how students understand language, culture and identity, while also increasing visibility for Asian narratives in traditionally Eurocentric spaces.

Outside the classroom, Sudibyo continues that work as a faculty-in-residence in the Danieley Neighborhood, where she connects with students on a more personal level.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a very rewarding experience because you get to interact with students outside of class,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey get to see me as a human being.鈥�

She also serves as an advisor to the Polyglot Living Learning Community, helped launch the Spanish Club in Fall 2025, and channels her passion for event planning into creating inclusive, community-building experiences.

For Sudibyo, mentorship is one of the most meaningful aspects of her role, and central to creating spaces of belonging.

鈥淪eeing the students鈥� growth and seeing them reaching the goals that they鈥檝e said they wanted to do鈥擨 think that鈥檚 the most rewarding part,鈥� she said.

That impact is also felt by her students.

鈥淒r. Sudibyo has impacted me at Elon by being a mentor for me as a student but also as a person,鈥� said Hailey Landers 鈥�28, president of the Spanish Club and a dance science major from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. 鈥淗er guidance and genuine support have made a lasting difference in both my personal and academic journey.鈥�

During API Heritage Month, Sudibyo鈥檚 presence on campus also carries deeper significance. As one of the coordinators of Elon鈥檚 API Employee Resource Group, she is intentional about increasing visibility and challenging narrow perceptions of what it means to be Asian.

鈥淲hen we say 鈥楢sian,鈥� a lot of us think of East Asia,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 important to show up because it shows Asia is a diverse continent with so many cultures and so many languages.鈥�

Through her teaching, mentorship and advocacy, Sudibyo is helping ensure that diversity is not just acknowledged at Elon but actively understood, represented and celebrated.

Elon honors Asian & Pacific Island Heritage Month

As part of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 福利亚洲国产精品 is sharing stories through Today at Elon that highlight Asian and Pacific Islander students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month, Elon is also recognizing API Heritage Month through a series of events and programming.

The nine-day journey brought together 26 travelers for an immersive experience through coastal and central Italy, blending cultural exploration and historic sites with the fun that comes from shared experiences.

鈥淚t was truly a special Elon experience that included bonding with new friends, journeys to locations off the beaten paths and immersion into the local culture,” said聽LA Sarmiere 鈥�93 P’27.

A global classroom

Led by retired Professor Barbara Gordon, the program marked a new chapter in alumni engagement 鈥� extending the university鈥檚 tradition of experiential learning beyond campus and across generations of graduates.

鈥淭his experience demonstrated the power of lifelong learning and connection can happen anywhere,鈥� said Kendra Haskins, senior director of Alumni Engagement. 鈥淥ur Elon community is full of curiosity and the explorer spirit. What a perfect mix for travel!鈥�

A journey through Italy鈥檚 landscapes and culture

The group began their travels in Turin before heading into the UNESCO-recognized Langhe region, where they enjoyed a winery visit. Along the Italian Riviera, alumni explored the picturesque villages of Cinque Terre, traveling between the colorful coastal towns and taking in sweeping views of the Mediterranean.

In Tuscany, the group settled into a countryside village for several days, where they experienced the art, architecture and cultural legacy of the Italian Renaissance.

鈥淚 had an absolute blast. This was my first time in Italy and being able to fully immerse myself in the culture while seeing places beyond the major tourist spots was incredible. The balance of being guided by local experts, learning about the history and culture, while also having time to explore independently is what truly made this a standout adventure,鈥� shared Frederick Evans 鈥�20.

A new chapter in alumni engagement

As the inaugural travel experience, this Italian adventure was the first in an announced series of educational travel experiences for alumni, family and friends.

Upcoming journeys include:

A Spotlight on Paris
Sept. 30 鈥� October 6, 2026

Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park
July 2-9, 2027

Christmas on the Danube
December 4-12, 2027

Be a traveler, not a tourist with Elon!
Read more about upcoming travel with Elon Alumni on their website: /u/alumni/travel/