Formerly known as Summer in the Village, Summer Launch prepares students for their incoming grade-level curriculum while creating opportunities to build relationships and confidence before returning to the classroom.

Two Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) teachers led each classroom, all of whom had previously worked with the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project, and volunteers supported them. This additional support allowed students to work in smaller groups and receive individualized attention throughout the program.

For one volunteer, Summer Launch offered the chance to return to a program that had been part of his own childhood. Diego Aguilar Hernandez grew up attending Big Village tutoring sessions. Now a rising senior in high school, he has returned to his roots, working alongside his former fourth-grade teacher, Ashley Cook, this summer.

鈥淪ummer Launch gave me the opportunity to build relationships with the students while helping them grow academically,鈥� said Hernandez. 鈥淚t was really rewarding seeing their progress and confidence grow throughout the two weeks, and I鈥檓 grateful I got to be part of their experience.鈥�

Cook has long supported the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project in the mission to uplift students, and is a testament to how ABSS teachers are key to the program’s success. Her commitment to the classroom proves why students such as Hernandez have become eager to give back.

“Being a part of the Village Project is an experience I hold near and dear to my heart. I鈥檝e loved being the Andrews Elementary liaison, but teaching this diverse group of ABSS students was such a special treat,” said Cook. “The genuine love and appreciation shown by the students and their families was palpable 鈥� as teachers, we know when that is real! It鈥檚 a beautiful testament to the incredible, often unseen hard work that Laura and Keely put into fundraising and building partnerships so that our Title I students can have these amazing opportunities.鈥�

Another source of dedication within the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project is Annabelle Jones, who co-leads instruction for the Village鈥檚 STEM program, IGNITE, formerly known as Engineering in the Village.

鈥淎fter having the opportunity to help lead with Engineering in the Village, when I saw the opportunity to be a part of the Elon Village Summer Launch, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” said Jones. “Being connected with opportunities from Elon is so special to me. I received my K-12 AIG Certification through Elon and continued on with the Master’s Program. As a 2019 graduate from 福利亚洲国产精品, with a Master’s in Education – Gifted Education, helping out with the Village feels like coming home. The joy it brings to support the whole child is incredible. Fostering the love of learning, building relationships and community is something that the Village provides a space and place for.鈥�

Although Summer Launch differed from Jones鈥� usual STEM-focused curriculum, she embraced the opportunity to create a memorable experience for her students. Her classroom became 鈥淐amp Care-A-Lot,鈥� complete with outdoor-themed activities, a campfire centerpiece and a campfire song for students each day.

鈥淎t the end of the summer camp, students shared how they weren’t ready for it to end and how they would miss me. The feeling is mutual for sure! Another student shared how when she grows up and has kids of her own, she wants to send them to the Village Summer Camp because she wants them to have the same experience. That really helps to explain how special and the uniqueness of the program,” Jones said. “Being a part of the Village is such a positive experience. I am full of passion for the program and I am honored to give back to the community in such a meaningful way. Thank you Elon!鈥�

While teachers brought their creativity and expertise into the classroom, Newlin Elementary staff helped make Summer Launch possible by supporting the day-to-day operations of the program. During the school year, Natasha King serves as Newlin Elementary School鈥檚 teacher liaison, a leadership role that helps ensure the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project鈥檚 programming runs smoothly. During Summer Launch, King remained at the forefront of check-in, welcoming students with a smiling face at the beginning and end of each day.

鈥淲orking in the Village program throughout the years and most recently this summer has provided me with the opportunity to experience how the program keeps evolving from its humble beginnings, as it continues to meet the needs of the dynamic community that we serve,鈥� said King.

Alongside King, Principal Intern at Newlin Elementary Brittany Daye served as a site coordinator for Summer Launch. From preparing supplies in advance to coordinating logistics, Daye played an integral role in bringing the program together and helping create a welcoming environment for students and families.

鈥淚 genuinely enjoyed every moment of this journey. 鈥�’It Takes a Village’ is truly a magical program that not only enriches students academically but also builds relationships, inspires educators, and creates lasting memories,鈥� said Daye. 鈥淚t is an incredible asset to the Alamance County community, and I am honored to have been part of something that reminds us all that when a community comes together with a shared purpose, amazing things happen.”

Throughout its two-week duration, the program focused on helping students transition back to school in a fun and interactive way. The 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project supported teachers in bringing their big ideas to life by providing supplies for hands-on activities, such as designing pinecone bird feeders or creating a rainbow from cereal. During the second week, students participated in a summer-themed spirit week, coming to camp dressed in sunglasses, beach hats and other tropical attire.

For educators like King, Summer Launch is a glimpse into an exciting year of continued 鈥淚t Takes a Village” Project programs for students.

鈥淚 love that even though ‘the Village,’ continues to grow and has added new programming, the premise of the program which is, ‘It Takes a Village,’ remains at the forefront of each and every program that is offered,鈥� said King. 鈥淭he Village continues to be intentional about including our families, educators, tutors, volunteers and students. We know that when children feel safe, supported and are nurtured by those around them, it makes it easier for them to learn new things, as they become more confident in themselves. I am so proud to be a part of such an awesome community!鈥�

This fall, the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project will continue working alongside ABSS staff, volunteers, families and students to build on that momentum and ensure every child has a successful and exciting school year.

The Elon Academy Summer Academy program is a three-week residential program, that models day-to-day life on a college campus. Scholars attend classes taught by various Elon faculty and staff, eat in a dining hall and build connections amongst cohorts.

Elon Academy fosters a supportive culture rooted in the mentorship that EA staff, student leaders and 福利亚洲国产精品 faculty/staff provide to scholars. The holistic support Elon Academy has cultivated has been further strengthened through the incorporation of 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 health and well-being initiative, HealthEU.

During the Summer Academy, scholars take academic, life skills and college-prep courses. An important aspect of the program includes Evening Sessions, which have historically served as the scholars’ extracurricular programming ranging from cooking and art to physical activity like soccer, yoga and martial arts. This summer, Elon Academy committed to a new approach, intentionally infusing the HealthEU framework into Evening Session planning and development. This was executed through the collaboration of Elon Academy鈥檚 Faculty Scholar Evan Small and Coordinator for Well-Being, Melissa Chacon Villalobos.

All Summer Academy instructors participated in a four-part instructor development series in the spring facilitated by Small. During the first session, instructors received an overview of the Elon Academy, as well as insights into Alamance County and Alamance-Burlington School System.聽 During the remaining sessions, instructors received information related to Elon Academy鈥檚 new learning framework, course development and assessment resources. Evening Session instructors, which include 福利亚洲国产精品 faculty, staff and connected community members, received an additional piece of training that gave them an overview of HealthEU, its six dimensions of well-being, and insight into how to enact the HealthEU and Wellness-Centered Pedagogy Frameworks.

The goal of this training was to give evening instructors additional resources to support them in infusing well-being into their sessions. Instructors鈥� reflections from their overall experience of teaching evening sessions and how it influenced their own professional growth or perspective as an educator included feeling prepared to embrace new challenges like teaching new subjects, working with new student populations and stepping beyond their comfort zones.

鈥�(The training) helped me step outside of my comfort zone and learn how to teach a new subject to ages that I have never taught before,” said one Evening Session instructor.

In addition, they shared having a deepened understanding of diverse student populations and strengthening their commitment to outreach, particularly in supporting first-generation and low-income (FGLI) students.

鈥淚t is a humbling experience, and provides a more diverse lens of Alamance County,” said an Evening Session instructor.

“Well-being isn’t something we teach in a single session. It’s something we intentionally weave throughout the Elon Academy experience,” said Emily Wiersma, director of the Elon Academy. “Dr. Evan Small and Melissa Chacon Villalobos played a key role in translating that commitment into meaningful learning experiences by equipping and supporting our Evening Session instructors. Together, our faculty, staff, and community partners created opportunities for scholars to explore their purpose, build community and develop habits that will support them in college and beyond.”

Through several weeks of diverse sessions, scholars were empowered to align their values, skills and goals to their holistic well-being. Evening Sessions allowed scholars to connect career and personal interests such as entrepreneurship, health professions, and culinary arts, while learning how to infuse well-being into their day-to-day life. For example, one Evening Session encompassing the connection between career and personal interests was Introduction to Esports. In this session, Scholars were able to play games and expand the styles of games they play, while also learning about different career paths they can take with Esports. In another course, Introduction to Sports Medicine, scholars were able to blend their interest in sports and or/ medicine with the potential career routes of being an athletic trainer in the 福利亚洲国产精品 Athletic Training Room.

The intentional instructor development and integration of the HealthEU framework have further deepened the experiences and takeaways of the Summer Academy for scholars. The Summer Academy fosters independence within scholars to take ownership of their learning and goals for college, while fostering a sense of community and belonging.

When asked to describe the most important takeaways from their evening sessions as it relates to the specific dimension of well-being, scholars shared:

• 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to work together as a team and find something that makes you happy.鈥�
• 鈥淚 learned about myself, what I value, and how I can help others.鈥�
• 鈥淭he evening sessions taught me that everyday physical activity, even if it’s just an hour or thirty minutes, can help a lot.鈥�
• 鈥淜nowing how to grow and make my own food, and how to use that as a way to escape to focus on my own well-being.鈥�

Evening Sessions in particular, model the multidimensional aspect of well-being and convey to scholars the importance of taking initiative of their well-being. Scholars experienced firsthand how career interests can intersect with personal interests and purpose. The culminating outcome of Evening Sessions is that scholars feel empowered to actively explore and make intentional decisions about how they use their time that support their values, goals and well-being.

This year, an international teaching team from England and Ireland designed and taught a course called Your Place in the World: Exploring Identity, Sustainability, and AI. This interactive course engaged Scholars in several central questions: Who are you? How does the world around you work? And where do you belong in it?

Engaging pedagogical approaches like photovoice, campus mapping and reflective journals allowed scholars to engage deeply with course content. Scholars participated in activities to learn about the environmental landscape, the ethical use of AI, and navigating belonging in different spaces. One member of the teaching team, Aoife Prendergast from the Technical University of the Shannon in Ireland, said that a highlight of the course was

“Diving into the rich, lived experiences shared through the narratives of the group. The most powerful moments came from hearing the scholars weave their personal life stories into their visions for the future,” said聽Aoife Prendergast from the Technical University of the Shannon in Ireland, one of the members of the teaching team. “Watching everyone reflect on what ‘belonging’ truly means both personally and professionally created a deeply collaborative and resonant atmosphere in the room. It is clear that these narratives are shaping some truly inspiring and thoughtful pathways for the future!”

This international teaching team and transatlantic approach to this course allowed scholars to engage with a different set of cultures and a different concept of what education can be. Scholars were able to form deep connections with each other, their teaching team and the course content in ways that encouraged them to apply it to their futures.

鈥淭hroughout the three weeks, this class really opened my eyes and drew me to a new perspective of the world,” one scholar said. “We learned about perspectives of the world and how we all see the world differently, and we connected it to AI and how AI picks up on our culture and creates its own perspectives through patterns. The instructors always made me feel like I belong and they allowed me to open my mind and curiosity.鈥�

Another Scholar shared how the course inspired them to see community in a different light.

鈥淭his class gave me the opportunity to meet people outside of the country where I live and to see how community can be built in different environments,” another scholar reflected. “Every day was engaging and we were always doing something hands-on that made the course exciting. The instructors all came from different backgrounds, which felt so diverse, and I loved hearing about their cultures. I felt both academically and intellectually challenged in the course, which made me critically think about who I am in this world and how we can connect that to AI.鈥�

Tom Ritchie from the University of Warwick in the UK served as the lead instructor and designed the course in partnership with Evan Small, the Elon Academy faculty scholar. As a Fulbright Scholar, Ritchie was able to provide Elon Academy students with an exposure to additional post-graduate international education opportunities.

“This course exemplifies what makes Elon Academy so special – the willingness of our faculty, partners and supporters to create transformative learning experiences that expand our Scholars’ perspectives and help them see themselves as part of a much larger world,” said Emily Wiersma, director of the Elon Academy. “Through this collaborative course, our scholars were challenged to think critically, embrace new perspectives, build meaningful connections across cultures, and develop the confidence, curiosity, and global mindset that will serve them well in college, their careers, and their communities.”

The Odyssey Program is a merit-based scholarship that provides students with access to mentorship, community building, leadership development, service learning and more. The program also includes a stipend for books and supplies, and an Elon Experiences grant, which will be used for global experiences.

Students admitted to the program come from a variety of backgrounds, including first-generation college students, Federal Pell Grant recipients and/or those who have achieved success despite hardship or other challenges. With 76 students in the Class of 2030, it is the largest yet and brings the program closer to its Boldy Elon goal of 100 Odyssey Program scholars by 2030.

Throughout the week, the students worked on a collaborative project exploring 鈥渨hat it means to thrive as an Odyssey Scholar.鈥� They also participated in sessions focused on academic planning, community building, financial aid, global learning, etc. The week concluded with a block party celebrating their accomplishments with music, lawn games, volleyball, food and more.

Eliza Scott 鈥�30, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina plans to study strategic communications with a minor in poverty and social justice, and says she was nervous coming into the week, but has grown closer to her cohort.

鈥淭here鈥檚 so much diversity within the group, and it鈥檚 so lovely to figure out what things we share and what things we have differences in,鈥� said Scott. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so easy, in the world we live in, to think of someone and generalize and create a wall of division 鈥� It鈥檚 been so beautiful to connect as a cohort and a family.鈥�

On Thursday, July 16, the cohort came together with Elon faculty and staff for 鈥淧izza with the Pros,鈥� an opportunity to network and also hear from and ask questions of a professional panel. Panelists included聽Luis Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center; Brandy Propst, director of Elon 1010; Abdul-Malik Harrison 鈥�21, assistant director in the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education; Alaina Mills, community director for the Historic Neighborhood; John Moses Brownson, associate director of career advising pre-professional health; and Stephanie Baker, associate professor of public health studies.

The panelists gave a range of advice on topics including what they would tell their past self in college, how to build relationships with faculty/staff and how to manage social and academic life in college. They all emphasized that students should use the resources available to them at the university.

鈥淎sk for help, even when it’s the most difficult thing for you to do; make sure you reach out to all the resources that we’re sharing with you,鈥� Probst said.

The panelists advised the students that, while structure is important, college is also meant to be a time for exploration, and you shouldn鈥檛 be so strict that you miss out. Harrison, who graduated from Elon in 2021, noted that it鈥檚 important to be flexible and also accept failure as a learning opportunity.

鈥淵ou’re going to fall flat on your face a couple of times, but it鈥檚 how you get back up,鈥� Harrison said. 鈥淵ou have this plan, either written down, physically or in your head. Take it, ball it up, throw it away because it’s not going to necessarily turn out like that. Now, the end goal might look kind of like what you wanted it to be, but how you got there, it’s not going to look like that.鈥�

Brandy Davis 鈥�30, from Charlotte, North Carolina, plans to study accounting and says she鈥檚 enjoyed meeting new people and 鈥渃reating a sense of community and family鈥� throughout Odyssey Week.

鈥淓ven though we have differences, everyone respects each other and, if anything happens at the end of the day, I can always come back to Odyssey,鈥� said Davis.

To kick off聽the summer,聽Beyond聽12 welcomed聽50聽rising sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students to 福利亚洲国产精品 for a hands-on exploration of career聽pathways and聽interests.聽Throughout two days, students traveled across聽campus,聽participated聽in interactive learning experiences, and engaged with 福利亚洲国产精品 faculty, staff, and community聽members聽representing聽a variety of professional fields.

Each session聽offered聽a unique聽learning聽experience for the students.聽During an introduction to cinema and television arts led by Bryan Baker, director of technology, operations and multimedia projects in the School of Communications, students explored the university’s live television studio and聽viewed聽student made聽productions. Participants also gained hands-on聽experience聽such as with Elon鈥檚 Interprofessional Simulation Center, where Nita Skillman, director of the ISC, and Bethany Fearnow, simulation coordinator, introduced students to聽using聽healthcare simulation technology.聽In addition to exploring聽careers, students were able to聽observe聽different facilities on聽Elon鈥檚聽campus. During a sports management session led by Jenn Strawley, director of athletics, participants stepped into the world of collegiate athletics with a visit to the Schar Center, where they聽got a behind the scenes look at Elon Athletics.

“Spending time with the Beyond 12 program was such a rewarding experience. I appreciated聽their curiosity and loved their questions,鈥� said聽Strawley.聽鈥淚 hope that hearing about my journey and learning about career pathways in college athletics opened their minds to new possibilities and inspired them to continue to dream.鈥�

Students also had the opportunity to engage in thoughtful conversations with presenters, asking questions, and gaining deeper insight into different fields.

鈥淚 spoke with the students about what finance, corporate finance, and investment really are, and I was genuinely surprised by how interested they were,鈥� said Feng Dong, director of the Reed Finance Center. 鈥淢any asked great questions, and even the teachers were engaged. Beyond 12 gives students an early, hands-on look at fields they may not have considered,聽exactly the kind of exposure that can shape where they go next.鈥�

The program had an equally聽meaningful impact on聽the聽presenters聽involved. Dr. Janine A. Scott, founder of聽TriUnity聽Healthcare Inc., shared her story of overcoming adversity and creating positive change through her work in healthcare, and found herself thinking about the impact of programs such as Beyond 12.

鈥淚 really enjoyed myself during my interaction with both the students and staff,鈥� Scott said. 鈥淛ust hearing what they were doing prior to coming to our session made me wish I was a student again and able to participate.鈥�

Through experiences like these,聽Beyond聽12聽is聽helping聽students recognize聽a wide range of聽opportunities聽within their reach.

鈥淚 remarked to someone that I wish I had the opportunity to attend a program like this back in my day.聽I聽truly believe聽that exposure and representation聽matters, and that is exactly what these students gained from being part of the Beyond 12 program,鈥� said Scott.

Following the summer session,聽participating聽students from Turrentine Middle School and Broadview Middle School will聽attend聽monthly Beyond 12 sessions throughout the academic year, where they聽will continue聽to focus on career readiness and聽developing essential life skills.聽Beyond 12 programming is made possible through the generous support of NC Glaxo Smith Kline.

Elon Academy, housed in Elon’s聽Center for Access and Success, is a multi-phase program for academically promising high school students in Alamance County with a financial need and/or no family history of college.聽The Summer Academy, happening now, includes three consecutive summer residential experiences before the sophomore, junior and senior years of high school, as well as year-round Saturday programs for students and families.

The program is now entering its 20th year and welcoming the largest cohort in its history: the Phi cohort.聽

As students mingled with Elon faculty, staff and friends of the university, they reflected on their experiences on campus and in the Elon Academy program.

Jeffrey Johnson

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics / Elon Academy Upsilon cohort

鈥淚f I wasn鈥檛 here, I would not be talking to this many people. (The program) forces you to, in the best way possible, foster relationships with people and get to know one another,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淚 think my favorite part is the support systems that it offers you because when I applied, I knew I wanted to go to college, but I didn鈥檛 know if it would be as easy as it would be. Even though it鈥檒l probably still be hard, working with Elon Academy makes it feel possible.鈥�

Jean Carlos

Western High School / Elon Academy Phi Cohort

鈥淢y favorite part is definitely the community. I鈥檝e made so many friends just in the first week here, and everyone is so supportive. I have so many resources here, so I feel like that鈥檚 definitely the best part of being in Elon Academy,鈥� Carlos said. 鈥淢y favorite part of the programming is all the collaborative activities they have us doing. They usually have us do something that involves all of us together, and that really helps with involvement. No one gets left out.鈥�

Dylan Giordano

River Mill Academy / Elon Academy Phi Cohort

鈥淢y cohort is full of really great people. They鈥檙e all here for a reason, and everybody I interact with makes it a really good experience,鈥� Giordano said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of collaboration between different cohorts, staff and mentors. It feels like everybody is equal and we鈥檙e all working toward preparing us for college. It doesn鈥檛 feel like the teachers are above us. They鈥檙e supportive instead of authoritative.鈥�

Xavier Chavez

River Mill Academy / Elon Academy Phi cohort

鈥淓veryone here is amazing. It鈥檚 not just our cohort. It鈥檚 the staff, the mentors 鈥� they do an amazing job, and it鈥檚 truly amazing. We all work together. We鈥檙e all in this together,鈥� Chavez said. 鈥淢y favorite part of the programming is the EA 101 class. It鈥檚 not just about preparing us for college. It鈥檚 helping us find ourselves 鈥� our values, our purpose, our likes and dislikes. I like how they help us find ourselves before they put us out into the real world.鈥�

Alexa DeAlto

Clover Garden School / Elon Academy Upsilon cohort

鈥淢y favorite part is the opportunities, both with school and meeting people. I wouldn鈥檛 have met the people I鈥檝e met if it wasn鈥檛 for Elon,鈥� DeAlton said. 鈥淢y favorite part of Elon Academy is how much we鈥檙e able to give back to the community through community service and the resources we have. It shows people that we鈥檙e thankful for what they do for us.鈥�

Zipporah Freeman

Southeast Alamance High School / Elon Academy Tau cohort

鈥淢y favorite part of Elon Academy right now is seeing our cohort come together. We struggled with that during the first two years, but this year everybody is communicating and working together,鈥� Freeman said. 鈥淚鈥檓 a very extroverted person, so I love talking to people and meeting new people in the community.鈥�

Ruby Elgin

Clover Garden Charter School / Elon Academy Tau cohort

鈥淏eing here on campus is great because it鈥檚 such a beautiful campus. I love getting the opportunity to explore all the amenities and see what the campus has to offer. Every year feels like a new tour because I get to see different buildings and learn something new,鈥� said Elgin. 鈥淢y favorite part of Elon Academy is being able to expand socially and academically at the same time. We get to do community service, network with people and get a jump start on the college process. Not everybody gets an opportunity like this, so I鈥檓 really thankful to be able to take advantage of a program like this.鈥�

Alongside this infographic, these stories highlight some of the positive impact across campus through community partnerships during the past academic year:

• Elon receives Carnegie classification for community engagement
• Elon recognized for advancing nonpartisan student civic engagement
• Elon creates community through Special Olympics and Elon Athletics partnership
• Turning service into impact: How an Elon alumna is bringing Alamance County together
• Literary Journalism class engages Town of Elon mayor in civic dialogue
• Writing for Impact students secure funding for local nonprofit
• Showing up, growing together: Inside KING/PINK Academy鈥檚 power of mentorship
• Students reflect on service, community and connection during Fall Break
• New HealthEU course encourages students to go 鈥榖eyond the Elon bubble鈥�
• Elon empowers staff to make an impact in the community through paid volunteer leave

For Elon student Berenice Sanchez Rosaldo, the event marked a full-circle moment.

Berenice Sanchez Rosaldo 鈥�29, a political science major who is in the Elon Academy and The Mac Mahon Family Scholar in the聽Odyssey Program, participated as a first-time presenter. She presented alongside Danielle Lake, director of the Center for Design Thinking, and Shannice Sellars, executive director of the African American Cultural Arts and History Center.

Their presentation, 鈥淧articipatory Place-shaping: How Community-led Counter Storying Encourages Civic Engagement,鈥� highlighted Sanchez Rosaldo鈥檚 work with the Center for Design Thinking. It focused on developing counter-stories that reflect participants鈥� communities and environments as a form of civic engagement.

Sanchez Rosaldo drew from personal experiences, including her high school, her father鈥檚 workplace, and the Dream Center 鈥� spaces she identified as influential in her development as a student, athlete and individual.

鈥淪eeing Berenice present her story was such a proud moment,鈥� said Melissa Chacon Villalobos, coordinator for well-being with Elon Academy. 鈥淲atching her grow from a high school freshman to a first-year student at Elon, and seeing the impact she is already making in Alamance County, is incredibly meaningful.鈥�

Sanchez Rosaldo began this work before enrolling at Elon, first connecting with Danielle Lake while attending Alamance Burlington Early College at ACC, where she completed a summer internship with local summer camps across Alamance County, creating lesson plans for kids ages 6-12 during her junior year of High School.

She also credits Elon Academy as instrumental in shaping her college journey.
鈥淓lon Academy opened my eyes to the idea of college and created many opportunities for me,鈥� Sanchez Rosaldo said.

Now an Odyssey Scholar, Sanchez Rosaldo continues her work with the Center for Design Thinking through the Power + Place Collaborative and by leading design thinking workshops across campus.

The Center for Design Thinking focuses on creative, structured approaches to problem-solving. Its Power + Place Collaborative works with Alamance County leaders and community members to document and share stories that reflect the county鈥檚 diverse communities.

Elon Academy supports academically promising, limited-income, and first-generation students, while the Odyssey Program provides merit-based scholarships and enrichment opportunities for students with demonstrated financial need.

鈥淲hat Berenice represents is exactly why Elon Academy exists – talented students who, with the right support and opportunities, go on to lead, contribute, and create change in their communities,鈥� said Emily Wiersma, director of the Elon Academy.

Together, the Elon Academy and Odyssey Scholars Program reflect Elon鈥檚 commitment to civic engagement and to supporting students and communities in Alamance County.

For Sanchez Rosaldo, the experience also carried personal and generational significance. Her mother attended the presentation, marking a milestone as she watched her daughter present at her first conference.

Her story reflects the broader impact of 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 programs on students, their families, and their communities.

It also mirrors a larger, statewide commitment to civic engagement, as institutions across North Carolina continue this work through initiatives like the , which will take place in June 2026 and is hosted by North Carolina Campus Engagement. Together, these efforts highlight how experiences like the PACE conference are not just singular moments, but part of an ongoing cycle of learning, leadership and community impact.

This spring, members of the Elon Academy team traveled to schools across Alamance County to celebrate the milestone moment with 30 ninth-grade students: their admission into Elon Academy’s newest cohort. Gathered alongside family members, teachers, counselors, and school advocates who had supported them throughout their educational journeys, students learned they had been selected to join the largest incoming class in Elon Academy’s聽nearly 20-year聽history.

The celebrations marked the culmination of a redesigned recruitment and selection process that emphasized accessibility, family engagement, collaboration, and student-centered experiences. As Elon Academy enters its twentieth year, the expanded cohort reflects both the program’s continued growth and its enduring commitment to creating pathways to college access and success for students across Alamance County.

Led by Assistant Director Briston Whitt, Elon Academy’s revised聽recruitment聽and selection model introduced several significant enhancements, including a streamlined application process, redesigned group interview experiences, expanded family engagement opportunities, and increased collaboration with school, university, and community partners.

“Every aspect of the process was designed to create a more meaningful experience for students and families while ensuring we were able to identify Scholars who would聽really benefit from and聽thrive in the Elon聽Academy community,” said Whitt. “We wanted students聽and their families聽to feel seen, supported, and connected to the program from their very first interaction with us.”

The recruitment cycle began with intentional collaboration between Elon Academy and its network of school-based advocates. Serving as liaisons between the聽Elon Academy聽program and local schools, advocates聽provided聽valuable insight into the unique needs of their school communities and helped connect prospective students and families with information, resources and opportunities to learn more about the program.

Building on those partnerships, Elon Academy launched an extensive outreach effort that included school presentations, family information sessions, community events, social media campaigns and direct outreach to students throughout the Alamance-Burlington School System. The team also聽participated聽in events such as the ABSS Options Fair and school-based orientation programs, helping students and families begin exploring college access opportunities early in their high school careers.

The result was a strong and diverse applicant pool聽representing聽schools from across Alamance County.

Students advancing in the selection process聽submitted聽an essay and teacher recommendation, before聽participating聽in a redesigned group interview experience hosted聽for the first time ever聽on 福利亚洲国产精品’s campus. Over three days, prospective scholars engaged in collaborative activities designed to assess communication, critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills while giving students an opportunity to experience Elon firsthand.

The campus-based format also created new opportunities for family engagement. While students聽participated聽in interviews and activities, family members were invited to remain on campus for programming focused on student success, wellbeing, and navigating the college preparation journey. Families learned more about the program’s expectations and connected with Elon Academy staff in a welcoming and supportive environment.

The redesigned model also expanded participation from university and community partners. Faculty and staff members, Elon Academy student leaders, College Scholars,聽and supporters joined the process as evaluators, providing prospective Scholars with meaningful interactions while gaining a firsthand understanding of the intentionality behind the selection process.聽Following the group interview phase, finalists聽participated聽in individual interviews conducted at their schools聽to complete the selection process.

The result was the selection of 30 exceptional students who will聽comprise聽the Phi Cohort, officially making it the largest incoming class in Elon Academy history.

“Expanding to聽30 Scholars represents more than a larger cohort size,” said Director Emily Wiersma. “It represents more students, more families, and more futures that will be impacted through the power of education, mentorship and opportunity. As we approach our twentieth year, it is exciting to see Elon Academy continuing to grow while remaining deeply committed to the mission that has guided us from the beginning.”

In early May, the newest scholars and their families returned to campus for New Scholar Orientation, an immersive introduction to Elon Academy and 福利亚洲国产精品. Throughout the day, students聽participated聽in community-building activities, learned about program expectations, explored campus, connected with peers, and began building relationships that will support them throughout their Elon Academy journey.

Families聽participated聽in their own programming focused on building connections, learning about available resources and hearing directly from current Scholars and families about their experiences in the program. The orientation concluded with Elon Academy’s traditional Honors Ceremony, during which聽current Elon Academy College Scholars led聽students聽in聽formally committing themselves to the values and expectations of the program and received honor coins commemorating their official welcome into the Elon Academy family.

While orientation marked an important milestone, the Phi Cohort’s journey is just beginning.

Next week, scholars will return to campus for Summer Academy, one of Elon Academy’s signature experiences. During the program, students will live in residence halls,聽participate聽in academic enrichment opportunities, build relationships with mentors and peers and gain firsthand experience navigating a college environment. For many scholars, Summer Academy serves as the moment when Elon Academy truly comes to life聽–聽transforming a group of newly admitted students into a supportive community united by shared goals, aspirations, and opportunity.

Members of the Elon community will have several opportunities to engage with the newest cohort throughout the summer, including the annual Elon Academy Ice Cream Social. This beloved tradition brings together scholars, families, alumni, faculty, staff, donors and community supporters to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter and welcome the Phi Cohort into the broader Elon Academy community.聽Interested guests can .

As Elon Academy enters its twentieth year, the Phi Cohort聽represents聽more than a record-breaking class size. These 30 students embody the promise, potential, and perseverance that have defined Elon Academy since its founding. Their journey is just beginning, and the Elon community is invited to join in celebrating, supporting, and welcoming the newest generation of Elon Academy Scholars.

• 136 college acceptances from 38 different universities
• $2.5 million in merit scholarships and grants awarded to scholars
• Seven will join the Class of 2030 this fall at 福利亚洲国产精品, three are headed to UNC Chapel Hill, and three more to UNC Charlotte, among other top schools
• Several earned some of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships North Carolina offers, including a Carolina Covenant Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill, an Elon Teaching Fellow, and a North Carolina Teaching Fellow

And for Elon President Connie Book, who addressed the 17th class of the Elon Academy at a recent dinner reception to recognize graduates of the university鈥檚 college access and success program, scholarships and college acceptances are more than a reflection of academic achievement. They鈥檙e a harbinger of future success.

鈥淭hese accomplishments, impressive as they are, are only a glimpse of the bright path that lies ahead of you,鈥� Book said. 鈥淭he Elon Academy was founded on a simple and powerful belief 鈥� that talent and potential exist in every community, and when that talent is matched with opportunity and support, there is no limit to what a young person can achieve. Each of you is living proof of that belief.鈥�

Book was joined by family members, mentors, program alumni and other university leaders on May 28, 2026, in celebration of the Sigma Class during the Elon Academy鈥檚 annual President鈥檚 Reception.

The Elon Academy is an intensive, comprehensive opportunity for academically promising high school students in Alamance County with a financial need and/or no family history of college. The Elon Academy Summer Academy program includes three consecutive summer residential experiences prior to the sophomore, junior and senior years, as well as year-round Saturday Academy programs for students and families.

As part of the ceremony in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms, Shawn Means, a member of the Alamance Burlington Early College Class of 2026, delivered the Sigma Scholar Speech to his 24 classmates. Means reflected at length on the ways Elon Academy shaped their development beyond academics.

鈥淲hen people talk about Elon Academy, they鈥檇 most likely give you a polished answer,鈥� Means said. 鈥淭hey talk about college preparation, leadership, and academic growth. All the things you can put on paper. And they wouldn鈥檛 be wrong. But they wouldn鈥檛 be telling the whole story.鈥�

Means emphasized how the program transformed participants not only as students but as people. 鈥淣ow we understand responsibility. Now we understand balance,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow we understand that freedom isn鈥檛 just given, it鈥檚 something you learn how to handle.鈥�

The reception was also the first in the Elon Academy鈥檚 nearly two decades of operation where alumni returned to be honored for their own graduations from college. Four Elon Academy College Scholars were applauded and presented with certificates commemorating their own recent college graduations.

Reception guests heard from Shiv Patel, a member of the Xi Class that graduated from high school in 2022. Now a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Patel encouraged members of the Sigma Class to stay true to themselves as they head to college.

鈥淪omeone told me that I did college right, and while I appreciated the notion, it鈥檚 not that I did college right, it鈥檚 that I led with my values,鈥� Patel said. 鈥淚 wanted the choices I made in college to be choices that reflected who I was and the background I came from. I never wanted to pretend to be someone I was not or do things that went against who I was.鈥�

The program concluded with another first for the Elon Academy – a presentation of scholarships to four Sigma Class graduates made possible through the philanthropy of those who recognized the power of the academy to change lives.

Mariam Rosales 鈥�17, a member of the Delta Class and an 福利亚洲国产精品 graduate who today works in real estate, joined with Julio Santiago to create the awards. Honored in 2026 were:

• Lexie Bennett, River Mill Academy
• Jaime Carranza-Navarrete, Graham High School
• Shawn Means, Alamance Burlington Early College
• Naje Gray, Walter M. Williams High School

The reception was a final opportunity for scholars before leaving high school to be encouraged with support from mentors who have been with them over the past three years.

鈥淎s you step into this next chapter, know this: you are ready,鈥� said Elon Academy Director Emily Wiersma. 鈥淵ou have the tools, the resilience, and the heart to thrive. Life will bring challenges, yes, but it will also bring new mentors, new questions, and new opportunities to grow. Embrace it all. Stay curious. Stay connected to this community. Support from the Elon Academy does not end here today 鈥� most of all, continue to believe in yourself as fiercely as we believe in you.鈥�

Elon Academy Assistant Director of College Success Manny Campos emphasized the same point in closing the program.

鈥淏elieve in yourself. Believe that all the struggles you鈥檝e faced prepared you and taught you what you need to succeed,鈥� he said. 鈥淵our college acceptances and your college degrees were no mistakes, you did that. Now let鈥檚 be real. It may get difficult. Life won鈥檛 always be rainbows and butterflies.

“On those days that feel heavy and you feel like giving up, because those days will come, remember everyone here, remember the journey, and remember why you stayed. You did the work and you are more than capable of succeeding.鈥�