As an assistant director for the Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education, Gutierrez-Luviano manages El Centro, a space that promotes celebration, collaboration, dialogue and research to support advocacy, cultural appreciation and academic achievement related to Latin American cultures and the Spanish language.

“I want to help build belonging at Elon by proactively engaging with our students’ voices to understand their needs and create inclusive spaces where they can feel supported,” she said.

Gutierrez-Luviano achieves this each day by supervising and mentoring students, organizing programming and events and developing educational workshops. Outside of her professional role, Gutierrez-Luviano participates in the Latinx/Hispanic Employee Resource Group, which she says is an important program at Elon that supports her cultural identity as she navigates her professional role.

A first-generation Mexican-American, Gutierrez-Luviano’s parents moved from Michoacán, Mexico, to Wilson, North Carolina, where she was born and raised. She remembers regularly going to a Hispanic flea market growing up, where her parents allowed her and her siblings to buy one item during most visits. Gutierrez-Luviano would often pick a snack like raspado (shaved ice), nieve de coco or fresh cut fruit with tajin and Chamoy while navigating vendors with the backdrop of loud music coming from each stand.

She attended Barton College in her hometown for her undergraduate degrees in business administration and Spanish and earned a master’s at the University of Georgia in college student affairs administration.

“As a first-generation Mexican-American, there were times throughout my undergraduate experience where I did not know what questions to ask, or what I should be doing to be successful,” said Gutierrez-Luvianos, highlighting why she values playing a mentoring role for students.

“I had wonderful mentors who saw potential in me and guided me in the right direction,” she added. “I want to serve my students in that same way, especially if we may share similar cultural experiences because it adds a layer of connection.”

Gutierrez-Luviano said her mentorship begins with curiosity – understanding where students want to be in the future, what worries them and ways to build confidence. “I see potential in my students and guide them in the right direction by listening to their hopes, their goals, and their worries,” she shared.

Hispanic Heritage Month, she said, “honors our contributions, while inviting everyone to immerse themselves into our culture, and traditions that keep our community strong.”

Elon honors Hispanic Heritage Month

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, 福利亚洲国产精品 is sharing stories that celebrate the contributions, identities and experiences of students, faculty and staff. This month recognizes the rich histories and cultures of Hispanic and Latinx communities, while also honoring the ways these traditions connect with and inspire people of all backgrounds. This month provides a special opportunity to honor Hispanic and Latinx heritage, but it also serves as an invitation for all members of the university to engage, learn and celebrate together.

“We invite the Elon community to join us in celebrating and honoring Hispanic Heritage Month by immersing ourselves in the vibrant art, music, food, and traditions that unite and inspire the community,” Amy Gutierrez-Luviano, assistant director of the CREDE, said. “By doing so, we are creating supportive spaces focused on mental, physical and holistic health that uplift the community.

Observed annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and honors the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States. Established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week, the celebration expanded to a month-long observance under President Ronald Reagan in 1988 and became law on Aug. 17 that year. The month highlights the lasting impact of Hispanic and Latinx individuals across various fields, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their vital role in shaping American society.

The celebration begins with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, with Mexico and Chile following shortly after on Sept. 16 and 18.

Hispanic Heritage Month programming at Elon will run from Sept. 10 to Oct. 30. Highlights of this year’s events include the annual Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff and “Crossing Borders: Images of Migration and Voices of Minorities,” featuring film producer and poet Fran?oise Nieto-Fong, sponsored by Latin American Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, the Department of World Languages and Cultures, the Center for Advancement of Teaching nd Learning, and Belk Library.

Hispanic Heritage Month 2026 events at Elon

Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff

Tuesday, Sept. 15

5:30 p.m. | Medallion Plaza

Crossing Borders: Images of Migration and Voices of Minorities

Wednesday, Sept. 16?

2-3:40 p.m. | Turner Theatre

Campus Screening: Sunset over America and The Return-Family Separation

Sponsored by Latin American Studies; Peace and Conflict Studies; the Department of World Languages and Cultures; the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning; Belk Library.

Noche Latina

Tuesday, Sept. 29

7 p.m. | Rudd Field

Perspectivas

Wednesday, Sept. 30

5:30-7 p.m. | McKinnon Hall

Soccer Tournament

Friday, Oct. 2

4-8 p.m. | Intramural Fields

Perspectivas

Thursday, Oct. 8

5:30-7 p.m. | McKinnon Hall

Café con Leche Homecoming Edition

Friday, Oct. 9

3:30-5 p.m. | El Centro (Carlton 114)

Café con Leche w/ friends!

Monday, Oct. 19

5:30-7 p.m. | Irazú

Gala Latina

Friday, Oct. 30

5:30-8 p.m. | McKinnon Hall

Explore the detailed schedule of events for Hispanic Heritage Month on the CREDE website. For questions or more information, please contact Amy Gutierrez-Luviano at agutierrezluviano@elon.edu.

The HEED Award is a prestigious honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to academic excellence, belonging and community-building across all levels of campus life.

Elon will be featured, along with 60 other recipients, in the October 2026 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine. This latest honor recognizes the work Elon as an institution, and its students do to make a more inclusive community.

“What continues to distinguish Elon is that inclusive excellence is central to how we define educational excellence. We put people, relationships, and human differences at the heart of learning and at the foundation of a meaningful personal, professional, and civic life,” said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence. “Across the university, we share responsibility for creating an environment where people are seen, valued, and affirmed in their identities and can experience a genuine sense of belonging.”

The magazine uses a detailed scoring process, a holistic approach and a team of experienced higher education professionals to review each application.

“Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where academic excellence and belonging are woven into the work being done every day across their campus,” said Lenore Pearlstein, co-publisher of Insight into Academia magazine.

Over the past several years, Elon has expanded its SMART mentor program (which connects first-year students with upperclass students) to support and mentor more students. The university has also expanded use of Living Learning Communities, including the new Mi Casa community. International student support efforts have also increased with the addition of a new staff member in that office to better support students with visas at Elon.

In the summer of 2026, Elon will also begin the Elon Launch program, a 6-credit, 3-week residential transition program to give incoming students an intentional start on college life. Elon Launch is intentionally designed to meet the needs of neurodiverse students, including those with ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, anxiety or executive functioning challenges.

The university’s fly-in program, ElonYOU, is specifically designed to open access for students who would otherwise not be able to visit campus. The program fully funds travel and an overnight stay at Elon. Additionally, the program offers up to $250 in travel support for parents/guardians/supporters.

Williams acknowledged the following 福利亚洲国产精品 faculty and staff who contributed information and suggestions for the award application:

• Naeemah Clark, Associate Provost for Academic Inclusive Excellence
• Mike Haskins, Vice President for Marketing and Communications
• Monica Isbell, Director of Academic Accommodations and Accessibility
• Kimberly Romero, Assistant Dean of Admissions for Inclusive Excellence
• Rob Springer, Senior Advisor for Institutional Effectiveness
• Paul Tongsri, Assistant Dean for Student Success and Retention

For more information about the 2026 HEED Award, visit .

福利亚洲国产精品 Insight Into Academia

Insight Into Academia magazine is the leader in advancing best practices in higher education excellence. Through thought-provoking print and online articles, we share expert advice, valuable resources, in-depth profiles of top programs at colleges and universities, headline news, and much more to help keep our readers informed and empower them to advance initiatives at their institutions. Current, archived, and digital issues of Insight Into Academia magazine are available online at insightintoacademia.com.

The series connects two significant milestones in American history — the nation’s 250th anniversary and the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth — through opportunities to explore the ongoing pursuit of freedom, equality and justice.

“This series offers our community an opportunity to reflect on the diverse significance of two historical celebrations during a complex contemporary moment. As we commemorate 250 years of American independence, it is a joyous yet complicated time,” said Carla Fullwood, director of inclusive excellence education and development. “Many communities, particularly historically marginalized communities based on race, have not experienced our nation’s principles of freedom, equality, and justice in the same way across the past 250 years. That is evident in the significance of Juneteenth, which marks the moment enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were notified of the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed years earlier. And that declaration on June 19, 1865 does not account for the many enslaved people who remained in bondage across the South, and in several Union states,?for months after.

Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion

Faculty and staff participating in the Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion series will gather June 9-18 for facilitated conversations inspired by “The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing” by Anneliese Singh.

Through the lens of racial healing, participants will explore how race and racism have shaped Americans’ experiences of foundational democratic ideals and consider what concepts such as freedom, equality and justice mean in their own lives and communities.

Registration for the Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion series is now closed. Registered participants should have received their copy of “The Racial Healing Handbook.” Additional details will be shared directly with participants.

Juneteenth Commemoration Activities

The Inclusive Excellence Summer Development Series culminates June 18 with a day of educational experiences, reflection and celebration.

Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum & State Historic Site Tour

From 9 to 11:30 a.m., faculty and staff can visit the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum & State Historic Site, home of the historic Palmer Memorial Institute, a pioneering educational institution for African American students in North Carolina. Participants should begin boarding the bus at 8:45 a.m.; transportation will depart campus promptly at 9 a.m. from the Elon sign near the Inman Admissions Building.

Freedom Footprints

Beginning June 8, members of the Elon community can explore Black history, activism and achievement at Elon through . The self-guided experience includes campus walking tour stops marked by lawn signs featuring QR codes that connect visitors to additional historical information.

On June 18, Shaunta Alvarez, interim coordinator of University Archives, Digital Collections & Systems Librarian and associate librarian, will lead a guided version of the tour. Weather permitting, participants will depart from Lakeside 213/214 at 1:45 p.m. following the Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion session. No registration is required.

Emancipation Celebration

The day concludes with Together@Elon’s Emancipation Celebration from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in McKinnon Hall within Moseley Center. Community members are invited to enjoy a Juneteenth exhibit, music, sweet treats and games while celebrating freedom, resilience and community. Participants can compete in a Spades tournament for prizes or join casually to learn or teach the game. Individuals and teams of two are welcome to

The Inclusive Excellence Summer Development Series is a collaborative initiative supported by Belk Library, Black Lumen Project, the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE), the Committee on Elon History and Memory, 福利亚洲国产精品 Archives and Special Collections, HealthEU Initiatives, the Office of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development (OIEED), the Office of Leadership and Professional Development (OLPD), Together@Elon/Staff Advisory Council and other campus partners.

The events offered through this summer series give us an opportunity to explore that complexity with honesty and care,” Fullwood said. “The Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion series creates space to unpack our understanding of these complexities through dialogue and storytelling. The Freedom Footprints tour and Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum tour center narratives about Black experiences that are often untold or minimized in the context of American history. Closing the series with the Together@Elon event allows us to root all of this learning in community-building. We are proud to offer Elon faculty and staff opportunities to learn, reflect, and heal together.”

As they prepare to leave Elon, many members of the Class of 2026 gathered in Lakeside Meeting Rooms on May 21 for a celebration centered not only on achievement, but also on the people and communities that helped them get there.

Celebremos! Graduates Take Flight brought together 37 seniors and their families, mentors and friends to honor their journeys for an afternoon of reflection, gratitude and celebration. Throughout the program, students shared personal tributes recognizing the sacrifices, encouragement and support systems that shaped their Elon experiences.

President Connie Ledoux Book reminded the soon-to-be graduates that the stole they were about to receive was not only a recognition of their academic accomplishments, but also a testament to their pride, culture and identity.

“The Elon community is proud of your achievements, your stories and the richness that you have added to Elon’s history during your time here,” she said, adding that this is just the beginning. She asked them to take Elon with them in all endeavors and to stay connected to their alma mater. “I do hope that you’ll continue to reach back to Elon and the community here to share your story, to share your Elon experience and to root for the next generation of Elon grads.”

Each graduate had the opportunity to write a message of gratitude for their village in the language of their choice. Many of them took the opportunity to publicly thank parents and loved ones whose sacrifices made college possible.

“As a first-generation Hispanic college student, there were many moments where I felt like I was figuring things out as I went,” wrote Isabella Iba?ez, whose family heritage is from Argentina. “My parents immigrated here and worked hard to create opportunities for me and my siblings, even when they did not always have a roadmap themselves.”

Others reflected on the emotional complexity of reaching graduation after years of uncertainty, growth and perseverance.

“I’ve?been?asked?a?lot?recently?about?how?I?feel?about?graduating,” drama and theatre studies major Samantha Azúa wrote. “Without?so?much?as a second thought, I’m quick to respond?with?‘existential.’” In her tribute, Azúa thanked her parents for the sacrifices they made in moving to the United States and for teaching her to take advantage of every opportunity and to “trabajar duro y nunca rendirme, incluso cuando las cosas se ponen muy difíciles.”

For fellow graduating senior Libia Zulema Velasquez, hearing younger students reflect on the sacrifices their parents made for them was particularly meaningful. A mother herself who uprooted her family from Culiacán in northwestern Mexico to pursue a Master of Education in Innovation at Elon, she understood all too well the significance of those words. “I kept looking at my children,” she said. “I can identify with that sacrifice.”

As part of her reflection, she had these words for Liam and Leo: “A mis hijos quiero decirles que: todo es posible. Todo se puede alcanzar. Solo hace falta pensarlo, decidirlo … y actuar.”

The stories shared throughout the event reflected a wide range of experiences, but common themes emerged repeatedly: family, belonging, mentorship and resilience.

For Daniela ?vila, graduating meant carrying her hometown in Honduras with her into the future.

“Hoy, al celebrar mi graduación, llevo a mi pueblo conmigo en cada paso que doy,” she wrote. “Me siento profundamente orgullosa de mis raíces y de representar a una comunidad llena de personas trabajadoras, artesanos y luchadores que inspiran con su ejemplo.”

Several graduates specifically highlighted the communities they found at Elon: spaces and people that helped transform the university into a second home. Others recognized the role programs such as Odyssey and Elon Academy played in helping them navigate college and pursue opportunities they once thought impossible.

“Odyssey?no solo me brindó apoyo académico, sino también un sentido de pertenencia y una red de personas que realmente creen en mi potencial,” wrote Jesús Santoyo Rosales, who is graduating with a degree in biomedical and mechanical engineering. “Este logro no es solo mío, es de todos nosotros”?— a reminder that “this achievement is not only mine; it belongs to all of us.”

“Your story matters and the way you live with integrity, with empathy and love will continue to inspire those around you.”
— Sylvia Mu?oz, director of the CREDE

The event also highlighted the deeply personal nature of students’ journeys. Some graduates thanked siblings who inspired them, grandparents who sacrificed for future generations, professors who saw potential in them and friends who became family.

“Growth does not happen alone,” Iba?ez wrote. “It comes from the people who support you, challenge you, and remind you that you are capable even when you doubt yourself.”

For many students, graduation represented more than earning a degree; it symbolized the culmination of years of sacrifice that stretched far beyond themselves.

“Como hija mayor y primera generación en graduarme de la escuela secundaria y ahora de la universidad, llevo este logro con orgullo, pero también con responsabilidad,” wrote Carolina Vasquez. “Siempre he querido ser un buen ejemplo para mis hermanos, demostrarles que sí se puede, que nuestros sue?os no tienen límites.”

In her charge to the students, Diana Jimenez Carreno challenged graduates to be present in the moment and proud of what they have accomplished. Above all, she encouraged them to never forget their roots or the strong voices they carry within them.

“Do not let stereotypes, stigma or negativity in the world silence that voice,” she said. “And believe me, it’s easier said than done. But you’re not alone. And when life feels overwhelming, lean on your village.”

Sylvia Mu?oz, assistant dean of students and director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, echoed that sentiment in her closing remarks. “As you begin this next chapter, remember your voice matters,” she said. “Your story matters and the way you live with integrity, with empathy and love will continue to inspire those around you.”

As the celebration concluded, students embraced family members, posed for photos and reflected on the communities that carried them through their Elon journeys.

“I just feel so thankful and so blessed,” Velasquez said, reflecting on the event. There is one message, she added, that she plans to carry with her moving forward: “Disfruta el momento.”

Her remarks reflected the evening’s themes of belonging, connection and growth as students, faculty and staff gathered to honor graduating seniors who have engaged in or identify with Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and traditions.

“This community met me where I was, and I have you all to thank for helping me find my way into it,” said Wible.

Throughout the evening, the celebration included award recognitions, a stole ceremony and concluded with student performances. Awards presented during the celebration included the Beacon Award, Asian Studies Awards, Academic Excellence Awards, Illumination Award, Radiance Award, Outstanding Senior Award and student-voted superlatives recognizing members of the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

The stole ceremony served as one of the ceremony’s most symbolic moments, symbolizing connection to heritage, identity and community. Along with their stole, students received a booklet of cards from prominent individuals who helped light their way during their Elon journey.

Co-designed by Tiffany Huang ’23 and Alana Evora ’24, the stole featured flower petals as a motif representing the diversity and individuality within the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

The design also aligned with the 2026 Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month theme, “Distinctly in Bloom, Growing Together,” which resonated throughout the evening in the celebration’s remarks and intentional decor. Each table centerpiece highlighted a different flower representing various aspects of the Asian and Pacific Islander community. It also included mall booklet containing cards from people who have lit the way for their journey at Elon.

“Each flower represents the individuality and the uniqueness within our communities, whilst also reminding us of what ties all of us together,” said George Dou, assistant director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education.

Dou also spoke about the importance of community and shared growth.

“Each senior participating in our ceremony tonight has traced a unique path in the way that they have bloomed during their time here at Elon,” Dou said. “Growth, in many ways, cannot happen without a community.”

As the evening concluded, Wible reminded students that the spirit of community does not end with the night’s celebration, encouraging them to continue supporting and empowering each other beyond Elon.

“The light doesn’t go out when tonight ends — it goes with us into every room, every community and every person that needs to find their way in,” Wible said.

2026 Award Recipients

Beacon Award?

The Beacon Awards are given to two faculty or staff members who have gone above and beyond to be a beacon of support to the API community at 福利亚洲国产精品.

Beacon Award Recipients: Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement and Raj Ghoshal, associate professor of sociology

Illumination Award

The Illumination Award recognizes a student whose scholarship has shed light on the understanding of APISA identities, cultures, history or heritage.

Illumination Award Recipient: Emma Hash ’26

Radiance Award

The Radiance Award recognizes a sophomore or junior student who has shown great dedication, passion, or awareness around API identities or topics at Elon. This individual has gone above and beyond to create a more inclusive and representative campus for Elon as a whole.

Radiance Award Recipient: Emily Wright ’27

Brilliance Award

Formerly the Outstanding Senior Award, the Brilliance Award recognizes the leadership, dedication and the impact a graduating senior has made on the Asian and Pacific Islander community throughout their journey at Elon.

Brilliance Award Recipient: Reagan Wible ’26

Student Superlatives?

• Most Likely To Be In The API Room: Pagnapech Ngoun ’26
• Most Likely To Be On A Reality TV Show: Olivia Mohil ’27
• Most Likely To Brighten Your Day: Seleyna Bautista ’26
• Busiest Bee: Lillian Chen ’26

Grounded in a legacy of honoring Black excellence, the program reflects its enduring impact at Elon through resilience, achievement and a deep commitment to advancing equity, belonging and community both on campus and beyond.

The program included opening remarks from Abdul-Malik Harrison, assistant director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, followed by an invocation from the Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement. Remarks were given by President Connie Ledoux Book, and a special video tribute was presented in honor of Janice Ratliff, who passed away earlier this year.

“In recognition of a remarkable legacy, we honor Janice Ratliff, who devoted more than 35 years of service to 福利亚洲国产精品, shaping generations of students through her work in Student Life,” said Maleah Proctor ’26, Black Student Union president, during the awards ceremony. “Her legacy lives through the many students she mentored and uplifted, and through the historic recognition of being the first Black staff member to have a campus building named in her honor.”

New to this year’s ceremony were the Legacy and Community Impact awards, recognizing undergraduate students, faculty, staff, organizations and departments whose leadership, advocacy, creativity and innovation have strengthened Black communities and advanced inclusion at Elon.

The new honors include the Glenda Phillips-Hightower Trailblazer Award, the Eugene Perry Legacy Award, the Community Impact Awards (Agendas of Change and Innovator in Empowerment) and the Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award.

Additional honors recognized academic achievement, including students named to the dean’s list (3.5 GPA) and the President’s Award, which recognizes students earning no lower than an A-, the Elon Black Alumni Network Scholarship and the Wilhelmina Boyd AAASE Scholar Award.

Elon Black Alumni Network Scholarship Award

The Elon Black Alumni Network (EBAN) strives to unite and represent the interests of 福利亚洲国产精品’s? Black alumni and students by fostering empowerment, connection and celebration within Elon’s Black community. In 2007, EBAN established a scholarship fund to help make an Elon education accessible to Black students. This fund reached a significant milestone in 2023, achieving a $1 million endowment, further strengthening its ability to support future generations.

Elon Black Alumni Network Scholarship Recipient:?Laila Cottman ‘28 and Kavalon Mills ‘27

Elon Experiences Awards

The Elon Experiences Awards honor students who exemplify the university’s commitment to engaged learning through transformative action, global perspective, and meaningful impact. These awards recognize students whose leadership, service, research, global engagement and internship experiences have significantly advanced and enriched Black communities.

Global Engagement Award

The Global Engagement Award celebrates students who have excelled in study abroad or global learning, deepening intercultural understanding and awareness. This award recognizes students who have engaged in global experiences that have enhanced their understanding of Black diasporic cultures and fostered cross-cultural solidarity.

Global Engagement Award Recipient:?Kendall Lytle ’26

Internship Award

The Internship Award recognizes students whose professional internships demonstrate exceptional performance, impact and the ability to connect classroom learning with workplace success. This award celebrates students whose internships have involved work that supports or advocates for Black communities, promoting diversity and inclusion in professional settings.

Internship Award Recipient:?Andrea Camo Conde ’26

Leadership Award

The Leadership Award recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in organizations, initiatives, or campus life, inspiring others through their vision and service. This award honors students whose leadership has advanced racial equity, fostered an inclusive campus environment and empowered Black communities.

Leadership Award Recipients:?Will Lankford ’26 and Maleah Proctor ’26

Service & Civic Engagement Award

The Service & Civic Engagement Award honors students whose sustained commitment strengthens Black communities through service efforts that foster community empowerment, address systemic challenges and/or promote social justice and equity.

Service & Civic Engagement Award Recipient:?Kristina “Krissy” Randolph ’26

Undergraduate Research Award

The Undergraduate Research Award honors students who contribute to the creation of new knowledge through research or creative activity. This award recognizes students whose research has advanced the understanding of issues affecting Black communities, contributing to academic discourse and social change.

Undergraduate Research Award Recipient:?Haleigh Cephus ’26 and Niara Legette ’26

Legacy Awards

The Legacy Awards are the highest honors of the Phillips-Perry Excellence Awards. Named after Glenda Phillips-Hightower and Eugene Perry, these awards honor the courage, resilience and determination that redefined what was possible at Elon and laid out the foundation for greater equity and inclusion.

Glenda Phillips-Hightower Trailblazer Award

Recipients of this award honor Glenda Phillips-Hightower’s trailblazing spirit by demonstrating perseverance, uplifting others through mentorship and advocacy, and fostering a stronger sense of belonging within the Elon community.

Glenda Phillips-Hightower Trailblazer Award Recipient:?Jordyne Lewis ’27

Eugene Perry Legacy Award

Recipients of this award honor Eugene Perry’s legacy by breaking barriers, excelling in their pursuits, and creating opportunities for others, fostering inclusion through mentorship, advocacy or innovation.

Eugene Perry Legacy Award Recipient:?Mackenzie Perry ’26

Community Impact Awards

The Community Impact Awards celebrate students, organizations or departments who make meaningful contributions to the Black experience at Elon and communities beyond the campus. These awards honor leadership, creativity and innovation in advancing equity, inclusion, wellness, and cultural expression. Recipients are recognized for their efforts to uplift Black voices, foster community and create a positive, lasting impact.

Agents of Change Award

The Agents of Change Award recognizes a student, campus organization or university department that has led initiatives resulting in meaningful community impact. It celebrates leadership, empowerment and a commitment to inclusion and equity by honoring those who elevate underrepresented voices and foster environments of belonging, connection and opportunity that strengthen Black communities at Elon and beyond.

Agents of Change Award Recipient:?Nailah Ware ’26

Innovator in Empowerment Award

The Innovator in Empowerment Award honors students who demonstrate creativity and innovation in advancing wellness, equity and success within Black communities. Recipients are recognized for developing ideas, initiatives, or approaches that positively impact individuals, promote inclusion and opportunity and strengthen community. Honorees exemplify originality, problem-solving and the ability to create meaningful change that supports the well-being, advancement, and visibility of Black communities on campus and beyond.

Innovator in Empowerment Award Recipient:?Nailah Ware ’26

Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award

The Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award honors students who demonstrate leadership and excellence in artistic expression, such as music, dance, visual arts, spoken word or other creative forms. Recipients are recognized for their vision, creativity and initiative in amplifying Black cultural expression and fostering community on campus. The award celebrates students whose artistic contributions inspire, uplift, and engage others, building spaces of pride, connection, and visibility for Black communities.

Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award Recipient:?Madison McCrainey ’26

The Wilhelmina Boyd African & African American Studies at Elon (AAASE) Award

The Wilhelmina Boyd AAASE Scholar Award was created in the Spring of 2008 to honor the work and contributions of Professor Wilhelmina Boyd’s 18 years of service to 福利亚洲国产精品 and African & African-American Studies. The award recipient must be a graduating senior with an African & African-American Studies minor, a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA in the minor of 3.2. In addition, the recipient must demonstrate a commitment to African & African-American Studies as demonstrated through coursework, citizenship/community engagement, scholarship and student activities/leadership.

Wilhelmina Boyd AAASE Scholar Award Recipient:?Kendall Lytle ’26

As graduation approaches, Wible now looks back on the encounters and experiences that helped her better understand herself and shaped the impact she hopes to leave as she crosses the stage in May.

“Before Elon, I didn’t really have any attachment to my heritage,” Wible said. “I’ve learned so much about myself since being here.”

To fully understand Wible’s journey, you must begin at the start. The daughter of two adoptees — one from Korea and the other a white American — she did not grow up in her small Pennsylvania hometown with a strong connection to her Korean heritage.

“I never had a clear sense of this part of me, since both of my parents are adoptees,” Wible said. “Coming from a predominantly white school and community, there were times when I felt that my Korean heritage was something to be ashamed of.”

Wible said that changed when she was admitted to Elon. She recognized college as an opportunity. “I knew I would have better resources and outlets to put myself out there and learn more about Pan-Asian cultures,” she said.

Looking for those opportunities, Wible first explored her identity through the university’s Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education’s SMART Mentor Program. She remembers it as a leap outside her comfort zone, but one she knew could open new doors.

That one decision changed the trajectory of her Elon experience. Through the SMART Mentor Program, Wible met Anna Marchesseault ’24.

“She introduced me to all of her friends, and they helped me attend more events and find community early on,” Wible said.

Wible’s exploration of her identity has also taken shape in an unexpected place — her home.

Living with two other Elon students of Asian heritage, she found a space to explore her culture through everyday behaviors.

“It was my roommates decorating for Lunar New Year and teaching me traditions, like cleaning the house before the Lunar New Year holiday,” Wible said. “I just never realized those were things that happened.”

What may have seemed like small moments became meaningful opportunities for connection and growth.

Finding community through connection

With the encouragement of her new friends, Wible began exploring her heritage by attending events, such as Food for Thought and previous API Heritage Month programs

These steps would eventually lead her to deeper campus involvement, including membership in Elon’s Associate Chapter of Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated, a sorority open to anyone interested in Pan-Asian cultures.

“We aim to promote an inclusive sisterhood while giving back to the community and celebrating culture, especially in a space where there aren’t many of us,” Wible said.

This mission is reflected in the sorority’s guiding pillars of service, academic excellence and cultural awareness across university campuses and communities. As the current president of the Associate Chapter at Elon, Wible serves as the organization’s on-campus face and primary contact, as well as a member of the sorority’s national marketing staff.

Beyond her responsibilities as president, she has served as a mentor and demonstrated strong leadership within the sorority.

George Dou, assistant director of the CREDE and advisor to the sorority, praises Wible’s presence and contributions to the university campus.

“Reagan is someone who’s passionate about what she does,” Dou said. “Many student leaders are, but Reagan has always expressed a desire to improve upon what she’s given and to excel rather than being content with simply being satisfactory.”

As Wible has invested in the organization, the sorority has also become a space where she has further discovered herself, explored her identity and developed her leadership.

“I want to build relationships across organizations and show that even if we come from different backgrounds, there are still ways we can connect and learn from each other,” said Wible, who also serves on the executive board of the Multicultural Greek Council.

That vision has taken shape through her efforts to strengthen relationships across chapters.

“Reagan doesn’t just support Elon KPL members, but supports our (members) all over the country,” said Bella Pelini ’27, a member of the Associate Chapter of Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated, who considers Wible a mentor. “She is always the first to ask Elon (memberS) if we want to join her at other North Carolina school cultural events or reveals. She has helped us strengthen our sisterhood throughout all of North Carolina and beyond.”

These actions reflect the legacy Wible hopes to leave on campus and bring her journey full circle, from the moment her mentor invested in her upon arriving at Elon. As she looks ahead, Wible is considering graduate school and pursuing a career on a college campus.

She hopes to leave a lasting impact on the community she has built at Elon by encouraging others to pursue new opportunities. “Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone,” Wible said. “It might be scary, but it can change your life in a really positive way.”

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.

“I chose Elon because I didn’t want an environment where I was just a number,” Wright recalled.

She knew she wanted an environment where her professors not only knew her name but knew her as a person and were able to support her in her academic journey. And Wright found that supportive community at Elon, from classmates who study together to professors who assist her with research to staff members who help her find community.

Like many Elon students, Wright is involved in several clubs and organizations. The biochemistry major serves as vice president for the Asian-Pacific Student Organization (APSA), volunteers as a SMART mentor, works as a tour guide for the Office of Admissions, and dedicates free time to the Open Door Clinic of Alamance County.

Building Community

Wright also conducts undergraduate research in public health.

When she first arrived at Elon, Wright attended a handful of APSA events and stayed after to help clean up, which caught the attention of then-president Nhat “Ivan” Nguyen ’25, who encouraged Wright to join the executive board.

“I’m an Asian adoptee and I was like, ‘Oh, I’m not Asian enough to be on the exec board. I don’t know my native language,’” Wright said when Nguyen tried to recruit her to a leadership role in the organization.

But when Wright continued attending APSA events, Nguyen kept showing her that there is more than one way to express an Asian identity. Through APSA, Wright found that many classmates had similar backgrounds, and it was the small moments with friends where she felt most at home.

“There was a space for me that I could explore being Asian in a safer way,” Wright said.

Wright soon took Nguyen’s advice and joined the board of APSA as the events coordinator in the spring of 2025, and last fall she took over as vice president. She oversees events, planned this year’s Lunar New Year festivities, and is assisting the Center for Race, Ethnicity, & Diversity Education with its own event planning for API Heritage Month.

The Lunar New Year celebration is one of Wright’s proudest moments. She said she loved the collaboration between her fellow board members and the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life to bring people from across campus together to discover belonging.

Between Two Worlds

As an adoptee who grew up in predominantly white spaces, Wright often felt caught between identities. Her siblings were also adopted from China, and she said her mother encouraged participation in Chinese community events. But often in those events, she felt that she was “not Asian enough”.

“They could understand their native language. Their parents were from there, and I never felt like I belonged,” Wight explained.

For many Chinese adoptees, Wright said, there are a lot of unanswered questions about their origins. Wright felt grateful that her mother was able to bring her and her siblings back to China for many years, showing them where they were from, an experience not all adoptees are able to have.

At the same time, Wright said, it wasn’t until she came to Elon and met other adoptees that she felt seen in a way she hadn’t before. “It was nice to have the same experience of just not belonging anywhere,” Wright said, “so we find a place of belonging with each other.”

Mentorship

Mentorship is an important element of Wright’s collegiate experience. During her first year, Wright’s SMART mentor, Emily Cashen ’26, walked her through the process of selecting biology classes for the spring semester. Cashen’s guidance inspired Wright to become a SMART mentor herself.

In her constellation of mentors, Wright has also praised George Dou, assistant director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity, & Diversity Education who advises ASPA.

“Emily has been a great leader since she has gotten involved with APSA,” Dou said. “She’s great at planning ahead, is thoughtful about how she engages with her team and other students and is a pleasure to work with.”

While Wright is only in her sophomore year, she has found another mentor in John Moses-Brownson, the associate director of career advising for pre-health professionals, who helps Wright see the “bigger picture” of her journey to a career in health care.

“When I first met Emily the first week of her time at Elon, I knew that she was going to be a major presence on campus,?and I feel that she has exceeded even my high hopes in just her first two years,” Moses-Brownson said. “Emily dreams big,?and her dreams are kind, embracing of everyone, and destined to create ripples of change in her wake.”

For Wright, Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is not just about celebration. It’s about recognition. It’s a time where she knows she is Asian enough and no one can tell her otherwise.

What once felt like a disconnect has become a point of connection with others who share similar experiences. Now, as a leader, mentor and future health professional, Wright said she hopes to continue creating spaces where others feel that same sense of belonging.

Elon honors Asian & Pacific Island Heritage Month

As part of Asian & 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 celebration offers an opportunity for reflection, education and connection, deepening understanding of API communities’ lasting impact, with the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education (CREDE) leading a variety of programs throughout the month.

Recognizing the diversity within Asian & Pacific Islander communities, this year’s theme, “Distinctly in Bloom: Growing Together”, focuses on highlighting the uniqueness of different Asian, Pacific Islander and South Asian cultures and identities across the diaspora.

“Our hope for the theme is that the campus community will understand and get to learn about the full spectrum of APISA cultures and identities,” George Dou, assistant director of the CREDE, said. “That means also learning about each culture or people individually as well, which is something we’re hoping to highlight throughout the course of the month.”

Throughout April, with events continuing into May, the CREDE will host a variety of events to honor and highlight these communities. Highlights of this year’s events include the annual kickoff celebration, the Asian Film Series and the Kaju & Lina Piano Duo (Voyage of Dance).

For additional questions, please contact Dou at gdou@elon.edu.

Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Events at Elon

Communi-Tea Time

Every Tuesday in April

12:30-1:30 p.m. | CREDE (Moseley 221)

APIHM?Kickoff

Wednesday, April 1

5:30-7 p.m. | Medallion Plaza

The Elon community is invited to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities at our API Heritage Month Kickoff Event! This celebration will feature different foods, cultural performances, local businesses and engaging activities that highlight the contributions and traditions of API communities.

Kaju & Lina Piano Duo (Voyage of Dance)

Wednesday, April 1

7:30 p.m. | Whitley Auditorium

A duet piano recital featuring classical and Korean folk music. Kaju Lee and Lina Yoo Min Lee met while teaching in Wisconsin and have performed together at various institutions and venues, often showcasing both well-known classical pieces and works by contemporary and Korean composers. Their performances frequently feature both solo and duo (4-hands) repertoire. Sponsored by the Department of Music.

Matcha & Sushi Pops

Tuesday, April 7

2-3 p.m. | Outside Lakeside

Spring into History w/ Chinese Club & Arabic Club

Wednesday, April 8

6-8 p.m. | El Centro Kitchen (Carlton 114)

K-DNS: Open Dance Session

Friday, April 10

6-7 p.m. | Koury Dance Studio 5

Holi

Friday, April 10 (Rain dates: April 17 and April 24)

4 p.m. | Phi Beta Kappa Lawn

A Hindu spring festival of color and sharing love, Holi marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The Elon community gathers at Speaker’s Corner to throw colored powder at one another, celebrating the earth returning to color and life and good triumphing over evil. If you plan to throw color, please wear old clothing that can get dirtied by paint. There will also be crafts, food, and other ways to celebrate the holiday. Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious & Spiritual Life.

APISA Community Dinner

Monday, April 13

5:30-7 p.m. | CREDE (Moseley 221)

Rainbow Boba?

Friday, April 17

5:30-6:30 p.m. | CREDE (Moseley 221)

Asian Film Series: The Globalization Tapes

Tuesday, April 21

7 p.m. | Global Media Room 103

A documentary exploring how a community in West Java navigates the forces of globalization, tourism and cultural identity.

Food For Thought: Korea

Wednesday, April 22

6 p.m. | CREDE (Moseley 221)

Donghua Night

Friday, April 24

8-10 p.m. | Alamance 315

A collaboration between the Chinese Club and the Anime & Japanese Studies Club where we will be watching donghuas (动画), which is the Chinese term for anime.

Exploring Asian America: Workshop

Wednesday, April 29

5:30-7 p.m. | CREDE (Moseley 221)

An interactive workshop where participants will get to learn more about the spectrum of voices and experiences in Asian America.

Asian Film Series: Perfect Days

Tuesday, May 5

7 p.m. | Global Media Room 103

A Tokyo toilet cleaner finds quiet beauty and contentment in his daily routine and unexpected human connections.

Tai Chi with Chinese Club

Wednesday, May 6

5-6 p.m. | Colonnades Quad

LTW: EOY Celebration

Thursday, May 7

6-7:30 p.m. | McKinnon (Moseley 128)

Explore the full schedule of API Heritage Month events on the CREDE website.