Shardae Brown has been named director of the CJC, while Sana Silvera-Roy will serve as the inaugural Charlotte documenters program manager. Together, they will lead the CJC鈥檚 continued work connecting local news organizations, community institutions and residents while expanding opportunities for civic participation.

Chris Rudisill, who has led the CJC since 2020, will transition into a Senior Advisor role to support the leadership transition and ensure continuity as the new team assumes responsibility for the collaborative鈥檚 growing programs and partnerships.

鈥淭his is an exciting moment, not only because of two outstanding hires, but because it reflects our continued investment in the CJC鈥檚 work and its impact in the community,鈥� said Sarah Fatherly, provost at Queens University. 鈥淭he Charlotte Journalism Collaborative has become an essential part of Charlotte鈥檚 local news ecosystem, and we鈥檙e thrilled to welcome Shardae and Sana as they help lead its next chapter.鈥�

Since its launch in 2019, the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative has grown into one of the nation鈥檚 most respected local journalism collaborations. Bringing together local news organizations, universities, libraries, and community organizations, the CJC has expanded collaborative reporting, convened community conversations through the annual Local News Impact Summit, developed innovative civic information resources, strengthened student journalism, and recently launched Charlotte Documenters 鈥� a resident-powered initiative that trains and pays community members to document local government meetings.

The creation of a full-time director position through Queens University鈥檚 Knight School of Communication reflects the university鈥檚 commitment to making the CJC an important part of its journalism and civic engagement mission.

福利亚洲国产精品 the New Leadership
CJC Director Shardae Brown brings more than 15 years of experience leading projects, programs and teams across the corporate, nonprofit, government and community sectors. Her work is rooted in a human-centered approach that recognizes the power of personal narrative to strengthen organizations and communities. Brown is the co-founder of the community-based production company Epoch Tribe, which has put Charlotte鈥檚 Black stories at the forefront of the stage, including through 鈥淚 Am Queen: Charlotte鈥� where hundreds of women have shared their stories.

Brown studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree from East Carolina University and a Master of Education from Northeastern University. She is passionate about history, culture and community, and says her love of legacy is the driving force behind both her personal and professional life.

鈥淎s someone who believes deeply in the power of community, collaboration and storytelling, I鈥檓 honored to join the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淭he CJC has built an extraordinary foundation, and I look forward to working alongside our partners to strengthen local journalism, expand civic participation and ensure every resident has access to trusted local information.鈥�

Charlotte Documenters Program Manager Sana Silvera-Roy joins the CJC with more than 25 years of experience in journalism, strategic communications, higher education, media relations and community engagement.

Most recently serving as media relations specialist for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Silvera-Roy has also held communication roles with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, WXII 12 News and was an assignment desk editor at WSOC Channel 9. She currently teaches communications as an adjunct instructor at Central Piedmont Community College.

She holds a Master of Science in Strategic Communication from Troy University, a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Trinity University and is an AI Champion Ambassador.

鈥淐harlotte Documenters is about empowering residents to better understand and engage with local government,鈥� Silvera-Roy said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to help build a network of community members who are invested in strengthening civic participation while supporting local journalism.鈥�

A Thoughtful Transition
Rudisill will continue serving as senior advisor during the transition, providing strategic guidance while supporting Brown, Silvera-Roy and Queens as they continue expanding the CJC鈥檚 work.

鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly proud of what our partners have built together over the past six years,鈥� Rudisill said. 鈥淪eeing Queens deepen its commitment to the CJC and welcome leaders like Shardae and Sana gives me tremendous confidence in its future.鈥�

Today, the CJC includes Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, The Charlotte Observer, the Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte, La Noticia, QCity Metro, QNotes, UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, WCNC Charlotte, and WFAE, alongside dozens of community partners working together to strengthen Charlotte鈥檚 local news ecosystem.

鈥淭he CJC has always been built on the belief that no single newsroom, university or community organization can meet today鈥檚 information challenges alone,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淭hat belief remains unchanged, and I鈥檓 excited to continue building on that shared commitment.鈥�

Supported by funding from The Alliance for Campus Community Engagement, in partnership with 9/11 Day, AmeriCorps, and North Carolina Campus Engagement, the Queens community turned a solemn milestone into a multi-day initiative focused on unity and giving back.

Program Coordinator for Community and Civic Engagement Darryl White Sr. 鈥�92, 鈥�21, a Queens alumnus and U.S. Army veteran who was called to active duty following the attacks, led the campus events.

Across three days of service opportunities surrounding the ceremony, more than 150 volunteers dedicated over 250 combined hours to support local community members in need. Together, the Queens community assembled:

• 475 sandwiches and 275 personal hygiene kits complete with handwritten messages of encouragement for Roof Above, a shelter in Charlotte, North Carolina.
• 25 Welcome Home Cleaning Kits for Veterans Bridge Home, a community resource for service members in Charlotte.

“The 25th anniversary of 9/11 helps us to reunite,” White said. “Doing good is not just a one-day thing, Every act of service we do for our community goes a long way.”

The 9/11 commemoration began on the academic quad with the singing of 鈥淭he Star-Spangled Banner鈥� by first-year nursing student Jasmine David 鈥�30 from Salisbury, North Carolina.

“I was delighted to participate in today鈥檚 ceremony,” David said. “I’ve been singing ever since I was young, so I was honored to be given this opportunity to contribute to Queens and our community in this meaningful way. This event means a great deal for the 9/11 victims, veterans, and our country. And this is my way of giving back.”

At 8:46 a.m., the exact moment the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center, the community participated in a moment of silence led by University Chaplain Adrian Bird.

“It’s wonderful that we have this opportunity to gather here on the Queens campus as we remember, as we reflect,” Chaplain Bird shared before leading the prayer. “Hard to believe it’s been 25 years, and the impact of that day still resonates certainly here and around the world.鈥�

Following the moment of silence, student veteran Rick Wright 鈥�29 led the community in 听听placing the first American flags on the lawn.

For Wright, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and creative writing major, taking part in the service event carried layered personal significance. Having served in the Marines from 1988 to 2003, Wright felt an overwhelming call to re-enlist following the 9/11 attacks.

His specialized skill as a static line jump master sent him “from the couch to the desert” for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Now pursuing his passion for writing alongside traditional-age undergraduates, seeing younger students honor the anniversary gave him a powerful sense of hope and continuity.

“I like seeing all of the young students out here helping with this and commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks,” Wright said. “For people who are older and lived through 9/11 we understand the sense of loss, the tragicness of it. It gives me hope that the younger generation is keeping the spirit alive and never forgetting.”

For Head Women鈥檚 Basketball Coach Jen Brown, a native New Yorker who was a high school student in midtown Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001, the day carries deep personal weight.

“It’s very somber,” Brown shared, reflecting on her family back in Brooklyn and her sister, who served as a nurse responding at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “I don’t think people understand the mental toll it took on the first responders and the nurses and doctors. It was a very traumatic experience for everybody.”

Yet, Brown sees the same national unity that emerged in 2001 reflected on campus today.

When asked what today’s students, most of whom were born after 2001, should carry forward, Brown’s message was simple: perspective and gratitude.

“Never take any day, any second for granted,” Brown said. “You should be appreciative of every second you get to spend with your loved ones.”

The series features prominent leaders and provides the campus community with an opportunity to learn directly from top executives shaping major industries in Charlotte, North Carolina.

McColl School of Business Dean Denise Rotondo kicked off the evening of Sept. 10, 2026, with welcoming remarks.

鈥淔or our students listening tonight hoping to learn about leadership and the journey, you will hear amazing stories from Ms. Cayette-Weston about self-awareness, courage, measured risk-taking, authenticity, and the ability to build excitement and energy around a shared vision,” Rotondo said.

The crowd in Ketner Auditorium then watched a high-energy video of the franchise鈥檚 new “Hive Mentality” brand campaign, an initiative aimed at ushering in a new era for the team, the city, and fans across the Carolinas.

In a conversation moderated by Will Sparks, executive director of the Center for Leadership and Executive Education, Cayette-Weston reflected on her journey from collegiate student-athlete and Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame inductee to one of the National Basketball Association’s most accomplished and respected business executives.

After spending 12 years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cayette-Weston now leads more than 1,200 team members across the Charlotte Hornets, the NBA G League’s Greensboro Swarm, and Spectrum Center, a leading venue hosting over 150 sporting events, concerts, and community gatherings annually.

She has ushered in one of the most significant periods of business growth in the franchise鈥檚 history. Under her leadership, the organization achieved the highest attendance growth in the NBA for the 2025鈥�26 season, delivered top-five league growth in ticketing and corporate partnerships, and set new franchise records in retail and merchandise sales.

When asked why engaging with college audiences is a priority alongside her extensive civic duties, which include serving as a trustee of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a board member for Foundation for the Carolinas, and incoming chair of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Cayette-Weston highlighted the mutual energy and goal of empowering rising professionals.

“Leadership is all about empowerment and developing great future leaders,” Cayette-Weston said. “Not only do I get energy from them, but it鈥檚 always beneficial for me to hear different stories and learn different people’s paths so that I can create my own. I hope sharing my truth inspires them to continue to craft their path.”

Ethan Mello 鈥�28, a business administration major from Clayton, North Carolina, said he was eager to hear about the operational dynamics of a major professional franchise and how off-court success drives broader organizational performance.

“I was always engaged in sports growing up and was intrigued to hear about Ms. Cayette-Weston鈥檚 professional journey,” Mello said.

Student-athlete Charlie Podgorny 鈥�27, an entrepreneurial studies major from Niles, Illinois, was also interested in learning about Cayette-Weston鈥檚 leadership style. “Events like Leaders in Action give students the chance to learn from successful professionals and hear about real experiences outside of the classroom,” Podgorny said.

Both Mello and Podgorny are students in Professor Dave Anderson鈥檚 Principles of Management and Organizations & Leadership class.

鈥淚n Professor Anderson’s class, we learn about leadership and how it impacts your environment,” Mello said. “One of the big things we talked about in class that she hit on was adaptability. It’s not the same from area to area or company to company. You鈥檝e got to be able to adapt to your team or whatever group you’re in charge of to make sure you’re reaching the target.”

Podgorny agreed, emphasizing the value of tailored leadership communication. “The adaptability part really hit home,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou have to be able to talk to different people in different ways and figure out how to communicate with them so everyone can perform at their highest potential.”

The alignment between classroom concepts and Cayette-Weston’s real-world strategy highlighted the core mission of the lecture series: bridging academic lessons in the class with executive practice in real-world settings.

“Shelly represents the exact blend of strategic vision and human-centered leadership we teach in the Center for Leadership and Executive Education,” Sparks said. “Having her share her journey, from student-athlete to leading business operations for an NBA franchise, provides Queens students with a real-world blueprint for authenticity, resilience, and driving organizational performance.”

The incoming class brought with it a wide range of academic interests, with intended majors spanning biology, business, nursing, and exercise and sport science. The class spans 38 states. Fifty-eight percent of students arrived from outside North Carolina, and the class includes some traveling from as far as Hawaii and Australia.

Faculty, staff, and student volunteers worked alongside the Student Affairs and Residence Life teams on Aug. 26, 2026, to keep Move-In Day running smoothly for new students and their families. A steady stream of vehicles pulled up to residence halls while volunteers worked in tandem to unpack trunks, haul mini-fridges, and guide incoming Royals to their rooms.

As lofted beds went up, so did the excitement for the more than 300 incoming students taking their first steps into college life.

After saying goodbye to their families, students gathered for the annual Sed Min ceremony where Acting President and CEO Jesse Cureton formally welcomed the new class and reflected on his ties to Queens as a Charlotte native, alumnus, and former Chair of the Board.

Cureton highlighted the unique timing of the students鈥� arrival, notably as Queens progresses toward its merger with 福利亚洲国产精品.

“Your class will be among the first students who experience what happens when two great institutions join forces to create more opportunities 鈥� more networks to connect with, more academic program offerings, pathways to graduate school, and expanded opportunities for global education,” Cureton said.

He emphasized that character and community lie at the heart of the Queens experience before inviting the Class of 2030 to sign the Honor Code, a commitment to living with integrity, compassion, and responsibility.

鈥淭housands of Queens alumni have sat in your seats, participating in this tradition for decades,鈥� said Provost Sarah Fatherly. 鈥淭his time of year, I am always reminded that moments of transition are special times, ones that are full of possibilities.鈥�

Student Government Association President Jessica Paredes 鈥�27 also addressed the class, encouraging the newest Royals to live out the university motto. 鈥淭oday, you have the wonderful privilege of being a part of this ceremony, upholding Queens’ motto: 鈥楴ot to be served, but to serve,鈥欌�� Paredes said. 鈥淥n our campus and abroad, we are committed to upholding integrity through serving our relationships, our campus, and our community.鈥�

The ceremony marked the start of Royal Kickoff, an orientation program designed to provide incoming Royals dedicated time to settle in, explore campus, and build connections before classes begin on Aug. 31.

鈥淩oyal Kickoff will help students continue to learn about Queens and lay down their roots as part of the campus community,鈥� said Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Campus Life Amber Slack. 鈥淲e are so excited to have them here and look forward to a great year ahead!鈥�

The students have already been immersed in their new city, where they met alumni at the Queen City Connections ice cream social and heard from local alumni about living and working in Charlotte. Several former Study USA Charlotte participants attended, some of whom now work full-time for the organizations where they interned as students in the program.

Students completed a scavenger hunt to familiarize themselves with the Queen City, public transit and major landmarks. They also conducted test runs to their internship sites, many of which are located along the light rail, which provides easy access from South End to Uptown, and into the university area.听Since many students are living in an apartment without a meal plan for the first time, they participated in a cooking class to learn meal preparation basics.

Cara Picariello ’28 sees this fall as an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

鈥淟iving in a city is something that I have never experienced before, so I wanted to take听full advantage of the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and experience a different lifestyle,” said Picariello. “In addition, Charlotte is a rapidly growing sports hub with many career opportunities, and I wanted to build connections and gain experience in the area before graduating.鈥�

Aidan Sweeney ’28听also understands听the many benefits of this program. 鈥淚 wanted to experience living in a big city while also working and furthering my career. I came in knowing very few听people, but I’ve already became friends with everyone by exploring the city together or finding a room to chat in with people.鈥�

Five classes are offered this fall: Sport Sales and Promotion, College Athletics Administration, Sports and Media,听Event and Venue Management, and an internship course. Students are required to complete 320 hours at their internship.

Students are interning with a variety of organizations including the Big South Conference, NASCAR, Sports Business Journal, Charlotte Knights, Charlotte Checkers, the National Junior College Athletic Association, the Atlantic Coast Conference and more.

Daniel Towery ’28 signed up for the Study USA Charlotte Sport and Community听Experience program because 鈥渋t’s the perfect way to combine classroom learning and real-world experience in the sports industry. I am especially excited to intern with both the Charlotte Knights and the ACC Football Game Day Operations Center to continue to develop my hands-on professional skills. Exploring the city and making memories with my cohort has already made this semester unforgettable.鈥�

Griffin Conway ’28听is听excited about the听program because it gives him the听鈥渙pportunity to get an early start on my professional career, while balancing academic courses and living in a city.鈥�

鈥淚’m looking forward to my internship with ACC’s Student-Athlete Programs and getting to learn the ins and outs of how a big organization works,” Conway said. “Over the past week since I started, I have met and networked with so many wonderful people through events that Elon has provided, and I’m very excited for the rest of the semester!鈥�

Components of a fall Study USA experience include housing, academic courses, internship, enrichment activities and networking opportunities with alumni and industry professionals. Contact Study USA with any questions at global@elon.edu, 336-278-6700 or www.elon.edu/studyusa. Applications for the inaugural spring Study USA Charlotte program are currently open, while applications for fall 2027 are accepted Sept. 1-Dec. 1. Enrollment is limited. Non-Elon students are invited to apply.

Driven by a shared dedication to interactive teaching, the educators said they are ready to engage the next generation of Royals through hands-on learning and strong community connections.

“We are thrilled to welcome our new faculty to Queens,” said Provost Sarah Fatherly. “Each one brings a rich blend of innovative teaching and a commitment to student success. As they connect their classrooms to the city of Charlotte, they will enrich our academic community and inspire our students to lead beyond the classroom.”

Dave Anderson: Inspiring leadership in the classroom

Dave Anderson joins the McColl School of Business as an instructor of business and executive-in-residence. Anderson brings decades of C-suite executive experience to Queens, having served as president and CEO of Andesa, Merit Life, InsPro Technologies, and TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Co.

Holding an MBA from Northwestern University鈥檚 Kellogg School of Management, he draws on a deep background in strategic leadership and enterprise growth to teach Principles of Management and Organizations & Leadership. Anderson bridges academic concepts with real-world scenarios, helping students develop unique leadership styles tailored to Charlotte’s thriving business and entrepreneurial environment.

Isabella Leite Trindade: Connecting spaces, culture, and community

Isabella Leite Trindade joins the College of Arts and Sciences as a visiting assistant professor of design. She brings over 20 years of experience as an architect, interior designer, and educator, having previously served on the faculty at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Her research and practice span architectural history, adaptive reuse, and integrating emerging technologies like virtual reality into design education. Viewing interior design as a tool for positive societal change, Trindade teaches Introduction to CAD, Branded Environment, and Human Environments. She said she looks forward to leveraging Charlotte’s rapid growth as a dynamic “living laboratory” where students observe firsthand how interior environments shape human experience across residential, healthcare, and hospitality sectors.

听Sanjay Mayadunne: Driving decisions through data

Sanjay Mayadunne joins the McColl School of Business as an associate professor of business analytics. Mayadunne holds a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and previously served as associate professor of decision sciences and MIS at Georgia Gwinnett College.

His teaching and research focus on supply chain strategy, decision support systems, and mathematical optimization. Teaching Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management, Mayadunne guides students in transforming data into actionable insights, showing them how analytical tools solve complex challenges across Charlotte鈥檚 key finance and logistics sectors.

听Felicia Tozzi: Translating science into everyday life

Felicia Tozzi joins the College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor of exercise and sports science. Tozzi holds a doctorate of business administration in healthcare administration and brings two decades of clinical athletic training and teaching experience to campus.

Her expertise encompasses exercise physiology, injury prevention, and sports performance. Teaching Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science, Sports Psychology, and Principles of Strength and Conditioning, Tozzi focuses heavily on practical application, ensuring students bridge theory with real-life performance while preparing for careers in physical therapy, athletic training, and physiology.

听Courtney Willover: Rooted in compassion

Courtney Willover joins the Presbyterian School of Nursing as an assistant professor of nursing. A Charlotte native, Willover is a registered nurse and an Oncology Certified Nurse with extensive clinical experience across outpatient infusion, stem cell transplant care, and medical-surgical units.听 She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Lenoir-Rhyne University and has extensive experience in teaching medical-surgical I and health policy. Through interactive learning and continuous communication, Willover said she looks forward to connecting students directly with Charlotte’s vast healthcare landscape to empower future nursing professionals.

The afternoon event听blended updates on听institutional听strategy听and operations听with听personal听reflections听on听the听university鈥檚听historic merger听with 福利亚洲国产精品.听

“I want you to know that I’m proud of all that you’ve done, your commitment to this university, your commitment to Queens,听and听your听commitment to Elon,鈥澨齭aid Queens Acting President and CEO Jesse Cureton.听听鈥淚t’s听powerful.”听

Cureton听highlighted key administrative shifts, including the establishment of the Queens Advisory Board and Pamela Davies’ transition to Strategic Advisor to the President. He听also听introduced the听Campus Core Team,听a cross-functional group connecting senior leadership with shared services leaders to foster transparency, operational alignment, and collaboration across campus.听

Cureton听commended听employees from both campuses for their collaborative work toward securing SACSCOC regulatory approval听with special听recognition听of听Nicole Tarr, executive director of institutional effectiveness and institutional research, and Derrick Everhart, director of financial aid,听both of whom听were听presented听with the Queens Leadership Award.听听

“Their expertise, commitment, and听willingness to do whatever was needed helped us reach this historic milestone,” Cureton听said.

福利亚洲国产精品 President Connie听Ledoux听Book听addressed faculty and staff with her reflection听on the transformative power of higher education,听what she termed an “everyday miracle,鈥澨齛nd a bold future for both campuses made possible by the merger.听听

“I am confident that…听in 100 years, people are going to look back at this decision and point to it as a turning point for our institutions as we become one,”听Book said.听

Newly appointed Chief Operating Officer Kenitra Horsley outlined how campus operations align with the overarching听Boldly Elon 2030听vision,听and she introduced听the听Campus Master Planning Committee led by Chief Integration Officer Jeff Stein.听

“This is not just about combining institutions听鈥� it’s听about building something stronger, more agile, and more relevant for the next generation of students,” Horsley shared. Amber Slack,听vice听president of听campus听life and听dean of听students, presented student engagement and campus life updates, highlighting an听increase in night and weekend events last year and听nearly 8,500听total community service hours logged by students and student-athletes.听听

Provost Sarah Fatherly highlighted summertime academic achievements, including 17 faculty-student research pairs through the seventh year of the James Rogers Summer Institute for Research, as well as an outstanding academic report card for Queens’ student-athletes.

Fatherly announced that Queens will host the National Learning Communities Conference in听November,听which recognizes听the听university’s decade-long thought leadership in course-based learning communities.听听

She also discussed the academic calendar harmonization taking effect with the return of Winter Term in January 2027 and previewed expanded cross-campus professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.听

Following the main听campus听update, attendees gathered for interactive breakout sessions detailing core university priorities:听

• SOAR & Strategic Planning:听Led Dean Denise Rotondo and听福利亚洲国产精品 Senior Vice President听Jim Piatt,听co鈥�chairs听of the鈥疭OAR Strategic Planning Committee,听the听session听explored strategic integration through a Charlotte lens around five core themes: place as curriculum, an integrated student journey, amplified opportunities, practice-driven hubs, and civic听convenership.听

• The Return of Winter Term:听Academic leaders听hosted a session听detailing the return of Winter Term in January 2027, an intensive three-and-a-half-week term designed to drive retention through immersive faculty mentoring.听

• Targeted Enrollment & Cohorted Fellows:听Leaders from student affairs, academics and enrollment听explored听how cohort-based Fellows programs drive enrollment while fostering student belonging through shared academic experiences. The discussion also addressed scaling the model, integrating faculty feedback, and supporting overall enrollment growth across all academic programs.听

• Campus Master Plan & Infrastructure:听Facility听leaders provided updates听on this summer鈥檚 campus renovations and upcoming facilities projects.听Attendees expressed their appreciation of the sprawling campus beautification and renovation updates including the renovation of the Sykes Learning Center, Queens听Hall听and residence halls.听

The afternoon concluded at Tyson House for the annual Opening of School Reception, bringing faculty, staff, and visiting Elon leaders together for refreshments and community connection.听

The emotions of that moment were felt in a deeply personal way on Aug. 21, 2026, as Bird and his family unloaded boxes and moved his daughter, Lydia, into her new home at 福利亚洲国产精品.

As someone who guides campus life at Queens, Adrian knows firsthand how crucial that first day can be. Experiencing it as a parent offered a fresh perspective.

“I have always known the importance of receiving new students and their families with generous hospitality,” Adrian shared. “Often times staff and students show up to share the load of move-in. What struck me at Elon was the joy and energy that move-in helpers showed up with as they greeted new students and their families鈥攊ncluding me! That energy, sincerity, and willingness to assist was so welcome, taking the pressure off what is already an emotionally charged move-in moment.”

For Lydia, stepping onto campus marks the beginning of a long-awaited independence balanced by a comforting closeness to home.

“I had a lot of dreams as a kid of going way up north or going back to Europe for college, but when I found Elon, it felt like such a perfect spot ” Lydia shared. “It was close enough to where if I wanted to pop down and see my family or my friends for a weekend, I could, but also where I felt far enough away that I could start my own journey and begin my own chapter.”

As the Elon and Queens merger progresses, Adrian noted an undeniable personal perk: built-in opportunities to visit. “The selfish reality that I might be going up to Elon for work meetings and can take Lydia out for lunch is a real treat,” he said with a smile.

Born in Scotland, Lydia brings a global perspective to campus. Early in her childhood, the Birds moved to Columbia, South Carolina. There, Lydia spent her weekends wandering around the South Carolina State Museum, sparking a lifelong fascination with history, reading and writing.

Lydia notes that while some humanities majors default to teaching or law, she has her heart set on curated history.

“I want to work in a museum. That鈥檚 always been something I鈥檝e been really fascinated by,” Lydia said. ” I want to be in a place where people actively study history and make them come to life through exhibits.鈥�

That career path came into focus during a campus tour when she learned about Elon’s museum studies and public history minor and an archaeology program that spent July conducting field research in Belize.

“That was actually one of those real anchor points of, ‘Wow, maybe this is more of a fit than I thought it would be,'” Adrian recalled.

For Adrian, whose career is built around serving students and fostering multi-faith communities, experiencing this transition as a father is both overwhelming and profoundly rewarding.

“Everybody told us that it would be the blink of an eye, and it certainly has been,” he said. “I love what higher education offers to young people. It鈥檚 that growth dimension that happens when students are curious and want to be empowered. I鈥檓 thrilled Lydia will get to experience that at Elon, and I will be close enough to see her thrive.”

In 2019, she also joined Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America), as a pioneer in Troop 233, one of Charlotte鈥檚 largest all-female troops. There, she embraced the outdoors, learned important life skills, and took on the responsibility of serving as a mentor for younger girls.

Navigating the early days in her troop meant overcoming some challenges and prejudices within the broader scouting community. Horneman and her peers persevered and, by June 2025, she achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.

“Women have established themselves as important figures in the scouting community,” Horneman said. “We are now very much a foundational point in scouting.”

Today, her leadership spans multiple roles serving as vice chief of inductions for the Order of the Arrow, Scouting鈥檚 Honor Society, while holding leadership positions in two Venturing Crews. She recently completed her fourth year as a camp staff member at BSA Camp Grimes.

It was at a Scout meeting that Horneman learned of her acceptance to Queens University as a Presidential Scholar. 鈥淚t was phenomenal and I really felt that it was an affirming moment that I was meant to be a Royal,鈥� Horneman said.

Horneman鈥檚 commitment to serving the community also directly feeds her second great passion: creative writing. To her, crafting stories is more than an artistic outlet – it is a tool for human connection.

Horneman realized the power of storytelling during a 2025 mission trip to Spain, where she volunteered at an English language camp for Ukrainian refugees. Standing before a group of young people who had fled war and lost their homes, Horneman felt the daunting weight of trying to connect with them.

As she shared her personal testimony, the young audience listened intently.

“I have never seen a group of kids so engaged,” Horneman said. “The ability of words to connect people with such different backgrounds just absolutely astounded me. I knew then it was in my future to be a writer.”

At Queens, Horneman plans to double major in creative writing and business, with goals to launch new campus initiatives, like an Ultimate Frisbee club on the quad. She also wants to dive deeper into short story fiction inspired by classic authors such as Edgar Allan Poe.

“I very much believe there’s a reason that I’m going to Queens,” Horneman says. “I want to inspire people when I can and make their lives better in some way, shape, or form.”

While a high school student at Bradford Prep in Charlotte, Pili visited Queens with his teammates to watch a men’s volleyball match. With a camera in hand, Pili made a quick dash onto the court to snap some photos – and to the delight of family and friends, one of those moments landed him in a clip featured on ESPN.

Pili鈥檚 passion for visual media began almost by accident while on the yearbook committee in high school. He was handed a camera and tasked with taking photos. What started as a simple assignment quickly turned into an outlet for his creativity. By junior year, he was serving as the editor of Bradford Prep’s yearbook, photographing sporting events and building deep connections across his school community.

“Photography has taught me to stop for a second and take everything in, to take mental screenshots,” Pili said. “I like being behind the camera, seeing and helping everyone grow in their own way, and capturing timeless moments.”

At Queens, Pili plans on majoring in sport communication or multimedia storytelling and is interested in supporting Royals athletics. After enrolling in classes in Queens鈥� Knight School of Communication, Pili received an email alerting him about a hands-on media operations opportunity at the MLS All-Star Game at Bank of America Stadium in July. He also learned about a student portal maintained by faculty to connect students with experiential opportunities off campus.

“I am always sifting through local opportunities for our students and trying to make that information as accessible as possible,” said Christopher Garcia, assistant professor of sports media. “Students are overloaded with information, so the key is having direct channels, like our internship portal, and encouraging them to engage with faculty and staff for guidance so they can make the most out of these opportunities.”

The MLS All-Star Game was a natural fit for Pili. Born in England before moving to Charlotte at age 2, Pili knows the area inside and out, from local spots like Camp North End to music venues like The Fillmore.

He is eager to step into the role of local tour guide for his new roommate, who is coming to Queens from Virginia. 鈥淭here’s just so much culture in the city, and I love it,鈥� Pili said. 鈥淭here’s always something to do.”

Beyond his creative work, Pili is drawn to Queens’ tight-knit community and small class sizes, echoing his high school experience where teachers formed meaningful connections with their students.

Pili also embraces the university’s spirit of service. His dedication to helping others began in high school, where he spent time packing meals for local Charlotte outreach and assembling food relief shipments for international aid.

“We take for granted so much that we don’t realize,” Pili reflected. “It’s really important to dedicate your time to helping others.”

Pili believes deeply in giving back and looks forward to participating in more service opportunities on campus and in the community.

At Queens, Pili has clear intentions: “I hope to build long-lasting relationships, gain internship experience, and take advantage of every opportunity Queens gives me to the max.”