Her address will center on the 鈥渕agic鈥� of the relationships students build at Elon: 鈥淚 believe in the way that Elon fosters relationships unlike any other place I’ve been,鈥� said Radis.

Radis has built relationships through a multitude of campus involvement opportunities, including as a Periclean Scholar, a member of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, an Elon Votes! Coordinator, Andrew Goodman Fellow, Koury Athletic Center operations manager, a member of Club Field Hockey and Basketball, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a member of Sigma Kappa sorority.

鈥淚 was thinking about Periclean Scholars, I was thinking about my sorority, I was thinking about my friend group and thought 鈥業 could really write about community because it’s such a strong thing,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淭hen recently my grandmother passed away, and I felt that community so much more. You don’t want those things to happen, but when they do, you see the relationships you’ve made.鈥�

While the honor of student speaker had previously been reserved for the class president, Elon opened the process up to the entire class in 2024, when Grace Ackerman 鈥�24 was chosen. The聽senior commencement speaker聽is chosen through an application process and reviewed by a selection committee chaired by the Student Government Association’s senior class president, as well as graduating seniors, faculty, and staff.

From those applications, 10 semifinalists are chosen and added to the SGA spring election ballot where every member of the Class of 2026 can vote. Then, three finalists are invited to share their speeches with the selection committee, and one is chosen.

鈥淕race Ackerman is one of my best friends and biggest mentors from Elon, and so when she spoke, it opened my mind up to the possibility, knowing that’s an option for anybody to leave their mark on Elon,鈥� Radis said.

Radis says receiving the honor to speak at Commencement was a shock. On the day she was notified, she saw an Elon number calling her, and her roommate thought something was wrong because she stopped talking, and Radis admits she rarely goes 鈥渟ilent.鈥� On the other end of the line was President Connie Ledoux Book.

鈥淢y face just changed, and I was jumping everywhere. It was amazing,鈥� Radis said. 鈥淚 don’t remember much of what I said because I was freaking out. I called like every single person that is important to me.鈥�

Radis, who also has minors in history, peace and conflict studies, and poverty and social justice, started at Elon initially studying history, with the goal of going to law school. It wasn鈥檛 until her junior year that she began to consider human service studies, particularly because of the 鈥渂lock semester,鈥� which combines a cohort learning experience with an internship at the Family聽Justice Center of Alamance County.

鈥淚t just fits me. I think it allows me to see the world in a different way and really get involved in the Elon community,鈥� Radis said.

As Radis delivers the Message of Appreciation to her fellow graduates in Schar Center, she hopes they take those relationships built at Elon and carry them forward.

鈥淵ou can form a relationship and it can feel small in this little Elon bubble, but it’ll actually be a lot bigger when you鈥檙e out in the world,鈥� she said.

Elon鈥檚 136th Commencement

福利亚洲国产精品 will celebrate the Class of 2026 through聽a variety of events聽leading up to the聽136th Commencement Exercises聽on May 22.

Jana Lynn Patterson, retiring associate vice president for student life and dean of student health & well-being, will deliver the keynote address for Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate Reflection, Under the Oaks on May 19 at 7:45 p.m.

Journalist and author Katherine Blunt 鈥�15 will address candidates for the Master of Arts in Higher Education, Master of Education in Innovation, Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Business Analytics and Master of Business Administration in an Alumni Gym evening ceremony on May 20.

Patricia Walsh Chadwick P鈥�16 will draw on a career in finance and a life of wide-ranging experiences to deliver the Commencement address to the Class of 2026 on May 22 in two ceremonies inside Schar Center.

Students, faculty, and community partners gathered in LaRose Student Commons on April 30 for the annual Human Service Studies banquet. The evening honored the program’s graduating seniors and the fieldwork supervisors who mentored them, and included the induction ceremony of the Tau Upsilon Alpha Honor Society, led by Assistant Teaching Professor of Human Service Studies Deidre Yancey. Professor Emeritus Bud Warner delivered the evening鈥檚 closing remarks.

Ruby Radis ’26 received the Outstanding Senior Award, Haleigh Cephus ’26 earned the Research Scholar Award and Hadley Studer ’26 recorded the highest score on the HSS Comprehensive Exam. The Al and Ruby West Scholarship was awarded to Mia O’Brien ’25.

Eleven students were inducted into Tau Upsilon Alpha, the national honor society for human services professionals: Brooke Aronowitz, Kate Carlson, Haleigh Cephus, Emma Dany, Olivia Feinstein, Rose Fyffe, Shayla Goba, Bronwyn Mulvaney, Alyson Pilloff, Rio Plumlee and Sol猫ne Smith.

Twelve of the 23 graduating seniors are heading directly to graduate school. Eight will pursue a Master of Social Work: Julia Bromfeld and Megan DeMarco at Rutgers; Jack Bull, Margaret Crawford, and Hannah Findling at the University of Michigan; Emily Lambert at NYU; Janeeta Smith at UNC; Chloe Vautrin at Boston College; and Elizabeth Sumner at Norfolk State. Sydney Goldstein will pursue a Master鈥檚 in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lynn University, and Haleigh Cephus will also pursue a Master鈥檚 in Clinical Mental Health Counseling as part of Elon’s inaugural class.

Fieldwork placements are where HSS students do some of their most important learning, and the banquet set aside time to thank the supervisors who made that possible. Lasonya Moffett at ABSS Williams High School; Yolanda Whitted at BPD Youth Diversion; Nathaly Diaz at the Centre for New North Carolinians; Lisa Davis at the Dream Center; Sarah Black at the Exchange Club Family Center of the Central Piedmont; Jacque Anderson at the Family Justice Centre; Crystal O’Neil at the Graham Police Department; and Teresa Cuthbertson at the Guilford County Juvenile Detention Center were all recognized.

Also honored were Erika Nunnally at Head Start; Kenneth Jefferson at the Positive Attitude Youth Centre; Carolyn Carter and Todd Perry at Residential Treatment Services Agency; Breana Southerland and Caroline Laur at the Salvation Army; Phil Bowers and Emily Flack at Sustainable Alamance; Taylor Hicks at the Triad Health Project; and Jennifer Le and Katie Gantos at Twin Lakes.

The program congratulates the full Class of 2026: Aidan A. Bonomo, Julia T. Bromfeld, Jack L. Bull, Haleigh K. Cephus, Margaret L. Crawford, Megan E. DeMarco, Hannah W. Findling, Shayla M. Goba, Sydney H. Goldstein, Izzy Greenstein, Hailee S. Jaronko, Lauren R. Klappholz, Emily H. Lambert, Grace E. McGowan, Simon D. Mendelsohn, Darian V. Myers, Ruby T. Radis, Eden F. Redmond, Janeeta S. Smith, Julie R. Snow, Hadley Studer, Elizabeth M. Sumner and Chloe M. Vautrin.

Elon faculty and staff members gathered in Alumni Gym for the event, which also included recognition of employees for years-of-service milestones and special recognitions of faculty and staff members who are retiring this academic year. Thirty-one employees who were recognized for 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service have served a collective 2,810 years at Elon.

Elon President Connie Ledoux Book opened the ceremony with highlights and successes from the 2025-26 academic year and encouraged the audience to pause and take pride in their work.

鈥淭hank you for the work you’ve done to strengthen our community and our mission and thank you for all you do to ensure that students succeed when they choose Elon,鈥� said Book.

During the ceremony, Book also announced the appointment of Katy Rouse, professor of economics, as the trustee chair for excellence in undergraduate teaching for 2026-2029. This three-year chair was developed by the Board of Trustees in 2023 to honor a faculty member who exemplifies Elon’s teacher-scholar-mentor model and contributes to the broader scholarship of teaching and learning. Rouse was praised for her impact on student learning and mentoring both in and beyond the classroom and for advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning through publications in leading economics education journals.

The ceremony concluded with a celebration of faculty and staff who were honored with awards from the university this year: Associate Professor and Chair of English Scott Proudfit, Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy Ryan Johnson, Associate Professor of Geography Sandy Marshall and Associate Teaching Professor of Human Service Studies Sandra Reid.

Daniels-Danieley Excellence in Teaching Award

Associate Professor and Chair of English Scott Proudfit

Described as a mentor and teacher who 鈥減ersuades his students to be incisive and critical thinkers,鈥� Scott Proudfit, associate professor and chair of English, is the 54th recipient of the Daniels-Danieley Excellence in Teaching Award. The award was established by President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley 鈥�46 and his wife, Verona Daniels Danieley, in honor of their parents.

Megan Isaac, professor of English, and Rosemary Haskell, professor of English, said in their joint nomination, 鈥淥ur decision to elect Scott to the position of chair two years ago was not rooted in his organizational skills, kindness, or vision (although he has all of those qualities), but because he models and supports our central mission-teaching.鈥�

Dinidu Karunanayake, assistant professor of English, praised the 鈥淪cott-standard,鈥� which he says undoubtedly enriches and emboldens Elon core values. 鈥淪cott is an exemplary embodiment of the teacher-scholar-mentor model,鈥� said Karunanayake in his nomination letter. 鈥淗is ability to effortlessly (and synchronously) straddle many paths as a tireless and gifted teacher, top-notch researcher, big-hearted mentor, daring advisor, generous colleague and above all, a truly remarkable human being puts him at the height of the teaching profession.”

In addition to teaching core English courses, Proudfit redeveloped the drama curriculum through courses exploring dramatic styles, literary theory and contemporary social themes. The courses are now core components of the English major and the drama & theatre studies major and are routine choices for students in acting, arts administration and theatrical design & technology majors.

The award was presented by Book, who, in her prepared speech, said, 鈥淭his combination of rigor and care is a hallmark of an Elon education 鈥� rooted in relationships shaped by intellectual curiosity, and leaving a legacy long after graduation. And boy, does [Proudfit] have it!鈥�

鈥淪cott’s energy and love for the literature that he teaches is apparent in every second of his lessons, and it rubs off on his students. The discussions that he leads are student-centered, each one opening with one or two students bringing in prepared questions to kick off the day. 鈥�

鈥撀燗nnaliese Jaffe 鈥�18, high school English teacher and former student

Upon receiving the award, Proudfit told the crowd that he worries those who distrust higher education may have never had a good relationship with a teacher.

鈥淚t鈥檚 too bad,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ecause for me, the relationship between a teacher and a student is one of the most central relationships for a good life.鈥�

And, he noted, 鈥淚 have been lucky enough to have these kinds of relationships with students over and over again at Elon.”

Proudfit ended his speech by naming former students who shaped his Elon experience.

Proudfit earned a Ph.D. in English from Northwestern University in 2008, where his major field of study was drama in English. He earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and theater, cum laude, from Columbia University in 1993 and joined 福利亚洲国产精品 in 2010. Before completing his doctorate, Proudfit worked with theater groups in Los Angeles and New York, covered theater scenes in both cities as an editor for Back Stage and Back Stage West and worked as an assistant editor for a division of Marvel Comics. He has served as associate editor and co-editor on multiple publications and published multiple essays. Proudfit is the recipient of the Inspirational Ally Award (2017) and the Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award (2019).

Distinguished Scholar Award

Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy Ryan Johnson

Described as an 鈥渦nstoppable force when it comes to research publications,鈥� Ryan Johnson produces the equivalent of 5.4 peer-reviewed articles or book chapters per year 鈥撀爋ver three times the amount of scholarship expected by a philosopher at an R1 institution. Johnson, associate professor and chair of philosophy, is the 27th recipient of the of the Distinguished Scholar Award, Elon鈥檚 top faculty research award, which recognizes a faculty member whose research has earned peer commendation and respect and who has made significant contributions to his or her field of study.

When Johnson arrived at Elon in 2015, his research brought together 20th-century French philosophy and ancient Hellenistic thought, of which he has several publications. Soon after, he grappled with what it meant to be a white man in the American South and began seeing his subject position and scholarship through new eyes.

鈥淎ll of this traced back to lessons I learned from my former teacher, George Yancy,鈥� said Johnson. 鈥淪oon I realized how canonical European philosophers, especially Hegel and Nietzsche, must reckon with challenges posed by thinkers such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Audre Lorde.鈥�

Johnson鈥檚 research focuses on continental philosophy, African American philosophy and the history of philosophy, with particular attention to questions of race, liberation, democracy and the relationship between philosophy and everyday life. His scholarship explores thinkers including Hegel, Deleuze and the Stoics while examining how philosophical ideas shape contemporary political, cultural and ethical questions.

Rebecca E. Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs and professor of biology, who presented the award, described Johnson as a model of sustained intellectual engagement whose work 鈥渉as defined major segments of the discussions in current literature,鈥� noting that聽research is not insulated from teaching 鈥撀爄t is deeply integrated with it.

Addressing the crowd, Johnson expressed gratitude to his wife and colleagues. He alluded to the uniqueness of his research and said Elon is the only place he can imagine himself doing this work.

In a nomination letter, Thomas Nail, professor and chair of philosophy at Denver University, said that he continues to be impressed by Johnson鈥檚 work due to his originality and enthusiasm for new and experimental directions in research and teaching.

鈥淚 can honestly say with no hesitation that I do not know anyone else in our field who is as adventurous and forward looking as Ryan.鈥�

鈥撀燭homas Nail, professor and chair of philosophy at Denver University聽

Johnson has published nine books, with three others in various states of completion. He has also contributed 24 peer-reviewed journal articles, 15 book chapters and edited a special issue of a professional journal, in addition to 58 conference presentations. Johnson is the author or co-author of several books, including Phenomenology of Black Spirit (2022), Deleuze, A Stoic (2020) and The Deleuze-Lucretius Encounter (2017), and has edited multiple scholarly collections in philosophy.

Stephen Bloch-Schulman, professor of philosophy at Elon, said about Johnson, 鈥淗e recognizes and deepens the ways that scholarship, university service and teaching are necessarily interwoven practices that, for him, are united by the twin ethical demands of living life as a philosopher and creating community and connections around fighting racism.鈥�

Praising Johnson for his ongoing engagement to learn more about the African American philosophical tradition and the ways he inspires his students to think intensively and critically to the history of philosophy, Stephen C. Ferguson, associate professor of philosophy and religious studies at North Carolina State University said, “By combining a creative impulse with a historically grounded approach to intellectual thought, Ryan鈥檚 work provides a window into what it means to be a great interdisciplinary scholar and thinker.鈥�

Johnson earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from Duquesne University in 2014 and joined 福利亚洲国产精品 in 2015. He served as an associate professor and chair of philosophy at Elon. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Scholarship Award (2020), four Faculty Research and Development Summer Research Fellowships and external awards including a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend and the John William Miller Fellowship.

Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award

Associate Professor of Geography Sandy Marshall

Sandy Marshall, associate professor of geography, has built a career at Elon defined by a sustained commitment to student mentoring, undergraduate research and community-engaged learning. Since joining the university in 2017, he has mentored students across disciplines and guided research exploring global regions, migration and lived experiences, helping students connect academic work with complex social and cultural contexts.

Marshall received the Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award, which was endowed in 2020 by Provost Emeritus Steven House and Patricia House to honor faculty and staff who excel in student mentoring and reflect Elon鈥檚 national recognition as a leader in engaged, experiential learning.

Marshall鈥檚 mentorship has shaped students who have gone on to careers in public service, law and global development, including a public defense attorney, a Harvard- and Yale-trained criminal justice attorney and a global development consultant who has worked with the United Nations and USAID. His mentees have also earned competitive achievements such as Fulbright fellowships, Critical Language Scholarships and publication in academic journals.

Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professor of English Deandra Little presented the award, saying about Marshall, 鈥淪tudent and alumni representatives consistently describe this awardee as a strong mentor whose guidance has shaped their academic path and broadened their understanding of what meaningful mentorship can look like, and whose mentoring persists long after graduation.”

Marshall encouraged the audience to surround themselves with people who see potential in them beyond what they themselves can see. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I鈥檝e tried to do for my students, and that鈥檚 what so many of you have done for me,鈥� he shared.

Amy Allocco, professor of religious studies, and Brian Pennington, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society and professor of religious studies, praised Marshall鈥檚 mentoring approach, writing that 鈥渉is patience, kindness and generosity with his time has helped several students find success and feel proud of the work that they had completed by graduation.鈥� They noted that his mentorship is 鈥渄eep, context-sensitive, and enduring,鈥� often continuing long after students graduate.

Students echoed that impact in their nomination letters.聽Nicole Plante 鈥�20, now a JD candidate at Yale Law School, wrote that 鈥渇rom the very beginning of our work together, Dr. Marshall served as an amazing resource who gave me a lot of autonomy and encouraged me to take the lead of my project.鈥�

“Dr. Marshall pushed me to go further and put myself in situations that not only stretched my intellectual capacity, but also my moral convictions and future aspirations.鈥�
鈥撀燭aylor Garner 鈥�20, global development strategist

Kylee Marie Smith 鈥�21, assistant public defender for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida, described the lasting influence of that mentorship, writing, 鈥淚n my almost five years since graduating from Elon, I have continuously realized that my road always leads back to Dr. Marshall and the foundations, skills and knowledge that he taught me.鈥�

Marshall鈥檚 commitment to students extends beyond the classroom and across the globe. Alyssa Carney 鈥�26, who is double-majoring in international & global studies and history, noted that during her semester abroad, 鈥淒r. Marshall went so far as to travel from North Carolina to Sevilla during his own spring break to meet with me, check in on my research progress and provide guidance while I was in the field.” She added that his mentorship is defined by 鈥渉is belief in his students鈥� potential鈥� and his ability to create a space where 鈥渃uriosity, critical thinking, and genuine exchange thrive.鈥�

In addition to mentoring undergraduate researchers, Marshall has served as interim director of the Multifaith Scholars program and as faculty director in the Global Neighborhood, where he fosters student development through advising, programming and community-building. In 2020, he co-founded the Power and Place Collaborative, partnering with local nonprofits and municipal entities to engage students in oral history and storytelling projects that connect academic inquiry with community experience.

Across these roles, Marshall鈥檚 mentorship emphasizes long-term growth, global engagement and meaningful relationships.

Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility

Associate Teaching Professor of Human Service Studies Sandra Reid 鈥�85

Sandra Reid 鈥�85, senior lecturer in human service studies, is the 24th recipient of the Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, which recognizes a member of Elon鈥檚 faculty or staff whose service to the broader community exemplifies the ideals of Project Pericles, a national initiative that advocates for preparing students for socially responsible citizenship.

Through decades of work in juvenile justice, social work and higher education, Reid has built a career defined by civic engagement, community leadership and social responsibility. Her work reflects a deep commitment to helping students become engaged citizens and leaders in their communities.

At Elon, Reid teaches courses including Juvenile Justice and The Black Family, helping students examine systemic inequalities through civic engagement and social justice frameworks. She also teaches interdisciplinary programs including Poverty and Social Justice and African and African American Studies.

Reid also leads 鈥淒isarming Justice,鈥� a Winter Term study away program in Alabama where students visit historic Civil Rights Movement sites and engage in conversations about systemic inequities that persist today.

Naeemah Clark, associate provost for academic inclusive excellence and professor of cinema and television arts, presented the award. She described Periclean awardees as 鈥渟mart service-minded leaders鈥� who use their experiences to leave the world better than they found it.

鈥淧ericlean awardees empower others to be engaged citizens and leaders in their communities 鈥� the personification of that ideal is Sandra Reid.鈥�

鈥� Naeemah Clark, associate provost for academic inclusive excellence and professor of cinema and television arts

Reid expressed surprise and gratitude for the recognition, telling the audience, 鈥淚 never imagined that I’d be back here teaching after being in juvenile justice, but it’s been one of the best things that I’ve done.鈥�

Faculty members in the Department of Human Service Studies praised Reid鈥檚 鈥済ift for facilitating what she calls 鈥榗ourageous conversations鈥� about justice, equity and difference鈥� in their nomination letter. They wrote that Reid encourages students to engage difficult topics thoughtfully and recognize that 鈥渓earning 鈥� and social justice work 鈥� is an ongoing process.鈥�

Beyond the classroom, Reid mentors students through programs including the Elon Academy, Renaissance Scholars and the Elon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her community leadership includes chairing the Alamance County Community Services Agency, training law enforcement in cultural competency and community engagement, and serving on the Alamance County Coalition of Remembrance, helping memorialize local lynching victims.

Reid鈥檚 work in juvenile justice, education and community leadership has shaped generations of students pursuing careers in public service, advocacy and social change.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The conference, themed 鈥淭he Power of Story, Mental Health and Representation in Sport,鈥� begins at 10 a.m. and is open to all faculty, staff, students and community members. The conference may be of particular interest to student athletes and students majoring in human service studies, education, psychology, communications and public health.

The conference combines empathy, collaboration, critical reflection, storytelling, advocacy and networking to strengthen mental health for African American or Black identifying individuals and ally community members. The goal of the conference is to highlight wellness, belonging and access to support while elevating the experiences of Black athletes and the communities and identities they represent. The conference sessions will share why mental health matters and connect participants with tools, relationships and resources to encourage healing, growth and success beyond performance.

Participants can take part in breakout sessions, athlete and professional fire chats, gallery walks, community networking, keynote conversations, and workshops.

Featured speakers include NFL veteran and mental health advocate Marcus Smith II, community leader Lorenza Wilkins, Minority Women in Sports founder Andrea Durham, Selfly Enterpirise founder and therapist Adriana Londo帽o and founder of Epiphany-Hill Enterprises Amber Hill.

鈥淭his conference is personal to me,鈥� Cephus said. 鈥淎s a former track and field athlete, I know what it feels like to constantly chase being better and still feel like it is not enough. There were moments where I needed support and reassurance, and I did not always have that. The conference is me creating the space I wish existed for myself and for others, a space where people feel seen, heard and valued beyond what they produce.鈥�

The event provides conversation and practical education for participants to leave not only feeling understood but also equipped. It aims to reduce mental health stigma in athletic spaces, encourage identity development beyond performance, connect students with professionals and mentors, and introduce healthy coping and communication strategies.

The conference is centered in Cephus鈥檚 undergraduate research examining how racialized expectations influence the mental health experiences of Black female collegiate athletes.

鈥淭his research showed me that mental health in athletes cannot be understood without also understanding identity, race and the environments athletes are navigating,鈥� Cephus said.

Through interviews and demographic questionnaires with current and former collegiate athletes, she explored how these athletes experience pressure not just to perform but to represent strength, resilience and success without leaving room for vulnerability.

鈥淲hat I found is that many of these expectations become internalized, meaning athletes begin to measure their worth by how well they meet these narratives, even when it comes at the expense of their wellbeing,鈥� Cephus said. 鈥淭he conference translates this research into practice through guided conversations, workshops and mentorship opportunities.鈥�

Cephus wanted to do more beyond a research paper and created the conference for people to experience, engage with and grow from creating environments where athletes and students feel supported as whole people.

She hopes people walk away from the conference feeling seen and more connected to themselves and others.

鈥淚 want participants to understand that their worth is not defined by their performance, their tasks or what they produce,鈥� Cephus said. 鈥淚 also want them to leave with tools, language and support that they can carry with them beyond the conference.鈥�

.

Cephus is a human services studies major from Hoover, Alabama. The conference is hosted by the Poverty and Social Justice Program and sponsored by the Student Government Association.

The funding was awarded through HSS 4110: Designing and Assessing Human Services Programs, a senior-level course taught by Tony Reyes, assistant professor of human service studies. In the course, students learn how to design programs that address social problems by conducting needs assessments, developing interventions, identifying necessary resources and evaluating program effectiveness.

Four Human Service Studies seniors 鈥� Ruby Radis, Izzy Greenstein, Chloe Vautrin, and Shayla Goba 鈥� wrote the grant proposal that led to the award. Their proposal recommended equipping a small wellness room where residents can participate in activities that support physical and mental well-being, including relaxation, movement and meditation.

As part of the project, students visited Burlington Homes to announce the grant award. During the visit, they met with Shandra Haynes, service coordinator for the community, and spoke with residents.

鈥淭he goal of the course is to help students understand how programs are planned, funded and evaluated in the real world,鈥� Reyes said. 鈥淩ather than studying these processes only in theory, students work through the entire process themselves 鈥� identifying needs, designing a program and preparing a grant proposal.鈥�

For the students involved, the project quickly became more than a typical class assignment.

鈥淲hat started as a class assignment quickly turned into a passion project in which we were actively working with Burlington Homes members to address community needs,鈥� said Greenstein. 鈥淪hayla, Ruby and Chloe genuinely cared about the outcome, so it didn鈥檛 feel like homework, and getting to meet the residents once the grant was awarded was the cherry on top.鈥�

The grant funding was made possible through a gift from an Elon alumna who supports the Learning by Giving model, an educational approach that allows students to learn philanthropy by making real funding decisions. The model has been championed at Elon by Bud Warner, professor emeritus of human service studies, who advocated for incorporating hands-on philanthropy into undergraduate education.

The wellness space will provide a quiet area where residents can participate in activities that support relaxation and overall well-being. The room may also be used by Elon students and volunteers who visit Burlington Homes to lead wellness activities with residents.

Through the project, students gained experience researching community needs, working with local partners and developing a professional grant proposal.

Since his 2023 arrival at Elon, Kelly has hosted a 鈥榣istening tour鈥� and spent time with each department to hear directly from faculty and staff about what they value. Kelly said that common themes soon emerged from those conversations and the new statement reflects dozens of discussions.

Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences new vision statement reads: 鈥淭he Heart of an Elon Education: Ignite Curiosity, Engage Challenges, Transform Worlds.鈥�

The mission statement then declares:

鈥淯pholding the centrality of the liberal arts, we explore and apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge for inquiry, creativity, discovery and problem solving in a complex and changing world.鈥�

The statement lists core values that include accessibility, belonging, critical thinking, diversity, equity and inclusion, integrity, intellectual curiosity, problem-posing and respect for human dignity.

Community Reflections

• 鈥淭here were several opportunities for different groups, departments, branches, interdisciplinary programs, to discuss versions on the table. It was in those conversations where we might learn how a word or phrase was heard within and across disciplines; where we found convergence, deeper awareness, and respect. The both-and of this process modeled what we value and genuinely captures our shared identity as Elon College.鈥� – Caroline Ketcham, associate dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of exercise science
• 鈥淚t was always important to us that this wasn鈥檛 a process where faculty were just asked to weigh in at the end, after the real decisions had already been made. From start to finish, it was grounded in listening to what faculty across the college say we do well and what values they believe guide our shared work. Our task wasn鈥檛 to invent a mission, vision and values, but to clearly articulate what faculty are already living and leading with. I think that鈥檚 why faculty can so readily see themselves and their departments represented in the final statements.鈥� – David Buck, associate dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and an associate professor of psychology
• 鈥淗aving shared goals and articulated values helps everyone in the college feel connected as a community, value each other鈥檚 work and prioritize our energies on initiatives that matter to us.鈥� – Shannon Duvall, interim associate dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of computer science
• 鈥淚 appreciated the collaborative nature of it all, not just between the dean鈥檚 office and department chairs, but also extending to faculty members across Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences. It really did involve all of us. What particularly stood out to me were the conversations in our chairs鈥� meetings with the dean where we came to agreements on core values. It鈥檚 inspiring to see that distinctly different types of disciplines uphold the same core values.鈥� – Joel Karty, chair of the Department of Chemistry and 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 Sydney F. & Kathleen E. Jackson Professor of chemistry
• 鈥淚 appreciated being part of a process that felt genuinely collaborative. Our participation was not merely symbolic. It felt meaningful, and I experienced the dean鈥檚 office as truly listening. The process itself was also inspirational, and I feel bolstered in leading my own department through similar work. It was powerful to see such a broad, collective effort take shape into something tangible.鈥� – Samantha DiRosa, chair of the Department of Art and a professor of art and environmental studies
• 鈥淭he process of creating a new vision statement, mission statement and core values for Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences was both thoughtful and deeply collaborative. Over many months, department chairs worked together to reflect on what makes us distinctive and how best to express those qualities in guiding statements. The process intentionally sought input from across departments, ensuring that everyone in the college had the opportunity to contribute their perspectives. Personally, the time spent reflecting with fellow chairs on what makes each of our departments special fostered a deeper sense of shared purpose and collective commitment.鈥� – Carrie Eaves, chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Policy and associate professor of political science and public policy

Kelly said he was pleased the final language resonated with the faculty in the college.

鈥淭he true measure of a successful attempt to lead a group or an organization towards a renewed vision, mission and core values is whether the words and sentiments 鈥榮ound like us鈥�,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen I heard that some faculty believed my presentation of our vision, mission and core values at our spring faculty meeting 鈥榮ound like us,鈥� I knew that our work together in small and large group settings was a huge success. It means that stakeholders were heard and that the words resonate so much so that the tune or melody is familiar. The vision, mission and core values reflect truly who we are and where we are going with much intention.鈥�

Author of “A Knock at Midnight,” Barnett writes about her experience advocating for a reformed criminal justice system in the United States. Through her work and long-lasting relationships with her clients, Barnett鈥檚 sphere of influence is wide. Barnett founded the Buried Alive Project, which attempts to dismantle life without parole sentences, and Girls Embracing Mothers, an organization that empowers girls with mothers behind bars.

Sandra Reid, associate teaching professor of human service studies, will moderate the discussion. Reid鈥檚 experience in juvenile justice and the human service field includes her time on the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission and as chair of both the Alamance County Community Services Agency and the Positive Attitude Youth Center.

鈥淪he is deeply committed to affirming the dignity and worth of individuals impacted by an unjust criminal legal system, advocating persistently for their release and supporting their successful reintegration into their communities. In other words, she is a super hero,” said Reid.

Since its founding in 1958 by James P. Elder Jr. 鈥�60, the Liberal Arts Forum continues to bring unique academic speakers to Elon and encourage meaningful conversations around the arts and humanities, mathematical and natural sciences, and social sciences, inside and outside the classroom.

Want to choose Elon鈥檚 next speaker? Get involved with the Forum every Tuesday in Alamance 207 at 4:15 p.m.

The 鈥淐hildbirth鈥� core seminar created and led by Cynthia Fair, a professor of public health and human service studies and the Watts/Thompson Professor at 福利亚洲国产精品, has become a transformative course on campus that Fair describes today as a highlight of her teaching career and one of her favorite courses.

Students and graduates say they feel the same way and several have cited the course as a meaningful experience that influences their career journeys through its exploration of the social, historical and cultural aspects of childbirth.

First offered in 2003, the course鈥檚 origins date to Fair鈥檚 undergraduate studies at Davidson College when she learned about a professor who taught a childbirth course to non-biology majors. 鈥淚t was one of those moments where the clouds parted,鈥� said Fair, who has mentored dozens of undergraduate researchers at 福利亚洲国产精品 over the past two decades. “I knew I was meant to teach this course.鈥�

Fair brings three aspects of experience to the classroom: lived experience as a mother, clinical experience working with pregnant people and families, and research on childbirth topics such as waterbirth and fertility.

“Throughout the course we look at the historical portrayal of women鈥檚 bodies, the effects of structural racism, cultural anthropology, the evolution of midwifery care, and even the language we use around birth,鈥� Fair said. 鈥淟anguage shapes how we see the world, and it shapes how care is delivered. I love teaching this course because I lived it.鈥�

Students also examine where birth occurs, from hospitals to homes to birth centers, and consider how environments, systems and support networks influence labor and outcomes.

Fair said she hopes students leave the course with more than academic knowledge. She wants them to develop a voice they can use in any medical context. Discussions often focus on strategies to reduce maternal mortality and how to support a birthing person鈥檚 decisions.

鈥淓veryone is born, yet we rarely talk about birth,鈥� Fair said. 鈥淪tudents have so many questions, and I create a space where no question is 鈥榮tupid鈥�.鈥�

A signature assignment asks students to reflect on their own births to explore how personal experience, family stories and cultural messaging shape their understanding of childbirth.

Throughout the semester, the classroom becomes an interactive space. Students learn and practice baby massage techniques and explore breastfeeding practices and holds. Fair regularly invites guest lectures, including a childbirth educator, midwife, doula and neonatal intensive care unit clinical social worker.

Whether students pursue clinical careers or become advocates for maternal health, Fair said, she is proud of the course鈥檚 impact.

鈥淢y dream is for students who enter health-related fields to nurture this passion and to improve outcomes. I also want each student to know how to advocate for themselves in a medical setting.鈥� Fair said.

Over the years, Fair鈥檚 course has shaped career paths for several students who either discovered or deepened their passion for maternal and child health. Some Elon alumni now volunteer their time to visit with Fair鈥檚 current students.

Cat Palmer 鈥�15, a practicing nurse-midwife, visited the class during the most recent fall semester to share her own story with current students.

“The midwifery philosophy honors the autonomy and sovereignty a person giving birth has over their body and their own experience,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淒r. Fair鈥檚 class sparked a passion I did not know I had, and demonstrated that scientific rigor, public health, healing arts and service to one鈥檚 community could all meet in the discipline of midwifery. In many ways, the balance of didactic coursework and experiential learning in the 鈥榬eal world鈥� that I received at Elon set me up perfectly for my career as a midwife.鈥�

Because of Fair鈥檚 course, Harper McEvoy 鈥�25 shifted her own career trajectory from pursing a degree in physician assistant studies to becoming a midwife. McEvoy had long been interested in childbirth and was even able to connect with Palmer to talk about similar experiences.

McEvoy will soon attend Yale University School of Nursing, where she plans to become a nurse-midwife and a women鈥檚 health nurse practitioner.

鈥淗earing real-life stories and participating in hands-on exercises helped us truly experience how these professionals create environments that advocate for and support women through such a transformative experience,鈥� McEvoy said. 鈥淒r. Fair鈥檚 course helped me realize what truly excites and fulfills me, and it gave me the clarity and confidence to change direction. I realized I wanted to be someone who honors birth, advocates for mothers and stands with them through both the most challenging and joyful moments.鈥�

Izzy Greenstein 鈥�26 and Ruby Radis 鈥�26 performed a variety of job duties for partner agencies who serve members of the community in need of assistance.

The duo conducted intake interviews with clients and made referrals to the partner agencies such as Family Abuse Services, the Burlington Police Department and the Elder Justice Project, and they observed criminal court hearings, participated in a Burlington Police Department ride along, and shadowed a Family Abuse Services advocate who was filing a restraining order.

As part of the human service studies major, seniors take four courses in the same semester, allowing them to attend classes two days a week and spend the remainder of the week at their internship placements.

“The internship serves as the capstone of our major, offering students the opportunity to connect classroom learning and theory to real-world practice, and Izzy and Ruby embodied this integration at the highest level,鈥� said Sandra Reid, the associate teaching professor who oversaw their internship.

Greenstein, who is bilingual and a double major in Spanish, also supported Spanish-speaking clients by doing administrative work in Spanish. She said guiding clients through intake interviews provided valuable hands-on experience.

鈥淲orking alongside Izzy has been such a blessing over the past couple of months,鈥� Radis said. 鈥淲e are able to discuss the heavy things that we see each day. We can lift each other up when the stories we hear during our intakes become very emotional.鈥�

Before this internship, Greenstein and Radis had little experience working with victims of domestic violence. Both said they gained a deeper understanding of the challenges clients face and found the experience meaningful.

One moment that stood out to Greenstein was attending court to observe proceedings from first appearances to criminal trials.

鈥淭his internship has been my favorite experience. I have loved getting to work with Ruby,鈥� Greenstein said. 鈥淚t has given me real-world experience and has shown me what people are going through right under my nose in the community. This experience has given me exposure to social work that I could see myself doing in the future, and it has taught me how to sensitively work with high-risk clients to get a better understanding of what is available in Alamance County.鈥�

Radis said one of her biggest takeaways from this internship is the presence of hope and people working hard toward justice.

鈥淭here are opportunities out there for me to go to work every day and make a small contribution to change,鈥� Radis said. 鈥淪tudying human services studies has completely shifted the way I approach working with others and pursuing social justice. I have come to understand the importance of learning from the communities I work with just as much as they learn from me.鈥�

The human services studies major provides many opportunities for real-world experience. In addition to internships, students complete volunteer work at local organizations. Radis has volunteered with the Alamance Dream Center and several organizations in Charlotte, while Greenstein has volunteered with Friendship Adult Day Services, Inc., Church World Service, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Benevolence Farm and Elon鈥檚 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project.

Radis said the major cultivates leaders through examining social structures, fieldwork, theory and more to bring about positive change in undervalued fields. The major also fosters close relationships both inside and outside the classroom, especially during the senior internship semester.

Both students recommend the major to incoming students interested in the social sciences and community work.

鈥淚 would tell someone who is interested in the program to do it,鈥� Radis said. 鈥淪tudying human service studies has taught me so much about our world and my place in it. It has challenged me to think outside of the norm and into a future that contains professionals charged with a critical yet positive lens.鈥�

Reid said both students exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, initiative, and compassion during their internship. Both students approached their work with curiosity, respect, and a deep commitment to serving others.

鈥淚zzy demonstrated exceptional communication and critical thinking skills, engaging thoughtfully with clients and partner agencies while performing at the level of a high-functioning new employee,鈥� Reid said. 鈥淩uby consistently went above and beyond, building strong professional relationships, seeking additional responsibilities, and embracing every opportunity to learn.鈥�

Both seniors plan to work for a few years before attending graduate school. Greenstein said she hopes to earn a master’s degree in social work and dedicate herself to immigrant and refugee populations, domestic violence victims, underserved communities or within the criminal justice system. Radis said she also plans to pursue a graduate degree in social work or law.