Journalist and author Katherine Blunt 鈥�15 acknowledges a challenging reality 鈥� that today鈥檚 graduates are leaving institutions of higher learning across the country and embarking on professional journeys in a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how people work, learn and think. But she left the students at 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 Graduate Program Commencement ceremony on May 20 with reason to feel hopeful amid so much uncertainty.

While many people may be tempted by the path of least resistance, Elon cultivates leaders who are deeply rooted in collaboration, communication and, most importantly, the ability to think critically.

鈥淎s scholars, we have a responsibility to challenge AI鈥檚 assumptions in the same way we鈥檝e learned to challenge our own,鈥� Blunt said, 鈥渢o treat it as a debate partner or research assistant, to find new ways to augment our thinking, not replace the process.鈥�

Elon conferred graduate degrees on students from five master鈥檚-level programs – Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Business Analytics, Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Higher Education and Master of Education in Innovation 鈥� during a joint ceremony in Alumni Gym, where they were surrounded by the loved ones and faculty and staff mentors who championed their education.

Think about what it took to get here. The value in every paper you wrote or project you tackled came not just from the final product, but the mental strength and confidence you built in the process. You didn鈥檛 skip the struggle. You embraced the chance to grow.

Katherine Blunt ’15

In her introduction of Blunt, Dean of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education Ann Bullock pointed out that Blunt鈥檚 work is highly relevant to every graduate from both the School of Education and the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. Her in-depth reporting on artificial intelligence provides essential knowledge as teachers strive to prepare students to think critically about AI-generated content and digital information. And for those in business, Blunt鈥檚 coverage of corporate accountability, energy infrastructure and the explosive growth of AI-driven industries aids in understanding the forces reshaping markets, supply chains and organizational strategy.

Blunt reminded graduates in both fields that AI doesn鈥檛 think but rather repeats what has already been said and mimics opinions. Asking it to form opinions and conclusions on our behalf, she said, removes the friction that comes with processing information and generating ideas ourselves.

鈥淭hat satisfaction is what I hope you feel today,鈥� Blunt said. 鈥淭hink about what it took to get here. The value in every paper you wrote or project you tackled came not just from the final product, but the mental strength and confidence you built in the process. You didn鈥檛 skip the struggle. You embraced the chance to grow.鈥�

Blunt was a Lumen Scholar and news editor of The Pendulum student newspaper at Elon before graduating in 2015 with a degree in journalism and history. She reported first for the San Antonio Express-News and then the Houston Chronicle prior to joining the Wall Street Journal in 2018, covering power, renewable energy and utilities. Her coverage with colleagues of Pacific Gas and Electric was a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting and earned top journalism honors including a Gerald Loeb Award.

Blunt is the author of 鈥淐alifornia Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric 鈥� and What It Means for America鈥檚 Power Grid,鈥� a national bestseller and the 2022 Golden Poppy Award winner for nonfiction. She is now based in San Francisco, reporting for the Journal on Google and how artificial intelligence is reshaping search, along with related stories such as the rapid data-center buildout and its implications for the power grid.

During her Commencement address, Blunt told graduates that their Elon degrees and the relationships they built with professors put them at a distinct advantage in their careers.

鈥淚f you are in business, you are prepared to be the strategist who understands the importance of relationships among colleagues, customers and competitors. If you are in education, you are prepared to be the mentor who understands that learning is as emotional as it is logical.

鈥淎lgorithms can sort, count and summarize. But only you have empathy, a strong moral compass and the ability to tell a great story. Go do what only humans can do: Act with care, take risks and trust the intuition that comes from living in an imperfect world. Our schools and businesses will be better for it.鈥�

The master鈥檚 candidates also heard from Yates May 鈥�23 L鈥�25 G鈥�26, a triple Elon graduate who delivered the Message of Appreciation. A Burlington native with a family full of proud Elon alumni, May began taking Elon classes while still in high school through a dual-enrollment program and went on to double major in strategic communications and journalism, earned her law degree in December and received her MBA during the May 20 ceremony.

She recently asked about 20 current students and alumni to share one word that encapsulates what Elon means to them, and many shared the same word she would choose herself 鈥� home. She wondered why Elon felt like home to so many people she spoke with across different fields and experiences.

鈥淚 think the answer starts with this 鈥� at Elon, we are not anonymous,鈥� May said. 鈥淧eople know when you don鈥檛 show up. Professors, they check in. And friends, they notice. In a world that at times can feel so disconnected, this type of connection and care is rare.鈥�

May reflected on how Elon not only teaches students to think critically, but to invest in one another. Elon constantly encourages its students to grow while still making them feel supported, she said, pushing them beyond their comfort zone and reminding them that they don鈥檛 have to face moments of uncertainty alone.

鈥淭hat support system is what allowed so many of us to become the people that we are today,鈥� May said. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 important because soon, each of us will scatter across different cities, different states, different countries, classrooms, courtrooms, newsrooms, businesses, communities all over the world. But when we leave behind Elon, Elon does not leave us. We carry it with us. We carry Elon in the way that we lead, in the way that we treat people, in the way that we show up for others.鈥�

President Connie Ledoux Book closed the ceremony by charging the graduates to be resilient and steadfast like the oak trees for which Elon is named in their next endeavors. As she presented the students with a sapling in recognition of their growth throughout their Elon education, she reminded them that oaks symbolize the strength of Elon鈥檚 community 鈥� strength that now resides in each of them.

鈥淢y hope is that each time you see an acorn or an oak tree,鈥� Book said, 鈥測ou are reminded of the personal leadership you have developed during your studies at Elon 鈥� strengths and skills that I鈥檓 counting on you to use to make a positive difference in our world.鈥�

View the complete list of graduates from the spring 2026 Graduate Program Commencement ceremony.

The multi-month fellowship offers growth and collective healing for Latine educators and organizers committed to equity. It equips Latine advocates across North Carolina with tools to remove barriers and build a thriving future, honoring identity and lived experience.

Manny Campos, assistant director of college success for the Elon Academy, said he entered the fellowship looking to stay connected to the community that shaped him.

鈥淚 wanted to participate in the LatinxEd Fellowship because I wanted to stay rooted in my community. Especially in a space where there aren鈥檛 many people who look like me鈥� Campos said. 鈥淚n turn, I wanted to make my mark and show the work that I am doing. I also wanted to see the work people are doing throughout North Carolina that supports Latine students.鈥�

Through the Elon Academy, Campos supports first-generation and low-income students on their college journey. He shared that the fellowship retreat offered a powerful reminder of his purpose.

鈥淭he Fellowship retreat was very grounding and energizing,” he said. “It was so nice to be surrounded by people who care about the Latine community and advocate for those who don鈥檛 always have a voice. It served as a reminder of why I do the work that I do.鈥�

Similarly, Stephanie Hern谩ndez Rivera, assistant professor in the Master of Arts in Higher Education program and Emerging Professor in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, also completed the fellowship. She learned about it from a colleague and former fellow, Luis Garay, who encouraged her to apply.

Her research focuses on the experiences of students of color in higher education. She saw the fellowship as an opportunity to enhance her advocacy for Latine students in North Carolina.

鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 important that my work continues to speak back to the communities I am trying to serve,鈥� Hern谩ndez Rivera said. 鈥淎dvocating for Latine students is central to this work.鈥�

She added that the retreat emphasized a shared commitment to collective progress.

鈥淏ringing together Latine people from across the state to consider how we facilitate educational access was a powerful demonstration of community and solidarity. Even as Latine people, we have varied experiences. Our willingness to learn from and with one another is a testament to our desire to understand each other to best serve our students.鈥�

For both fellows, graduation marked more than just a ceremony鈥攊t brought pride and momentum. Campos was selected as one of two fellows to speak during the event, where he shared his experiences, key accomplishments, and the impact the Fellowship had on his growth.

鈥淚 felt so empowered getting to share my thoughts and my story with others,” Campos said. “This set the stage for what was a successful Fellowship journey. It marked the end of an emotional and thought-provoking adventure I’ll never forget.鈥�

For Hern谩ndez Rivera, the moment was deeply meaningful both personally and professionally.

鈥淚t was beautiful and moving to be recognized for the work I have already done to support students as a Puerto Rican woman. I am inspired to continue on that road,” she said.

LatinxEd’s mission is to dismantle barriers to educational access for Latine communities. The group partners with advocates across the state to launch mentorship programs, organize workshops, and host networking events for students. Campos and Hern谩ndez Rivera return to campus with renewed purpose and strengthened skills from the fellowship.

In discussing the nation鈥檚 social and political climate surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion, Stephanie Hernandez Rivera, assistant professor in the Master of Higher Education Program and Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education Emerging Professor, and Jonathan A. McElderry, dean of Student Inclusive Excellence and assistant professor, reflected on the need for scholarship to include the testimonies of those doing the work in identity-based centers.

鈥淥ne thing that鈥檚 missing from scholarship is the actual stories of people who have worked in those spaces,鈥� McElderry said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e read about identity-based centers in scholarship, but rarely do you get to hear the actual voices of those who lived it.鈥�

That conversation laid the foundation for the book, serving as a collection that amplifies the voices of practitioners often left out of academic narratives.

The power of collective voice

Across 18 chapters, 鈥淪haking the Table: Survival and Healing Amongst Identity Center Practitioners鈥� lifts the lived experiences of practitioners working across identity-based centers, including Black, Asian American, Latinx, multicultural, women鈥檚, undocumented students, and gender and sexuality centers. Stories explore how professionals navigate grief, burnout, resistance and renewal.

These narratives embody what McElderry calls 鈥渢he power of the collective and community.鈥�

鈥淲e can鈥檛 do this alone or in silos,鈥� McElderry said. 鈥淭he power of the collective and community is what moves the work forward. When we collaborate, students, campuses and communities all grow stronger.鈥�

Echoing McElderry鈥檚 perspective, Hernandez Rivera expressed, 鈥淲e鈥檙e part of a larger legacy of people committed to supporting the experiences of historically marginalized groups,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his project reminds us that we have our own knowledge and assets that sustain those efforts.鈥�

That legacy runs deep for both editors, which is rooted in their shared history and the experiences that first shaped their work.

A full-circle moment

For Hernandez Rivera and McElderry, the book is deeply personal. The idea traces back to their time working together at the University of Missouri during the 2015 campus protests that brought national attention to racial justice in higher education.

鈥淲hen we were at Mizzou, we didn鈥檛 have a voice or agency in what was going on,鈥� McElderry said. 鈥淲e weren鈥檛 allowed to do press or share our experiences. After I transitioned roles in 2016, we published our together as a way to finally give voice to what happened.鈥�

鈥淪haking the Table鈥� ensures this legacy continues and that the professionals who work in identity spaces can tell their stories.

Reflecting on that time, Hernandez Rivera described working on the book as both poetic and vindicating.

鈥淭his feels like a full-circle moment,鈥� she said. 鈥淢aybe the space we wanted ten years ago is the space we鈥檙e now creating through this project.鈥�

When stories become strength

While 鈥淪haking the Table鈥� highlights practitioners’ experiences, its deeper impact lies in what those stories make possible 鈥� connection, healing and truth through storytelling. For McElderry and Hernandez Rivera, storytelling isn鈥檛 just reflection, it鈥檚 resistance and restoration.

The book鈥檚 strength lies in the vulnerability and courage its contributors demonstrate in allowing themselves to be seen. Through storytelling, identity center professionals honor the past, affirm the present and imagine new possibilities.

鈥淲riting this chapter was vulnerable,鈥� Luis Garay, contributor and Elon鈥檚 director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, said. 鈥淚 was sharing parts of my story that aren鈥檛 often talked about. That vulnerability was new for me.鈥�

Building on that idea, Hernandez Rivera describes how connection is a driving force behind her decision to tell her story.

鈥淥ne reason I write the kind of scholarship I do is to create points of connection for people who might otherwise feel isolated,鈥� she said. 鈥淐ollective storytelling reminds us that what we feel and experience is valid and valuable.鈥�

At its heart, 鈥淪haking the Table鈥� is grounded in collective storytelling. Each chapter challenges silence, reclaims agency and reminds readers that using their voice is itself a radical act.

鈥淧eople will see the joy and the pain. Many of those in these roles carry a lot they don鈥檛 share. The book exposes that quiet endurance. And that鈥檚 what makes it powerful.鈥�

A legacy that continues

鈥淪haking the Table鈥� continues the legacy Hernandez Rivera and McElderry began years ago, ensuring that identity center professionals are seen, heard and valued.

鈥淚t鈥檚 ironic,鈥� McElderry said. 鈥淭his book is being released 10 years to the month after the Mizzou protests. It鈥檚 a moment to stop and reflect on how much has changed 鈥� some for good, some for bad 鈥� and how far we鈥檝e come in centering humanity in this work.鈥�

鈥淪haking the Table鈥� will be released on Nov. 24 and available for .

The work doesn鈥檛 end with the final chapter. Hernandez Rivera and McElderry have shared that a second volume is already in the works, as there are still more stories to tell. They continue to advocate for identity center professionals through ongoing scholarship, media and conversation, including an upcoming episode of the podcast, set to release Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Her work focuses on her desire to empower, uplift and heal marginalized communities. These grant funds will provide travel to the ACPA conference, where she will present a聽pre-convention workshop, developed with a senior scholar, that supports the work of those in identity centers. Additionally, she plans to聽submit an article to Developments – ACPA’s聽quarterly online publication – based on her research working with identity center practitioners of Color.

She circulates halls and common areas, smiling and waving at familiar faces, sparking new relationships with her easy humor and boisterous laugh. She welcomes them in, counsels them, hears and advocates for them. Elon’s inaugural director of inclusive excellence for graduate and professional programs recognizes the simple fact: We all want to belong. And she has the magic touch to foster that belonging.

鈥淒r. Buggs truly has a way with people. When you see her in the halls, there is rarely a time when she doesn鈥檛 stop to talk to a student, professor or staff member. She isn鈥檛 just talking to make light conversation, but cares about all the interactions she has,鈥� said Gianna Landrum L鈥�25, an Elon Law Diversity Fellow 鈥� a program Buggs established to enhance inclusive excellence at the law school and in the legal profession. 鈥淚鈥檓 in awe of her ability to connect with those whose identities she does not share because she makes the effort to learn.鈥�

This month, Buggs was recognized with a . The annual awards honor professionals who champion inclusive excellence in workplaces, across the community and beyond. She will join other honorees and their guests at a June 12 reception at the N.C. A&T University Student Center ballroom and be featured in a June 27 special issue.

To those who鈥檝e worked closely with Buggs 鈥� in the Division of Inclusive Excellence, at Elon Law, the School of Health Sciences, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the Love School of Business 鈥� Buggs’ recognition is no surprise.

鈥淟ak茅 is a wonderful resource and provides valuable support for Elon鈥檚 graduate students,鈥� said Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs. 鈥淪he creates an environment where they are welcomed and heard, and we all benefit from her perspectives. Through vital conversations in graduate programs across 福利亚洲国产精品, students are prepared to serve the communities and clients they will engage with during their careers.鈥�

She creates an environment where they are welcomed and heard, and we all benefit from her perspectives. Through vital conversations in graduate programs across 福利亚洲国产精品, students are prepared to serve the communities and clients they will engage with during their careers.

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn

Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence and associate professor of education, said Buggs鈥� effective advocacy for graduate and professional students allowed the university to be more conscious of their needs, 鈥減ositioning Elon to make decisions that enable them to flourish.鈥� Williams was a 2021 Leader in Diversity honoree.

鈥淟ak茅 exudes genuine warmth and empathy, which are powerful tools for engaging those whom she encounters. In turn, people are quick to trust her in guiding their decisions and accessing the many resources 福利亚洲国产精品 offers,鈥� Williams said.

Passionate advocacy, unwavering support

To hear Buggs tell it, there鈥檚 no secret to what she does.

鈥淓verybody can do this work. You don鈥檛 need a title,鈥� she reflected recently. 鈥淲e change the whole experience for our students when each of us is invested in their well-being and belonging.鈥�

Listening goes a long way. Buggs watches for areas where students may struggle, attends to the challenges they face entering professional life or preparing for a career change, and searches for ways to support them in and out of the classroom. She is especially cognizant of obstacles students from marginalized communities may face as they pursue advancement in their careers.

Beneath her warm exterior lies a passionate commitment to changing and challenging systems. Students discover this when they seek mentorship in profoundly difficult and traumatic experiences. Buggs not only supports them, but elevates critical issues for transformational conversations among faculty, staff and students that lead to reconciliation and growth.

She inspires others to take up this work by modeling what inclusive leadership looks like. Through her example, she makes equity work feel not just necessary, but possible and worthwhile.

Zac Ormond G鈥�23, assistant professor of physical therapy

In her teaching, she encourages interdisciplinary work that centers inclusive excellence across professions and is 鈥渃ommitted to providing classroom experiences that are inclusive by design and in application.鈥�

Students feel that support and gain valuable insights from her guidance.

Zac Ormond G鈥�23 first met Buggs as a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program on the school of Health Science鈥檚 Diversity Committee. Later chairing that committee, Buggs 鈥渉elped me refine my leadership skills, and her example showed me what it means to lead with both conviction and compassion,鈥� he said. Now an assistant professor of physical therapy in Elon鈥檚 program and a Northwestern University Sports Division 1 Fellow, he continues to seek her wisdom.

鈥淪he inspires others to take up this work by modeling what inclusive leadership looks like. Through her example, she makes equity work feel not just necessary, but possible and worthwhile,鈥� Ormond said.

Since arriving at Elon in 2021, some of Buggs鈥� achievements include:

• Creating opportunity for Elon鈥檚 graduate students to participate in affinity celebrations around commencement ceremonies, including Lavender Graduation and 隆Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight.
• Initiating programs for graduate and professional students interested in building skills in inclusion and belonging, including Elon Law鈥檚 Diversity Fellows Program and the School of Health Sciences鈥� Student DEI Committee.

• Innovating and contributing to professional identity workshops that aid graduate and professional students in establishing themselves within their chosen fields, such as Acorn to Oak at Elon Law and Confronting Bias in the Clinical Learning Environment at the School of Health Sciences.
• Working with students, faculty and staff to establish the Elon Law Professional Closet for access to business attire for interviews and early careers, as well as prayer rooms for various faiths and a lactation room for new mothers.
• Spearheading book clubs that spark reflection and discussion among students around timely subjects and diverse perspectives of the world.
• Developing and teaching courses that investigate how society grapples with different identities and how individuals can effect change.
• Creating social events and networking activities that create community among graduate students that include game nights, cultural outings and meetings with President Connie Ledoux Book.

What others say about Buggs鈥� impact on the Elon community:

鈥淟ak茅 is a passionate advocate for students, with a deep commitment to creating the types of inclusive environments that are essential for the success and thriving of all students. The graduate student population at Elon is spread across multiple academic programs with very different schedules and student needs. Lak茅 offers a common touchpoint for all of them in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.鈥� 鈥� Jon Dooley, vice president for student life and associate professor of education

鈥淲ithin the first week of her arrival at Elon, Lak茅 took on the charge to increase visibility and services for graduate and professional students. As a faculty advisor to the School of Health Sciences鈥� Student Diversity Committee, she helps them create meaningful events for supporting and educating healthcare students in the care of diverse patients and colleagues.鈥� 鈥揗elissa Scales, associate professor of physical therapy education

鈥淟ak茅 has a huge capacity to bring people in and bring people together. She loves people, loves to see them thrive and be successful, and that motivates her. She challenges students to recognize their own agency and power to make change.鈥� 鈥� Stacie Dooley, Elon Law assistant dean of career and student development

鈥淪he builds trust and relationships by making herself available, being her authentic self and empowering students to use their voice. I have seen her give solid counsel to students who were struggling or who needed direction. The nature of her position as a student affairs professional rather than their program chair or advisor gives her the opportunity to be a true safe space for students.鈥� 鈥� Kim Stokes, associate professor of physician assistant studies and department chair/program director for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies

As Kevin Trapani is quick to note, there’s a certain paradox to life in 2025: global poverty and rates of disease are declining, educational access is expanding, and technology has made communication instant and knowledge more accessible than at any point in human history.

That doesn’t include advancements in medicine, clean energy, and global cooperation.

So then why is there a rise in loneliness, anxiety, division, and despair? What explains the growing violence, political instability, and economic uncertainty now taking a toll on many people? And what’s to be done?

“Well, if you鈥檝e earned an advanced degree in education, I want you to teach character,” Trapani told candidates for master’s degrees who celebrated their 福利亚洲国产精品 graduation on May 21, 2025. “And, if you鈥檝e earned an advanced degree in business, I want you to teach鈥� character.”

福利亚洲国产精品 conferred graduate degrees on 85 students representing five programs at 福利亚洲国产精品 – the Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Business Analytics, Master of Education in Innovation, and Master of Arts in Higher Education programs – inside an Alumni Gym filled with family, friends, and classmates.

In delivering the Commencement address, Trapani – a retired insurance executive and entrepreneur, executive-in-residence in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, and the father of three 福利亚洲国产精品 alumni – suggested practices聽“that can anchor you in a chaotic world.”

• Belief: 鈥淣ow let me be clear: Belief doesn鈥檛 require religion. But it does require intention. It requires the choice to say, 鈥楾his is what I stand for. This is what I will sacrifice for. This is who I will be when no one is watching.鈥櫬� Belief is not abstract. It informs our choices. It shapes how we live. It gives us the courage to keep going in tough times. And today, in a world that too often confuses distraction with direction, belief is more necessary than ever.”
• Belonging: 鈥淭o bring people together, to find and build purpose-centered community, give of yourself. Spend your time, talent and treasure on the essential issues of human need: Feed the hungry. House the homeless. Care for children. Welcome the stranger. In that work, you鈥檒l meet people who will challenge and shape you 鈥� and who will come to love you and give your life meaning.鈥�
• Behavior: 鈥淚鈥檓 asking you 鈥� I鈥檓 expecting you 鈥� to change the world. I know you can only lead from where you stand 鈥� but you must lead. Your privilege is power and know this: power is not a bludgeon. It鈥檚 a blessing. Not something you use to dominate, but something that demands that you give. …聽Find a powerful partner and build a family. Practice your faith. Support your schools. Find and speak the truth 鈥� not just the trending soundbite. Sit with someone and really listen. Don鈥檛 choose the easy way. Do hard things. Beautiful things. Love one another. Because that鈥檚 where meaning lives.鈥�

Trapani has been an executive-in-residence at 福利亚洲国产精品 since 2022 and lectures on topics related to innovation, ethical leadership and stakeholder capitalism. Before his corporate retirement in 2024, he was co-founder, president and CEO of The Redwoods Group, the largest insurance provider dedicated to protecting youth-serving organizations in the country by working to prevent the sexual abuse of children in institutional settings, drowning prevention, transportation, and elevation risk safety

A 1979 Duke University graduate with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science, Trapani is a member and past chair of the Advisory Committee for Duke University鈥檚 Fuqua School of Business Center for Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship.

He has also been the social entrepreneur in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, chair of the board of North Carolina Public Radio, chair of the board of the United Way of the Greater Triangle (N.C.) and chair of the North Carolina Workforce Development Commission.

鈥淵ou. Are. Elon,鈥� Trapani reminded graduates. 鈥淭hose three words carry weight more than a diploma, a title, or a r茅sum茅 ever will because to be Elon means you鈥檝e been formed in a community that believes in purpose and that values knowledge, yes 鈥� but also character 鈥� and that believes we are not simply here to succeed, but to serve.鈥�

The evening Commencement celebration also featured remarks by 福利亚洲国产精品 President Connie Ledoux Book, Provost Rebecca Kohn, and Micaela Acosta G鈥�25, a candidate for the Master of Education from Argentina who delivered a message of appreciation on behalf of her classmates.

Acosta reminded her classmates that they stood on a bridge between two worlds: 鈥渢he world that shaped us and the world we are about to shape.鈥� 聽Commencement, she said, is a time to ignite courage for what lies ahead.

Among the many important lessons learned while enrolled in graduate studies, she added, there was one most meaningful to her.

鈥淲e never stop learning,鈥� Acosta said. 鈥淚n education, we are not simply teaching content or following a curriculum. We are shaping lives. We are inspiring futures. We are making an impact that might only reveal itself years from now when a student recognizes us at the grocery store, even if we don’t recognize them. And that, truly, is the power of education.

鈥淭oday is not just a ceremony. It is a declaration that says, 鈥榃e are ready.鈥� Ready to make mistakes. Ready to take risks. Ready to lead with heart and innovation. Elon has not only taught us new perspectives, methods, and strategies 鈥� it has reawakened our belief in the profound impact of what we do.

Today is not just a ceremony. It is a declaration that says, 鈥榃e are ready.鈥� Ready to make mistakes. Ready to take risks. Ready to lead with heart and innovation. Elon has not only taught us new perspectives, methods, and strategies 鈥� it has reawakened our belief in the profound impact of what we do.

– Micaela Acosta G’25

鈥淎s we step forward into the world, into classrooms, organizations, businesses, and communities, may we remember that success is not just measured in titles or accolades, but in the lives we touch, the hope we plant, and the courage we inspire.鈥�

Book concluded the ceremony with a charge to graduates to be resilient and steadfast “like the mighty oak for which Elon is named.”聽The strengths and skills gained at 福利亚洲国产精品 should be used to make a difference in the world.

鈥淎s we envision each of you launching into what’s next in the exciting career path ahead, carry Elon and our values with you always,鈥� Book said. 鈥淗onesty: be truthful in your work and in your relationships. Integrity: be trustworthy, fair, and ethical. 鈥㏑esponsibility: be accountable for your actions. Respect: be simple, and value the dignity of each person.

鈥淯se Elon’s values when you encounter the inevitable hard choices. Lean on them and each other when you need to reason things out. Remember, we are forever bound together by these values: you, me, your classmates, faculty, and staff. You are lifelong members of the Elon family.

鈥淐ongratulations, Class of 2025, and long live Elon!鈥�

Candidates for the Master of Science in Accounting

Nick Amatulli
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Juliet Baudoin
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Cailin Daigle
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Kelly Degnan
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Emma Flynn
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Wise Halverson
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Anna Hamner
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Josh Hazlett
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Blake Kessel
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Tabitha Knedeisen
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Vincent Ruggiero
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Charlotte Scully
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Allison Silvernale
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Juliet Walker
B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Candidates for the Master of Science in Business Analytics

Ananya Agrawal
B.A., Assumption University

Alan Allred
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Robert Barcello
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Craig Brandstetter
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Nicholas Buchholz
B.A., Fordham University

Juan Callejo-Ropero
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Adam Cheifetz
B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Mackenzie Deming
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Yadira Fernandez-Delgado
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Annie Grantais
B.S., NEOMA Business School

Cece Guyader
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Narjis Jebali
B.S., SKEMA Business School

Jazlyn Jefferson
B.S., Hampton University

Mikayla Jones
B.A., Catawba College

Charline Kergueris
B.S., NEOMA Business School

Madeline Ludwig
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Mariana Martinez
B.B.A., Christian University

Will McCoy
B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Simone Royal George
M.Ed., Washington University

Annabelle Schall Faucheux
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Victor Stromsten
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Liz Sulley
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Madison Synowiec
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

James Thomas Tegler Jr.
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Dylan Tucker
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Candidates for the Master of Business Administration

John Acebu
B.A., Xavier University

Addie Ackley
B.S., West Virginia University
M.S., West Virginia University
J.D., 福利亚洲国产精品

Jaclyn Burke
B.S., University of South Carolina
J.D., 福利亚洲国产精品

Davis Cheek
B.S.B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Cuyler Field
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
J.D., 福利亚洲国产精品

Robert Floyd
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Sarah Fuller
B.A., High Point University
J.D., 福利亚洲国产精品

Kendra Haskins
B.A., Duke University

Tarah Holland
B.S., North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Steven Lawrence Losiewicz
B.B.A., Greensboro College

Emily Lyons
B.S., Western Carolina University

Brooke McCormick
B.A., Monmouth College
J.D., 福利亚洲国产精品

Aaron Mellette
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Eduardo Mendes Flores
B.A., Texas A&M University
J.D., 福利亚洲国产精品

Ayo Onasanya
B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品
J.D., 福利亚洲国产精品

Moni Pao
B.S., North Carolina State University

William McGeachy Roberson
B.A., Davidson College

William Rock
B.S., Trident University

Ryan Xavier JaNeil Sanders
B.S., 福利亚洲国产精品

Patrick Schwartz
B.S., University of Hartford

Jon Seaton
B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Edith Sanchez Smith
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Sean Walker
B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Daniel Warren
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Aaron Whetstone
B.S., Clemson University

Katie Wolfe
B.B.A., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Candidates for the Master of Arts in Higher Education

Emma Rose Varner Calhoun
B.A., Duke University

Seth Lawrence Lasher
B.S., Kentucky Wesleyan College

Logan Montana Morral
B.A., York College of Pennsylvania

Cassandra McLean North
B.A., Roger Williams University

Rebecca Emily Osborne
B.A., North Carolina State University

Asmaa Zaitoun
B.S., University of Jordan
M.A., University of Jordan

Candidates for the Master of Education

Micaela Acosta
Bachelor鈥檚, Universidad Nacional de Catamarca

Huanhuan Cai
B.A., Southwest University of Political Science and Law

Rocio Castillo Garcia
Bachelor鈥檚, Escuela Normal Particular Autorizada in Queretaro

Erika Conde Garcia
Bachelor鈥檚, Universidad Del Valle

Hailey Firmin
B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Lu Li
B.A., Tonghua Normal University

Rebecca McLamb
B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Ana Gabriela Pe帽aranda
Bachelor鈥檚, Universidad de Cuenca

Yuli Andrea Peralta Verano
Bachelor鈥檚, Institucion Universitaria Colombo Americana

Zo毛 Rein
B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Matthew R. Trez
B.A., 福利亚洲国产精品

Nan Ye
Bachelor鈥檚, Shenyang Normal University in Shenyang

Qianhan Yi
Bachelor鈥檚, China West Normal University

Yuqi Yuan
Bachelor鈥檚, Yunnan Normal University,
Foreign Languages College in Kunming

鈥淚t felt like a full-circle moment,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was an incredible opportunity to showcase my skills and reflect on how far I鈥檝e grown.鈥�

This spring, six students from Elon鈥檚 Master of Higher Education (MHE) program had the opportunity to present at two of the field鈥檚 leading national conferences. The ACPA Convention was held in Long Beach, California in February, followed by the NASPA Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, in March.

For all six students, it was their first time presenting at a national level. They co-presented with MHE faculty member and Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education Emerging Professor Stephanie Hernandez Rivera, sharing a project rooted in their course “Transition to Adulthood in the Context of College and Culture.” As part of the course, students created visual art projects that reflected their own undergraduate development, using student development theories to interpret and explain their experiences. Their conference presentations invited participants to consider how theory intersects with identity, culture, and personal growth.

Carolina Martinez-Cuin G’26 and Cici Salazar G’26, along with Emma Calhoun G’25 and Logan Morral G’25, attended and presented at ACPA. At NASPA, McMillian and Cass North G’25 represented the program.

Each student brought a unique perspective to the conference sessions and left with a renewed sense of confidence.

鈥淚t was powerful being able to speak to a larger audience,鈥� Morral said.

鈥淚 feel confident. I feel I can do anything else,” said Salazar. “I feel I can go to another conference and present.鈥�

Calhoun and Martinez-Cuin shared how meaningful the experience felt for them, both personally and professionally. North noted how helpful it was to learn the behind-the-scenes work of putting together a proposal and presenting alongside an experienced faculty member.

Professional development is a core part of the MHE experience. In addition to attending national and local conferences, students participate in webinars, colloquia and guided professional planning with faculty. These opportunities help them prepare for roles across the field of higher education.

As the semester continues, students are already brainstorming ideas for future proposals, with support from faculty mentors.

The goal of the trip was to explore comprehensive internationalization and higher education in the Brazilian context, with a special focus on how students can form collaborative and reciprocal relationships with organizations and institutions.

Their trip, coordinated with CET Academic Programs, included visits to universities such as, Funda莽茫o Escola de Sociologia e Pol铆tica de S茫o Paulo, Universidade de S茫o Paulo and Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing. Students also visited the Museu da L铆ngua Poruguesa to learn more about the complexities of Portuguese in Brasil, which included understanding how the African diaspora and Arabic culture has influenced Portuguese language, as well as organizations like Casa Sueli Carneiro which uplifts the legacy of activists Sueli Carneiro and the experiences of Black Brazilians.

Cass North, the graduate apprentice in the Global Education Center, shared that many of the organizations they visited in Brazil 鈥渨ork to increase educational access and opportunities to underrepresented people鈥� while also 鈥減reserving and uplifting Black memory that has been globally silenced.鈥� The most impactful part of the experience for North was when she was able to connect with students and staff from EDUCAFRO, an organization that works to increase access to education for Black Brazilian students.

Seth Lasher, a student in the Master of Arts in Higher Education program who is the graduate apprentice in the Student Professional Development Center, said that exploring S茫o Paulo, Brazil, and building connections with the communities he interacted with allowed him to learn more about how higher education institutions and organizations in Brazil 鈥渘avigate issues of access, equity and governance鈥� and 鈥渁ddress diversity, inclusion, and systemic challenges.鈥� Lasher shared that seeing these efforts in practice allowed him to think more critically about how different issues and policies shape higher education outcomes globally.

Students also reflected on how they would take what they learned during their trip and integrate it into their work in the United States. Rebecca Osborne, graduate apprentice in New Student Programs, shared that as she was thinking critically, she was 鈥渄rawing connections between our experiences, the history we are learning, and how broader social systems of oppression.鈥�

Students were further able to draw on the new knowledge and insights gained through their final assignment for the course, a grant proposal focused on collaborative initiatives that facilitate capacity-building and reciprocity between an organization/institution visited in S茫o Paulo.

Students presented these proposal ideas to faculty and peers at the Master of Arts in Higher Education Colloquium. Colloquium is a time when Master of Arts in Higher Education students and faculty gather to discuss current issues, trends and best practices in higher education. Within Colloquium, students were able to share about the importance of decolonization in our internationalization efforts, the importance of capacity-building in international partnerships and how to facilitate collaborations that are mutually beneficial. Peers who have yet to partake in the study away experience were able to gain a basic understanding of internationalization and consider how they might build on the knowledge their peers鈥� shared as they prepare for the Theory and Practice of Global Education course this coming fall.

鈥淚 am deeply humbled and honored to receive this recognition. I鈥檓 also grateful for the unique opportunity it offers to support the NASPA Foundation, which provides vital scholarships and grants to student affairs professionals nationwide,鈥� Dooley expressed.

Pillars of the Profession recipients have demonstrated significant service to NASPA through regional or national leadership roles, created a lasting impact at their institutions and established lifetime professional distinction in student affairs and higher education.

Dooley has been a transformative leader during his tenure at Elon. Joining the university in 2014 as an assistant vice president for student life and serving as vice president since 2017, he has helped lead significant advancements in the residential campus, health and well-being, inclusive excellence, civic and political engagement, student belonging and divisional excellence. As vice president for student life, he oversees 15 departments dedicated to enhancing student learning and development, fostering mentoring relationships and nurturing a vibrant campus community. His leadership is marked by a deep commitment to students and their success.

Beyond his administrative duties, Dooley also serves as an associate professor of education, having taught courses in the master鈥檚 of higher education graduate program and the undergraduate Core Curriculum. Before joining Elon, Dooley served in various leadership roles at Marquette University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

鈥淚 am proud to join many of my Elon student life colleagues in advancing the field of student affairs through volunteer leadership with professional associations. To have my contributions over the course of my career recognized in this way is incredibly meaningful and motivates me to continue these efforts,鈥� Dooley said.

Dooley has made significant contributions to the profession as a volunteer leader with NASPA. He recently completed multiple terms on the NASPA Region III executive board, helping the region successfully navigate the challenges of the pandemic through his role as treasurer. He was a member of the NASPA Future of Student Affairs Task Force, which issued the in March 2022. Currently, he is a member of the James E. Scott Academy board, a group of accomplished student affairs vice presidents who provide advice and thought leadership to the NASPA President.

Dooley has been active with multiple other professional associations throughout his career, as a volunteer leader, conference presenter and consultant. For the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA), he served as the chair of the NACA Board of Directors and later as chair of the NACA Foundation Board of Trustees. In 2022 he was recognized with NACA鈥檚 highest honor, the Founders Award, for contributions to the association during more than three decades of involvement as a student and staff leader.

The is the premier professional organization for student affairs professionals. The association provides professional development, fosters research to address critical challenges and advocates for inclusive and equitable practices. Members of NASPA are united by a shared commitment to advancing higher education and guided by the association鈥檚 core principles of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and inquiry, placing students at the heart of its mission.

Dooley will be formally recognized alongside the other Pillars of the Profession during a ceremony at the NASPA Annual Meeting in March 2025, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. In the meantime, Dooley鈥檚 nominators will work with the NASPA Foundation Board to raise funds in his honor to further research and scholarship in student affairs. To make a contribution, visit the .

Rissa Trachman – J. Earl Danieley Distinguished Professorship

Rissa Trachman, professor of anthropology, has been honored with the J. Early Danieley Distinguished Professorship.

鈥淪ince joining 福利亚洲国产精品 in 2008, Dr. Trachman has been a dedicated teacher, scholar, and mentor who engages students, including many undergraduate researchers, in meaningful learning experiences in the classroom, the laboratory and through participation in field data collection and analysis,鈥� said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn, about Trachman.

Kohn noted Trachman鈥檚 dedication to students 鈥� mentoring several through research projects, dissemination of research findings at professional anthropology and archeology meetings and publications with student co-authors. She has also received the Elon College Excellence in Mentoring Award.

Her research centers on the everyday life of the ancient Maya, specifically those daily activities related to the political, ritual, economic and social aspects of the ancient city of Dos Hombres.

The J. Earl Danieley Distinguished Professorship was created by the university鈥檚 board of trustees in 1997 to honor 50 years of service to Elon by the university鈥檚 sixth president. Trachman is the fourth faculty member to receive the honor. The professorship is awarded to an outstanding professor in any field.

When Trachman received the call from President Connie Ledoux Book notifying her that she’d be awarded the professorship, she was in Belize doing field school teaching with her longtime mentor from the University of Texas at Austin. She then called her longest mentor at Elon — Anne Bolin, professor of anthropology emeritus.

“I knew immediately the magnitude of the coalescence of events,” said Trachman after receiving the award. “Anne is a friend, my mentor and family here in North Carolina. These are enduring relationships indeed. I’ve been fortunate to have incredible colleagues and many mentors here at Elon past and present and I’m so grateful to have landed in a department, college and an institution that has supported me absolutely, where we focus on students and share the values of the teacher, scholar, mentor.”

Her service to the university includes the Undergraduate Research Program Advisory Committee, the Budget Committee, the Presidential Search Committee, the search committee for recently appointed dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and as the current Academic Council chair.

Trachman earned a bachelor of arts, master of arts and doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.

Qian Xu – A.J. Fletcher Professorship

Qian Xu, professor of strategic communications, has been honored with the A.J. Fletcher Professorship in Communications.

Xu joined Elon in 2010 and her research focuses on the social and psychological effects of online technology as they relate to perception, information seeking and cognition in the context of both computer-mediated communication and human-computer interaction. Her research has been published in more than a dozen journals and she has authored and/or co-authored several book chapters.

鈥淒r. Xu is the epitome of what an Elon faculty member should be. She is visible in the campus community and active in service. Her research productivity has few peers. She is well-liked and respected. Her commitment to her teaching and her work are infectious. She is the Lumen — a ray of light — upholding the Elon motto of Numen Lumen,鈥� said Kenn Gaither, dean of the School of Communications and previous A.J. Fletcher Professor.

At Elon, Xu has served as the associate director of the Undergraduate Research Program, and editor-in-chief of Perspectives on Undergraduate Research and Mentoring. She has also served on the graduate council, mentored honors fellows, served on the Elon Strategic Planning Committee and Innovation Council.

“This recognition is not just a reflection of my work but a testament to the incredible support and encouragement I have received from my colleagues within the School of Communications and beyond,” Xu said. “They are not just coworkers, but also mentors, sounding boards and sources of inspiration. Their dedication to excellence pushes me to continuously improve as a teacher, scholar and mentor.”

Prior to Gaither and Xu, Professor David Copeland, who retired in May 2021, served as the A.J. Fletcher Professor for 20 years.

Xu earned a bachelor of arts and masters of arts in journalism from Nanjing University in China in 2005 and 2010, respectively. She earned a doctorate in mass communications from Pennsylvania State University in 2010.

Jeffrey Carpenter – William S. Long Professorship

Professor of Education Jeffrey Carpenter is the recipient of the William S. Long Professorship.

鈥淒r. Carpenter exemplifies excellence in teaching, scholarship, and mentoring,鈥� said Kohn. 鈥淲ith over 100 publications, he is established as a thought leader in his area of expertise, currently focusing on how professional development and student learning are enhanced by social media.鈥�

Carpenter came to Elon in 2010 where he has served as the director of the Elon Teaching Fellows program since 2014. He has received the 福利亚洲国产精品 School of Education Scholarship Award twice, the 福利亚洲国产精品 Distinguished Scholar Award and the Teacher Education Network’s Research Paper Award from the International Society for Technology in Education. Carpenter also serves on the University Curriculum Committee, the Academic Council and the Global Education Curriculum Committee.

“To those of you in this room who have been my colleagues and collaborators, I owe you deep gratitude and I hope you know that I appreciate the energy that you’ve poured into me,” said Carpenter while accepting the award Monday.

Carpenter also gave special recognition to Jennifer Fish, the former associate director of the Teaching Fellows program, who passed away in May.

“I would not be on this stage today if it wasn’t for a collaborator of the past ten years, during my time as Teaching Fellows director, Jennifer Fish,” said Carpenter “I really wish that she was here to see me receive this award because she poured a lot into me and I miss you, Jennifer. Long live Elon.”

Prior to coming to Elon, Carpenter taught English and ESOL in public and private schools in Japan, Honduras, Boston, Virginia and North Carolina. He earned a bachelor of arts from Rice University, a master of education from Harvard University and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Virginia.

The William S. Long Professorship, named for the university鈥檚 first president, was first awarded in 1968 to Robert Blake, an English faculty member who held the position until his retirement from the full-time faculty in 2008.

Rod Clare – William J. Story Sr. Professorship

Rod Clare, associate professor of history and chair of Elon鈥檚 Department of History, has been awarded the William S. Long Professorship in History, endowed by Hatcher P. Story 鈥�38 and his sister Louise in honor of their father.

Clare has taught at Elon since 2004 and specializes in women鈥檚 history, African American history and the U.S. during the early 20^th century. On Monday, Professor of History and Distinguished University Professor Mary Jo Festle noted Clare is always willing to jump in wherever needed. Described as passionate about conducting research and guiding students, Clare has arranged trips with student to archival collections.

鈥�(Rod) is a beloved teacher, with students rushing to sign up for his classes. As an instructor, he exudes warmth and positive energy 鈥� while insisting that students realize the complexity of people鈥檚 experiences in the past,鈥� said Festle in a pre-recorded message. 鈥淪tudents also appreciate Rod as an advisor. Whether or not a student is his official advisee, Rod鈥檚 office door is literally always open, and he stops whatever he鈥檚 doing to cheerfully assist any student who drops by.鈥�

Clare earned a bachelor of arts in history from Howard University and a doctorate and master of art in history from Duke University. He was unable to attend the Opening Day event.

Jonathan Poquette – Fletcher Moore Distinguished Emerging Scholar

Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands Jonathan Poquette is the recipient of the Fletcher Moore Distinguished Emerging Scholar award.

Poquette joined Elon in 2019 with the goal of 鈥渂uilding the band,鈥� but the COVID-19 pandemic created some challenges. However, it didn鈥檛 stop Poquette from continuing his work, developing creative rehearsal tactics, recruitment, alumni engagement and planning. His efforts resulted in a strong and exciting marching back for fall 2022.

鈥淲ith his positive personality and his energetic drive, Jonathan lifted the Elon band program to new heights, eventually doubling the size of the marching band and delivering a musically proficient wind ensemble that boasts a growing membership beyond 50 students,鈥� said Hallie Hogan, associate professor of music and chair of the Music Department. 鈥淗e captured the attention of his concert band with creative and relevant interdisciplinary programming featuring world premieres and music by composers from marginalized communities.鈥�

Expanding his work beyond the Elon campus, Poquette has directed ensembles and provided lectures at several high schools and universities. He also created The Elon Contemporary Chamber Ensemble made up of faculty and area musicians.

Poquette thanked his family for their support, noting that his parents drove from Wisconsin to attend the Opening Day ceremony.

“It’s the foundation that you’ve provided that has really helped me become the person I am today, both as an individual and a teacher and scholar,” said Poquette. “My mentors, both here on campus and throughout all of my education, thank you so much for helping me to learn the Elon way so that we could eventually and continue to build the band, because yes, it is a passion of mine. If you haven’t seen me around with the marching band, you will come Friday, because we are eagerly awaiting our performance for Move-In Day.”

Poquette earned a bachelor of music from Southern Illinois University and a master of arts in instrumental conducting from University of Central Missouri. He holds a doctorate in musical arts, conducting from the University of Georgia.

The Fletcher Moore Distinguished Emerging Scholar Professorship was established in 2023 by alumnus Wayne T. Moore 鈥�49 and his wife Elizabeth to support faculty and honor the achievements of Moore鈥檚 late brother, Fletcher Moore 鈥�34. A member of Elon鈥檚 music faculty for more than 40 years, Fletcher Moore passed away in 2022. The professorship supports the teaching and research of an emerging scholar in the arts, humanities or social sciences.

Stephanie Hernandez Rivera – Dr. Jo Watts Williams Emerging Professor

Assistant Professor of Education Stephanie Hernandez Rivera is the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams Emerging Professorship, in honor of the late Dr. Jo Watts Williams, vice president emerita and professor of education emerita.

The award is given to an outstanding pre-tenure faculty member who demonstrates emerging outstanding teaching, provides evidence of emerging outstanding and impactful scholarship, contributes to the life of the university and has shown evidence of being a goodwill ambassador for the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the university.

鈥�(Hernandez Rivera) builds excellent relationships with her students and challenges them to explore and evaluate higher education from many dimensions, specifically focusing on social justice and diversity aspects of the content,鈥� said Ann Bullock, dean of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education.

Hernandez Rivera is in her second year as a faculty member at Elon, primarily teaching in the master of higher education program. Students praise her use of guest speakers and her ability to bring students at ease in the classroom when working through challenging course content.

“I would be remiss if I did not thank my incredible students who not only motivate me to be the best educator, but also be the best version of myself,” said Hernandez Rivera during the Opening Day ceremony. “I truly believe my life’s purpose is to be an educator and to create meaningful work that uplifts how marginalized people resist oppressive conditions in education, especially how women of color do it.”

Hernandez Rivera earned a bachelor of arts in women’s and gender studies, early childhood education and psychology from William Patterson University in 2012, a master of arts in women’s and gender studies from Rutgers University in 2014 and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri in 2021. Before coming to Elon, she served as the assistant director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Kean University and as a visiting professor of instruction at the University of South Florida.

Yidi Wu – Stella S. and John C. O鈥橞riant Developing Professor in History

Yidi Wu, assistant professor of history, was awarded the Stella S. and John C. O’Briant Developing Professorship in History in 2023 but was unable to attend the Opening Day ceremony at that time. President Connie Book presented Wu with the award during Monday’s ceremony.

“Dr. Wu employs new and exciting teaching pedagogies in her classes, utilizing graphic nonfiction and role-playing game scenarios,” said Book. “Students have remarked about Dr. Wu’s innovative pedagogy and her passion for her class subjects.”

Her scholarly interests include student activism, social movements, higher education, documentary film, democracy and authoritarianism. In 2021,聽Wu was selected as a National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow supporting her research and writing about student protest movements in 1950s China.

The Stella S. and John C. O鈥橞riant Developing Professorship in History was established through a gift from the estate of John Conrad O鈥橞riant 鈥�75 that was made in honor of O鈥橞riant and his mother. Michael Matthews, associate professor of history, was selected as the inaugural recipient of the professorship in 2015.

“I really appreciate the institutional support and recognition,” said Wu. “I appreciate all my colleagues and thank you Elon.”

Wu received her bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and her master’s degree and doctorate from the University of California, Irvine.