福利亚洲国产精品 President Connie Ledoux Book offered her insight on the implications of artificial intelligence during an expert panel hosted by The Conference Board, a global, nonprofit think tank and business membership organization.

The virtual panel on May 21 featured Book; Anand Eswaran, chief executive officer of Veeam; and Joe Sutherland, director of the Center for AI Learning at Emory University, and it focused on five issues:

1. How leading companies are prioritizing AI use cases that deliver measurable ROI
2. How organizations are building AI governance – risk management, privacy, security and compliance – without slowing innovation
3. What “scaling AI” looks like in practice across key functions
4. How policy can support an AI innovation ecosystem while managing potential risks
5. How policymakers could help prepare employees to succeed in firms using AI

All of the panelists were asked about one development they think people underestimate about the way AI may reshape business, work or daily life. For Book, it’s the “deepening value of humanness.”

“Most people are asking this question … about which jobs AI will replace, but the bigger story is what human capabilities will become newly scarce and newly valuable,” she said. “I think of those as judgments, and the ability to build trust, mentor, and ask better questions are all human capabilities. The institutions and organizations that invest in that are going to be the leaders in five years.”

Book was asked about Elon’s research on AI in higher education, including听a November 2025 survey of 1,057 faculty by the听American Association of Colleges and Universities听and听Elon’s Imagining the Digital Future Center. The survey found widespread concern and skepticism about generative artificial intelligence affecting their teaching and student performance across academic disciplines.

“Faculty are not, by majority, anti-AI. They are deeply concerned that we get it right, that we get it right in our universe, and they’re looking for leadership on that,” Book said. “A majority of faculty already said they’re teaching AI literacy … They’re teaching things about bias, hallucinations, ethics and integrity. You see this unfold across universities.”

The survey also found concern over the over-reliance on AI by students. Book noted that it’s important to differentiate “over-reliance” from cheating.

“This is an over-reliance where they’re diminishing critical thinking,” she said. “They’re ‘AI dependent’ on what the answer is, rather than ‘human dominant,’ which is where we want them to take all of those liberal arts and learning skills, and really be human dominant through the technology.”

Eswaran said that adaptability to AI will be key for the workforce, and Book said that AI could even lead to more room for a liberal arts education and better workforce preparation for students.

“I think it creates even more demand for a liberal arts background,” she said. “We tend to think of ‘either or’ 鈥� either you’re a technical skills person, a STEM person, or a liberal arts person. I do think the ‘and’ is going to be even more critical in our understanding.”

Drawn by the strength of Elon鈥檚 student life program and the opportunity to grow professionally, Patterson arrived in 1986 planning to stay only a short time.

鈥淭he student life program at Elon was well-regarded at the state and in the region and in the country even back in 1986,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 saw it as an opportunity to be a part of that staff and to grow professionally. And then Elon just grew into our home.鈥�

Over the years, Patterson witnessed Elon鈥檚 transformation from a small college into a nationally recognized university.

鈥淲hat I didn鈥檛 appreciate at the beginning was how the physical transformation was really the precursor for the cultural transformation of the institution,鈥� she said.

That cultural transformation is most visible in her work with students. Known affectionately as 鈥淒ean P,鈥� Patterson built her leadership approach through relationships grounded in accessibility, respect and authenticity. She emphasized servant leadership, encouraging students to see leadership not as personal elevation, but as a contribution to a larger community.

鈥淚 was going to be a good listener with them, but also going to ask them the tough questions so that the decisions that they made were aligned with both their values and the values of the institution,鈥� she said.

This approach also shaped her work with student government. Patterson balanced openness with accountability, pushing students to slow down, ask better questions and fully understand the implications of their ideas. Rather than reacting in the moment, students were expected to research, refine and sometimes rethink their positions.

“Before you bring this for legislation, I want you to do your homework,鈥� she said. 鈥淏e thoughtful and be a critical thinker.鈥�

For Patterson, the most enduring measure of her work is what students carry forward. Watching alumni grow into leaders, mentors and engaged citizens has reinforced her belief in higher education as both a space for learning and transformation.

As she steps into retirement, Patterson remains optimistic about Elon鈥檚 future. She points to the university鈥檚 ability to balance tradition with innovation while staying grounded in its values.

鈥淚鈥檓 in my jubilee year, as we call it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 get a little emotional at Elon Day and those things, but I鈥檝e received the gift to be able to reflect in a place that has been such an integral part of my life and my family鈥檚 lives.鈥�

For all of Patterson鈥檚 contributions over her 40-year career, from mentoring generations of students to strengthening the university鈥檚 focus on student health and well-being, her service reflects what President Book described as 鈥渁 job well done.鈥�

Learn more about the podcast and listen to the episode here.

Originally a left-handed pitcher recruited to play baseball, Mooney鈥檚 plans shifted overnight when an injury sidelined him before he ever took the field. The setback pushed him into new experiences: student government, leadership fellows, Sigma Chi and a community of mentors who helped him recognize his potential beyond athletics.

鈥淚 was also very fortunate to have some amazing mentors on campus,” he said. “Whether that was, Fred Young and Ron Klepcyk, Gerald Gibson, Gerald Francis, Jana Lynn Patterson, Rex Waters, Dr. Jo Williams鈥� these were people that spoke into me that said, 鈥榃e want you to learn.鈥欌��

Mooney carried that growth mindset into motorsports, eventually working with agencies, global brands, race teams and major sponsors. His roles gave him a rare 360-degree view of the business behind the sport in communications, partnerships, crisis management, and team operations across more than 850 races. He describes motorsports as a living case study in teamwork and continuous improvement.

鈥淓ven if you won on Sunday, Monday morning was, 鈥極kay, what are we going to do differently? What are we going to improve on?鈥欌�� he said.

After 25 years, Mooney made another shift by leaving the constant travel of racing to launch Mooney Consulting Group and support the development of Pocono Organics. He describes the transition as both the most challenging and most necessary chapter of his life, driven by a need for sustainable pace, deeper family presence, and renewed purpose.

鈥淲hat if the last ten, 15, 20 years of your life were the setup for the next 20, 25 years of your life?鈥� he asked.

Much of Mooney鈥檚 current work centers on values-based leadership and proactive reputation building, themes that anchor his book鈥�淩eputation Shift.鈥� Drawing on years of crisis response inside motorsports, he encourages leaders to live their values out loud, strengthening reputation before it is tested.

鈥淚t hit me that, you know, reputation was always reactive. It was a, 鈥榃hat now?鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淚f we could live our values out loud, you probably wouldn鈥檛 have an issue with reputation because it鈥檚 coming from a place that鈥檚 truly yours.鈥�

President Book and Mooney also reflect on defining early experiences, which include their shared memories of working at Kmart as teenagers, and how small moments of integrity and decision-making become early milestones in a leadership journey.

This episode captures the energy, humility, and clarity that have guided Mooney鈥檚 work. His path from unexpected change to purposeful leadership serves as a reminder that transformation begins the moment you decide to change lanes.

Listen to the full episode on , or .

鈥淓xcellent public schools create meaningful opportunity for every North Carolinian to succeed,鈥澨齭aid Governor Josh Stein.听鈥淭his commission represents a bipartisan commitment and an opportunity to make North Carolina鈥檚 public schools the best in the nation.鈥�

The Blue Ribbon Commission is tasked with examining teacher training and student advancement, administrative operations, educational leadership and accountability. Members of the Blue Ribbon Commission were jointly appointed by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

“The educational opportunities in North Carolina open a world of possibilities for our citizens,”听said Senate Leader Phil Berger.听鈥淚t鈥檚 imperative that we continue to work collaboratively to ensure North Carolinians have the skills they need to enter the workforce. We need everyone 鈥� business leaders, educators, and policymakers 鈥� to come together to meet the real-world needs of our students. I look forward to seeing the proposals this group suggests to improve educational outcomes for all students.鈥�

福利亚洲国产精品 President Connie Ledoux Book was featured in a on how college administrators are confronting major disruptions in the higher education landscape, including international enrollment challenges and artificial intelligence adoption.

The article, 鈥�How 3 college administrators are tackling higher education disruption,鈥� highlights remarks Book made during a panel at the American Council on Education鈥檚 annual conference in Washington, D.C.听

Book pointed to tightening visa policies and shifting global student flows as key pressures facing institutions nationwide. She noted that even colleges not heavily dependent on international enrollment are feeling the effects of broader declines in traditional student populations.

鈥淚f you rely on immigration and international students as the primary driver of your enrollment strategy, you are vulnerable,鈥� Book said.

Reflecting on how disruptions beyond Elon鈥檚 campus could affect the national higher education ecosystem, Book added, 鈥淲e鈥檙e losing domestic students because of the hole that other schools are filling,鈥� signaling that competitive pressures ripple across institutions when one segment of the student market contracts.听

On the topic of artificial intelligence, Book noted that a liberal arts education could help students use AI in their work.

鈥淭his is going to breathe life into skill sets around philosophy, religion, problem-solving, history,鈥澨鼴ook听said. 鈥淭he human side is going to get a new burst of energy because that鈥檚 where the skill sets of connecting the dots and critical thinking live.鈥�

The event will take place on听Thursday, April 16, at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi.听A reception including a hosted bar and hors d鈥檕euvres will begin at 6:30 p.m.,听followed by a program featuring remarks by President Connie Ledoux Book.听A dessert reception will听conclude听the evening.

6:30听p.m.听听Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
7:30听p.m.听听Program with remarks by President Connie L. Book
8 p.m.听听Dessert reception
The event will conclude at 9 p.m.

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi
Vertigo Room
10400 NE听4th听St.听Suite 3100
Bellevue,听WA听98004

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

Register at听 or contact听advancement@elon.edu.

The event will take place on Wednesday, April 15, at the Denver Art Museum.听A reception including a hosted bar and hors d鈥檕euvres will begin at 6:30 p.m.,听followed by a program featuring remarks by President Connie Ledoux Book.听A dessert reception will听conclude听the evening.

6:30听p.m.听听Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
7:30听p.m.听听Program with remarks by President Connie L. Book
8:00听p.m.听听Dessert reception
The event will conclude at 9 p.m.

Denver Art Museum听Museum
Martin Building, Sturm Grand Pavilion
101 West 14th听Ave. Parkway
Denver,听CO听80204

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

Register at听 or contact听advancement@elon.edu.

While his classmates left campus for places like Cancun and California, Sean had his own plans. 鈥淚, on the other hand,鈥� he shared, 鈥渨ent home to get my wisdom teeth removed.鈥�

Two days into his recovery, he received an urgent email from Jim Carnahan Casting, a casting company that he connected with through his Senior Showcase.

In the email, he learned that “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” needed an immediate replacement on Broadway. With a swollen mouth, Sean sent in an audition tape, had an in-person callback in New York City a few days later and received a phone call following his callback.

As Sean vividly remembers being told on the phone, 鈥淲e are so sorry to tell you that you cannot go home because we need you in rehearsal tomorrow.鈥�

Since that moment in late March, Mikesh has performed nightly as an ensemble member and understudy for the Charles Sinclair character. The roles have challenged him in ways both technical and transformative, shifting between nuanced character work, mastering tight backstage choreography and even stepping into the production鈥檚 iconic Demogorgon suit.

Not even a year out from graduation, Mikesh described to Book how surreal the transition has been relocating to New York City, negotiating contracts and performing on Broadway. Through it all, he emphasized the community that has anchored him. He credited Associate Professor of Performing Arts Kim Shively at Elon for helping him step confidently into the professional industry, and his fellow Elon alumni and students in New York, like Erik Houck 鈥�25 and Campy Rodriguez 鈥�26, who is currently in “Aladdin” on Broadway.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been such a beacon of support,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like a hug, the way Elon felt when I first visited the campus鈥� And when you come out to New York, we鈥檙e in a new space, beautiful in a different way, but the people are still there and that hug is still there.鈥�

Towards the end of Sean鈥檚 conversation with President Book, which ranged from the surprise commencement ceremony she held for Sean last May in New York City to the importance of staying present,听Sean offered advice for Elon students whose dream it is to perform on a Broadway stage.

It was a quote he returned to throughout his audition process that framed his experience: 鈥淟uck is when opportunity meets preparation.鈥�

Preparation, for him, came through years of Meisner, Stanislavski, and Chekhov-based training under Professors Kevin Otos and Kim Shively; roles in on-campus productions of “Paradise Lost” and “The Antipodes;” and the lessons he absorbed across classrooms and disciplines on campus.

For someone whose story to Broadway began with wisdom teeth surgery, an unexpected email and a callback in New York City, Mikesh鈥檚 journey makes one thing clear: when opportunity arrived, he was prepared.

Learn more about the podcast and listen to the episode online.

The more than 20-minute interview began with discussions about the launch of the new Roberts Academy at 福利亚洲国产精品,听a transitional school serving students with dyslexia in grades 3-4 in a temporary location starting in Fall 2026 (and expanding to grades 1-6 with the opening of a state-of-the-art facility in Fall 2028).

“What’s amazing about this kind of transformative philanthropy is that the Roberts family, one academy at a time, is changing the life of thousands of students who suffer from dyslexia. So, we were really proud to be their fourth and final academy,” said Book.

Book also discussed Elon’s proposed merger with Queens University of Charlotte, which will expand the university’s graduate offerings in Charlotte, specifically in business, law and health programs.

“I will say that the 鈥榳hy鈥� behind Queens is really an extension of the Boldy Elon plan that moved us to Charlotte,” said Book. “The state of North Carolina is experiencing growth, and Charlotte is leading that growth with 150 people moving to the area every day, and it is an exciting young professionals area, so we could see that in our planning data before we opened the law program there and made the decision about the health care program. It’s underserved from a higher education perspective.”

With the current challenges in higher education, Book warned that “large tuition discounts” may lead to university closures in the future.

“What’s happened at smaller universities is that, to try to recruit classes, they keep discounting tuition. The average in the U.S. now is over 60%. So this is this phenomenon where you see a sticker price, and then you don’t see disclosed what people are actually paying,” said Book. “It’s that phenomenon when you’re on the airline and you’re in your seat and you’re not clear who paid what for their seat on the flight. So higher ed suffers from this. Elon has challenged that trend by keeping our sticker price lower. Now our scholarships are lower, but we think that’s a more truthful approach, and we have benefited from that over the years.”

Listen to the full interview and read a full transcript on the Triad Business Journal website.

The annual award, given by higher education consulting firm Credo, honors a college or university president whose strategic vision, student focus, and collaborative spirit have moved their institution forward in meaningful ways.

“President Book embodies the very best of courageous leadership. Her clarity of vision, steady hand and deep commitment to student success have positioned Elon for long-term strength. She leads with purpose and partnership, and the impact of that leadership is felt across the higher education landscape,” said Bill Fahrner, president of Credo, powered by Carnegie.

Elon has continued to grow and flourish since Book began her presidency in 2018. In September, Elon earned its fifth consecutive #1 national ranking for undergraduate teaching from U.S. News & World Report this year and is recognized as the only university in the country ranked in the top 10 of all eight categories of academic programs linked to student success and positive learning outcomes.

Student success has been a hallmark of Book’s presidency. She led the creation of the 10-year Boldly Elon strategic plan, a comprehensive roadmap that strengthens engaged and experiential learning, expands academic excellence and global study, and deepens Elon’s commitment to mentoring and support. The plan has guided major institutional investments鈥攆rom the Innovation Quad, the HealthEU Center and expanded health sciences programs to new residential facilities and strengthened student life initiatives鈥攖hat collectively advance Elon’s nationally recognized model of high-impact learning. Under her leadership, Elon has continued to build systems that support every student’s journey, ensuring they have the relationships, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive.

A recent example of Book’s forward-looking leadership is Elon’s expansion in Charlotte through the establishment of a part-time law school, the addition of a physician assistant program, and a proposed merger with Queens University of Charlotte. These strategic moves extend Elon’s reach into one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas and position the university to bring its nationally recognized model of engaged learning to a broader community of students. The Charlotte initiatives reflect Book’s commitment to bold, future-focused action鈥攕trengthening student opportunity, deepening industry partnerships, and enhancing Elon’s regional impact.

Book has established herself as a national leader advocating for access to higher education. She recently served as board chair for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). She currently serves as NAICU’s representative to the board of the American Council on Education (ACE).

Prior to being named Elon’s ninth president, Book served as the first woman provost of The Citadel. She previously served 福利亚洲国产精品 as an associate provost and as a faculty member in the School of Communications.

The award will be presented at the Council for Independent Colleges (CIC) Presidents Institute Presidential Appreciation Dinner to be held January 5, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.