The three category winners were been publicly announced on Instagram, and one of those winners is set to be named the Grand Prize winner at International Coffee Hour on Thursday, April 2, 9:30 am, in the GEC. The Grand Prize includes a $350 travel voucher.

Category: Elon Inclusive
Hazel Silverstein
Saradwadi Village, Jamkhed, Maharashtra, India
WT 26 India Public Health Studies Practicum

Silverstein’s photo captured a quiet but meaningful moment in rural India. Taken in Saradwadi village, the image showed a local goat herder guiding her herd through the fields while balancing a basket on her head. The scene offered a glimpse into daily life in the village and reflected the connections formed between students and community members during the practicum.

Category: Elon Global Explorers
Erin Howard
Seville, Spain
Spring 2025 CIEE Seville Liberal Arts

Howard’s photograph captured Semana Santa, one of Seville’s most powerful traditions, as brotherhoods carried elaborate floats through the streets in solemn processions. Howard stood in the crowd with her host mother while her younger host sister took part in the procession, making the experience especially personal. The image reflected the atmosphere of a city gathered at sunset to witness a tradition that has shaped Seville for centuries.

Category: Live Like a Local
Hannah Nicholls
Diamond Head, O’ahu, Hawaii
WT 26 Hawaii – Nation or State

Nicholls’ image captured a sunrise scene at Diamond Head, where surfers were already out on the water as the day began. She observed that surfing culture was deeply rooted in Hawaii and remained central to life on the islands. In her photo, a surfer headed toward the ocean as light reflected off the wet sand, creating a striking image of a local rhythm of life.

Ashley Bobotas, a supply chain management major and student worker in the GEC, reflected on her time helping to organize the contest: “Having studied abroad myself and seen the impact of these opportunities firsthand, it was especially meaningful to highlight how ����app�ٷ���վ�� Global Education Center provides programs that truly shape students’ perspectives and experiences.”

“Each of these photographs told a story about the way ����app�ٷ���վ�� students engaged with place, people, and culture in meaningful ways,” said Nick Gozik, dean of global education. “The contest showcased not only beautiful images, but also the depth of learning and connection that came through these experiences.”

Faculty-led programs for the upcoming Winter Term cover a wide array of subjects and global locations, blending academic inquiry with experiential learning. Students can explore topics such as ecotourism in New Zealand, music and dance in New Orleans and Brazil, literature in England, and West African history in Ghana. Each course is designed to extend learning beyond the classroom and into real-world environments.

“Winter Term programs give students the chance to step outside the classroom, engage with new cultures, and connect their academic interests to real-world experiences in meaningful ways,” said Gia Pineda, director of short-term programs.

Open to students from all majors, each program includes a required pre-departure seminar during the fall semester, preparing participants with essential academic and cultural context before traveling in January.

Registration for Winter Term 2027 will open in mid-April as part of fall 2026 course registration. Students interested in participating are encouraged to connect with the GEC through upcoming events:

College Coffee: Visit the GEC table on March 31, April 7, or April 14 to meet staff and program leaders
Winter Term Advising: Drop in this week from 2–4 p.m. for Quick Questions advising at the GEC in Sato Commons

For additional details and a complete list of programs, visit .

“This year’s award recipients reflect the very best of ����app�ٷ���վ�� commitment to global engagement,” said Nick Gozik, dean of global education. “Through their leadership, service, scholarship and care for others, they help create a campus culture where internationalization is not simply an aspiration, but a lived experience. Their efforts strengthen our community and remind us that global education is essential to preparing thoughtful, engaged citizens in an interconnected world.”

Courtney Smith, senior associate director of financial aid, received the staff award for her outstanding support of study away students. Her work, particularly in the area of financial aid and literacy, has played an important role in helping students thousands of students access global opportunities and navigate the financial aspects of studying away.

“Courtney’s contributions have been pivotal to the university’s efforts to make international experiences more accessible and manageable for students,” said Allegra Laing, executive director of global programming.

Jeff Carpenter, William S. Long Professor and professor of education, received the faculty award in recognition of his leadership in global education, including as chair of the Global Education Curriculum Committee; support and leadership of overseas programs, including the joint GEC/Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education program in New Zealand; and strong record of scholarship and teaching with a global focus. It was noted that Carpenter’s work as a teacher educator, scholar and mentor has helped strengthen ����app�ٷ���վ�� global learning environment, and his teaching overseas reflects a sustained commitment to international and intercultural education.

Huria Tahiry, recipient of ����app�ٷ���վ�� Commitment to Democracy Scholarship, received the international student award for her contributions to ����app�ٷ���վ�� campus community since arriving in fall 2022. Tahiry has served as an International Student Ambassador and has been involved in the Muslim Student Society, Eco-Reps, the Asian Pacific Student Association and other campus organizations. She also founded Caravan Club focused on Central Asian countries and culture, worked as an environmental justice intern and served as a SOC analyst for the Information Security Office. In addition, she is president of Women in Computer Science (WiCS).

Most recently, Tahiry worked with campus partners to bring Habiba Sarabi to Elon, helping foster dialogue about the global impact of Afghanistan’s ban on women’s education and the ongoing fight for educational rights and gender equality. Denise Teeters, director of international students, said Tahiry stands out not only for her accomplishments but for her character, noting that she is consistently among the first to offer support to others.

“Her presence has made a meaningful and lasting impact on our campus, and we are stronger because of her,” Teeters said.

Mya Lee received the Study Away Student Award for exemplifying ����app�ٷ���վ�� commitment to global learning through academic excellence, leadership and meaningful engagement abroad. An Odyssey Scholar, Global Ambassador and student-athlete, Lee brings a thoughtful and inclusive perspective to global education.

“Mya’s study abroad experience in Florence further reflected her dedication to cultural exchange, learning and community, while inspiring her peers through her leadership and engagement,” said Danthon, program coordinator.

While university administrators and faculty report that the word “multifaith” is often associated solely with belief in transcendent beings, they emphasize that, at Elon, it encompasses a broader invitation for the community to explore questions of meaning, value and purpose across religious, spiritual, ethical and secular worldviews.

The Multifaith Strategic Plan, developed in 2023, aligns with the Boldly Elon Strategic Plan and outlines four guiding goals:

• Increase religious diversity
• Foster a more equitable and inclusive campus community
• Support meaningful multifaith learning and engagement opportunities
• Articulate the educational value of multifaith diversity, equity and inclusion for all.

Together, they say, these goals build upon ����app�ٷ���վ�� longstanding traditions while expanding how the university honors and supports worldview diversity. The strategic plan affirms that graduates should be equipped to navigate a world shaped by differences in religion, belief systems, values and ways of life and that such preparation begins on campus.

Spirit of shared meaning

One of the most visible expressions of this commitment is Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate Reflection, held Under the Oaks during Commencement Week. Reimagined in 2022, the ceremony reflects the Elon motto “numen lumen,” meaning “spiritual light” and “intellectual light.”

Rather than a traditional sermon, the gathering centers on shared reflection, celebration and inspiration, featuring student voices alongside readings and blessings drawn from a wide range of religious and cultural traditions.

“This will be a place for seniors to be able to come together with their friends and reflect together on their Elon journey,” said Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, when the redesign was introduced. “Baccalaureate is being reimagined as a space of pure celebration of the diversity within our graduating class.”

That same spirit of shared meaning is visible each December during the Festival of Lights and Luminaries, one of ����app�ٷ���վ�� most cherished traditions. The event brings the campus community together to learn about and honor a variety of religious, spiritual, ethical and cultural traditions, reinforcing the idea that multifaith engagement is not limited to formal spaces but woven into the rhythm of campus life.

This reflection is more than just once a year; it’s weekly. Every Thursday from 9:50 to 10:20 a.m., the Elon community is invited to Numen Lumen: A Thursday Inspiration, where they can hear members of the community share pieces of their stories, enjoy live music and artistic expression, and share in coffee and refreshments.

“T������ events are an invitation for every community member, regardless of religious, spiritual, or ethical tradition and worldview, to encounter perspectives and practices beyond our own,” said Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement. “They are unique spaces that are genuine and authentic celebrations of these important holidays, and at the same time make space for our community to practice skills of respectful engagement, learn about and honor diverse identities, and lift up the Truitt Center’s work to show that spiritual and intellectual growth belong together.”

Learning spaces

Through facilitated dialogue, educational programming and student leadership opportunities, Elon encourages exploration of worldview diversity as an essential component of a liberal arts education.

For example: the Ripple Interfaith Conference, a student-led initiative advised by Zaken that has grown steadily since its founding 10 years ago by an intern in the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Designed to empower and inspire interfaith student leaders, Ripple convenes participants from diverse religious, spiritual and ethical identities for dialogue and community-building.

The 2026 theme, “A Recipe for Interfaith,” invited participants in February to explore how connection is built through shared practices, particularly food. By examining meals, recipes and storytelling, the conference highlighted how everyday experiences can foster understanding across differences

“Interfaith engagement, like cooking, requires curiosity, patience and a readiness to experiment,” said Lauren Bedell ’26, co-director of the 2026 conference. “Ripple is designed to serve everyone, and its cook time is lifelong.”

Food and faith

Food also plays a role in ����app�ٷ���վ�� multifaith commitments. Harvest Table, the university’s dining partner, works closely with campus stakeholders to accommodate religious observances and dietary needs.

Passover meals are available in Lakeside Dining Hall during the Jewish holiday, to-go bags support students observing Ramadan and Lenten fish is served on Fridays for those abstaining from meat. The Phoenix Flavors Vending Machine in the Truitt Center includes Kosher, Halal and pareve options, while the allgood station in Lakeside offers Halal chicken daily.

����app�ٷ���վ�� commitment to multifaith engagement also shows in the religious and spiritual organizations that contribute to campus community and belonging. Through the Truitt Center, students can connect with recognized student groups representing diverse traditions and practices. These include communities such as Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM), which offers weekly Mass, retreats and service opportunities; Elon Hillel and Chabad, which provide social, cultural and spiritual support for Jewish students; and the Elon Muslim Society, where students celebrate Islamic traditions and engage in interfaith dialogue.

There are also Christian ministries like Campus Outreach, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as contemplative and wellness groups like Iron Tree Blooming (meditation) and the Yoga Club—all open and welcoming spaces for students across different identities.

Buddhist Life offers opportunities for understanding and awareness of the Buddhadharma, including the Sand Mandala event each fall where a Buddhist monk visits Elon for three days and used colored sand to create a sand mandala, a Tibetan Buddhist symbol that fosters both healing and peace for those who view it. Elon enables Hindu students to engage with the religious tradition through events, services and forums, including the annual tradition of Diwali. A small, vibrant and diverse Pagan community is also supported at Elon.

Efforts reflect how Elon continues to honor its traditions while expanding multifaith engagement in intentional and meaningful ways. Through ceremony, dialogue, learning spaces and everyday practices, Elon affirms its commitment to preparing graduates who can engage thoughtfully and respectfully in a diverse and interconnected world.

“����app�ٷ���վ�� Multifaith Strategic Plan is a promise to our students, faculty, staff, and the wider community that we will take them seriously as whole, complex people,” said Brian Pennington, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society. “It is also a commitment to our students that an Elon education will prepare them to lead in a world where interreligious understanding is crucial to a sound global community.”

This story is the first in a series of stories focusing on ����app�ٷ���վ��’s Multifaith Strategic Plan. 

Associate Dean of Global Education, Jessica Gisclair, said Study USA focuses on experiences that connect students to place.

“The LA theme explores a dynamic city and the vibrant creative industries that shape community,” said Gisclair.

The theme is especially relevant as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.

“Students will have professional opportunities and build an understanding of the LA community and its preparation leading up to the Olympics,” Gisclair added.

The aim is to help students see how storytelling, media, and the arts influence industries, environments, and culture in one of the world’s top media and entertainment centers, especially in the context of a global event like the Summer Olympics.

The LA program will offer a range of location-based courses taught by industry professionals in Los Angeles that reflect the theme, including COM 4000: Media Law and Ethics, CTA 3670: Master Class in Directing, ARH 3000: Los Angeles Art History, and COM 3350: Sport and Media, a course introduced in connection with the upcoming Olympic Games.

Study USA is a signature domestic away program that provides immersive academic experiences in cities across the United States. The program enables students to explore various industries, cultures, and communities while interning and earning academic credit. Its strength lies in students living and learning together while taking location-based courses and engaging with professionals, alums, and organizations connected to ����app�ٷ���վ��.

The Study USA team will be on campus to share information, assist with the application process, and help students determine if the LA experience aligns with their academic and career goals. Study USA team members are also available to visit classes and introduce Study USA LA: The Creative Industries and Community Experience. Students interested in pursuing careers in the creative economy will find a new opportunity in LA.

Applications for ����app�ٷ���վ��’s Study USA LA Spring 2027 program open on April 1. Visit the website to learn more and begin your application.

The first session featured a legal discussion examining the potential impact of political shifts in the U.S. as the country looks ahead to 2026. Nathanial Lynch, director of the WFU Center for Immigration Services & Support, and William Crotty, associate attorney at Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm, provided insight into current immigration policies and possible changes. The conversation addressed visa regulations, employment authorization and legal work pathways available to international students. Panelists also discussed how broader policy developments may influence economic priorities, and the global perception of studying and working in the U.S., offering guidance to help students plan proactively for their academic and professional futures.

Following the legal session, Cherie Fu, associate director of the M.S. in Business Analytics and international student support specialist at the Wake Forest University School of Business led an interactive workshop titled Turning Anxiety into Energy: A Mindful Toolkit for International Students. The session acknowledged the layered pressures many international students face, including visa uncertainty, academic demands and cultural adjustment. Students engaged in guided reflection and practical exercises designed to help them reframe stress, regulate emotional responses, and transform anxiety into focused action.

The symposium concluded with a networking session that brought together students, faculty, staff and international alumni. Designed as both a creative and professional engagement opportunity, the closing event emphasized relationship-building and community, reinforcing the symposium’s broader goal of equipping international students with the tools, insight, and connections needed to thrive.

The leadership and collaboration of the Wake Forest University departments and participating institutions made the International Excellence Symposium possible, including their Center for Immigration Services & Support, the Office of Leadership Engagement, the Office of Personal and Career Development, and other campus partners.

Miranda is the sixth ����app�ٷ���վ�� student in five consecutive years to receive District 7690’s Rotary Club’s Global Grant. She follows Faith Leslie ‘21, Allison Potter ’22, Kiara Hunter ’23, and joint recipients Megan Curling ’23, Ava de Bruin ’23 and Nazaneen Shokri ’24. All recipients since 2022 have had at least one major in public health, a testament to the Department of Public Health’s ability to successfully prepare leaders who address the most pressing public health concerns of the 21st century.

This opportunity is not limited to public health majors, though, and all interested ����app�ٷ���վ�� students and alumni should contact the National and International Fellowships Office for more information about the application process.

From Elon to the CDC

At Elon, Miranda double majored in public health studies and international & global studies and minored in geography. She made the most of her undergraduate experience by engaging in research and service, and studying abroad in Tanzania. Outside of the classroom, she worked in the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life and is proudest of her time as a Multifaith Intern.

The combination of these experiences prepared Miranda well for a post-graduate career with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where she served for five years. She first served as a COVID-19 epidemiologist in Kentucky before transitioning to a new role at the Vermont Department of Health, where she specialized in public health emergency preparedness and response. Miranda’s time with the CDC helped her clarify her passions and refine her professional philosophy: “equitable access to healthcare is essential for thriving communities.”

With this domestic training under her belt and her philosophy front of mind, Miranda was ready to go global.

An Intersection of Values

When the time came to think about furthering her education, Miranda grew confident in her decision to look beyond the United States.

“I knew I wanted to shift my career toward global health, but I also knew I did not want to do so without first understanding my own interests, values, and limits through hands-on experience,” she explained. “When I began thinking about graduate school, I realized that studying abroad would allow me to expand that perspective while learning how health systems operate in a different cultural and policy context.”

Miranda was drawn to Taiwan for its strong public health infrastructure and commitment to disease prevention. National Taiwan University’s MSc in Global Health program, with its emphasis on international perspectives, offered an unparalleled opportunity for her to deepen her academic and technical training.

To support her goal of attending NTU’s Global Health program, Miranda began working with the National and International Fellowships Office at Elon, which assists students and alumni in identifying and applying for externally funded scholarships and grants. She first applied for a study/research grant through the and was unfortunately unsuccessful, but undeterred. She continued conversations with Ann Cahill and Nicole Galante, director and assistant director of the Elon National and International Fellowships Office, and it quickly became clear that she was a perfect fit for another fellowship: The Rotary Global Grant.

Guided by their core areas of focus, Rotary is a highly values-based organization that seeks to support students who are just as passionate about solving the world’s problems as they are. The intersection between Miranda’s work and Rotary’s goals was evident to both Miranda and her advisors.

“I couldn’t think of a better fit. It’s almost as if Holly has spent her whole life preparing to be a Rotarian without actually knowing it,” said Galante.

It was no surprise, then, when Miranda applied for and ultimately received the $30,000 grant that enabled her to begin graduate studies in the fall of 2025.

Returning to the Classroom While Arriving in a New Country

Returning to the classroom after five years—in a new country, no less—presented its challenges for Miranda, but she quickly found her footing.

During her first semester, she took courses like Global Health Science, Introduction to Epidemiology, and Social and Behavioral Health, while also participating in field trips to the National Health Care Agency, the global think tank CAPRI, and the Taiwan International Workers Association. To get the most out of her experience in the country, Miranda also took advantage of the free Chinese language courses offered by NTU for international students. Her intensive winter course met for three hours a day, five days a week.

As she looks towards the remainder of her time in the program, Miranda is eager to begin her master’s thesis.

“I’m looking forward to conducting my thesis research, focusing on adolescent mental health. I am honored that Professor Shu-Sen Chang is my thesis advisor; he is a leading expert in mental health and suicide prevention in Taiwan and the region. It is a privilege to be part of his lab and to contribute to this area of public health, which I am deeply passionate about,” she said

Once she graduates, Miranda will be well prepared to re-enter the workforce, strengthening health systems, enhancing disease surveillance, and improving outbreak preparedness. In the long term, she aspires to lead outbreak response efforts with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), combining the values and experience she’s gained from Elon to Taiwan, to no doubt make this world a better and healthier place. 

Alexis Franzese, professor and chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at ����app�ٷ���վ��, was recently featured on the “In the FIELD” podcast hosted by Heidi James-Dunbar of the Foundation for International Education (FIE).

In the episode, Franzese discusses her new co-edited volume, “Why the Magic Matters,” and explores themes that shape her work, including authenticity, identity and well-being. The conversation also highlights the impact of study abroad and off-campus learning experiences, drawing on Franzese’s experience teaching in London through ����app�ٷ���վ�� Global Education Center partnership with FIE. The episode examines how immersive educational environments, including spaces like Disney, can function as powerful sites of learning and self-discovery.

The full episode is available at and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

Traditional West African dance is unique by giving dancers the ability to work with live musicians and introduces them to polyrhythm, Gee said, but it goes beyond just live music and rhythm. Knowing, understanding and practicing traditional West African dance can help dancers understand other forms as well, as it is the foundation of many other dance forms.

As Elon honors Black History Month in February, Gee notes that her work showcasing West African dance and expanding access to the art is more important than ever, but is also something she does year-round.“My overall goal (for Black History Month),” Gee said, “is to make people aware of Black greatness and the things that Black folks are doing.”

During her undergraduate dance studies, Gee had a difficult time connecting to her alma mater’s modern dance program, partially, she said, because of the culture of the program at the time.

“Later in my dance journey, I also came to understand that I am neurodivergent, which has deeply shaped the way I approach teaching and research,” said Gee. “Because of that experience, I make it a priority to learn every student’s name, build genuine personal connections and create tools and resources that support multiple ways of learning. My goal is to ensure that students who may share similar challenges, or who simply learn differently, are able to engage with the course material in ways that feel accessible and affirming.”

Artificial intelligence has been a tool Gee has used to make the dance form more accessible. She published an interactive textbook that blends tradition with technology, inviting users of the online resource to learn West African dance moves and music using a digital avatar named “Amma.”

“I wanted to make it easier for everyone — whether you’re totally new to dance or already have experience — to connect with this powerful art form and understand how deeply it’s tied to the history and rhythms of the people,” Gee said.

During Gee’s undergraduate experience, it was a West African dance course with her future mentor and mother-in-law, Robin Gee, where things began to click: “It was one of the first times that I felt like a professor really saw me,” said Gee.

She now tries to help her students similarly, hosting her “mentoring research circle,” bringing together her research mentees for collaborative work: “I love being connected to students in that way. I feel like we learn and grow together, and I just love to see the growth.”

“Working with Keshia has taught me how to challenge my thinking as well as collaborate with others,” said Lucy Burk ‘27, a dance performance & choreography major who is working with Gee on her Elon College Fellows research. “She frequently allows her mentees to share ideas with each other about their projects, which leads to insightful discussions and helps builds strong relationships. Keshia is always there for support and guidance, and she makes sure her mentees get the most valuable information and resources available.”

In 2025, Gee was also named the director of The Black Lumen Project: An Equity Initiative, which works to enhance the Black experience at ����app�ٷ���վ�� in pursuit of equity and move the institution further in its commitment to inclusive excellence.

Gee is working to make the Committee on History and Memory Fall 2020 Report more accessible to alumni and the surrounding community through the by development of a mobile app. Her work also includes producing a film about Black women at Elon, such as Mary Carroll Robertson and Wilhelmina Boyd, associate professor emerita of English and founder of the African/African-American Studies program.

“We’ve been interviewing (some of these women) to create this living documentary about Black women being at the heart of Elon,”  she said. “Intersectionality can cause us to slip through the cracks at times, and perhaps not be acknowledged for the work that they’ve done.”

Black History Month

As part of Black History Month, ����app�ٷ���վ�� is sharing stories through Today at Elon that highlight Black students, faculty and staff who actively contribute to a campus environment where cultural histories and identities are celebrated year-round. In February, ����app�ٷ���վ�� is also recognizing the month through a series of events and programming.

According to National Geographic, Maha Shivaratri, also known as the Great Night of Shiva, “commemorates the deity’s life marriage to Goddess Parvati, his brave acts that saved our planet, and the lord’s cosmic dance which evokes the life cycle.”

“Hindu festivals are marked and celebrated in diverse ways in India’s different linguistic and cultural regions, as well as in diasporic contexts,” said Allocco. “T������ variations are observable in many dimensions of festival performances, including narrative, ritual, and culinary practices.”

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