The top-seeded Phoenix took the doubles point over the No. 2 seeded Tribe with wins on Courts 1 and 3.聽Simone Bergeron聽and聽Mariana Reding聽won at the top spot to set up the clinching victory by Kranec and聽Cornelia Kack聽on Court 3. Elon then then won three singles matches, with victories from Kack, Reding and Kranec, who clinched at the No. 5 spot.

Elon has won back-to-back CAA championships, with both championship match victories coming against William & Mary.聽With the win, 榴莲app官方网站入 secured the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championship.

The Rundown

• Elon won a crucial doubles point with victories at the Nos. 1 and 3 spots.
• On Court 1, Bergeron and Reding went down an early break but stormed back for a 6-2 triumph against the Tribe’s top tandem of Sia Chaudry and聽Francesca Davis. It was their fifth straight win together and their 13th of the season. The duo improved to 4-0 together in the last two CAA Tournaments.
• Kack and Kranec聽seized early control of their match on Court 3 on the way to a decisive 6-2 win that clinched the opening point for the Phoenix. The pairing is 14-5 together this spring and won matches in both of Elon’s CAA Tournament victories.
• This was the second time Kack and Kranec clinched the doubles point for Elon against William & Mary this season, as they also did so on April 3 in Williamsburg.
  Madison Cordisco聽and聽Alexis Nyborg聽trailed 5-3 on Court 2 when the doubles point was clinched.
• The Tribe evened the score with a win at the No. 4 spot.
• Kack nudged the Phoenix back in front with a convincing 6-1, 6-1 result over Chaudry on Court 1. It was Kack’s 13th win of the spring, 10 of which have come in straight sets. Kack is 6-1 since moving to the No. 1 singles position and went 4-0 against conference opponents this spring.
• William & Mary again pulled even with a victory on Court 6.
• In a back-and-forth battle on Court 3, Reding won the final four games in a final set to deliver a crucial point for the Phoenix. Reding came from an early break down to win the opening set against Tilda Larsson but found herself in a deciding frame. Reding fell behind 4-2 in the final set but broke back for 4-3 in the next game.
• Looking to consolidate the break, Reding fell behind 0-40 in her next service game. However, she dug her way out of the hole and won a deuce point to hold for 4-4.
• Reding broke in the next game to go ahead 5-4 and successfully served out a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory in the ensuing service game. The win extended Reding’s winning streak to 12 matches as her 15 singles victories lead the Phoenix this season.
• This was just Reding’s second completed match to reach a third set this season and was the second three-set victory of her CAA Tournament career.
• Bergeron fought back to force a deciding set after dropping the first on Court 2 against Davis, breaking serve in the final game of the second set to push the match into a third. The match stayed on serve with Bergeron missing on a break point chance at 4-4. With Bergeron serving to stay in the contest in the next game, Davis won another deuce point to close out a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 for the Tribe that leveled the match at 3-3.
• While Bergeron’s match was finishing, Kranec was engaged in a dramatic tussle on Court 5 that proved to be the final match on court. Kranec dropped the opening set against聽Rebeka Svabikova but held serve four times in the second to get the score聽to 4-4. In the ninth game, Kranec won a deuce point to break聽Svabikova’s serve and then served out the set to sent the tilt into a third.
• Kranec took early control聽in the decider, going ahead 3-0 after a hold, break and another hold. However,聽Svabikova got the break back and pushed the match set to 5-5. In the 11th game, Kranec manufactured a crucial hold of serve to go ahead 6-5 and force聽Svabikova to serve for a tiebreak.聽Svabikova successfully held to force the contest into a championship-deciding tiebreak.
• In the tiebreak, Kranec sprinted out of the gates, winning the first point on her own serve before winning the next two points on聽Svabikova’s serve. Kranec then won both of her next two service points and took a 6-0 lead into the change of ends.聽Svabikova saved the first of six championship points but missed wide on a ground stroke on the second as Kranec secured the clinching 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1) win for the Phoenix.
• The win was Kranec’s second of the spring to come in a third set and the first of her career in a third-set tiebreak. The sophomore improved to 3-0 in completed CAA Tournament matches with the triumph.
• It was Kranec’s聽10th victory of the spring and the eighth to come at the No. 5 spot. She has now won two dual singles matches in her career after dropping the opening set, both coming in CAA championship matches against William & Mary.
• This was Elon’s second 4-3 victory over the Tribe in Williamsburg this season, as the Phoenix also defeated William & Mary by that scoreline on April 3.
• The Phoenix has now won four straight matches against the Tribe, a streak that started in the 2025 regular season. Elon won both matches against the Tribe in Williamsburg this season after losing its first five road matches in the sereis.
• The victory was Elon’s first to come by a 4-3 score in a CAA Tournament match since 2022 in the semifinals against College of Charleston.
• Elon has now won back-to-back conference championships for the first time as a Division I program.聽The title was Elon’s third under head coach聽Elizabeth Anderson, who also guided the Phoenix to the 2014 SoCon championship.
• The match was played indoors due to afternoon rain in Williamsburg.

Up Next

Elon will return to the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season and for the third time as a Division I program. The NCAA Selection Show is set for April 27.

Results

Singles
1.聽Cornelia Kack聽(Elon) def. Sia Chaudry (W&M) 6-1, 6-1
2. Francesca Davis (W&M) def.聽Simone Bergeron聽(Elon) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
3.聽Mariana Reding聽(Elon) def. Tilda Larsson (W&M) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
4. Mira Kernagis (W&M) def.聽Alexis Nyborg聽(Elon) 6-1, 6-0
5.聽Lisa Kranec聽(Elon) def,聽Rebeka Svabikova (W&M) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1)
6.聽Ale Gonzalez-Galino (W&M) def.聽Madison Cordisco聽(Elon) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles
1.聽Simone Bergeron/Mariana Reding聽(Elon) def.聽Sia Chaudry/Francesca Davis (W&M) 6-2
2.聽Ale Gonzalez-Galino/Mira Kernagis (W&M) vs.聽Madison Cordisco/Alexis Nyborg聽(Elon) 5-3, unfinished
3.聽Cornelia Kack/Lisa Kranec聽(Elon) def.聽Emma Pell/Yaelle Vaissaud (W&M) 6-2

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (4,1,6,3,2,5)

The Phoenix took the doubles point with a pair of tiebreak wins on Courts 1 and 3. Elon then won three singles courts, with victories by聽Oskar Antinheimo,聽Jack Curtis聽and聽Rafael Ymer聽to clinch the match. Ymer clinched the title with a three-set victory on Court 2.

The conference title was Elon’s first since 2019, when the Phoenix also took down UNCW. This was Elon’s fifth-straight CAA championship match, all of which were against the Seahawks. With the victory, 榴莲app官方网站入 secures an automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship.

The Rundown

• For the second straight day, Elon made an escape in doubles, coming from a break down at the Nos. 1 and 3 spots to win both courts in tiebreaks.
• The Seahawks took the first doubles match to finish on Court 2, forcing the Phoenix to win the last two courts.
• On Court 1,聽Veljko Krstic聽and聽Nikola Parichkov聽overcame an early break deficit against聽Brady Hussey and Alex de Gabriele, getting the match back on serve and eventually into a tiebreak. Elon’s top tandem fell behind 3-0, but rallied to level the score at 3-3 at the change of ends. They took their first lead at 4-3 and never looked back, winning the next three points to take the tiebreak, 7-3.
• The tiebreak win was the second in as many days for Krstic and Parichkov, who clinched the doubles point in yesterday’s semifinal victory against William & Mary by coming through a breaker. It was the pairing’s fourth tiebreak win of its seven triumphs this spring.
• The doubles point came down to聽Oskar Antinheimo聽and聽Nick Fisk聽on Court 3, who went down a break on two occasions, including a break that allowed UNCW’s team of聽Jordi Domenech and Tomas Marin to serve for the match at 5-3. However, Antinheimo and Fisk broke serve and then held to level the contest at 5-5. Both teams added another hold to send the contest into a decisive tiebreak.
• Antinheimo and Fisk raced out to a 4-0 lead and led 4-2 at the changeover. Elon again pulled away after the change of ends, winning the next three points to secure the match and a 1-0 lead. It was the first victory of the season for Antinheimo and Fisk in their third appearance together.
• This was the first time the Phoenix won the doubles point against the Seahawks in the CAA title match in any of the last five years.
• Antinheimo put the Phoenix up 2-0 with a 6-2, 7-5 victory on Court 4 against Oscar Baumgartner. Antinheimo聽cruised through the first set but trailed by an early break in the second. He quickly got the match back on serve and held a 6-5 lead in the frame entering the final game. The senior took a 15-40 advantage in聽Baumgartner’s service game and won the next point to clinch the match.
• The victory was Antinheimo’s聽seventh of the spring and his first in four CAA championship match appearances.
• UNCW pulled back within one with a victory at the top singles spot.
• Curtis moved Elon to within a point of the title with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Domenech on Court 3. Curtis led by a break early in the second set but Domenech got the score back to 5-5. Curtis responded, breaking Domenech for a 6-5 lead before serving out the win in the ensuing game. It was the second straight season Curtis has won in singles in the CAA title match. The junior now has six singles wins this spring.
• For the second straight match, Ymer clinched victory聽for the Phoenix, coming from a set down against de Gabriele to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. It extended the junior’s winning streak to nine matches as he has won 16 singles contests on the season. The sophomore improved to 6-1 in deciding sets this season with the victory, with three of those triumphs coming from a set down.
• Parichkov also led 4-1 in a third set when his match was halted on Court 5, with聽Charles Pilet聽up a break in his third set at the No. 6 spot.
• Elon has now won two CAA championships, with both coming via wins in the final against UNCW. It is Elon’s first conference title.

Up Next

Elon will make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019 and its fourth as a Division I program. The NCAA Selection Show is set for April 27.

Results

Singles
1. Lukas Steffen (UNCW) def.聽Veljko Krstic聽(Elon) 7-5, 6-2
2.聽Rafael Ymer聽(Elon) def. Alex de Gabriele (UNCW) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
3.聽Jack Curtis聽(Elon) def. Jordi Domenech (UNCW) 6-2, 7-5
4.聽Oskar Antinheimo聽(Elon) def. Oscar Baumgartner (UNCW) 6-2, 7-5
5.聽Nikola Parichkov聽(Elon) vs. Tomas Marin (UNCW) 6-2, 5-7, 4-1, unfinished
6.聽Charles Pilet聽(Elon) vs. Brady Hussey (UNCW) 6-7 (3), 6-4, 1-0, unfinished

Doubles
1.聽Veljko Krstic/Nikola Parichkov聽(Elon) def. Brady Hussey/Alex de Gabriele (UNCW) 7-6 (2)
2. Lukas Steffen/William Dean (UNCW) def.聽Jack Curtis/Rafael Ymer聽(Elon) 6-1
3.聽Oskar Antinheimo/Nick Fisk聽(Elon) def. Jordi Domenech/Tomas Marin (UNCW) 7-6 (2)

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,1,3,2)

Elon Global Start offers a distinctive pathway for first-year students who show academic promise but may not meet traditional admissions criteria. Rather than delaying their entry or placing them in a conventional bridge model, the program launches students directly into a global academic experience in Dublin, Ireland. There, students begin building the habits, confidence and skills necessary for success before transitioning to campus in January as fully matriculated 榴莲app官方网站入 students.

The Dublin semester is intentionally designed to balance challenge and support. Students take courses with Elon faculty alongside classes at Dublin Business School, while also engaging deeply with Irish culture and society. Last semester, Thomas Arcaro, professor of sociology, served as the Faculty in Residence in Dublin, Ireland, where he taught The Global Experience (COR 1100). Arcaro’s course moved beyond examining global concepts in theory, instead immersing students in firsthand experiences that deepened their understanding and appreciation of global perspectives. This immersive environment accelerates both academic growth and personal development, helping students return to campus with a strong sense of identity and purpose.

Central to the program鈥檚 success is its deeply student-centered support model. Site Coordinator Abby Wright, an Elon alumna, plays a vital role in shaping the student experience on the ground in Dublin. Wright helps students fully engage with their time abroad鈥攅ncouraging exploration and cultural immersion鈥攚hile also keeping them academically balanced. Her approach emphasizes mentorship, accessibility, and guidance, helping students learn how to navigate both college expectations and the broader Elon experience.

Equally important is the academic advising and coordination students receive from Theresa Higgins throughout the semester. As Academic Coordinator and advisor, she works closely with students to monitor their academic progress, develop effective study strategies and build the executive functioning skills necessary for college success. Through consistent communication, individualized support, and proactive advising, you ensure that students stay on track and are prepared for a seamless transition to 榴莲app官方网站入 campus.

The program鈥檚 strength lies not only in its design but in the collaboration behind it. Elon Global Start is a true team effort, bringing together expertise from across the university and beyond. Key partners include James Thurnes, assistant dean and director of transfer and special admissions; Jen Platania, associate provost for academic affairs and associate professor of economics; Nick Gozak, dean of global education and assistant professor, Carmen Boggs, director of semester and exchange programs, Elon Global Education Center staff; and international partners at The Dublin Business School and Big Pond Education. Together, this network creates a comprehensive support system that prioritizes student growth, belonging, and achievement.

Reflecting on the program鈥檚 broader impact, Theresa Higgins emphasized its significance not just for Elon, but for higher education as a whole:

鈥淓lon Global Start demonstrates what is possible when institutions intentionally invest in students鈥� potential. This program is about more than access鈥攊t鈥檚 about building a community of support that empowers students to succeed academically, grow personally and see themselves as capable of thriving in a global environment. Our success shows that with intentionality and strong transitional support, students truly thrive. That鈥檚 the most rewarding part of this work鈥攚itnessing their growth and being a part of their 榴莲app官方网站入 story. It takes a dedicated team鈥攆rom admissions to academic affairs to our international partners鈥攖o make that vision a reality.鈥�

This collaborative and intentional model has produced strong, measurable outcomes. The program鈥檚 matriculation rate to Elon consistently ranges from 85% to 93%, reflecting both the effectiveness of its support structure and the readiness students gain during their first semester abroad. Participants return to campus not as tentative newcomers, but as confident, connected members of the Elon community.

By integrating admissions, academics and global education into a single, cohesive experience, Elon Global Start is redefining how institutions support student success from day one. Its recognition from NCAIE, underscores the program鈥檚 impact鈥攁nd its potential to serve as a model for colleges and universities seeking to expand access while maintaining high standards of academic excellence.

In the past week, administrators and staff from Queens traveled to Elon for a day of meetings and tours, the integration team members from both organizations met on the Elon campus, and admissions leaders welcomed counselors from across the country for a joint fly-in experience that included both campuses.

At the same time, excitement around Queens鈥� first Division I NCAA Men鈥檚 Basketball Tournament appearance has drawn national attention and engagement from students, alumni and fans, with media focus on the historic run of success by members of the Royals men鈥檚 basketball team in its first year of eligibility.

Together, these moments reflect steady progress as both institutions continue building relationships, sharing information and preparing for a combined future.

Daylong Visit Strengthens Campus Connections

Administrators and staff from Queens, representing a dozen offices and divisions, made day trips to Elon on March 18 and 19 for presentations, lunches and one-on-one conversations with their counterparts.

For the March 18 visit, the Queens team was comprised primarily of staff who had not yet visited the Elon campus. The group arrived mid-morning by bus and began with a welcome in the Great Hall of Sato Commons. An admissions presentation offered an overview of 榴莲app官方网站入 student experience before guests departed for guided campus tours.

The group reconvened at noon for lunch in the McEwen Dining Engagement Space, where conversations focused on shared priorities and institutional strengths. Afternoon meetings with Elon colleagues provided time for more focused discussion across divisions.

Queens Staff Reflections on Their Visit to 榴莲app官方网站入

• 鈥淢y visit to Elon was truly inspiring. There鈥檚 a clear, shared passion for student success there that mirrors our own at Queens. I鈥檓 excited to see how our collaborative efforts will drive exceptional outcomes for our students.鈥�
  Angela Tsuei-Strause
  Executive Director, Vandiver Center for Career Development
• 鈥淪eeing the beautiful campus and hearing the story of success was not the best part of the visit – the best part was meeting my new colleagues in Accounting, Payroll and Purchasing. Elon and Queens have so much in common and after visiting today my head is full of ideas about how staff at each campus can support each other to meet the challenges facing higher education.鈥�
  Donald F. Barton
  Controller, Finance Office
• 鈥淭his visit affirmed that the future of higher education is strongest when collaboration leads, grounded in shared innovation, renewed efficiency, and a deep commitment to the health and well-being of the whole person in a globally connected community.鈥�
  Kristin Toki膰
  Assistant Director for International Student Services
  Myrta Pulliam Center for International Education

A Counselor Fly-In to Elon and Queens

Elon hosted high school and independent counselors from across the United States in an annual program intended to broaden knowledge and awareness of the university鈥檚 unique academic attributes and its brand promise for students and families.

In addition to presentations by academic leaders and tours of campus facilities, this year鈥檚 experience included a visit to Queens for nearly two dozen counselors who work with students to identify which colleges are right for them.

Evan Sprinkle, 榴莲app官方网站入’s dean of undergraduate admissions, said that expanding the counselor program to include a visit to Queens was only natural given the interest families have expressed in the planned merger.

鈥淎 lot of people are curious,鈥� Sprinkle said. 鈥淭here are questions we鈥檝e received since it was announced and it only made sense to include Queens on an expanded itinerary. When we complete our merger, there will be lots of opportunities on both campuses that might encourage counselors to send applicants our way.鈥�

Counselor Reflections on Their Fly-In Experience

• 鈥淭his visit is important to understand the merger and to get a sense of what both campuses feel like and what it will look like as they come together. It always helps to be in a place, look people in the eye and ask them questions. I鈥檓 excited to have a chance to see the Queens campus up close again. I’ve been there before, and I have students who are there. And my early impressions of 榴莲app官方网站入 campus are that it is amazing. The community is big, but also very caring, and you can see there has been a lot of investment in facilities.鈥�
  Jessica Hardy
  Director of College Counseling
  Charleston Collegiate School 鈥� Johns Island, South Carolina
• 鈥淚t鈥檚 valuable to get your feet on the ground and see what鈥檚 actually happening on campus. It gives you the chance to understand the school so you can share it accurately with students. One thing that really surprised me was how many specialized programs are available in communications, nursing and other majors, and that students can pursue a lot of different interests here. And we鈥檝e heard about the (Elon-Queens merger) but we wanted to understand what it will look like and what it means for students. Getting that level of detail has been helpful.鈥�
  Marissa Margosian
  Associate Director of College Counseling
  Severn School 鈥� Severna Park, Maryland

Celebrating Selection Sunday in Style

Not even the rain could dampen the enthusiasm at Queens on March 15 when a crowd of more than 1,000 students and fans packed Curry Arena for an NCAA Men鈥檚 Basketball Selection Sunday Celebration.

Dressed in navy and gold, supporters of all ages shared in the electric energy, enjoying food and refreshments while waiting for CBS to reveal the bracket on a massive 23-foot screen.

The crowd erupted in cheers when it was announced that the No.15 seed Queens Royals would face No. 2 seed Purdue University Boilermakers in the first round of the West region of the NCAA Tournament. The game will take place Friday, March 20, at 7:35 p.m. ET at Enterprise Center in Saint Louis.

Students are invited to the Trexler Student Center for an on-campus viewing party featuring food, games and prizes. For alumni and fans across the country, the action will be broadcast live on truTV.

Additionally, official have been organized in Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, Charleston, Washington D.C., and New York City to ensure that Royals fans can cheer together from coast to coast.

For the latest information regarding Queens鈥� historic NCAA bid, visit

Reaffirming the university鈥檚 community impact, Cureton noted that Queens鈥櫬爊early 170-year聽history has positioned it as聽an important resource聽for the Queen City,聽supplying the skilled talent needed to fuel rapidly growing industries like healthcare,聽finance聽and tech.

Following Cureton鈥檚 remarks,聽Co-chair聽of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee and聽McColl School of Business Dean Denise Rotondo moderated a dynamic discussion with a panel of Charlotte鈥檚 top business leaders. The conversation featured strategic insights from Reggie Willis (Ally Financial), Vonda Huss (Brighthouse Financial), Margi聽Vagell聽(Lowe鈥檚), and聽Kinneil聽Coltman (Advocate Health/Atrium), focusing on the evolving needs of the regional workforce and how the Elon聽|聽Queens merger can continue to cultivate a stronger talent pipeline for the region.

The panel聽showcased聽the strategic corporate relationships Queens has cultivated with the city, specifically highlighting the Charlotte Talent Initiative (CTI). Through unique partnerships with Ally Financial and Lowe鈥檚, this cohort-based program drives economic mobility by providing diverse students from the community with full educational funding and comprehensive professional development 鈥� including specialized coursework, internships, and executive mentorship.

During the session, panelists drew on their career experiences to share “lessons learned” from navigating complex corporate mergers and structural shifts. Highlighting a local success story, Huss detailed her firsthand experience collaborating with the McColl School鈥檚 Center for Leadership and Executive Education (CLEE). As a dedicated hub for professional growth, CLEE expands Queens鈥� footprint in the graduate and executive sectors by providing high-impact, practitioner-led leadership development designed for today鈥檚 evolving business environment.

Sourcing local talent is a plus for聽Vagell, executive vice president of supply chain and integrated resource planning at Lowes. She emphasized the importance of being able to 鈥渓ean into our own community when it came to education鈥� and stressed a desire to 鈥渒eep the talent local, and at the same time partner with academic excellence.鈥�

The panel discussion ended by highlighting the “Queens connection” that permeates Charlotte鈥檚 executive ranks. Willis shared a unique personal tie, noting that both he and his father are alumni of the McColl Executive MBA Program. Underscoring the university鈥檚 workforce presence, he shared that more than 50 of his colleagues at Ally Financial are Queens graduates or have completed various certifications through the university.

After the panel, members of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee and the Integration Team broke into planning workshops followed by lunch聽in聽McInnes Parlors in Queens Hall. After lunch, work sessions continued with a report-out of the day鈥檚 accomplishments.

As the merger progresses toward regulatory approval, including聽submission聽for accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), several core themes have聽emerged聽to guide the path forward. These include a commitment to collaborative decision-making and a continued dedication to creating strong academic offerings designed to respond to the evolving needs of the region鈥檚 professional community.

The strategic and integration teams are continuing to meet weekly, with more in-person visits planned for the spring.

A daylong visit to 榴莲app官方网站入 campus in Alamance County on Feb. 13, 2026, brought together representatives from both institutions to advance conversations centered on the academic, operational and cultural framework of a merged university. Combined, the integration team and the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee are composed of nearly 80 members.

In welcoming remarks, 榴莲app官方网站入 President Connie Ledoux Book thanked participants for their leadership in what she described as a historic effort. While expressing confidence in the regulatory path ahead, she emphasized that the real work extends beyond approval.

The goal, she said, is to ensure the merger 鈥渁dvances both of our institutions and fulfills the hopes and dreams and aspirations that we have.鈥�

Book framed the integration as an opportunity to build new pathways for students, pointing to recent program expansion at Elon and the power of launching new academic initiatives. 鈥淚t鈥檚 this reminder that we can bring to life a vision, that we can build a future, and that future can create meaningful educational opportunities for deserving people,鈥� she said.

Participants responded to her invitation to describe their feelings about the merger in a single word: 鈥淗opeful,鈥� 鈥渆nergized,鈥� 鈥渋nvigorated,鈥� 鈥減roud,鈥� and 鈥渃urious鈥� echoed across Turner Theatre inside 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 School of Communications.

Book also shared insights from conversations with business leaders experienced in mergers, outlining three principles she said are essential for organizational success: relevance, reputation and clear reward for engagement. Those ideas, she explained, will inform how the combined institution positions its academic programs and community partnerships moving forward.

Acknowledging Queens鈥� history 鈥� which traces its roots to the Presbyterian Institute for Women 鈥� she noted the importance of honoring a legacy that expanded educational opportunity, particularly for women, in Charlotte. 鈥淚t鈥檚 on my mind, but it鈥檚 also in my heart,鈥� Book said of preserving that mission while building something new together.

Leaders from both institutions have said the merger aims to create a stronger, more comprehensive university serving students across the region, while maintaining a commitment to academic excellence, community engagement and student-centered learning.

Book emphasized the value of in-person connection in building trust and shared purpose. 鈥淰isiting somebody in their home is how you get to know them,鈥� she said. 鈥淲elcome to our home.鈥�

Following campus tours, a panel conversation on 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 signature experiences, and a group lunch in McEwen Dining Hall, members of both teams broke into subcommittees for deeper discussion on questions and possibilities within focus areas such as operations and systems, engaged teaching and learning, the undergraduate campus experience and student life, access and opportunity, and corporate and community partnerships.

Work was centered on the ideation of bold, creative ideas about what becomes possible through the merger.

The SOAR committee plans to present a preliminary list of ideas to the universities鈥� boards of trustees at their springtime meetings as a midpoint check-in.鈥疉 final compendium of the best ideas and concepts鈥痠s鈥痚xpected by July 1.

Faculty, staff, and administrators from 榴莲app官方网站入 will travel to the Queens University of Charlotte campus on Feb. 27 for the next in-person gathering of the two teams.

Registration is now open for 鈥淧hoenix Summer鈥� set for July 6-17, 2026, on 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 campus in Alamance County. The program will be led by faculty in collaboration with the Office of the Provost, Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and Undergraduate Admissions.

Students will live in residence halls, dine on campus and take part in daily programming designed to mirror the rhythm of college life. Phoenix Summer invites students to immerse themselves in hands-on, college-style academics while fostering curiosity, community and independence.

Students will select two courses to focus on throughout the program. Options include:

• Order in the Court! An introduction to Law and Justice
• Chemistry in the Kitchen
• Exploring Astronomical and Poetic Light
• Start-Up Spring: Concept to Creation

During the day, students will participate in their courses. Evenings and weekends are packed with creative activities, social events, off-campus excursions, signature Elon experiences and more to help students connect with peers. The programming blends academic rigor with social-emotional well-being.

The fee for the two-week residential experience is $4,000. Limited seats are available.

鈥淧hoenix Summer is more than a camp 鈥斅爄t鈥檚 a two-week college immersion program where students live on campus, explore big ideas, participate in engaging hands-on learning and begin to see themselves as part of the Elon Community,鈥� said Theresa Higgins, academic coordinator for alternative start programs.

For more information about Phoenix Summer and registration details, visit or contact Theresa Higgins, academic coordinator for alternative start programs, at thiggins7@elon.edu.

The SOAR Strategic Planning Committee will engage stakeholders in Elon and Charlotte to envision and position a merged institution for a future that expands and enhances the student learning experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

鈥淭his is an incredibly exciting moment for Elon and Queens as we imagine a future together,鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入 President Connie Book told the committee when it met via Zoom on Jan. 30, 2026. 鈥淭he work ahead is empowering because it allows us to envision a new future and then decide, collectively, how we will build it, which was the very impetus for our boards making what is truly a 100-year decision to merge our institutions.

鈥淭he strategic planning work before this committee is about ideation and imagination,” Book added, “bringing forward the strengths of our two legacies to amplify student success and create something genuinely new for higher education.鈥�

The committee’s work will be guided by the following principles:聽

• Build on genuine distinction.
• Keep students at the center.
• Consider future attainable goals with aspirational potential.
• Let data inform thinking.
• Consider mission alignment.

Co-chaired at 榴莲app官方网站入 by Senior Vice President Jim Piatt and Professor of English Megan Isaac, and at Queens University of Charlotte by President Emerita Pamela Davies and McColl School of Business Dean Denise Rotondo, the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee will meet online and in person throughout the spring.

Before the institutions develop detailed implementation plans, committee members are charged with imagining what the combined strengths of the two institutions could make possible. The emphasis is on academic programs, student experience and co-curricular opportunities, not operational or administrative integration.

Committee membership was finalized by Book and Queens Acting President Jesse Cureton with input from senior leaders, with an emphasis on broad campus representation and strong faculty participation. Faculty involvement is seen by campus leaders as central to the conversations, particularly as the committee considers curricular opportunities.

The process will also include opportunities for campus stakeholders to share ideas through forums and online submissions, similar to previous university-wide planning efforts.

The SOAR committee plans to present a preliminary list of ideas to the universities鈥� boards of trustees at their springtime meetings as a midpoint check-in.鈥疉 final compendium of the best ideas and concepts鈥痠s鈥痚xpected by July 1. Co-chairs described the list as likely taking the form of a set of curricular and co-curricular themes rather than a鈥痗omprehensive鈥痳eport.

Members of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee

• Dixie Abernathy, Associate Professor of Education 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• LMA Alexander, Executive Director of the Pulliam Center for International Education 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Lauren Burke, Instructor of Accounting 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Lynda Butler-Storsved, Associate Teaching Professor of Wellness; Chair of Academic Council 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Jessica Carew, Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Siu Challons-Lipton, Carolyn & Sam McMahon Professor of Art 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Elle Collins, Executive Director, Center for Access and Success and Instructor 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Maggie Commins, Professor of Political Science 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Joe Cornelius, Associate Professor of Film Production and聽Director of the Undergraduate Program at the Knight School of Communication 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• JoAndrea Costner, Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Shaina Dabbs, Associate Professor of Sport Management and Chair of the Department of Sport Management 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Pamela Davies, Professor of Strategy, President Emerita and Chief Integration Executive 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Eleanor Finger, Assistant Vice President for Student Life, Dean of Campus Life and Assistant Professor 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• CJ Fleming, Associate Professor of Psychology 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Angie Hatley, Associate Professor of Nursing 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Erin Hone, Associate Teaching Professor of Education and Director of the Teaching Fellows Program 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Megan Isaac, Professor of English 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Brandon Johnson, Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Nancy Johnson, Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Laurie Judge, Director of Career Services for Elon College, the College of Arts & Sciences 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Caroline Ketcham, Associate Dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Exercise Science 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Hyunuk Kim, Assistant Professor of Business Analytics & Director of the Center for Organizational Analytics 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Patrica Koplas, Z. Smith Reynolds Professor of Biology 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Megan Koransky, Director of the Hayworth Center for Digital Learning Director 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Brian Kremer, Associate Professor of Music Theater 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Mark Kurt, Associate Dean for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business & Professor of Economics 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Lori Lewis, Executive Director of Financial Aid 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Veronica Marciano, Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies & Founding Chair/Program Director of Physician Assistant Studies – Charlotte 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Kelly McKinney, University Controller 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Allison Meyer-Tucker, Director of Strategic Programming for University Advancement 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Phillip Motley, Professor of Communication Design and Director of Graduate Programs for the School of Communications 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Megan Noltemeyer, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life and Director of Strategic Initiatives 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Patrick Noltemeyer, Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Board of Trustees and Associate Vice President 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Dawn Norwood, Associate Professor of Sport Management 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Katerina Panttser, Assistant Professor of Finance & Economics 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Maria Papapietro, Assistant Director, Semester & Exchange Programs 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Jim Piatt, Senior Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Will Pluer, Assistant Professor of Engineering 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Roseann Pluretti-English, Assistant Professor of Communication 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Betsy Polk, Senior Director of Jewish Life 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Barry Robinson, Professor of History 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Denise Rotondo, Dean of the McColl School of Business 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Alexa Royden, Chair of Faculty Senate and Associate Professor of Political Science 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Kristina Siarzynski-Ferrer, Assistant Vice President of Academics Student Success and Operations 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Will Sparks, Dennis Thompson Chair & Professor of Leadership and Executive Director of the Center for Leadership and Executive Education (CLEE) 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Jeff Stein, Executive Vice President and Chief Integration Officer 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Hani Tadros, Associate Professor of Accounting 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Daniel Terry, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Experience 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Jeffrey Thomas, Professor of Biology 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Stacey Thomas, Assistant Professor of Nursing 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Eric Townsend, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communications and Media Relations 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Angela Tsuei-Strause, Executive Director of the Vandiver Center for Career Development 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Jen Uno, Associate Professor of Biology and Associate Director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Christopher Waters, Associate Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Darryl White, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Randy Williams, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Associate Professor of Education 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Jay Wills, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences 鈥� Queens University of Charlotte
• Alan Woodlief, Vice Dean of 榴莲app官方网站入 School of Law and Professor of Law 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入
• Karen Yokley, Professor of Mathematics 鈥� 榴莲app官方网站入

The integration team brings together leaders from key academic, administrative and operational areas at both institutions and is charged with ensuring progress on critical milestones, preparing for regulatory approvals, and laying the foundation for shared services and long-term collaboration. Its work builds on the momentum of the merger sprint teams that operated in fall 2025 and follows the signing of the definitive agreement between Elon and Queens, which formally outlines the legal framework for the merger.

The team will be co-chaired by Jeff Stein, 榴莲app官方网站入 newly appointed chief integration officer and executive vice president, and Pamela Davies, president emerita and senior strategy and integration executive at Queens. Stein joined 榴莲app官方网站入 in late December after serving as president of Mary Baldwin University and brings more than three decades of experience in higher education leadership, including 21 years at 榴莲app官方网站入 in senior administrative roles.

鈥淭he entire country is paying attention to these two institutions working with and for the world class city of Charlotte,鈥� Stein said. 鈥淭ransparency and engagement will continue to guide how we move forward together, consistently sharing progress, milestones and decisions so our communities understand where we are and where we are going.鈥�

The integration team has two primary mandates:

• Ensure progress on near-term, tactical milestones that must be completed in the first half of 2026, including regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Establish processes for developing shared services and operational structures that are financially sustainable and grounded in the strengths of both universities.

Guiding the team鈥檚 work are principles that emphasize maximizing student impact, supporting financial sustainability, leveraging the best practices of Elon and Queens, maintaining academic and operational excellence, and engaging campus communities in shaping the future of the combined institution.

The team is organized into work areas that reflect the core functions of both universities: Academic Affairs and Accreditation; Student Affairs; Information Technology; Finance and Administration; Admissions and Financial Aid; Advancement, Career Services and External Partnerships; and Communications.

Each area is led by administrators drawn from both institutions, ensuring that expertise and perspectives are shared. Team members will meet weekly to review progress, coordinate across functional areas, and surface challenges or decisions that require leadership attention. The co-chairs will also meet weekly with Elon President Connie Ledoux Book and Queens Acting President and CEO Jesse Cureton to provide updates and recommendations.

The formation of the integration team comes after Stein was named chief integration officer and executive vice president, a role created to provide focused leadership for the merger process. As a member of 榴莲app官方网站入 senior staff and vice president team, Stein serves as a key advisor to Book and works closely with leaders at Queens to coordinate institutional planning.

鈥淛eff鈥檚 experience, leadership and deep knowledge of higher education make him uniquely suited to guide this work,鈥� Book said when announcing his appointment. 鈥淗is background in strategic planning, partnerships and institutional change gives him the perspective needed for this important moment.鈥�

Stein鈥檚 appointment followed another major milestone: in December, the boards of trustees of Elon and Queens approved the definitive legal agreement governing the merger. That agreement establishes how the two institutions will operate while seeking required regulatory approvals and how governance will be structured once they become a single legal entity.

Completion of the merger is contingent on approvals from accrediting bodies, including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and the U.S. Department of Education, a process expected to conclude in 2027 or 2028.

While the definitive agreement provides the legal framework, many academic, operational and cultural decisions remain to be shaped through the work of the Integration Team and future strategic planning. Leaders have emphasized that this phased approach allows for thoughtful collaboration and community input.

One example of how the merger is already opening new opportunities is 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 recent announcement of plans to launch a full-time law program in Charlotte. Beginning in fall 2027, pending approval from the American Bar Association, Elon Law intends to offer a full-time Juris Doctor program in Charlotte in addition to its existing programs in Greensboro and its part-time Flex program in Charlotte.

The university has announced that both of its Charlotte-based law programs are expected to operate from the Queens University of Charlotte campus, either upon completion of the merger or through a lease agreement.

The new program reflects the shared strategic importance of Charlotte as a growing center for higher education, professional training and community engagement. It also illustrates how the merger creates new pathways for academic expansion while strengthening each institution鈥檚 presence in the region.

鈥淭his announcement reflects the strength of Queens as an academic home in Charlotte and the confidence both institutions have in what this partnership can create,鈥� said Jesse Cureton, acting president and CEO of Queens University of Charlotte. 鈥淭ogether, we are expanding educational pathways while deepening our presence in the region.鈥�

University leaders have described the Integration Team as the bridge between vision and implementation. Its work will touch nearly every aspect of campus life, from academic programming and student services to financial systems, technology infrastructure and communications.

Regular updates to senior leadership, collaboration with communications teams, and feedback mechanisms for faculty and staff are built into the team鈥檚 charge.

鈥淭his work belongs to the communities of Queens, Elon, and Charlotte,鈥� Stein said. 鈥淲e want people to see progress, understand the decisions being made, and feel confident that this process is thoughtful, inclusive and centered on students.鈥�

A faculty leader known across campus for her work in student mentoring, curriculum innovation and wellness-centered teaching has been named the next director of 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 Honors Program.

Professor Svetlana Nepocatych from the Department of Exercise Science will bring to her new role extensive experience in undergraduate and graduate mentoring, interdisciplinary program development and faculty engagement. She begins her duties on June 1, 2026.

鈥淎n active scholar and mentor, Dr. Nepocatych鈥檚 proven leadership on curriculum committees, interdisciplinary initiatives, and her service as Faculty Fellow for Wellness and Well-Being reflect her deep commitment to faculty and student success and her inclusive, wellness-centered approach will no doubt enrich the Honors Program and its community,鈥澛� said Rebecca Kohn, 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The Honors Program offers a rigorous, four-year academic experience designed for high-achieving students from all majors. The program combines small, discussion-driven courses, close faculty mentorship, undergraduate research, and global engagement to nurture critical thinking, communication, and ethical leadership.

Honors Fellows receive academic and financial support, including significant merit scholarships, specialized coursework, dedicated living-learning communities, and grants for thesis research and study abroad.

Nepocatych鈥檚 responsibilities as director of the Honors Program will include:

• Program leadership and development
• Oversight and assessment of the Honors curriculum
• Coordination and support of the Honors theses process
• Recruitment and selection of incoming Honors Fellows
• Communication with students about Honors policies, expectations, and events
• Support for Academic Advising
• Chairing the Honors Advisory Committee

Nepocatych鈥檚 work with Honors Fellows, particularly through the senior thesis process, has been a defining part of her tenure at the university since joining the faculty in 2011. Many of her students have presented nationally or co-authored scholarly work, an accomplishment she said highlights both their achievement and the visibility of the Honors Program.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to step into the role of Honors Program director,鈥� Nepocatych said. 鈥淭he program鈥檚 commitment to academic excellence, undergraduate research, and mentoring creates a transformative experience for students. I鈥檓 especially looking forward to supporting Fellows in thriving both academically and personally, with a focus on wellbeing, purpose, and belonging, by partnering with colleagues across campus to strengthen a program that reflects the best of 榴莲app官方网站入 engaged learning mission.鈥�

A thread of Nepocatych鈥檚 own scholarship focuses on evidence-based mentoring frameworks, and she is currently pursuing certification through the International Coaching Federation to deepen her work in student support.

Beyond her mentoring experience, Nepocatych has led academic initiatives across disciplines, serving as coordinator of a Food Studies minor, a faculty leader in the Department of Exercise Science and a Faculty Fellow for Wellness and Well-being. She has developed curricula, led assessment efforts and built programming that integrates wellness, inclusion and resilience into classroom practice.

Nepocatych鈥檚 leadership roles have included directing grant-funded research projects, chairing curriculum committees, coordinating new academic program proposals and supporting faculty through workshops and development programs.

Nepocatych will this spring shadow Professor Steve Bednar, who is concluding his four-year term as director of the Honors Program, formally stepping into the role.

A North Carolina registered dietician, Nepocatych earned her Ph.D. in human performance, a Master of Science in human nutrition, and a Master of Arts in human performance from the University of Alabama. She graduated from Wright State University in Ohio with her Bachelor of Arts in health and physical education.

I鈥檓 especially looking forward to supporting Fellows in thriving both academically and personally, with a focus on wellbeing, purpose, and belonging, by partnering with colleagues across campus to strengthen a program that reflects the best of 榴莲app官方网站入 engaged learning mission.

– Professor Svetlana Nepocatych

Search Committee for the Director of the Honors Program

• Jen Uno, Associate Professor of Biology and Associate Director of CATL (search chair)
• Lori Hubbard, Assistant Professor of Nursing
• Katrina Jongman-Sereno, Assistant Professor of Psychology
• Brian Kremer, Associate Professor of Performing Arts
• Jane O’Boyle, Associate Professor of Strategic Communications
• Will Pluer, Assistant Professor of Engineering
• Katy Rouse, Professor of Economics