Computer Science | Today at Elon | 榴莲app官方网站入 /u/news Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:27:44 -0400 en-US hourly 1 AI Play summer camp brings hands-on learning to digital game design /u/news/2026/06/24/ai-play-summer-camp-brings-hands-on-learning-to-digital-game-design/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:12:35 +0000 /u/news/?p=1050461 榴莲app官方网站入 hosted its inaugural AI Play summer camp this month for rising middle school students with interest in the world of artificial intelligence.

Thirteen students participated in AI Play, held June 15-19 in Lindner Hall on 榴莲app官方网站入 campus, where they learned about artificial intelligence while improving their AI literacy.

AI Play students, director and volunteers stand for a group photo outside.
Middle school students participated in AI Play, held June 15-19 in Lindner Hall.

“The camp provides a way for students to get interested in this technology in an unplugged way,鈥 said Alexis Goslen, an assistant professor or computer science. 鈥淲e used a lot of 鈥榰nplugged鈥 activities that do not involve computers like 鈥楪uess Whose Face,鈥 a game where the students act as the facial recognition system and we introduce the concepts by connecting it to unlocking your phone.鈥

Students participated in several hands-on learning activities that introduced concepts about pathfinding, perception and machine learning, speech recognition and more.

鈥淲e did an activity about facial recognition and that was really cool to see how AI uses facial recognition in our everyday devices and how a few viewpoints can map out entire facial features,鈥 said Trisha Anna, a seventh grader at Durham Academy in Durham, North Carolina.

Trisha Anna working on an activity on the computer at AI Play.
Trisha Anna at Elon AI Play Summer camp at Lindner Hall on June 15, 2026.

The camp focused every day on a 鈥渂ig idea鈥 of an artificial intelligence concept. Students learned about concepts and worked in groups to apply the concept before ending with a group discussion on ethics.

鈥淭he ethics discussions were my favorite part of camp,鈥 Goslen said. 鈥淭he students seemed excited to talk about different scenarios using AI and they had really interesting perspectives. The discussions showed how the camp was challenging their thinking and I loved seeing students鈥 engagement in that.鈥

The activities throughout the week gave students the opportunity to problem solve, learn the basics of artificial intelligence, coding and ethics.

鈥淚 wanted to attend AI Play because I really wanted to learn AI and how to use it without doing anything bad and I also thought it would be a fun experience to try something new and meet new friends,鈥 said Caitlyn Stephens, a seventh grader at Blessed Sacrament School in Burlington, North Carolina.

Throughout the week, Goslen noticed the students’ learning and growing.

鈥淲e held a workshop where students got to see the Elon robot dog and the campers were amazed by it,鈥 Goslen said. 鈥淭hey had so many questions and their questions were often based on material we had covered in the camp. It was nice to hear their questions because it demonstrated the knowledge they gained from the camp.鈥

Middle school students at AI Play camp watch a demonstration of robot dog.
Assistant Professor of Engineering Blake Hament demonstrates Hugh the robot at Elon AI Play Summer camp at Lindner Hall on June 18, 2026.

As technology and artificial intelligence grow more prevalent in everyday life, it is important for education about these technologies to be introduced earlier, Goslen said.

Goslen said she hopes the camp sparked students’ interest in technology, computer science and engineering and remember the concepts when they interact with technology and choose how to use it.

The campers agreed.

鈥淪ome of the new skills I learned at the camp were the proper way to use AI and how it has such a big impact on our everyday lives,鈥 Anna said. 鈥淲ith AI changing so rapidly it is important for all middle schoolers to have somewhat of a grasp on it.”

For more information about AI Play and information about future camps, contact Alexis Goslen, assistant professor of computer science, at agoslen2@elon.edu.

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榴莲app官方网站入 publishes 2025 Provost’s Report /u/news/2026/06/23/elon-university-publishes-2025-provosts-report/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:33:22 +0000 /u/news/?p=1050386 The Office of the Provost has published the most recent issue of an annual online resource that highlights the teaching, research听and creative achievements of 榴莲app官方网站入’s accomplished faculty.

With a theme of “Breaking Through the Ordinary,” the 2025 Provost’s Report emphasizes the role of听innovation听in听teaching today’s students and creating learning opportunities that lead to human transformation. Elon’s nearly 500 full-time faculty members exemplify an institutional commitment to the听teacher-scholar-mentor model听that defines the university’s nationally acclaimed approach to higher education.

Signature features in the report include an in-depth look at the way 榴莲app官方网站入:

The report also includes shorter profiles drawn from each of 榴莲app官方网站入’s six schools/college that represent the innovative spirit faculty and staff bring to the community every day.

“As I reflect on these accomplishments, and on the important work that continues across the university, I am inspired by the talent, dedication, and shared purpose of 榴莲app官方网站入’s faculty members, staff members, and students,” said Rebecca Kohn, 榴莲app官方网站入’s provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Together, we are strengthening the academic life of the university and creating pathways that will sustain Elon’s ability to provide a valuable and transformative education for generations into the future.”

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榴莲app官方网站入 ‘AI Play’ summer camp featured on WXII /u/news/2026/06/18/elons-ai-play-summer-camp-featured-on-wxii/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:26:03 +0000 /u/news/?p=1050291 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 new weeklong summer day camp focusing on artificial intelligence was in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The camp, AI Play, is led by the university鈥檚 computer science department, teaches middle school students about artificial intelligence through hands-on learning and digital game design.

Alexis Goslen, assistant professor of computer science and director of the camp, said it is important to introduce kids to the basics of AI because they are exposed to it in their everyday lives.

“The cool thing is to get them to understand how those technologies are working,鈥 Goslen told WXII. “Then they could maybe decide what they want to do with it and make informed decisions about it.”

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Elon game design students publish three games on Steam /u/news/2026/06/17/elon-game-design-students-publish-three-games-on-steam/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:42:03 +0000 /u/news/?p=1050246 Students in Elon’s game design minor capstone course spent two semesters building three games from scratch. By spring, all three teams had shipped their titles, which are now live on Steam and free to download by anyone. A total of 12 games have published by students since the minor launched in 2019.
Students in the capstone course developed and released 鈥,鈥 鈥,鈥 and 鈥,鈥 on Steam, a popular game distribution platform.

How the course works

The capstone experience spans two courses. In the winter term, GAM 4100, cross-disciplinary teams form and move through pre-production 鈥 developing concepts, building early prototypes and laying out a project plan. In GAM 4200 during the spring semester, those same teams advance through the full production pipeline: pre-alpha, alpha, pre-beta, beta, gold master and release.

Throughout both semesters, teams follow the Scrum framework 鈥 holding sprints, daily standups and milestone reviews like a professional studio would. Students take on defined roles in the development process, including programmer, level designer, environment designer, and narrative designer, and are accountable for delivering at each stage.

“I think the ultimate skills gained from the capstone experience are working under constraints and collaboration,” said Pratheep Paranthaman, associate professor of computer science and coordinator of the game design minor. “We don’t always know what technical complexities we’ll run into, or what might slow the development process. But that’s where the real learning happens 鈥 solving the unknown, working through an ambiguous development landscape.”

The games

鈥 Angry Sea Studios

A screenshot from Your Friend, Sam, developed by Angry Sea Studios.
A screenshot from “Your Friend, Sam”, developed by Angry Sea Studios.

鈥淵our Friend, Sam鈥 is a mystery adventure and puzzle game, where players return as the childhood friend of a boy who vanished a decade ago. Collecting clues, solving puzzles, and fighting off corrupted creatures, players work to piece together what happened. The game launched on April 29.

 

For Aidan Spoerndle ’27, who served as a gameplay programmer on the project, seeing it go live was the payoff for months of sustained work.

“It feels really exciting to have a project that I tirelessly worked months creating actually be published for everyone to play,” Spoerndle said.

The Your Friend, Sam team during an early brainstorming session, mapping out game design concepts for the project.
The “Your Friend, Sam” team during an early brainstorming session, mapping out game design concepts for the project.

Keeping the technical scope in check, he said, was what made it achievable.

“There’s no such thing as a small game,鈥 Spoerndle said. 鈥淭he reason we were able to accomplish so much in such a short amount of time was that we kept the technical aspects enclosed in a smaller scope and allowed our narrative and art elements to exist in a larger scope.”

Carter Puckett '26 recording music and voiceover for Your Friend, Sam in the Elon Recording Studio.
Carter Puckett ’26 recording music and voiceover for “Your Friend, Sam” in the Elon Recording Studio.

Carter Puckett ’26, also a gameplay programmer on the team, says the minor’s coursework prepared the team for what production actually demands.

“The minor helped me understand the full process of making a game 鈥 game design principles that make games fun, playable, and achievable,鈥 Puckett said “In game development, you will always run into things that you are unfamiliar with or don’t know how to do. 鈥淜nowing how to do research and use online resources is essential to improving your skills.”

鈥 InDecision Studio

鈥淥nslaught鈥 is an action-adventure game set in Betham, a decaying western mining town suspended above a sea of clouds. Players take on fighting toward Sanctuary, climbing and battling through vertical environments in third-person combat while managing resources against escalating enemies. It was released on May 14.

Owen Crider ’26, who served as a level designer, says the production process that never quite ran smoothly 鈥 and a team that worked through it anyway.

“We encountered a lot of bugs, and even though it seemed like every week there was something new to deal with, we always sorted it out,” Crider said. “I also learned how important it is to always be talking to your team.”

The InDecision Studio team standing in front of screen presenting to class.
The InDecision Studio team presents “Onslaught” to the class during their final milestone review.

Beyond the technical work, Crider said, the program offered something harder to quantify.

“The game design program for me is really a community,鈥 Crider said. 鈥淚’ve built lots of friendships with people who are funny and helpful. Since everyone knows the problems and how tough it is to make a game, everyone is encouraging of one another.”

Noah Gartenberg ’27 says game development also comes with intense demands.

鈥淭here are so many different parts and finding ways to conserve energy and momentum becomes extremely important despite any and all setbacks,” Gartenberg said. “You need to rely on and trust whoever you are working with, because that is the only way to make any sizable game in any decent amount of time without burnout.”

A screenshot from Onslaught, developed by InDecision Studio.
A screenshot from “Onslaught,” developed by InDecision Studio.

A screenshot from Back in My Day.
A screenshot from “Back in My Day”.

鈥淏ack In my Day,鈥 is a strategy-puzzle game built around an unusual mechanic: time only moves when the player moves. Players guide a grandma home from work through levels that mix puzzle logic and projectile-based encounters. The game was

released on May 5.

What students take away

Several students pointed to the game design minor’s coursework 鈥 and its faculty 鈥 as what made the capstone possible.

“All of the knowledge and expertise from Dr. Paranthaman and Professor Hollingsworth helped me think through various problems in ways I never would have without the courses,” Spoerndle said.

Two male students standing in front of screen showing the game they built.
The team that developed “Back in My Day”.

Puckett encourages other students to add game design as a minor.

“Every class in the game design minor was the class I most looked forward to that day,鈥 Puckett said. 鈥淚 hope that if any 榴莲app官方网站入 student has any interest in making games, they try out the game design minor because it is a great opportunity.”

Noah Gartenberg says the class left him ready for more.

“In the minor, we learned various aspects of working in modern game engines, and we learned the fundamentals of game design, in addition to how to work with others who may not come from the same disciplines as we do,鈥 Gartenberg said.听 鈥淢any of the classes left me with a whetted appetite for more game development, more creativity, more discussion with like-minded individuals. The program succeeds at teaching how to make games 鈥 in spades.”

That breadth of games is intentional, and the program’s aim is never purely technical.

“Our goal is to make not only game developers, but also project managers 鈥 people with leadership skills in decision-making and problem solving,鈥 Paranthaman said. 鈥淭he central core of what we do is student learning, community, and creative ownership: giving students the space to build something real, together, and see it through to the end.”

Looking ahead, Paranthaman says the program will continue to grow its library of published titles and deepen the studio simulation experience 鈥 building transferable skills in project management, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and problem solving that students can carry into adjacent industries, from software development and UX design to film production and beyond.

“Publishing twelve games on Steam is a milestone worth noting,” Paranthaman said. “But what it really represents is twelve teams of students who learned that they could start something hard and finish it. That’s the skill we’re building.”

All 12 games published by Elon game design minor students are free to play on Steam.

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John Walz named inaugural dean of 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 School of Engineering and Computing听 /u/news/2026/06/09/john-walz-named-inaugural-dean-of-elon-universitys-school-of-engineering-and-computing/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:30:14 +0000 /u/news/?p=1049764 A former president of the听 and听longtime leader in engineering and technology education has been named the inaugural dean of 榴莲app官方网站入’s听new听School of Engineering and Computing.

Dr.听John听Walz will join听the听Elon听University administration听on听June 30,听2026,听after nearly a decade听helming听a private university recognized for its emphasis on experiential learning, strong industry partnerships and workforce preparation.

Walz’s听appointment follows a national search and comes as Elon听debuts听an academic division that听will leverage the听university鈥檚 nationally听ranked approach to undergraduate teaching and its emphasis on engaged, experiential learning in pursuit of human transformation.

鈥淛ohn Walz is an accomplished academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success,听engaged learning,听innovative program development and strong connections between higher education and industry,鈥澨齈rovost Rebecca Kohn said.听鈥淗is experience leading engineering programs, combined with his collaborative leadership style and strategic vision, make him exceptionally well suited to guide the School of Engineering and Computing during this important moment in its history.鈥

John Walz is an accomplished academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success,听engaged learning,听innovative program development and strong connections between higher education and industry.

– Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn

Walz will provide听leadership for the School of Engineering and Computing’s academic programs, strategic planning, fundraising听and external partnerships while helping advance the university’s goals for innovation, engaged learning and student success.

When the school formally opens for the 2026 Fall Semester, anchoring the university鈥檚 Innovation Quad in the heart of campus, it will include听20听full-time faculty and three full-time staff positions with more than 300 undergraduate students.

Engineering is among the university鈥檚 most rapidly expanding academic areas, reflecting both national demand and student interest.听榴莲app官方网站入 existing ABET-accredited engineering program offers听programs听in biomedical, computer, mechanical, and environmental, as well as dual-degree pathways.听听The school will include computer science and cybersecurity majors and a minor in game design.

榴莲app官方网站入 President听Connie Ledoux Book said Walz鈥檚 background aligns with 榴莲app官方网站入 vision for the new school.

鈥淭he launch of the School of Engineering and Computing represents an exciting step forward for 榴莲app官方网站入,鈥 Book said. “Dr. Walz brings a rare combination of academic leadership, industry engagement and commitment to student-centered education. His leadership building engineering programs, supporting faculty excellence and preparing graduates for meaningful careers will position the school for continued growth and distinction.鈥

Walz has spent more than three decades as a faculty member, researcher and academic administrator. During his tenure as president of Milwaukee School of Engineering, he led the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, launched the institution’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, expanded academic offerings in computer science and artificial intelligence, strengthened student retention initiatives and oversaw significant investments in academic facilities and student success programs.

Under his leadership, Milwaukee School of Engineering achieved record undergraduate enrollment, increased student diversity, expanded industry partnerships and raised more than $150 million in philanthropic support for capital projects and academic initiatives.

Before becoming president, Walz served as dean of the , where he led efforts to establish a common first-year engineering program, expanded听student success resources and strengthened relationships with industry partners.听Earlier leadership roles at Virginia Tech and Yale University included overseeing faculty recruitment, program growth and research initiatives while maintaining active teaching and scholarship responsibilities.

Throughout his career, Walz has emphasized strategic planning, student retention, faculty support and partnerships with industry and community organizations. He has also championed initiatives that broaden participation in engineering and technology fields and expand pathways for students to connect classroom learning with professional experiences.

Dr. John Walz

Walz said the opportunity to help shape a new school at Elon was particularly appealing because of the university’s emphasis on engaged learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.听He also expressed gratitude听to听Book, Kohn and members of the search committee for the opportunity.

鈥淚 am deeply honored and excited to be selected as the inaugural dean of the School of Engineering and Computing,鈥澨齏alz said.听鈥淚 have long admired Elon’s commitment to engaged learning and believe it provides an ideal environment for educating the next generation of engineers and computer scientists.

鈥淭he combination of Elon’s strengths in the liberal arts and its investment in engineering and computing creates a unique opportunity to prepare graduates with both the technical expertise and听leadership听skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving, globally connected world.鈥

Walz earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in chemical engineering at Tulane University before completing a Doctor of Philosophy in chemical engineering听at听Carnegie Mellon University.听He and his wife,听Moira, have three听daughters.

榴莲app官方网站入 榴莲app官方网站入

榴莲app官方网站入 is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, and ethical citizens听and听leaders.

At Elon, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff who prioritize听teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 80 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. 榴莲app官方网站入 is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

榴莲app官方网站入 academic divisions include Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences;听the School of Engineering and Computing;听and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 2025, 榴莲app官方网站入 and Queens University of Charlotte announced plans to merge institutions. Final approval from the U.S. Department of Education is anticipated by 2028.

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Rony ’26 and Rafi Dahdal ’24 G’24 featured in The Assembly profile story /u/news/2026/03/31/rony-26-and-rafi-dahdal-24-g24-featured-in-the-assembly-profile-story/ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:55:59 +0000 /u/news/?p=1042538
Rafi Dahdal ’24 G’24

榴莲app官方网站入 student Rony Dahdal ’26, and his brother, alumnus听Rafi Dahdal 鈥24 G鈥24听were highlighted in a The Assembly article chronicling their family鈥檚 journey from war-torn Syria to North Carolina in search of educational opportunity.

The story, details how the Dahdal family鈥檚 commitment to learning endured despite the dangers of civil war and the challenges of rebuilding their lives in the United States.

After fleeing Damascus in 2012 amid escalating violence, the Dahdal family settled in North Carolina, where education remained central to their long-term goals.听Rafi Dahdal is听an Elon graduate through the Accelerated 3+1 Dual Degree Program in business administration and business analytics. He has gone on to serve as a Youth Trustee for the university.

At Elon, Rony Dahdal has distinguished himself as a Lumen Scholar and Goldwater Scholar, conducting innovative research using LiDAR technology to explore noninvasive ways to detect vital signs 鈥 work aimed at improving health outcomes through emerging technologies.

鈥淚 felt so encouraged to continue research because I鈥檝e seen my parents value higher education,鈥 said Rony. 鈥淚t was very hard to deal with as a little kid, but I look back on it now, and I鈥檓 grateful.鈥

A laptop sits in the foreground showing two human shapes on the screen. In the background is Ryan Mattfield and Rony Dahdal. Mattfield is seated and Dahdal is standing/
Associate Professor of Computer Science Ryan Mattfeld (left) and Rony Dahdal ’26 (right) demonstrate LiDAR technology. Dahdal’s Lumen Prize research is focused on how to use the technology to detect vital signs.
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Epic Games recognizes 榴莲app官方网站入 game design minor as 鈥楿nreal Academic Partner鈥 /u/news/2026/03/12/epic-games-recognizes-elons-game-design-minor-as-unreal-academic-partner/ Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:30:58 +0000 /u/news/?p=1041451 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 game design minor has been officially recognized as an Unreal Academic Partner by Epic Games, marking a milestone for the program and certifying the strength of its curriculum, faculty and student work.

The Unreal Academic Partner is an initiative by Epic Games that recognizes universities committed to providing ongoing, high-quality educational opportunities through experienced faculty and well-developed curricula. It highlights programs that create meaningful learning experiences and prepare students for professional opportunities in interactive game media.

鈥淭his recognition reflects the overall strength of our curriculum, our development philosophy and the opportunities we create for students,鈥 said Pratheep Paranthaman, associate professor of computer science. 鈥淚t speaks to the way our minor is structured from teaching core design systems to offering studio-based capstone courses where students work in cross-disciplinary teams and experience a production pipeline similar to what they would encounter in professional studios.鈥

Unreal Engine, a game engine and software used to develop video games and real-time 3D creation, is used as a development tool for building games, studying core game systems and exploring professional production workflows within the minor.

Paranthaman sees Unreal Engine not just as a software tool, but a platform where students can practice core concepts and apply the knowledge they gain across the program’s courses.

The recognition follows an application process in which Paranthaman submitted details on curriculum structure, facilities, hardware resources, faculty qualifications and examples of student work that met standards for integrating Unreal Engine into the program.

Female student with blonde hair wearing all black is recording Mocap animations for their game.
Ella Smith ’26 recording Mocap animations for their game.

Students and faculty can now gain access to learning resources, development tools and creative assets at no additional cost, including training opportunities, digital production resources, professional subscriptions and more.

鈥淭he partnership broadens learning opportunities, strengthens industry awareness and equips students with tools that support both creative development and long-term professional growth,鈥 Paranthaman said.

Access to high-quality 3D assets and portfolio platforms will allow students to elevate what they are able to create and present.

鈥淲hen they have access to broader tools and professional platforms, it not only supports their development process but also gives them opportunities to document and share their thought process during the development cycle,鈥 Paranthaman said. “Through portfolios, they can showcase how they approached a problem, iterated on solutions and shaped their creative vision.鈥

Group of four students writing and brainstorming around a white board.
Game Design 4100 capstone course project brainstorming session.

The goal of the partnership is not to follow or react to trends, but to support and complement the foundations the program has already built, explained Paranthaman. The recognition reflects the work of 榴莲app官方网站入 students, whose capstone projects and creative work were essential to the application.

鈥淲hile the partnership provides important resources, what truly defines our game design program is the community and interdisciplinary collaboration, our students, our faculty, participating departments and the broader university support,鈥 Paranthaman said.

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Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, launches new mission, vision and core values /u/news/2026/02/27/elon-college-the-college-of-arts-and-sciences-launches-new-mission-vision-and-core-values/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:13:11 +0000 /u/news/?p=1040355 Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, introduced a new mission statement, vision statement and core values during its spring faculty meeting following a year and a half-long process led by Dean Hilton Kelly.

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

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

The mission statement then declares:

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

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

Community Reflections

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

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

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

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Registration now open for 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 ‘AI Play’ middle school summer program /u/news/2026/02/16/registration-now-open-for-elon-universitys-ai-play-middle-school-summer-program/ Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:21:20 +0000 /u/news/?p=1038807 榴莲app官方网站入 will host a weeklong summer day camp in June for middle school students who will learn more about artificial intelligence through hands-on learning and digital game design.

Registration is now open for 鈥淎I Play鈥 set for June 15-19, 2026, in Lindner Hall on 榴莲app官方网站入 campus in Alamance County. The program will be led by faculty in the Department of Computer Science with assistance from 榴莲app官方网站入 students, in collaboration with the Office of the Provost, Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Computer Science.

Scheduled daily from 8:45 a.m. 鈥 3:30 p.m., AI Play invites curious middle school students to explore the fundamentals of artificial intelligence while building confidence in operating, designing and creating with emerging technologies.

Throughout the week, campers will learn how artificial intelligence is used in digital game design, combining creativity with coding and problem-solving skills.

Each day of the camp will focus on a different AI principle, allowing students to play, create and develop their own projects and gain hands-on experience with AI concepts.

The fee for the week is $500 and includes lunch and snacks. Limited seats are available. The program will be hosted inside Lindner Hall in the Lambert Academic Village with group visits to other campus locations.

鈥淎I Play is a fun, engaging summer camp designed with several hands-on, unplugged, playful activities for students to learn AI concepts,鈥 said Alexis Goslen, assistant professor of computer science. 鈥淪tudents will learn how robots interpret their environment with a robot relay, how AI systems make choices by classifying candy, the ethics of using AI and more.鈥

For more information about AI Play and registration details, visit or contact Alexis Goslen, assistant professor of computer science, at agoslen2@elon.edu.

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Eleven 榴莲app官方网站入 seniors and alumni named semifinalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program /u/news/2026/01/30/eleven-elon-seniors-and-alumni-named-semifinalists-for-the-fulbright-u-s-student-program/ Fri, 30 Jan 2026 19:39:24 +0000 /u/news/?p=1037823 Eleven 榴莲app官方网站入 students and alumni have been recommended as semifinalists for the 2026-27 Founded in 1946,鈥痶he Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. State Department designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

Fulbright grantees are not just funded to teach or research鈥攖hey are expected to serve as valuable cultural ambassadors in their respective host countries, both representing the United States and learning about their new communities.

Fulbright grants are awarded on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. As semifinalists, these 榴莲app官方网站入 students and alumni have been recommended鈥痓y鈥痶he National Screening Committee of the Institute of International Education鈥痜or final consideration by review panels in their respective host countries. Semifinalists will be鈥痭otified of their final award status this spring, beginning in late March, barring any delays or disruptions at the federal level.

This year鈥檚 Fulbright semifinalists are:

Azul Bellot ’26

  • Psychology and Sociolinguistics
  • Semifinalist for a Fulbright English teaching assistantship to Spain

Jo Bogart ’26

  • Creative Writing and Classical Studies
  • Semifinalist for a Fulbright study/research grant to the United Kingdom

Anya Brati膰 ’26

  • International & Global Studies and Public Policy
  • Semifinalist for a Fulbright English teaching assistantship to Vietnam

Rony Dahdal ’26

  • Computer Science, Math, and Philosophy
  • Semifinalist for a Fulbright study/research grant to Sweden

Jubitza Figueroa ’21

  • Political Science
  • Semifinalist for a Fulbright English teaching assistantship to Spain

Alex Fleischmann ’26

  • Psychology
  • Semifinalist for a Fulbright English teaching assistantship to South Korea

Rebecca Lovasco ’26

  • Psychology
  • Semifinalist for a Fulbright study/research grant to Taiwan

Caroline Mitchell ’26

  • Middle Grades Math and Special Education
  • Semifinalist for a Fulbright English teaching assistantship to Bulgaria

Molly Moylan ’26

  • Biochemistry
  • Semifinalist for a Fulbright English teaching assistantship to Spain

Madison Powers ’25

  • Journalism
  • Semifinalist for a Fulbright English teaching assistantship to Spain

Aryanna Vindas ’25

  • Dance Performance & Choreography
  • Semifinalist for a Fulbright English teaching assistantship to South Korea

榴莲app官方网站入 students and alumni interested in the Fulbright Program or other nationally competitive fellowships are invited to contact the National and International Fellowships Office. To begin the Fulbright application process, please visit the Fulbright Application Process page to register for one of the following virtual Fulbright information sessions during the spring semester:

  • Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 9 at 4:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 21 at 12 p.m.
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