榴莲app官方网站入 students鈥� presentations spanned both the ages and the globe, with presentations ranging in focus from ancient Maya society to generative AI鈥檚 role in online public relations discourse, and spanning both the experiences of Syrian refugees and the indigenous politics of Peru.

The setting in Richmond offered a unique opportunity for mentor/mentee pair Amanda Kleintop, assistant professor of history, and Athena Vizuete ’26, a history major from Carrboro, North Carolina, who study Civil War history. In addition to presenting, they built in time to tour local historical sites that inform their research projects.

鈥淚t was amazing to see the quality of 榴莲app官方网站入 undergraduate research in our students鈥� presentations,” said Kleintop. “I was very proud of Athena, who presented on her research on Reconstruction in North Carolina that was threeyears in the making! Plus, there nothing like visiting Richmond as a Civil War and Reconstruction scholar!”

“NCUR is a wonderful opportunity,” Vizuete said. “I am so happy I got to present my research on a national scale and attend so many fascinating presentations by my fellow students.”

Senior Professional Writing and Rhetoric major Caden Halberg is mentored by Travis Maynard and presented his work entitled, 鈥淭he Whey Forward: Successfully Advocating for the Galactosemia Community.鈥�

鈥淧resenting at NCUR allowed me to raise awareness about rare disease advocacy while connecting with students across disciplines, many of whom had never encountered this topic befor,” said Halberg.

Several students presented their work from the School of Communications. Senior strategic communications and public policy major Teresa Cao is mentored by Shanetta Pendleton, and presented her project entitled, 鈥淪orry, Not Sorry: Exploring Communication Patterns and Perceived Authenticity of Influencer Apologies on Social Media.鈥�

“NCUR was great because I loved being able to see the range of students and how the chose to pursue their interests,” said Cao. “It reinforced to me how there鈥檚 always something to learn or dig deeper into, and in my case, that was influencer apology videos. Pop culture is often a mirror to what’s happening in society on a broader scale, so I loved being able to share my insights on something that’s seemingly very superficial. It was also really encouraging to be around students from other disciplines since I got to hear their perspectives on my research, what they admired, and advice on how they’d do things differently.”

Students were accompanied by faculty members Eric Hall, Justin Clar, CJ Fleming, Jen Hamel, Amanda Kleintop and Judy Folmar. Folmar presented two mentor-led sessions accompanied by her research students in which they shared their research process with other student-mentor pairs.

NCUR was first held at the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 1987 and 榴莲app官方网站入 students have been attending the conference since 1993. Elon typically has more than 40 students present at NCUR each year. Next year鈥檚 conference will be held April 12-14, 2027 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The strategic communications major鈥檚 work centers on a multi-platform outreach strategy that blends grassroots engagement with a six-week, workbook-driven workshop. Her project, 鈥淒esigning Accessible Wellness: A Community Health Intervention Campaign for Alamance County Inspired by Blue Zones,鈥� draws on research examining regions of the world where people live longer, healthier lives and translates those insights into practical solutions.

That approach is intentionally hands-on and community-focused. McGee鈥檚 campaign reaches people through tabling at local grocery stores, social media outreach and partnerships with local organizations, all aimed at increasing awareness and encouraging participation. At its core is a flexible workshop experience, which participants can complete in person or remotely, guiding them through topics such as movement, purpose, belonging, rest and diet.

鈥淚 wanted to create something that didn鈥檛 just inform people, but actually gave them the opportunity to build healthier habits in a supportive environment,鈥� McGee said. 鈥淏y narrowing my focus to a specific community, I realized I could design something more meaningful and impactful.鈥�

Her research reflects a broader understanding of health as both a personal and systemic issue 鈥� an idea that first drew her to the project. McGee said she was inspired to focus on Alamance County at a time when healthy living can feel increasingly out of reach, noting that nearly half of adults in the United States live with at least one chronic health condition and that everyday environments often make unhealthy choices the easiest ones.

Drawing on Blue Zones principles, McGee emphasizes that lasting change depends on environment, culture and access 鈥� not just individual willpower. That perspective shapes how she tailors her campaign locally, incorporating resources specific to Alamance County 鈥� from nearby hiking trails to community-based spaces 鈥� and encouraging participants to rethink how their surroundings influence daily habits.

The project has also reshaped McGee鈥檚 own understanding of what research can be.

鈥淲hile this started as a project for class, I have come to realize that this is something that could be real,鈥� the Sutton, Massachusetts, native said. 鈥淲orking through this project has made me feel capable and inspired to keep pursuing projects in life that can create change by starting small.鈥�

That sense of possibility is exactly what SURF is designed to highlight. As one of 榴莲app官方网站入 signature academic experiences, undergraduate research provides students with the opportunity to explore complex challenges while developing solutions that extend beyond the classroom.

For McGee, the hope is that her campaign does more than raise awareness. She wants it to spark a ripple effect.

鈥淩esearch from the Framingham Studies shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious. We are influenced by our social circles,鈥� she said. 鈥淏y inspiring even a small subset of the population to take their health more seriously, it has the potential to shift behaviors across entire communities. The change starts small.鈥�

McGee鈥檚 research was mentored by Paula Rosinski, professor of English, as part of her multimedia authoring minor.

What began as a joke 鈥� a parody social media page poking fun at a local police department 鈥� spiraled into a high-stakes legal battle and ultimately the subject of 鈥淐rime & Parody,鈥� a new documentary co-produced by Elon graduate .

The film will screen at the 28th RiverRun International Film Festival in Winston-Salem on Saturday, April 18, at 3:30 p.m. and again on Friday, April 24, at 5 p.m. .

At its center, 鈥淐rime & Parody鈥� follows amateur comedian Anthony Novak, whose satirical Facebook page led to a police raid, criminal charges and a broader fight over First Amendment rights in the United States. As the case unfolds 鈥� eventually reaching the U.S. Supreme Court 鈥� the film expands beyond satire to examine deeper questions around qualified immunity and accountability, weaving in the story of Omar Arrington-Bey, a suburban Cleveland man who died while in police custody, and the lasting impact of police violence.

As a co-producer, Rostick contributed throughout the filmmaking process, from reviewing transcripts and shaping story structure to providing feedback across multiple cuts. Their work with director Will Thwaites evolved over several years, with Rostick helping strengthen the film鈥檚 narrative by encouraging the inclusion of additional perspectives that deepen its emotional and societal impact.

鈥�’Crime & Parody鈥� is an important thought piece wrapped up in a good time,鈥� said Rostick, who was a cinema and television arts and strategic communications double major. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l laugh, reflect, question authority and feel something along the way. At a time when free expression and free speech are being threatened at every turn, the film offers the story of an unlikely hero fighting back.鈥�

The film鈥檚 balance of humor and impact is what drew Rostick deeper into the work. Initially attracted to the opportunity to collaborate on an independent project, they said the film ultimately became something more 鈥� a chance to move beyond entertainment and contribute to meaningful dialogue.

鈥淭his felt like the first opportunity for my work in documentary film to leave a greater impact,鈥� they said.

Rostick, who was an Odyssey Program scholar at Elon, said their foundation in film was shaped during their time at Elon. Through Cinelon, they gained extensive hands-on production experience and developed the work ethic that carried into professional opportunities. This includes traveling to more than 30 shoots nationwide supporting 鈥淐hildren of the Underground,鈥� a five-episode documentary series from FX.

The Elon graduate also credits Nicole Triche, professor of cinema and television arts, with helping define their path. Triche鈥檚 documentary course introduced Rostick to the craft and ultimately led them to pursue a career in nonfiction filmmaking 鈥� and to an early PBS project that first connected them with Thwaites.

鈥淐rime & Parody鈥� has already built momentum on the festival circuit, premiering at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Montana and screening at the Atlanta Documentary Film Festival, where Thwaites earned Best Director honors.

Now, at RiverRun, the documentary will continue to reach new audiences, inviting viewers to consider not just the absurdity of one man鈥檚 arrest, but the broader implications for free speech, justice and accountability in America.

A team of School of Communications students has earned national recognition in the 2026 Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) , receiving an honorable mention for its campaign implementation and overall deliverables.

The Bateman Competition is PRSSA鈥檚 premier national case study competition, challenging undergraduate student teams to design and execute a public relations campaign for a real-world client. This year鈥檚 competition featured 46 entries from students representing universities across the country, with 11 teams earning honorable mention distinction. A full list of honored institutions appears below.

榴莲app官方网站入 team developed and implemented a strategic communications campaign for ACCESS Newswire, a media monitoring and news distribution service. The research and planning for the campaign began in January. The campaign implementation, conducted from February to March, focused on tactics to promote the company鈥檚 new educational program and platform, which provides professors free access so students can gain hands-on experience with press release distribution, media pitching, sentiment analysis and media coverage tracking.

The 榴莲app官方网站入 student team included Hannah Parker 鈥�26 (account manager), Sydney Griffith 鈥�29, Brooke Menzock 鈥�26, Sandy Orozco-Rosaldo 鈥�28, Taylor Radney 鈥�28 and Grace Wizel 鈥�28. Karen Lindsey, assistant professor of strategic communications, served as the team鈥檚 faculty adviser and applauded the students鈥� efforts.

鈥淥ur Elon Bateman team spent countless hours in the evenings and on weekends to research, plan and implement the campaign,鈥� she said. 鈥淔rom writing a series of thought leadership articles for Substack to facilitating faculty focus groups on and off campus, they created a meaningful campaign that challenged them.

“I鈥檓 incredibly proud of how they balanced the demands of their regular coursework with dedication to this competition. The experience produced the kind of work for their professional portfolios that employers want to see.鈥�

The competition鈥檚 three finalists will present their campaigns to the national PRSSA board and ACCESS Newswire representatives on May 7 to determine the winner.

Bateman Case Study Competition

Finalists:
Montclair State University
Texas State University AdvoCats
Texas State University StarCats

Honorable Mentions:
Brigham Young University – Navy Team
California State University, Long Beach
榴莲app官方网站入
High Point University
Kent State University Gold
Louisiana State University
Loyola University New Orleans
University of Florida CommuniGATORS
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
University of Oklahoma Gaylord College
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

They stood poised with their hands raised, breathing steady, before their fists began to fly. Jab, cross, right hook, left upper cut.

They noticed the sensations in their body as childhood memories raced through their mind, allowing themself to feel every feeling that remained with them from a time when they didn鈥檛 have a voice. With every punch, they stepped closer to regaining their power, closer to a deeper understanding of their full self.

Danielle Martinelli-Taylor 鈥�12 says the physical movement often allows clients to recognize and begin healing younger parts of themselves that were never fully seen or supported. 鈥淭hrough the movement, through fighting back against that, they were able to trust themself more.鈥�

A licensed professional counselor, Martinelli-Taylor centers her Denver practice, Animo Counseling and Coaching, on healing the whole person. Among the approaches she uses is somatic boxing, a method that connects mind and body to help clients process trauma and strengthen their overall well-being.

鈥淲e鈥檙e interconnected beings,鈥� she says. 鈥淥ur bodies hold just as much of our story as our minds do, and healing happens when we learn how to listen to both.鈥�

A Non-Linear Path

Martinelli-Taylor鈥檚 journey toward counseling wasn鈥檛 straightforward, but every step helped develop the empathy, critical thinking and global perspective that shapes her work. The Massachusetts native wasn鈥檛 familiar with Elon before stumbling upon it while touring colleges along the East Coast. She was immediately drawn to its arts and sciences foundation, small class sizes and study abroad program.

She enrolled Early Decision, planning to study education, but soon found that teaching wasn鈥檛 her passion. She did, however, have a knack for fostering strong one-on-one connections, and she found other ways to build those skills through a strategic communications major and religious studies minor.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of psychology in strategic communications, learning what are people鈥檚 needs, what do they want, why do they do what they do. I loved that aspect,鈥� Martinell-Taylor says. 鈥淭hen my religious studies minor was just a window to the world of what other people believe, why they believe it and how that directs their decisions, hopes and dreams.鈥�

But it was her semester abroad in London that influenced her most, broadening her worldview and clarifying what she did and didn鈥檛 want to pursue post-graduation. She interned for a fashion supplier on Oxford Street but didn鈥檛 feel a strong connection to the work. She loved London, though, and wanted to use her communications skills in service of something she cared about deeply.

After graduating, she returned to London for two years, working with an international mission organization that supported churches and other spiritual communities. Martinelli-Taylor spent much of her time connecting with South Asian women, children and teens and found their conversations about life and struggle deeply meaningful. On weekends, she volunteered with a nonprofit fighting human trafficking, a cause that first sparked her interest through an Elon course examining slavery in the Bible, in American history and in modern times. Again and again, she found herself drawn to work that offered support to people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

鈥淚 was hearing people鈥檚 trauma, hearing really difficult life journeys and feeling this pull,鈥� Martinelli-Taylor says. 鈥淚f people have gone through these really awful things, forced into things they had no control over, how do I step into that world?鈥�

That realization ignited Martinelli-Taylor鈥檚 calling to be a counselor. She moved back to the U.S. and earned her master鈥檚 degree in clinical mental health counseling from Denver Seminary in 2019. Her communications, religious studies and study abroad experience from her time at Elon remained foundational as she forged this new path.

L.D. Russell, senior lecturer emeritus of religious studies at Elon, remembers Martinelli-Taylor as open-minded, eager to learn and deeply committed to helping others. Her unique counseling approach feels like a natural extension of that spirit. 鈥淥ne of the truest values of an Elon education,鈥� he says, 鈥渋s gaining a clearer sense of how others live and move through the world, and how our own gifts can be used to foster the public good.鈥�

The Mind-Body Connection

After obtaining her master鈥檚 degree, Martinelli-Taylor again used her skills to support human trafficking victims, providing counseling to survivors with complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She later moved to a group practice, helping clients with a broader range of issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma and grief.

In graduate school, she began to learn how physical movement, education and preventative work can help set clients up for a healthier life and resiliency amid difficult challenges. That idea coupled with her own personal experience with boxing prompted her to try bilateral boxing as a technique with some clients at the group practice. 鈥淚t was starting to help people break out of dissociation and get into their body,鈥� Martinelli-Taylor says. 鈥淲e used it as a tool when they felt stuck or overwhelmed with talk therapy.鈥�

As she saw the approach resonate with more clients, Martinelli-Taylor set out to develop it further and open her own practice. Drawing on her strategic communications background, she built the foundation for her business while consulting with counselors who use somatic therapies that link breath, body and mental health. In 2024 she founded Animo Counseling and Coaching, where she offers treatments such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and her own style of somatic boxing therapy.

Animo means 鈥渕ind鈥� in Latin, 鈥渟oul鈥� and 鈥渃ourage鈥� in Italian and 鈥渆ncouragement鈥� in Spanish. 鈥淭he practice reflects that intentionality, that purposefulness,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t represents the embodiment of the brain and body鈥檚 role in learning about yourself.鈥�

Our bodies hold just as much of our story as our minds do, and healing happens when we learn how to listen to both.聽鈥� Danielle Martinelli-Taylor ’12

Martinelli-Taylor first teaches her clients the basics of non-contact boxing, using the bilateral movements of boxing but no sparring, just hitting boxing gloves to mitts as the whole body engages. She focuses on proper form and breathwork, guiding clients to concentrate on each motion. The practice becomes a type of moving meditation, stimulating both sides of the body and both hemispheres of the brain.

For many clients, the approach offers another avenue for healing, especially for those who may not feel ready to talk through difficult experiences right away. By focusing on the rhythm of movement and breath, clients begin to notice what their bodies and minds are holding, and shift it out.

Once clients feel comfortable with the technique, she introduces strategies for building courage, managing stress and emotions, and processing difficult memories. The approach encourages people to tune in to the physical sensations that often accompany mental health struggles, opening the door to more holistic healing. Movement and breathwork, Martinelli-Taylor says, can help move through distress, regulate mood and ground the body to allow clients to face and work through deeper challenges.

In addition to continuing to grow her practice, Martinelli-Taylor hopes to conduct larger studies on the impact of somatic boxing on mental health. And while she is there to support her clients in the 鈥渞ing鈥� when they need it, she doesn鈥檛 expect them to rely on a coach forever. Her goal is to help people build the awareness and tools to continue the work on their own 鈥� to trust their bodies, their instincts and their capacity to heal.

鈥淚 want them to feel like they鈥檙e equipped to learn and grow,鈥� Martinelli-Taylor says. 鈥淭hey can take this work, try it out in the world and know that they鈥檙e resilient.鈥�

Inspired by real-world stories about the high-stakes race for valedictorian, student filmmakers and spent the past several years bringing to life 鈥淰alediction,鈥� a feature-length film set to premiere on Wednesday, April 8, in .

A twisted coming-of-age comedy, this first-ever feature film by Elon undergraduates explores the dangers of apathy and obsession. The screening, scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m., will be followed by an informal reception.

鈥淚 think people should be excited for the screening because it鈥檚 the culmination of so many 榴莲app官方网站入 students and faculty鈥檚 hard work over these past two and a half years,鈥� said Martin, a strategic communications and cinema and television arts double major. 鈥淣o matter your major, you will almost certainly see a familiar face or two onscreen or in the credits.鈥�

What began as a concept rooted in academic pressure quickly expanded into a genre-bending, feature-length production 鈥� an uncommon scope for undergraduate filmmakers. Sherouse, a cinema and television arts BFA major, and Martin collaborated to develop an intricate story and cast of characters, ultimately committing to a longer format to fully realize their vision.

At the center of their story is Sam, played by , an isolated overachiever who fights her classmates tooth and nail for the title of valedictorian. The film draws inspiration from the competition surrounding academic achievement, a dynamic explored in Margaret Talbot鈥檚 2005 New Yorker article that examines how the pursuit of valedictorian status can push students to extremes. Sherouse said he read the article years ago, and the subject stayed with him long after.

鈥淭o include everything we wanted in the story, it became clear to us that 鈥榁alediction鈥� had to be feature-length, rather than a short film like most Elon productions,鈥� Sherouse said. 鈥淲e knew it would be a long and arduous process, but worth it to bring this story to life.鈥�

That extended scope also shaped how the story is told. A balance of satire and suspense drives the film鈥檚 tone, blending humor with unexpected twists.

鈥溾�榁alediction鈥� is simply a movie that’s meant to be seen by a large audience,鈥� Sherouse said. 鈥淭here are laughs, scares and shocking turns 鈥� a whole emotional rollercoaster that’s best experienced with friends. I guarantee there are some twists you won’t see coming.鈥�

As the premiere approaches, the scale of that effort is giving way to reflection.

Martin expressed pride in what the team accomplished and excitement to share the finished film, while Sherouse acknowledged the mix of anticipation and nerves that comes with completing a nearly three-year creative process.

Produced through , 鈥淰alediction鈥� drew on support from faculty across campus.

Assistant Professor of Cinema and Television Arts Kai Swanson served as the project鈥檚 primary faculty sponsor, while Director of Technology, Operations and Multimedia Projects Bryan Baker and Assistant Professor of Cinema and Television Arts Youssef Osman provided mentorship and feedback throughout development and production. Baker also assisted with securing equipment for principal photography.

Faculty also stepped into the story itself. Several faculty members appear in the film, including Assistant Professor of Journalism Israel Balderas, Assistant Professor of Classical Languages Tedd Wimperis, Associate Professor of English Scott Proudfit and former journalism professor Susan Ladd 鈥� many trying their hand at acting for the first time.

Several mentors praised the students鈥� ambition and execution in bringing a feature-length film to the screen.

鈥淚 had the chance to see a rough cut and was very impressed with their ability, passion and perseverance in completing an entire feature film on their own,鈥� Osman said. 鈥淭he film is a fun, highly stylized and engaging dark comedy.鈥�

Swanson noted that the project originated as a student pitch and has grown into ESTV鈥檚 first made-for-TV movie.

鈥淭he students have put an incredible amount of work into this project, from development through production and post,鈥� Swanson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great example of the kind of ambitious, long-form work students are starting to pursue.”

Credits

Roof Rat Productions (creative team)

• Talula Martin – co-director, co-writer, producer, actress
• Hammond Sherouse – co-director, co-writer
• Althea Muldrew – producer
• Katharyn MacDonald – lead actress, associate producer

Crew

• JJ Duckworth – production sound mixer, actor
• Karter Evans – makeup artist
• Lauren Nesbit – costume designer
• Gabi Emerson & B Underhill-Reed – composers

Cast

• Katharyn MacDonald – Sam
• Hope Hynes Love – Eliza (Sam’s mother)
• Jeff Alguire – Dr. Whistler (Sam’s father)
• Grace Minton – Deidre (Sam’s friend)
• JJ Duckworth – Ben (politician)
• Monty Lewis – Henry (student reporter)
• Amelia Brinson – Abe (theater kid)
• Graham Boggess – Nate (jock)
• Ryan Voisard – Charlie (stranger)
• Susan Ladd – Mrs. Garden (psychology teacher)
• Hank Heimlich – Seth (theater kid)
• Talula Martin – Jeremy (theater kid)
• J. Israel Balderas – Mr. Haruspex (principal)
• Jackson Bennett – Patrick (student reporter)
• Maverick Powell – Nora (student reporter)
• Rose Fyffe – Sarah (theater kid)
• Tedd Wimperis – Dr. Franklin (scientist)
• Wrigley Koch – Ms. Burnesse (guidance counselor)
• Scott Proudfit – Dr. Miles (scientist)

The School of Communications community gathered March 5 in Snow Family Grand Atrium for the third annual Spotlight on Inclusive Excellence, an interactive event highlighting projects and initiatives advancing inclusive storytelling and media practice.

The program featured table conversations where attendees moved throughout the space to engage with students, faculty and staff about ongoing initiatives and projects.

Take a closer look at our Spotlight on Inclusive Excellence with our .

Assistant Dean Vanessa Bravo opened the event by emphasizing that inclusive excellence remains a core priority within the School of Communications and across 榴莲app官方网站入.

鈥淚nclusive excellence is deeply important to us,鈥� Bravo said. 鈥淭hese values have always mattered and will continue to matter.鈥�

Throughout the program, attendees explored a range of subjects, including work by student organizations, projects from Live Oak Communications 鈥� the school鈥檚 student-run communications agency 鈥� student journalism and research efforts, faculty scholarship and coursework connected to the university鈥檚 Advancing Equity Requirement.

Other discussions focused on topics such as women in sports, student research featured in academic journals, and projects examining how communications and media can amplify diverse voices and perspectives.

Bravo said the event helped the school community better understand the breadth of inclusive excellence initiatives taking place across the School of Communications.

鈥淭his is a great opportunity to learn about the many diversity-, equity- and inclusion-related efforts happening throughout the School of Communications,鈥� she said. 鈥淔rom student organizations and faculty research to journalism projects and alumni work, these efforts demonstrate how our community is engaging these issues in meaningful ways.鈥�

鈥淭he discussions highlighted how quickly the communications landscape is evolving 鈥� and why questions of equity and representation remain central to that change,鈥� said Lorraine Ahearn, assistant professor of journalism and chair of the Inclusive Excellence Committee. 鈥淥ur students, faculty and alumni are actively examining how media systems shape who is represented and whose voices are heard.鈥�

Bravo thanked the faculty members who organized the event through the school鈥檚 Inclusive Excellence Committee, including Ahearn, Young Do Kim, Sydney Nicolla, and Lee Bush, as well as the students, faculty and staff who hosted conversations during the program.

More than 130 students gathered in Snow Family Grand Atrium on March 3 for the Communications and Sport Management Meet & Greet, an event designed to connect 榴莲app官方网站入 students with industry professionals, internship opportunities and career insights.

Hosted in partnership with the Student Professional Development Center and the School of Communications, the event brought together employers from across the communications and sport industries. Representatives from organizations including APCO, Capitol Broadcasting Company, Carolina Core FC, SportsMEDIA Technology and the Burlington Sock Puppets met with students interested in exploring career paths and building their professional networks.

For photos of the Meet & Greet, visit our .

A defining feature of this year鈥檚 event was the strong presence of Elon alumni, who participated both in person and virtually to mentor current students and share insights from their professional journeys.

Alumni representatives included Shanna Van Beek 鈥�12 of APCO and Laker Figueroa 鈥�25 of the Burlington Sock Puppets, who attended in person, as well as Jack Taylor 鈥�21 of Golin, Catherine Nester 鈥�22 of The Walt Disney Company, Lexie Flood 鈥�21 of Edelman, Luke LeSourd 鈥�13 of NFL Films and Elena Kyriakos 鈥�18 of NBC Universal, who joined virtually to connect with students.

Ryan Taube, associate director of corporate and employer relations for the School of Communications, said the event鈥檚 alumni participation added a meaningful dimension.

鈥淲hat made this year special is the number of fantastic alumni who participated,鈥� Taube said. 鈥淥ur alumni always want to give back to current students, and this networking opportunity provided them a chance to speak about their current roles and how Elon prepared them to be successful in a competitive job market.鈥�

In total, 138 students attended the event, engaging in one-on-one conversations with employers about internships, entry-level roles and career preparation.聽The event was coordinated with support from Ross Wade, Amber Moser, Alison Doherty, Kameryn Taylor and Taube.

Participating organizations 鈥撀營n-Person

APCO
Burlington Sock Puppets
Campus Greensboro
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc.
Carolina Core FC
榴莲app官方网站入 – Athletic Department
榴莲app官方网站入 – Isabella Cannon Global Education Center
榴莲app官方网站入 – Office of Alumni Engagement
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
SportsMEDIA Technology (SMT)

Participating organizations 鈥撀燰irtual

Columbus Blue Jackets
Edelman
NBC Universal
Golin
NFL Films
The Walt Disney Company

Gabriel Almario ’28, a strategic communications major with a minor in leadership studies, chose to complete the service Elon Experience, part of the Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR), that closely reflects both his personal values and long-term goals.

All 榴莲app官方网站入 students are required to complete the ELR by finishing two of the Elon Experiences: internships, study abroad/away, research, service or mentorship.

鈥淭he Experiential Learning Requirement is a unique component of an Elon education that allows students to extend their learning beyond the classroom,” said Bob Frigo, assistant dean of campus life and director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life. “Students who complete the Service ELR work with nonprofit organizations, government agencies and locally owned businesses to gain the skills to become informed leaders motivated by concern for the common good.鈥�

Almario spent his summer at Camp Durant, a summer camp for Scouting America, where he served as the trailblazer director. In this leadership role, he oversaw the entire first-year camper program, teaching foundational scouting skills such as knot tying, first aid, orienteering and nature studies to 11 and 12 year-old scouts. As trailblazer director, Almario鈥檚 responsibilities extended well beyond instruction. He led and trained a staff team, ensuring they were prepared to deliver a meaningful and high-quality experience for every camper.

鈥淚 worked to lead my staff and train them so that our whole team could effectively put on a quality program,鈥� Almario shared.

His role required organization, communication and mentorship, cultivated through years of involvement as an Eagle Scout, Leadership Fellow and student leader. The ELR gave Almario the opportunity to actively apply what he has learned in and out of the classroom. But the experience was not without challenges. Those moments of growth strengthened his desire to pursue leadership in his future career.

鈥淚 experienced success, shortcomings and hardships, but ultimately came out a better person,” he said. 鈥淚 hope to hold a leadership position in whatever line of work I end up doing. I want to use what I learned in my ELR to make a positive impact and effective change.鈥�

Choosing to focus on service felt natural for Almario.

鈥淢y life revolves around serving others,鈥� he explained. 鈥淢y life purpose is to always seek to serve others, so far as I am able.鈥�

While the leadership experience was transformative, it was the community that left the greatest impact.

鈥淚 spent the summer with some of my best friends,” he said. “It was the best summer of my life.鈥�

For students considering their own ELR journey, Almario offers thoughtful advice: 鈥淟ook for an organization that reflects who you want to be. Find one that does work that you enjoy. If you go into it with an open mindset, you will grow tremendously.鈥�

Through his work at Camp Durant, Gabriel Almario鈥檚 ELR became more than a graduation requirement, but it defined leadership in an experience rooted in service, growth and purpose.

The event, scheduled from 4:20 to 5:30 p.m., will feature a dynamic speed-rotation format, allowing attendees to engage in a variety of discussions in 15-minute intervals. Faculty, staff, students and alumni will lead conversations exploring how their work advances access, representation and belonging in the communications and sport fields.

This year鈥檚 table topics reflect the breadth of the school鈥檚 work 鈥� from health literacy and neuroinclusive communication to religious diversity, brand activism, student journalism and the influence of algorithms on movie audiences. Other sessions will spotlight undergraduate research, alumni leadership and student-driven initiatives that aim to build a more connected and representative community.

鈥淩eaching underrepresented people is the through-line for so much of our work in the School of Communications,鈥� said Lorraine Ahearn, assistant professor of journalism and chair of the Inclusive Excellence Committee. 鈥淭hese presenters demonstrate how dynamic our field is, and how tapped in 榴莲app官方网站入 students, faculty and alumni are to these changing systems and the ways they impact equity in communications.鈥�

Complimentary beverages and snacks will be provided.

For more information, contact Ahearn at lahearn@elon.edu.

Table Topic Discussions and Presenters

1. Engaging All Audiences Through Neuroinclusive Communication Practices
   James Holsinger, Executive Director, Koenigsberger Learning Center
2. Live Oak Communications: Rooted In Community
   Hal Vincent, Associate Teaching Professor, Strategic Communications
   
3. Understanding is Power: What is Health Literacy and Why Does it Matter?
   Julie Lellis, Professor, Strategic Communications
4. The Politics of Play: Race, Gender, and Power in Sport
   Lindsay Pieper, Assistant Professor, Sport Management
5. Diversity in the Age of Algorithms
   Sowjanya Kudva, Assistant Professor, Cinema and Television Arts
6. Exploring Religion聽in a Diverse Campus Community
   Anthony Hatcher, Professor, Journalism & Max Negin, Assistant Professor, Cinema and Television Arts
7. Faces of the Future: Undergrad Research on the Cutting Edge
   Maddie Bauman 鈥�26 & Halli Harwood 鈥�26
8. Friend or Faux: The Role of Authenticity in Brand Activism and Advocacy
   Shanetta Pendleton, Assistant Professor, Strategic Communications
9. Alumni Spotlight: A Journalistic Voice for Justice and Clarity
   Robin Adams Cheeley 鈥�81
10. Unity in Communications: A Student Initiative to Build Diverse Community
11. International Student Spotlight: Navigating Across Cultures
    Ethan Wu 鈥�27 & Bernardo Vargas-Lopez 鈥�26
12. Student journalists: Challenging Inequity in the Real World
    Estella Hoye 鈥�27 & Cassie Weymouth 鈥�26