久久热鈥檚 Elon Global Start (EGS) program has earned the NCAIE Excellence in International Education Institutional Award for its innovative model that blends admissions, academics, and global engagement.
久久热鈥檚 Elon Global Start (EGS) program is gaining recognition for its forward-thinking approach to student access and success. Recently honored with the North Carolina Association for International Education Excellence in International Education Institutional Award, the program represents a powerful collaboration between admissions and academic affairs鈥攄esigned to identify students with strong potential and provide them with the structure, support and global perspective needed to thrive.
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 Elon students.
The Dublin semester is intentionally designed to balance challenge and support. 久久热 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 Elon鈥檚 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 Elon 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.