Anna Smith, Elon’s Study USA coordinator, recently participated in RAINN’s 4th Annual Congressional Day of Action, joining about 40 survivor advocates on Capitol Hill to push for stronger protections against sexual violence.

Throughout the day, Smith met with several congressional offices, including Rep. Erin Houchin, Rep. Madeleine Dean, Rep. Robert Aderholt, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA), and Rep. Jim Costa, to advocate for legislation addressing tech-enabled sexual abuse, strengthening child protection laws and securing funding for the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

A key focus of her advocacy was the Statutes of Limitation for Child Sexual Abuse Reform Act (H.R. 2920), which encourages states to eliminate time limits that often prevent survivors from seeking justice.

“In 2022, I received justice for a crime that had been committed nearly twenty years earlier,” Smith said. “I quickly realized how rare that outcome is.”

Fewer than 3% of perpetrators of sexual violence serve prison time. Anna’s case moved forward only because North Carolina does not have a statute of limitations for felony offenses, something she says should not depend on geography.

“Encouraging states to eliminate outdated statute of limitation laws is a simple way to ensure survivors, no matter where they live, have the opportunity to seek justice when they feel ready,” she said.

During her conversations with lawmakers, Smith also worked to challenge common misconceptions about survivor disclosure.

“Many people assume survivors come forward immediately, when in reality that is extremely rare,” she said. “For those abused in childhood, the average age of disclosure is 52. “Our laws need to reflect that.”

While her advocacy reached a national stage, its roots remain deeply connected to her work at Elon. Smith says being on a college campus often reminds her of her own experience, when she first felt safe enough to share her story.

“I was in college when I first disclosed, almost seven years after the crime occurred,” she said. “I think back to that version of myself, who felt lost and confused, and I know she would be in awe of the person I’ve become.”

That perspective is shaping how she shows up during Sexual Assault Awareness Month on campus. Smith plans to participate in Denim Day and attend programming such as the Elon  on addressing sexual violence among college students on April 30, hosted by Chris Linder, professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of Utah, using those spaces to stand in solidarity with others.

“I will be there in support of all survivors, across the many stages of healing,” she said. “Those who have spoken their truth, and those who are not yet ready, or may never choose to.”

The experience on Capitol Hill, she says, was empowering, emotional, and deeply meaningful, but it also reinforced a belief she carries into her everyday work at Elon.

“Stories are our most powerful tools for change,” she said. “A statistic is nameless and faceless, but when a lawmaker sits down with a survivor and listens to their story, they are more likely to act.”

From campus conversations to congressional offices, Anna is helping ensure those stories are heard, reminding the Elon community that awareness is only the beginning, and advocacy is what drives change.

The Center is advising participants in their new , an initiative by Project Pericles that is designed to encourage universities to participate in civic engagement endeavors through multimedia projects. These storytelling projects will showcase “grassroots changemaking” that strengthens agency, builds community partnerships, and fosters democratic conversations.

The fellowship’s goals closely align with the mission of the Center and its support of the Power+Place Collaborative. Since 2018, the collaborative has worked with residents across Alamance County to collect oral history, create digital stories and examine the memories and stories of people who have shaped the community.

Lake, along with design catalysts Berenice Sanches-Rosaldo and Andrea Camo Conde, and community partner James Shields Jr., the manager of the African American Cultural Arts and History Center, helped lead the consulting workshop.

Lake, Shields, Sanches-Rosaldo and Camo Conde helped participants think through three different ways to advocate for systemic change through storytelling. These frameworks explored strategic storytelling, investigative follow-up, and activating community action. The Center advised the Project Pericles attendees to follow these methods since the Center and its Power+Place Collaborative use storytelling as a means to build trust across our community.

The Center will continue to consult Project Pericles’ Civic Story Lab Fellowship throughout the spring and summer.

“When I was a student, there weren’t a huge number of local alumni that I was able to connect with,” he said. “I’m excited that this is a way I can highlight that staying in the community is an option.”

For Jensen Roll ’16, the path to building a business began long before he ever stepped onto a construction site. His path started with service, leadership and a long-standing connection to North Carolina. Both of his parents were born and raised in North Carolina, and summers spent visiting grandparents made it feel like a second home. So, when he began looking at colleges, North Carolina topped his list. Elon stood out almost immediately.

“I discovered Elon while looking at multiple schools and immediately fell in love with the service opportunities, the Leadership Fellows program and the deep commitment to study abroad,” he said.

The Leadership Fellows program was the primary motivation for his enrollment; he was accepted into the program before receiving his acceptance to the university.

Once on campus, Roll leaned into innovation. He designed a custom major in social entrepreneurship that bridged the gap between the business school, environmental studies and the humanities. He helped bring the University Innovation Fellowship program to Elon. This experience introduced him to design thinking and the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Silicon Valley, including visits to Google and Stanford University.

Because his self-designed major didn’t fit into a standard study abroad box, Roll worked with Angela Llewellyn, now assistant provost for academic excellence and integrity, to create a bespoke program. This journey took him to San Francisco and eventually to Cape Town, South Africa, for six months. It was there, while attending Jubilee Church through a connection from Emma Burress (then overseeing study abroad students), that he met his future wife, Mtende. After a year and a half of long-distance dating, she moved to North Carolina and today they are 50-50 partners in life and business.

While Jensen oversees the construction side as a licensed general contractor, Mtende is a licensed realtor who manages the investment and real estate side of their ventures.

“We co-own all of our companies together. Both of us have a very entrepreneurial and creative spirit,” he explained, stating that their shared vision is the backbone of their company culture.

He credits a wide network of mentors for pushing him to think differently. In addition to Leon Williams, former director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE), he points to Gary Palin, former executive director of the Doherty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, for challenging him to “be” an entrepreneur rather than just study it. He also highlights the influence of Steve Moore, a retired faculty member in environmental studies who shaped his views on urban sustainability. His growth was further guided by Phil Miller, a former lecturer in human services studies; Rex Waters, former dean of student development; and Steven Mencarini, former director of the Center for Leadership.

“The ability to work one-on-one with professors and attend national conferences gave me the confidence to launch initiatives like H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Eat),” he said.

Perhaps the most significant application of this “Triple Bottom Line” education, focusing on people, profit, and planet, is a current project Roll is particularly proud of: building seven tiny homes for Benevolence Farm. The project provides housing for women and non-binary individuals transitioning out of incarceration.

“As a construction company, not every project we take on has that opportunity to provide that triple bottom line in a meaningful way,” Roll said. “This is going to increase their capacity to serve that population.”

What’s been most rewarding, he said, is watching that impact accumulate.

“Construction is unique because the results are tangible and lasting,” he said. “Years later, you can drive by something you worked on and see how it’s become part of someone’s life.”

He credits Elon with giving him the freedom to experiment early, without the pressure of getting everything right.

“Elon was the ultimate sandbox,” he said. “It was a place to try things, take risks and even fail safely.”

He notes that while he didn’t graduate with a construction management degree, the problem-solving and systems-building skills he learned at Elon translated perfectly to the industry.

“What I spent four years learning at Elon had much more to do with the problem-solving, the engaged learning, the building of systems,” he said. “That is what we are doing in the real world.”

His advice to current students interested in entrepreneurship mirrors that mindset.

“Start now,” he said. “Spend time with business owners. Read. Build something. Use your four years to experiment while you still have that safety net. The best way to learn is by doing.”

Looking ahead, Roll is eager to take on larger, more complex and more creative projects. He thrives on unique builds and clients with distinct design visions. At the same time, he sees affordable housing as an area where his background in both entrepreneurship and service naturally converges.

“Our goal is to build a community that we want to live in,” he said. “The company is so closely aligned with the things that we care about.”

From building a tiny house as a student to shaping the built environment of his community, Roll’s journey highlights the combination of service and entrepreneurship, a foundation strengthened at Elon and carried forward through every project he takes on.

The Employee Volunteer Program was created to allow Elon staff to receive paid leave to volunteer with community organizations, a benefit now formalized through Human Resources. Today, full-time staff working 30 or more hours per week can take up to 16 hours of paid leave annually to support causes that positively impact the quality of life within communities. Beyond the policy itself, the program reflects something deeper.

“Allowing Elon employees to have paid volunteer leave is symbolic of �þ���’s commitment to supporting local communities,” said Bob Frigo, director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life and assistant dean of campus life.

He emphasizes that engagement is not just a student responsibility, but “it is important for staff and faculty to model the way in terms of being active citizens in our communities.”

For many employees, these hours open doors to experiences that might otherwise be difficult to access during a busy workweek. Kelly Harer, associate director of sustainability for education and outreach, used her volunteer time to work the polls during a local primary election.

“Volunteering is something I’ve been doing my entire life, and I’m so thankful that Elon gives us the opportunity to volunteer during work hours,” she said. Her role involved guiding voters through the process, but the experience became more personal than procedural.

“I volunteered in my own voting precinct; it was lovely to chat with folks that live near me that I might not otherwise get to know,” said Harer.

Nicole Bergen, program assistant for the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, also participated in an experience that highlights the variety and flexibility the program offers. From reading with first graders to participating in Haw River cleanups, she has used her hours to connect with the Alamance County community in multiple ways.

“I am always amazed at what a group of working volunteers can accomplish in such a short time,” she reflected. Whether collecting bags of trash or seeing “a student partner smiling at you the second you appear in the doorway,” Bergen has found both purpose and connection.

For Bergen, who does not live in the county, the program has been especially meaningful.

“It has felt like a lovely adventure to discover the area outside work,” she said, adding that it has reshaped her understanding of her role in the community.

Renovations have started on what once was a small residence hall but will soon serve as the temporary location for Roberts Academy at �þ���, an all-day private school for children with dyslexia that opens in August.

The top priority for the designers working on those renovations? Create a space where children will learn, grow, and thrive in their confidence as young readers.

“Our team did a wonderful job of thinking through which spaces will be for which purpose, the furniture we’re selecting, how we’re setting up classrooms, and the technology we’ll use,” said Ann Bullock, dean of the university’s Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education. “All of those things will make for an engaged, active, multisensory school. It’s going to be great.”

Established in 2025 through a gift from philanthropists Hal and Marjorie Roberts of Lakeland, Florida, the Roberts Academy at �þ��� will be the fourth in a series of successful university-based private elementary schools the couple also supported at Vanderbilt University, Mercer University and Florida Southern College.

Each academy employs the Orton-Gillingham multisensory approach to reading instruction. The goal is to return students to their community schools as confident readers after 2-3 years of immersive, hands-on instruction in all core subjects.

The Roberts Academy at Elon will welcome third and fourth graders this fall to Trollinger House as construction begins on a permanent site along East Haggard Avenue. That location will open for to grades 1-6 starting in Fall 2028.

Bullock was joined on April 9, 2026, for a site visit to Trollinger House where several staff members wore hard hats on their stroll through the building on West Trollinger Avenue. Led by Holly Hodge, �þ���’s director of interior design, staff had a chance to see for themselves what, until then, had only been conceptual.

Hodge highlighted some of the features that, once installed, will nurture students who attend the school: flexible furniture for smaller groups in classrooms with no more than 12 students, desks with writable surfaces, and expansive wall space intended to be layered with student work and their art on display.

“To me, it’s a blank canvas,” Hodge said afterward. “Walking through the space and showing that blank canvas helps imagine a piece of art in the making. I can’t wait for students to then come in and have teachers make the space their own.”

Hodge identified another question for her team: How do you “define” or tell the story of dyslexia? How do you celebrate the amazing talents and strengths of students in addition to their classroom learning?

One thing is certain, she concluded: “Every kid deserves to be confident.”

***

 Families interested in learning more can visit the Roberts Academy website at www.elon.edu/robertsacademy.

“The mission of the Open Door Clinic is to promote good health and wellbeing by supporting patients through comprehensive and equitable health care,” said Volunteer Coordinator Makenna Grozis ’27. “For many patients, this care is essential, and without it, small health concerns can escalate into costly emergencies. This clinic aims to help the uninsured stay healthy and reduce potential emergency medical costs and other burdens on families through preventative care.”

The Open Door Clinic relies heavily on grants and operates with minimal paid staff, making volunteers the backbone of patient care.

“Volunteers play a huge role, acting as the primary liaison between the patients and the medical staff,” Grozis noted.

From the moment a patient walks in, student volunteers are there to greet them, check them in, answer questions and ensure the clinic runs smoothly. Beyond medical services, the clinic addresses broader disparities tied to financial and social barriers. Patients have access to free or low-cost medications, labs, vaccines, and even specialty care. The clinic also houses the “Closet of Hope,” providing clothing and toiletries at no cost. Together, these resources create what Grozis describes as “an equitable space where vulnerable populations can have an opportunity to achieve better health outcomes.”

For Elon students, the experience is both practical and deeply personal. Most begin in clerk roles, but even these positions carry meaningful responsibility.

“They are the first faces our patients see when they walk through the door,” Grozis said.

Over time, these repeated weekly shifts foster a special connection and much-needed consistency.

“Unlike many volunteer positions where students may go once a semester, volunteers at the clinic get to know the patients, staff, providers, and other volunteers,” Grozis said.

Grozis’s own experience reflects this sense of growth and initiative. Recognizing a language barrier among many Spanish-speaking patients, she enrolled in a medical Spanish course at Elon. That decision led her to help create a collaboration between the class and the clinic.

“The student volunteers as interpreters where they facilitate communication between the providers and the patient,” she explained.

This effort not only improved patient care but also expanded opportunities for students to engage more directly in the clinical setting. After nearly three years at the clinic, Grozis has witnessed both patient progress and volunteer dedication firsthand.

“I have seen numerous volunteers go out of their way to make sure patients feel heard and informed,” she said.

For her, and for many others, the Open Door Clinic is more than a place of service; it is a community. Even when language barriers exist, connection persists.

“Many of the staff members know almost every single patient by name,” Grozis shared. “A smile can carry a great deal of compassion and understanding.”

On April 4,  the Elon Engineering Club, Phoenix Racing Club and the Department of Physical Therapy brought the Go Baby Go Initiative to Elon’s campus for the first time. Founded in 2012 at the University of Delaware, Go Bo Baby is a national initiative that modifies ride-on toy cars to meet the individual physical needs of young children who experience mobility challenges.

Six young children zipped across the pavement in brightly colored toy cars, laughter trailing behind them. These weren’t ordinary rides; they had been carefully reimagined by those same students inside, transformed into custom vehicles designed just for the kids who drove them.

The collaborative effort between the Elon Engineering Club, Phoenix Racing and the Department of Physical Therapy brought the Go Baby Go Initiative to Elon’s campus for the first time. Founded in 2012 at the University of Delaware, Go Bo Baby is a national initiative that modifies ride-on toy cars to meet the individual physical needs of young children who experience mobility challenges.

Julianna Millett ’26 spearheaded Elon’s effort with fellow engineering majors Diego Hernandez ’26 and Abigail Johnson ’27, after learning about the program through their Tikkun Olam Makers Fellowship. The TOM Fellowship Program is a nine-month international program that supports campus leaders, students and faculty in leading “communities” of students who use their engineering and design skills to co-create TOM Solutions for problems faced by people with disabilities, the elderly and the poor.

“For a lot of children, this is their first mobility device. Insurance isn’t going to cover a mobility aid because kids grow so fast,” said Millett. “With this car, it’s giving them almost a first experience of having some autonomy over their movement.”

On Saturday, engineering students adapted the car’s gas pedal to be a button on the steering wheel so the children could drive the car more efficiently, and physical therapy students helped adjust five-point harnesses so the children could also ride comfortably.

Sirena Hargrove-Leak, professor of engineering, views this work as an extension of Elon’s Engineering Design for Service course, where students work in small teams to design devices for systems that aid a local community client.

“Now it becomes an extracurricular engagement for students who are really motivated by that type of work to be able to continue it, and it connects them to a much larger organization,” said Hargrove-Leak. “It’s international and several other institutions of higher education are part of this, so just having that connectivity with other people who are doing similar work and moving it into the extracurricular space broadens and deepens that experience.”

Rebekkah Manning’s 4-year-old son, Henry has cerebral palsy and works regularly with the Department of Physical Therapy. Manning says Henry has not been able to play like other children his age due to his condition.

“A lot of options are not open to him. Even the rides at the city park are not adaptable and accessible,” she said. “It’s discouraging to try to be the mother and father of a child who wants to play, and he can’t.”

Henry was fitted into his car on Saturday while his father controlled the driving through a remote control, and Henry was also able to use the steering wheel button to drive.

“It is a dream come true because it’s something that we realized that we couldn’t do with Henry unless we had help,” said Manning. “When he got in, he got a little bit nervous, and everybody was watching, but then after a few laps here, did you see his smile grow? And he started interacting more. So, it is definitely a confidence builder.”

Carrie McCollum heard about the Go Baby Go program through their family’s physical therapist at Cone Health, who is an Elon alum. McCollum’s daughter BillieAnn has cerebral palsy, and while her older brother had driven her in his toy car, McCollum says it’s safer and better for BillieAnn to now drive her own.

“I hope to see her getting outside more often,” said McCollum. “We live on a farm, we have plenty of open space for her to move around on, but the wheelchair does not go well on gravel or rough terrain. I hope that this will be a way for her to drive around and see things out in our yard and on our farm.”

Hargrove-Leak says while this experience has been beneficial for the families involved, the students and her find it rewarding as well.

“It is so fulfilling to be able to serve as a mentor for these students,” said Hargrove-Leak. “I have just enjoyed watching them grow as servant leaders, using their knowledge and skills to help other people. That’s always been my dream as an engineering educator, to try to encourage students to use what they’re learning for good in the world.”

�þ��� Kitchen is an on-campus service opportunity through the Kernodle Center for Civic Life that collects fresh produce from Loy Farm and, through partnership with Elon Dining Services, engages students, faculty and staff as volunteers who prepare and deliver the meals to those in need in the Burlington community. In addition, volunteers serve with food drives, and at community events.

Huff first became involved with the organization after attending a �þ��� Kitchen farm shift. At the time, he didn’t know much about the program, but learning that the produce harvested would be used directly in cooking shifts sparked his interest.

“I have always loved cooking, I work with Elon Dining, and I am a big foodie, so it immediately clicked,” he said.

After attending one cooking shift, Huff found himself returning every week for the rest of the semester. This semester led him to apply for the coordinator position, which led to the start of his leadership journey with EV!

Huff expressed how this roles with EV! Has reshaped his understanding of community engagement. Through �þ��� Kitchen, he saw firsthand how food can serve as a powerful tool for dignity and care.

“Something as simple as preparing a meal can directly impact dignity and well-being,” he explained, particularly for the local shelters served each week.

One moment that stands out to him reflects both creativity and impact. While experimenting with new recipes, the team decided to try making enchiladas and after delivering the meal, they received enthusiastic feedback from their community partner.

“Hearing that (feedback) made the extra planning worth it. It reminded me that taking chances in the kitchen can make a real difference for,” Huff said, reinforcing how thoughtful changes can elevate the experience for those they serve.

As a student leader, Huff has also redefined what leadership means to him. He emphasizes the importance of building systems that allow others to succeed and using personal connections to strengthen collective impact. Within his role with Elon Dining, he helped bridge communication gaps and improve efficiency, demonstrating how collaboration can elevate service efforts. Throughout his time with �þ��� Kitchen, Huff has served as both a cooking shift coordinator and the Elon Dining liaison. In these roles, he led weekly shifts, guided volunteers through meal preparation, and helped design recipes that maximized available ingredients. His work extended beyond the kitchen, strengthening partnerships between �þ��� Kitchen and Elon Dining to improve food recovery efforts.

For students looking to get involved, Huff encourages starting with personal passion. Whether it’s food insecurity or another cause, aligning service with individual values creates a more meaningful and lasting experience. His journey reflects the broader mission of Elon Volunteers, which embodies empowering students to not only serve, but to lead, innovate and create lasting change within their communities.

Through the Elon Year of Service Fellows program, these recent graduates are spending a year working with local organizations across Alamance County, contributing to efforts that strengthen health, education and economic opportunity. Along the way, they’re gaining hands-on experience, mentorship and a deeper understanding of the community just beyond Elon’s campus.

The 2025–26 fellows are putting their Elon education into action and helping build a stronger future for Alamance County.

Sam Hinton ’25

Advancing Community Health

By Avery Craine Powell

When Sam Hinton ’25 decided to pursue the Year of Service Fellows program, she saw it as an opportunity to deepen her connection to a community she had already come to care about.

“I really wanted to get the opportunity to have a more hands-on role here as opposed to research, which is a little bit more like a bird’s-eye view,” Hinton says.

Hinton, who earned a degree in public health studies and political science with minors in Spanish, Latin American studies, and peace and conflict studies, now works with the Alamance County Health Department through the fellows program.

Although she didn’t grow up in Alamance County, Hinton says the area feels like home. Her grandparents and extended family live nearby, and her academic work at Elon strengthened those ties. As a Lumen Scholar, she studied how immigration policy and discrimination in Alamance County influence how members of the Latino community access health care and social services.

“I was interviewing health care and social service providers from across the county on where they were seeing gaps in their ability to provide care,” she explains. “Through that research, I got to meet a lot of the people that I work with now and familiarized myself with the different service provision organizations throughout Alamance County.”

That familiarity helped ease her transition into the fellowship. At the health department, Hinton’s responsibilities range from administrative and event planning work to engaging directly with community partners. She primarily works with the Behavioral Health and Substance Use Division, which focuses on addressing the opioid crisis and expanding addiction services.

It’s been really great to see how deeply everyone there is motivated by the mission of providing health care and improving the lives of people in Alamance County. — Sam Hinton ’25

The experience has given her a deeper appreciation for the people committed to this work.

“It’s been really great to see how deeply everyone there is motivated by the mission of providing health care and improving the lives of people in Alamance County,” she says. “Despite the fact that everyone there has so much work to do and is incredibly busy, people are really committed to improving conditions for people across different communities.”

Hinton credits Elon’s public health studies program, including its required practicum, for preparing her to step confidently into the role. The program, she says, ensures students graduate with a strong understanding of the broader forces shaping health and equity.

“They make sure students leave Elon aware of the disparities and inequalities that exist and really gear the program toward a health equity lens.”

For Hinton, the fellowship represents both a continuation of her academic work and a new beginning.

“I feel like the hands-on nature of all of my education at Elon has really come in handy as I’m transitioning into the workforce,” she says. “I feel really adequately prepared for whatever projects are being thrown my way.”

Anna Matawaran ’25

Strengthening Community Partnerships

By Avery Craine Powell

Community engagement has been central to Anna Matawaran’s Elon experience, and it continues to guide her work after graduation.

“The program stood out to me because of that piece of civic engagement and making a difference in a community that I’ve already lived in and gotten to know for the last four years,” she says.

Matawaran, who graduated with a degree in sociology and a minor in communications, now works with Impact Alamance, a community health legacy foundation created from the merger of Alamance Regional Medical Center and Cone Health.

Impact Alamance focuses on improving community health, strengthening education and building partnerships across Alamance County. Matawaran serves on the organization’s “stronger” team as a program assistant.

One of the projects she has enjoyed most is the For Alamance initiative, a partnership with the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation that encourages residents to take action on issues that matter to them.

“That has been really rewarding,” she says. “I’ve met so many different people through that, which I’ve really enjoyed, folks from all parts of the county that I didn’t know existed before the fellowship.”

Community was also what first drew Matawaran to Elon from her hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

“That small community feel was so unique from all the other colleges I looked at, and I knew I wanted a liberal arts education and loved that Elon offered all the resources that it does for �þ���s specifically,” she says. “It’s a beautiful campus. How can you not love it?”

Her path to sociology began unexpectedly.

“On a whim, I signed up for a sociology course my first semester here,” she says. “It was a class on how sociology can look at housing and unhoused people, and that class stood out to me above all my other courses. I fell in love with the way that sociologists think about the world and the problems that it can solve.”

Matawaran credits Elon’s liberal arts approach for preparing her to work in the nonprofit sector.

“My Elon education gave me the liberal arts background that I needed to step into the nonprofit sphere,” she says. “My degree gave me a lot of the building blocks to understand what I’m hearing from community members and what issues Alamance County is facing.”

Now, her fellowship continues to deepen the understanding of community she discovered at Elon.

“Something that my mentor always says is that community is messy,” Matawaran says. “I love how rich and diverse the community here is; it brings this authenticity to the work.”

Jasmine Walker ’25

Supporting Local �þ���

By Avery Craine Powell

Giving back to her hometown is what drew Jasmine Walker ’25 to the Elon Year of Service Fellows program.

She now works with Alamance Achieves, an organization focused on improving education outcomes from “cradle to career,” while also collaborating with Impact Alamance to promote educational equity across the county.

“When I found out it was through the Alamance-Burlington School System, which I’m a product of, I wanted to help the school system since they helped me become who I am,” says Walker, who earned a degree in human service studies with a minor in poverty and social justice.

Walker began her fellowship in June 2025 and quickly found herself immersed in the work, helping lead “Ready Freddy,” a three-week summer program that prepares students for kindergarten.

She also assists with the Teachers Leadership Academy, which helps educators develop leadership skills, and supports “The Basics Alamance,” a countywide initiative that provides caregivers with evidence-based strategies to promote healthy brain development in young children.

I don’t think I realized how many
organizations and partnerships there are to make Alamance County continue to thrive. — Jasmine Walker ’25

Walker’s passion for helping others guided her to choose human service studies as her major.

“I wanted to help people, and I’ve always been passionate about supporting others,” she says. “I grew up volunteering and doing different things with my church. When I was a freshman, I met a senior in the program, and I took the intro course and really liked it. I liked how personable the department was.”

A native of Elon, Walker attended the Elon Academy in high school before enrolling at the university as an Odyssey Program scholar and later joining the Periclean Scholars program.

“The Odyssey Program really changed my life,” Walker says. “I was able to study abroad in Florence, Italy, during my junior year, and I was there for three and a half months. That was cool; I never thought I was going to be able to leave the country because of finances.”

Through Periclean Scholars, she also traveled to Costa Rica during Winter Term to study the needs of a partner community.

“We studied Costa Rica as a whole and looked at what the specific community that we were going to travel to needed,” she says.

Even though she grew up in Alamance County, Walker says the fellowship has helped her see her hometown in new ways.

“It’s cool to be able to meet different leaders and partners in the community, and hear what they do,” Walker says. “I don’t think I realized how many organizations and partnerships there are to make Alamance County continue to thrive.”

Abby Lee ’25

Expanding Community Wellness

By Olivia Grady ’26

Abby Lee ’25 arrived at Elon with a strong interest in civic engagement. The Elon Year of Service Fellows program gave her the opportunity to continue that work after graduation.

“Living in Alamance County for four years, I just thought it would be really beneficial to give back to the community that gave me so much,” Lee says. “This position sounded exactly like what I wanted to do.”

Lee, who earned a degree in public health studies and political science, works with Impact Alamance’s “healthier” team on a range of grant-funded initiatives that support community wellness.

Her projects have included helping install a new basketball court in Mebane, supporting a mobile recreation unit that brings activities to neighborhoods across the county and assisting with planning Impact Alamance’s annual wellness summit.

“I’ve worked on smaller projects, but it means so much to the people that we help,” Lee says. “That’s probably my favorite part, just seeing how much Impact Alamance truly does.”

Lee says her experiences at Elon helped prepare her for the work, particularly her public health practicum with the Women’s Resource Center of Alamance County.

“That was my first local internship and really shaped my path, showing how great it was to work for and help the people of Alamance,” Lee says. “I think ultimately that’s what led me to decide and apply.”

She also credits Elon faculty members with shaping her academic interests and encouraging her to pursue a broader view of public health.

“Yanica Faustin was the reason I decided to double major in public health after taking one of her courses, Reproductive Justice,” Lee says. “She definitely shaped my time at Elon, as well as Stephanie Baker, who was my senior seminar professor for public health. She really showed me that this is what I wanted to do.”

Now working with Impact Alamance, Lee is able to see firsthand how community partnerships and targeted investments can improve health outcomes across the county.

The fellowship has allowed her to build on the experiences she gained at Elon while making a direct impact in the community she called home during college.

Juliana Buter ’25

Supporting Local Businesses

By Jordan Armstead ’28

Local government work has quickly become a passion for Juliana Buter ’25.

Through the Elon Year of Service Fellows program, Buter works with the City of Burlington’s Economic Development Office, supporting initiatives designed to strengthen the local economy and improve quality of life across the community.

In the role, she helps coordinate projects that attract new investment, support existing businesses and promote Burlington as a place where people want to live, work and visit.

“This fellowship has helped me a lot because it taught me about my strengths and areas where I need to grow,” Buter says.

One of her primary responsibilities is serving as a liaison with the Burlington Downtown Corporation, helping coordinate communication between city officials and local businesses and ensuring that information flows smoothly between partners working to strengthen the downtown area.

Originally from Atlanta, Buter chose Elon because of its small class sizes and opportunities to build relationships with professors. She majored in political science and minored in communications, a combination that has helped her analyze policy decisions while communicating effectively with a wide range of audiences.

During summer 2024, Buter participated in �þ��� Alamance, a program that connects Elon students with internships at local businesses, nonprofits and government agencies. She interned with the Alamance Chamber of Commerce, where she gained a broader understanding of the community beyond Elon’s campus and developed an interest in the region’s economic development efforts.

That experience introduced her to the Year of Service Fellows program and encouraged her to apply.

Buter credits her political science degree with helping her understand how public decisions shape communities and influence the people who live and work within them.

“There is a misconception about political science simply being about politics, parties and government,” Buter says. “I think the science aspect has taught me how people interact with one another and with groups.”

Through her work with the City of Burlington, she has developed a deeper appreciation for local government and the people working behind the scenes to strengthen their communities.

“I have absolutely fallen in love with local government, just watching the behind-the-scenes of people working hard for their community,” she says.

The fellowship has also helped her clarify the type of work she hopes to pursue long term — community-focused roles where she can see the tangible impact of public initiatives and partnerships.

Aniya Scott ’25

Improving Patient Access

By Avery Craine Powell

Aniya Scott ’25 describes her year as an Elon Year of Service Fellow as a “gap year,” but the experience is bringing her closer to her long-term goal of becoming a physical therapist.

Through the program, Scott works with Alamance Regional Medical Center, where she supports operational initiatives that help the hospital serve patients more effectively.

“Even though I’m not currently working on the clinical side, gaining experience with the hospital’s backend operations has been incredibly valuable,” Scott says. “Understanding how operations work helps me anticipate what patients may go through to access care in the future.”

Her work includes assisting with project management, supporting philanthropy initiatives and helping improve campus signage.

Scott earned a degree in biology from Elon and says many parts of her Elon experience prepared her for the community-focused nature of the work.

I’ve learned that much of community work involves engaging with underrepresented populations. This fellowship really allows us to get outside of that Elon bubble and explore issues affecting Alamance County residents. — Aniya Scott ’25

As an Honors Fellow and Lumen Scholar, she conducted research on PFAS contamination and how to help residents in Pittsboro, North Carolina, better understand and reduce exposure to forever chemicals.

“Residents may not be able to change how they access water or the presence of PFAS in their water, but we can help identify and educate them on day-to-day practices that can reduce their exposure,” Scott says.

Beyond research, Scott served as a statistics learning assistant and worked with the Center for Access and Success while also holding leadership roles with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the National Council of Negro Women.

“Through my experiences, I’ve learned that much of community work involves engaging with underrepresented populations,” Scott says. “This fellowship really allows us to get outside of that Elon bubble and explore issues affecting Alamance County residents.”

The experience has also given Scott a broader perspective on how health care systems operate and the many factors that shape patient care. Seeing the operational side of the hospital has helped her better understand how decisions behind the scenes affect the experiences patients have every day.

“Before this fellowship, most of my experience in health care was on the clinical side,” she says. “This fellowship opened my eyes to how administrative decisions and operational processes directly impact frontline care.”