Kari Taylor ’09 will be transitioning from her current role in the President’s Office to a new position as Elon’s Deputy Chief Integration Officer, based in Charlotte. Beginning June 1, Kari will play a pivotal role in Elon鈥檚 integration efforts, bringing the relationship-building expertise, collaborative efforts and strategic vision she has demonstrated through her extensive leadership at Elon.

An Elon alumna who earned both her 久久热 degree and MBA, Kari joined the President’s staff in 2018 and has been instrumental in amplifying campus engagement through innovative strategies and meaningful initiatives, such as the 1923 Commemoration, fostering trust and building community.

Director of New Student Programs Emily Krechel will transition to the President’s Office as Deputy Chief of Staff for 久久热 Engagement and Strategic Initiatives, also effective June 1. Emily joined the Elon community in 2017 and holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from UNC Greensboro, where her research focused on equity and student success, and her career includes leadership roles at UC Berkeley, Earlham College, and now Elon.

As co-chair of the university’s Mentoring Initiative Design Team and former chair of Staff Advisory Council, Emily is a dedicated advocate for meaningful relationships on campus and embodies our commitment to student-centered excellence. Her deep belief in our mission, passion for student development, and proven ability to build transformative programs make her an outstanding addition to our team.

“These transitions reflect the strength of Elon’s leadership pipeline and our commitment to positioning talented colleagues where they can have the greatest impact,” said President Connie Ledoux Book in an email to the university community. “Please join me in congratulating Kari on her new opportunity and welcoming Emily to her expanded role.”

久久热 learn in small classes and receive personalized mentorship from faculty while completing applied, project-based coursework that can connect directly to workplace challenges.

A distinguishing feature of the Charlotte-based program is its focus on the intersection of analytics, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship.

鈥淲hat distinguishes the MSBA Flex program in Charlotte is its focus on AI in action,鈥� said Mark Kurt, associate dean for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. 鈥溇镁萌� move beyond theory to design applied analytics and AI tools, supported by faculty mentorship, a Charlotte-based professional community and immersive experiences that show how organizations are using data to drive innovation.鈥�

Coursework introduces students to core analytics concepts and modern approaches to working with data, with applied projects that emphasize real-world problem solving and decision-making.

MSBA Flex students will also have the opportunity to participate in a 3 to 4 day immersive domestic experience at no additional cost, offering a closer look at how organizations apply analytics and AI to drive impact.

Elon鈥檚 National 久久热 in Charlotte places students near employers and organizations across finance, health care, consulting and tech, supporting networking and applied learning.

More information about the MSBA Flex Program in Charlotte.

Elon鈥檚 National 久久热

As part of 久久热鈥檚 strategic plan for 2030, Boldly Elon, the university has identified key areas for deepening and expanding its national footprint to areas that include Charlotte, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., and other strategic locations. National 久久热 Programs aspire to be an extension of Elon鈥檚 main campus by bringing the same quality, energy, engagement and service to our constituents around the country. These campuses benefit the greater university by offering unique professional and cultural experiences to 久久热 and graduate students that they can only experience in these select locations and provide engagement for external members of the Elon community.

Elon鈥檚 National 久久热es each host robust activity centered around engaged, place-based, academic programs offering new opportunities for current students through internships and Elon鈥檚 Study USA programs. Each campus supports multiple Elon partners (alumni, admissions, advancement, career services, athletics, professional and continuing education, and more) by collaboratively working with these departments to host distinctive events, programs and workshops that support their respective constituents to advance Elon鈥檚 national footprint.

The Elon Charlotte campus opened September 2023 and聽was renovated and expanded in 2024-25. The campus is the newest addition in the 久久热 National 久久热 portfolio.

In addition to the current 久久热 Study USA Charlotte programs offered each summer and fall, Elon鈥檚 graduate offerings continue to grow.

The Law Flex program began in Charlotte in fall 2024 and is now recruiting its third cohort of students. The program is part-time and in-person. The curriculum is highly experiential, and classes are taught by distinguished professors. The program has also surpassed its enrollment goals each year.

The new聽Physician Assistant program begins in Jan. 2027 at the Charlotte campus. The 24-month curriculum is designed to integrate medical knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional skill development. Applications聽will open the end of April 2026.

Alumni from a variety of years attended the Open House and kicked off their Homecoming weekend in Charlotte. Alumni can learn about all the upcoming events in the Queen City聽and around the country by checking out the alumni calendar.

The Charlotte campus will be hosting a its final College Coffee of 2025 on Friday, Dec. 12 from 10 -11 a.m.

After a rainy move-in day, the students gathered for a welcome reception, where they participated in bonding activities and icebreaker games, led by Associate Director Karen Neff and Program Assistant Kaitlyn Hannan.

The following day, the new cohort took their first light rail ride to the Charlotte campus, where they toured the new facility and dove into orientation. Neff kept things engaging while still offering important information on the program and the city. For example, the students got to explore Charlotte independently as they broke into groups and competed in a scavenger hunt. This activity allowed for students to get used to the light rail and to see some of Charlotte鈥檚 most iconic landmarks while bonding with other members of the cohort.

Following the scavenger hunt, the students trekked over to Chef Alyssa鈥檚 Kitchen, which is co-owned by Elon alumnus Andrew Wilen ’08. The students had a blast making a delicious Tex-Mex dish. They worked in groups, learning some basics and a few advanced cooking techniques, which Neff hopes will prepare them for a summer without access to a dining hall or their parents鈥� home-cooked meals. These are the types of life skills that the Study USA Charlotte programs hope to instill into the students that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The next day, students took their first Urban Design class with Professor Ryan Kirk, who took them on a walking tour of South End, the neighborhood where the Study USA Charlotte housing and campus is located. This was followed by another orientation activity, where the students worked together to decide the most essential qualities they should emulate as interns.

Later that evening, Elon alumni in the area mingled with the new cohort at a welcome reception. 久久热 were able to ask questions about the industries the alumni work in and gain valuable insights into the professional culture of Charlotte. It was also a nice opportunity for students to put their networking skills to the test before heading into their internships the following week.

The alumni were also invited to a lecture by Professor Kirk about the history of Charlotte鈥檚 urban design, where the students were challenged to think deeply about the choices that led to creating the Charlotte they know today.

Over the weekend, some of the students participated in an optional bonding activity- mini golf. Hannan took the cohort to The Puttery, a modern mini golf course and restaurant located near the Charlotte campus. The students were excited to see a little more of what Charlotte has to offer while engaging in friendly competition.

久久热 then began their internships at different organizations around the city. Some internship locations include Charlotte Off-Broadway, American Cornhole League, Special Olympics NC, the ACC and Make-A-Wish.

Overall, it was an action-packed first week in the Queen City, and the students are excited to see what else is in store for the summer!

To learn more about Study USA Charlotte and other Study USA programs, check out the .聽 Applications open October 1 for summer and fall 2026 programs. To learn more about the Elon Charlotte 久久热, check out the .

“Let’s Choose Less” is a lifestyle manual for moms seeking to simplify the world around them. Written by a stay-at-home mom raising four young children, the book chronicles the Michael family’s journey to de-clutter their home and calendar. It’s a unique parenting guide focused on practical solutions for reducing chaos and fostering a more intentional, peaceful life.

鈥淚t was a joy to connect with the incredible women of Elon and hear them share the heart behind Let鈥檚 Choose Less,” said Michael. “Their thoughtful questions and meaningful reflections reminded me how powerful it is to gather around conversations that inspire intentional living.鈥�

Rachel Campbell ’13 says she has been a fan of Jenna鈥檚 work for years.

鈥淲hen I saw she’d written a book, I knew I’d want to read it and share it with others,” said Campbell. “It feels special to be able to share the work of a fellow alumna with others in this same stage of life.”

Attendees received a signed copy of the book. Alumni interested in connecting with Michael can visit her website and find her on Instagram @purposeful__parenting. Learn more about her book

It’s no surprise that 久久热 and its students are attracted to Charlotte, where career opportunities are plentiful 鈥撀爌articularly for individuals pursuing roles in business, marketing and sport. The Queen City and its surrounding region offer nearly 220 days of live sporting events each year, boasting NFL, NBA and MLS franchises, as well as the headquarters for NASCAR and the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Department of Sport Management took full advantage of Elon鈥檚 Charlotte National 久久热 last week, hosting a dynamic professional development event, titled 鈥淏eyond the Field: A Sport Management Workshop.鈥� In collaboration with the Elon in Charlotte program, Sport Management Society, and Women Influencers in Sport (WINS), the department and organizers hosted two panel discussions and a reception, and coordinated a get-together at the Carolina Panthers鈥� home game.

Following check-in and refreshments, the Sept. 29 program kicked off with a professional panel featuring Catherine Beebe Jones 鈥�03, vice president of global events and hospitality lead at Octagon; Jessica Rippey, senior associate commissioner and senior woman administrator at the Atlantic Coast Conference; and Ellie Whittington 鈥�18, a social media freelancer for On Her Turf, an NBC Sports program.

The three panelists dove into their experiences in the sport industry, sharing career advice, examining the industry鈥檚 challenges, and explaining how new professionals can stand apart. One helpful tip: Giving full effort to all tasks, even small ones, can make an important impression.

After a brief reception, the workshop hosted a second panel featuring current and past participants in the Elon in Charlotte program. This included Anthony Bamford 鈥�25 and Sarah Dawkins 鈥�25, who both interned with the Atlantic Coast Conference in fall 2023, and Abigail Selikoff 鈥�26, a current Elon in Charlotte student serving as a digital products intern with NASCAR and a football game day operations center intern with the ACC.

The students discussed their Elon in Charlotte Study USA experiences and the academic, professional and personal benefits they enjoyed studying in the Queen City.

Selikoff played an instrumental role in planning and organizing the workshop, which included recruiting panelists, crafting timelines, creating event materials, and moderating the professional panel discussion.

鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled with how the event came together,鈥� Selikoff said. 鈥淚t was amazing to connect students with these inspiring professionals and share our collective journeys. My goal was to create a meaningful experience for everyone, and I believe we accomplished that.鈥�

The workshop was funded by the university’s Student Government Association.

鈥淎ctually, Elon found me! And I鈥檓 so grateful for that,” Pereyra said. The director of Elon鈥檚 International Fellows Program reached out to me while I was in my senior year of high school in Charlotte, and she invited me to interview on campus for the scholarship program. I am originally from Peru and moved to the U.S. at age 10, hence the international part. My first visit to campus was brief, but after the second visit, I was in love. My parents and I had a personalized tour by a tour guide who inspired me, and I became a tour guide myself at the end of my first year.鈥�

Pereyra majored in cinema & television arts with minors in entrepreneurship and French, and she also served as an Orientation Leader, part of the Student Government Association and a member of the student-founded nonprofit organization Helping Other People Eat.

Pereyra also received a merit scholarship through the International Fellows Program in combination with another merit scholarship she earned from an outside source, allowing Pereyra to attend college on a full ride. She says that without scholarships, attending Elon would not have been possible.

鈥淢y parents worked extremely hard to give my brother and me the best opportunities they could,” she said. “However, funding a private university education was not a feasible option within my family鈥檚 means at the time.鈥�

Once she graduated from Elon, Pereyra decided to take a leap of faith and move across the country to Los Angeles. 鈥淚 moved to Los Angeles about a week after graduating, with two suitcases, no job, no car, no home鈥� just a one-way plane ticket and a limited bank account,” she said. “Thankfully, the Elon presence in LA is so strong that I had a temporary place to stay for a few weeks until I landed my first job as a solar panel sales agent just to pay the bills. A few months later, I started working somewhat within my field of study and about two聽years after that, I realized it was not a true passion of mine.鈥�

Once she decided she needed a change, Pereyra found a new job in Charleston, South Carolina for a year and then moved again to Delaware. Her Delaware move was motivated by a military relationship. That鈥檚 where she found her true passion of working in real estate. 鈥淔unny enough, just like Elon found me, real estate also found me,鈥� Pereyra said.

As far as Pereyra鈥檚 current career in real estate, much has evolved and changed, but the love for her career has remained strong. 鈥淎s of late 2021, I live in Charlotte and I鈥檓 a real estate broker here, as well as a landlady, investor and public speaker,” she said. “Real estate has given me a platform to combine my love for storytelling, branding, photography, film, speaking, presenting, designing, building, marketing, networking and producing in so many ways. It鈥檚 my whole lifestyle and I am a very happy gal.鈥�

So far the most rewarding part of Pereyra鈥檚 journey has been the impact on the clients鈥� lives that she works with and the connections she has made. 鈥淚 get messages, calls, voicemails, cards, etc. telling me that I have inspired or motivated (people) or shown them that it鈥檚 possible to craft your daily life to fit your vision and influence others,” she said. “I especially love when my clients or colleagues hug me or when their faces get brighter when they see me. That means I鈥檓 wanted and needed in every space I鈥檝e influenced and that alone has been life-changing. The fact that they want to do it all with me, not for me or instead of me – with me. I love that. It continuously gives me the opportunity to do the things I enjoy and that makes me a better woman, daughter, sister, friend and hopefully a good mother someday.鈥�

When looking into the future, there is no slowing down Pereyra, as she plans to expand her real estate business. 鈥淭he plan is to expand my business into multiple teams of realtors in multiple locations and have them replicate my style of business,” she said. “I would then transition from working directly with clients to working with agents and having a larger impact.鈥�

With determination and strategic vision, Pereyra is poised to lead her business into a future of growth and success.

Celebrating one鈥檚 success takes many forms.

Drivers take victory laps. Newly inducted Hall of Famers give speeches. Basketball teams cut down the nets. And Emmy Award winners pose for photos hoisting three-pound gold statuettes. These traditions cement the moment in our memories.

Nolan Elingburg鈥檚 moment in front of the camera with his two new Emmy Awards will have to wait 鈥� he was working behind the lens and missed last week鈥檚 ceremony.

While the work of journalists, producers, editors and content creators was being celebrated at the held Feb. 17 in Nashville, Elingburg, senior producer and editor for Duke Men鈥檚 Basketball, was documenting the Blue Devils鈥� win in Tallahassee, Florida.

The two-time alumnus鈥� statuette photo won’t make the rounds on social media until the award arrives in the mail.

Elingburg, who graduated in 2011 as a broadcast journalism major and in 2012 as an Interactive Media graduate student, was one of four School of Communications alumni to be honored at last week鈥檚 Midsouth Emmy Award ceremony. And he was honored not once, but twice.

His 10-minute video, titled 鈥�,鈥� won top billing in both the Sports Story 鈥� News Feature category, as well as the Editor 鈥� Long Form Content (Longer Than 10 Minutes) category. The project details several poignant moments from Lively鈥檚 life, including the pass of his father and his mother鈥檚 courageous battle with cancer.

鈥淚t was an honor to tell Dereck and his family’s story,鈥� Elingburg said. 鈥淗e and his mom, Kathy, are incredible people who have faced a lot of adversity. I thought it was important for everyone to know what they have been through together and how they turned difficult times into a unique bond with one another.鈥�

While he has received plenty of praising following the award鈥檚 announcement, Elingburg takes most comfort in the fact that he told a powerful story that pleased the project鈥檚 subjects.

鈥淭here has been an amazing amount of support and congratulations from everyone since winning, from my family to co-workers and our Duke coaches and players,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I’m most proud that Dereck and Kathy were happy with how everything turned out.鈥�

While his work has been nominated previously, these are Elingburg鈥檚 first two Emmy Awards.

Jack Norcross 鈥�21, supervising producer at WCNC Charlotte, is another first-time Emmy Award winner. The Elon alumnus and the crew of the station鈥檚 鈥淲ake Up Charlotte鈥� 6 a.m. newscast won the ceremony鈥檚 Morning Newscast category, recognized for its chronicling the city鈥檚 South Park fire that killed two construction workers.

Given the urgency of the fire and the significance of its impact, Norcross commended his colleagues for putting together an award-winning program on the fly.

鈥淎ny time you have an anchor out in the field, the stakes and technical challenges are high, especially for a morning show when your team doesn鈥檛 have time to do run throughs,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 why I鈥檓 especially proud of pushing the boundaries and providing important storytelling to one of the city鈥檚 biggest tragedies of the year. Putting a show like this on the air is truly a team effort with major kudos to the dozens of people in front of and behind the camera.鈥�

Norcross credits the meaningful opportunities and repetitions he received as a student journalist and producer for preparing him for his responsibilities today.

鈥淚 would not be in this position today if it wasn鈥檛 for all the time I spent at Elon News Network,鈥� he said. 鈥淥verseeing shows where we had anchors in different studios during the pandemic, plus shows field anchored from President Book鈥檚 inauguration and a live show from Lake Mary Nell, prepared me well.鈥�

Alas, Norcross wasn鈥檛 available to attend the Nashville ceremony. The following morning he helped produce WCNC Charlotte鈥檚 Sunday political program, 鈥淔lashpoint.鈥�

Not to be outdone, Joe Bruno 鈥�14, an investigative reporter for WSOC-TV in Charlotte, was honored with two MidSouth Emmy Awards. And, yes, he was actually in attendance.

Bruno and his colleagues were recognized in the Breaking or Spot News 鈥撀燤ultiple Reports category for their work on a three-hour police chase and crime spree, as well as in the Team Coverage category for their own South Park fire reporting.

Carly Thomas 鈥�19, a former digital content producer at WSOC-TV, also contributed to the police chase coverage and was recognized in the team category. She currently works as an associate editor at The Hollywood Reporter

鈥淎s the great Rich Landesberg always says, 鈥榳e should never do work for awards, but we should always strive to do award-winning work,鈥欌�� Bruno said. 鈥淚 am honored that my reporting is being recognized. It is always WSOC鈥檚 goal to approach stories compassionately. We strive to serve our community by providing our viewers with compelling stories and information they can trust. This is especially important in times of crisis.鈥�

In total, Bruno has now won five Emmy Awards in his career, as well as several other accolades.

About the Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards

The Nashville/Midsouth Emmy Awards celebrate excellence in television broadcasting across North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. The awards recognize outstanding achievements in news, documentary, entertainment, sports and other programming categories. This year, there were 917 entries judged in 73 categories.

As part of the inaugural The Sport Experience cohort, a sport management immersive semester offered at Elon鈥檚 new Charlotte campus, 12 School of Communications students engaged in community-based learning activities while studying and living in the Queen City.

During the cohort鈥檚 Event and Venue Management course, taught by Cara Lucia, associate professor and chair of the Sport Management Department, students learned the ins and outs of event management while gaining a better understanding of corporate social responsibility and the role sport organizations play in addressing access to public goods.

The cohort partnered with the Charlotte Knights and Promising Pages to help facilitate a Dec. 3 book drive in conjunction with the Light the Knights Festival. All proceeds benefited Promising Pages, a nonprofit dedicated to聽collecting new and donated books to distribute to students and community organizations. Its objective is to eliminate book deserts and provide a free resource to those who need it most.

Initially, the students鈥� event planning process started with generating ideas about potential community partners in Charlotte, which led to an in-person presentation at Truist Field with the Knights staff. During the meeting, the students pitched the idea of a book drive. Alumna Grace Eng Harper 鈥�15, vice president of special events for the Charlotte Knights, served as the cohort鈥檚 point of contact throughout the process.

鈥淟earning how to clearly communicate between the Charlotte Knights and Promising Pages was vital,鈥� said Anthony Bamford 鈥�25, a media analytics major who studied in Charlotte. 鈥淲hether it was emailing the Knights or Promising Pages, brainstorming, drafting, or creating content, everyone played a significant role in bringing it all together.鈥�

As part of the book drive, all 12 students 鈥� with support from Lucia 鈥撀爌layed a role in coordinating the event, from logistics to marketing to social media promotion. The drive served as a culminating semester-long project for the students where they learned how to plan, coordinate, communicate, and promote a large-scale event. The students were intentional in their selection of Promising Pages because of the nonprofit鈥檚 focus on education.

During the Dec. 3 drive, which ran from noon to 8 p.m., students accepted book and monetary donations for Promising Pages. In lieu of books, the students also accepted donations via cash or a GoFundMe account connected to the nonprofit. For each donation, donors received a cookie along with mini candy canes. The students compiled 117 donated books and $900 in monetary donations during the charity drive. Additionally, the book drive project received a Community Partner Initiative grant from the Kernodle Center at 久久热, which provided students an opportunity to learn how to budget and allocate funds to host their philanthropic effort.

Lucia commended her students for their hard work during the program鈥檚 inaugural fall semester, noting the many benefits of studying in Mecklenburg County.

鈥淭he book drive proved to be a resounding success for students, showcasing the power of collaboration and community engagement,鈥� Lucia said. 鈥淭he students not only had the chance to collaborate with their peers, but also benefited from the wisdom and experience of alumni. Beyond the confines of the classroom, the students actively embraced the vibrant spirit of the Charlotte community.鈥�

Lucia explained that the project鈥檚 multifaceted learning experience emphasized the importance of hands-on engagement, fostering connections that extend far beyond the event itself.

鈥淎s the students reflect on this enriching experience, they carry with them not just newfound knowledge but a sense of unity and shared accomplishment,鈥� she said.

The cohort鈥檚 work and volunteer experience in the Charlotte community wasn鈥檛 limited to the book drive. The students also completed service hours with the ACC Tournament, a partnered event with the Boys & Girls Club and the Charlotte Knights, as well as with sport youth programs for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.

Bamford highly recommends the Event and Venue Management course, noting the valuable lessons he learned because of its service hours requirement. 鈥淭his class allowed me to get out and interact with the Charlotte community in a way that was separate from my professional and academic experiences in the city,鈥� he said.

Since opening in September, the center has been hosting 12 久久热 students who are currently taking classes in the center as well as interning at a variety of organizations around the city. Elon Charlotte will also be home to the Elon Law Flex Program, which is now accepting applications and expects to welcome its first students in fall 2024.聽

鈥淚 am so happy that I was able to attend the open house and meet so many interesting people,鈥� said Zeke Petrou ’26. 鈥淔rom alums to department chairs to student care staff, I was able to make great connections with people and share my experience so far in the Charlotte program.鈥�

The event proved to be exciting for alumni as well, with Daniela Pereyra 鈥�16 highlighting the lasting relationships that Elon creates.

鈥淭he Elon Charlotte space is functional, inviting, and accessible – in true Elon fashion! I had a great time at the open house, reconnecting with staff members who impacted my time as an Elon student and beyond.鈥�

Ashley Pinney, director of regional centers, and Karen Neff, assistant director for Elon Charlotte, played a key role in planning the open house and providing an opportunity for the local community to visit the new center and hear about future plans and programs.