School of Communications | Today at Elon | �þ��

Across disciplines, Elon faculty integrate multifaith understanding into the classroom

Avery Craine Powell — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:20:44 +0000

At �þ��, faculty say preparing students means helping them understand the people they will interact with throughout their lives, and that includes the influence of faith and religious identity.

That commitment to multifaith understanding is a primary goal of the university’s Multifaith Strategic Plan, which strives to “support opportunities for multifaith learning and engagement for all members of the academic community.”

“Elon’s Multifaith Strategic Plan is a promise to our students, faculty, staff and the wider community that we will take them seriously as whole, complex people,” said Brian Pennington, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society.

The multifaith experience

The Multifaith Scholars Program is a two-year program, founded in 2016, that emphasizes interdisciplinary learning as student scholars undertake original research projects and study in global contexts connected with religious diversity and multireligious societies.

Amy Allocco, professor of religious studies, photographed May 4, 2023.

“Our work is richer when we have students bringing questions from their own disciplines,” said Amy Allocco, director of the program and professor of religious studies. “It is a sign of a vibrant campus ecosystem when not only students but also their mentors can see their interests and expertise intersect with questions of interreligious contact, religion and society.”

Allocco says that the breadth of disciplines represented by students and mentors participating in the program has widened each year. The current cohort includes students with diverse majors such as psychology, theatrical design, history, economics consulting, political science, religious studies, and international and global Studies. Owen Hayes ’26, a history major with minors in political science and religious studies, is a 2024-2026 Multifaith Scholar studying the historical and contemporary relationship between Christian missionaries and Indigenous Australians.

“I’ve always been interested in understanding the interreligious encounters of the world, like global Christianity and understanding how different communities can come together and understand such an important religious concept in such different, varying ways, but still have that belief of Christianity,” Hayes said.

The interreligious studies minor also allows students to analyze the historical and contemporary encounters between and interactions among religious communities and traditions.

“Elon has done incredible work in enfranchising multifaith as an academic as well as a student affairs initiative and aligning and even blending those areas in meaningful ways that enhance the student experience,” Allocco said.

Multifaith in the classroom (and clinic)

In the Department of Nursing, faculty don’t just train future healthcare professionals on specific medical assessments but, as Assistant Professor of Nursing Lori Hubbard says, they “prepare students for the diversity in the populations they will serve,” including religion.

“Diversity in people is understanding their religious background, because religious practices are often infused into health practices and health beliefs,” said Hubbard, who teaches the Healthcare Relationships course, which focuses on understanding diverse backgrounds in healthcare.

Assistant Professor of Nursing Jeanmarie Koonts (far right) demonstrates health care techniques on one of the mannequins in the Gerald L. Francis Center’s Interprofessional Simulation Center.

The course is just one component of the Department of Nursing’s commitment to equitable healthcare �þ��, which is incorporated throughout the curriculum.

“From birth to death and everywhere in between, the people that are going to be important in a person’s wellness or their healing may come from their church body,” said Hubbard, who says they also want students to understand the role of the chaplain in a hospital setting. “People may have members of a church congregation bring them meals, they may have pastors and friends visit to pray with them. A person’s support network is a social determinant of health.”

In December 2025, a faculty team consisting of Pennington, Jeanmarie Koonts, assistant professor of nursing; Molly Green, assistant professor of public health, and Helen Orr, assistant professor of religious studies, was awarded a $60,000 Faith & Health �þ�� Grant from Interfaith America to promote awareness of how religious diversity impacts healthcare space and medical decision-making.

From left to right: Brian Pennington, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society and professor of religious studies; Jeanmarie Koonts, assistant professor of nursing; and Helen Orr, assistant professor of religious studies.

Engineering a multifaith course

Along with nursing, several Elon courses across disciplines integrate multifaith understanding. Orr is co-�þ�� a new course, Engineering A Better World, with Professor of Engineering Sirena Hargrove-Leak on ethical practices in engineering.

“Religion is an important category for a lot of people, and it informs not only beliefs, but also everyday practice and ritual, including when people fast, how they dress and how they interact in professional spaces,” Orr said. “One of our sessions in the course focuses on the value of multi-faith spaces in professional working environments. Those spaces can be beneficial both for religious people and non-religious people, while also encouraging us to think about how environments themselves can be designed to be more inclusive.”

Sirena Hargrove-Leak, professor of engineering

Hargrove Leak says the engineering curriculum requires an ethics course and, historically, faculty advised students to choose an ethics course through the Core Curriculum. The downside, she says, is they may not connect what they’re learning to engineering practice. This new course, she says, connects the dots directly.

“The work of engineering professionals has the potential to impact people directly; therefore, ethical practice is critically important,” said Hargrove-Leak.

Communicating religion

While Orr and Hargrove-Leak’s course is new this semester, Professor of Journalism Anthony Hatcher has been studying and �þ�� the intersection of religion and media for more than 20 years. His course Religion and Media analyzes how the two interact through media coverage of religious issues and themes, religion’s use of television and the Internet and media portrayals of religious people and traditions.

Professor of Journalism and Chair of the Journalism Department Anthony Hatcher

Hatcher began �þ�� the course in 2003, coming from a longtime interest in the intersection of the two subjects.

“It has always sparked my interest how religion intersects not only with a news item, but how it intersects with popular culture,” he said. “I tell my students, ‘If there is a secular entity of some sort, there is a religious corollary to it.’”

Finding religious connections in culture is endless for Hatcher, who says he never runs out of material for the course. For one assignment, students must attend a house of worship outside of their own faith and do a research project on the experience. The projects range from more well-known religious practices to lesser-known, like a student who visited a coven of witches in Hillsborough, North Carolina

“I make it clear: this is not a religion class. I’m not here to teach you about the scripture,” Hatcher said. “When they go (to these houses of worship), it’s not just a religious thing. I say, ‘What kind of media did they use? Do they have cameras? Do they have a single microphone? Do they use screens and slides? Is it a majestic organ? What are you seeing there? Did they give you a paper program? Everything that’s media.’ It gets them thinking about all the mediated ways that they experience religion.”

The course is open to all majors, and Hatcher says it can be relevant for all professions.

“The subject matter is so important,” Hatcher said. “It’s like how study abroad is mind-broadening. I think understanding where somebody else comes from, especially if faith is a big part of who they are, is a big deal.”

And for Pennington, Elon’s approach to multifaith learning is an example for others to follow.

“We live in a moment where we can clearly see that the faith commitments and religious practices interact with our global politics, our legal systems, our media environments, and our healthcare systems,” said Pennington. “By attending to multifaith education across academic departments and programs, Elon is leading the way in preparing its students for a rapidly evolving world.”

This story is part of a series of stories focusing on �þ��’s Multifaith Strategic Plan.

SURF Stories 2026: Amanda McGee ’26 designs campaign to spark healthier living

Tommy Kopetskie — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:31:46 +0000

When nearly 400 students present during �þ��’s Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) on Tuesday, April 28, will showcase something beyond a research project – she’ll introduce a community health campaign designed to make lasting change in Alamance County.

Amanda McGee ’26, a senior Communications Fellow, will present her research at �þ��’s Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF), highlighting a community health campaign designed to promote sustainable, healthy living in Alamance County.

The strategic communications major’s work centers on a multi-platform outreach strategy that blends grassroots engagement with a six-week, workbook-driven workshop. Her project, “Designing Accessible Wellness: A Community Health Intervention Campaign for Alamance County Inspired by Blue Zones,” 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’s 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.

“I wanted to create something that didn’t just inform people, but actually gave them the opportunity to build healthier habits in a supportive environment,” McGee said. “By narrowing my focus to a specific community, I realized I could design something more meaningful and impactful.”

Her research reflects a broader understanding of health as both a personal and systemic issue – 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 – not just individual willpower. That perspective shapes how she tailors her campaign locally, incorporating resources specific to Alamance County – from nearby hiking trails to community-based spaces – and encouraging participants to rethink how their surroundings influence daily habits.

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

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

That sense of possibility is exactly what SURF is designed to highlight. As one of Elon’s signature academic experiences, �þ�� 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.

“Research from the Framingham Studies shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious. We are influenced by our social circles,” she said. “By 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.”

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

Lumiere Rostick ’20 brings ‘Crime & Parody’ to RiverRun, exploring satire and free speech

Tommy Kopetskie — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:03:29 +0000

Lumiere Rostick ’20, co-producer of “Crime & Parody,” helped shape the documentary’s narrative and story structure as it followed a satire-driven legal case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. “Crime & Parody” is screening at the upcoming RiverRun International Film Festival, continuing its run on the festival circuit. Photo courtesy of Kyiana Small.

What began as a joke – a parody social media page poking fun at a local police department – spiraled into a high-stakes legal battle and ultimately the subject of “Crime & Parody,” 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. .

Rostick’s professional path has included work on the FX documentary series “Children of the Underground,” traveling to more than 30 shoots nationwide. Photo courtesy of Gabby Piamonte.

At its center, “Crime & Parody” 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 – eventually reaching the U.S. Supreme Court – 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’s narrative by encouraging the inclusion of additional perspectives that deepen its emotional and societal impact.

“’Crime & Parody’ is an important thought piece wrapped up in a good time,” said Rostick, who was a cinema and television arts and strategic communications double major. “You’ll 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.”

Rostick said their time at Elon – including work with Cinelon and mentorship from faculty – helped define their path into documentary filmmaking. Photo courtesy of Kyiana Small.

The film’s 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 – a chance to move beyond entertainment and contribute to meaningful dialogue.

“This felt like the first opportunity for my work in documentary film to leave a greater impact,” 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 “Children of the Underground,” 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’s documentary course introduced Rostick to the craft and ultimately led them to pursue a career in nonfiction filmmaking – and to an early PBS project that first connected them with Thwaites.

“Crime & Parody” 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’s arrest, but the broader implications for free speech, justice and accountability in America.

Stephanie Moeller ’09: Growing an Emmy-nominated career from Elon Roots

Caitlin Fish — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:02:26 +0000

“I’m 16 years in this business, and if anyone asks me about my path, I truly owe it all to �þ��, as I wouldn’t be where I am in my career without it,” said Stephanie Moeller ’09.

Moeller has made a name for herself as a five-time Emmy-nominated senior producer at E! Entertainment Television, who now works as a producer at Entertainment Tonight.

Stephanie Moeller ’09 poses on the ET stage.

“Back in high school, I used to watch all the red carpets and read all the entertainment magazines,” she explained. “I knew I wanted to work in entertainment television, and I knew �þ�� had one of the best schools for communications in the country.”

Recognizing that Elon was the perfect fit for her academic and personal aspirations, it became clear that she had to attend. Upon arriving at the school, Moeller dove right into her classes and even picked up a minor she had never considered.

“I majored in broadcast communications and minored in theater arts because I was told the Theatre Arts minor would be helpful with an on-camera presence,” she said. “My junior year in 2007, I studied abroad in London, and I now credit an entire career in entertainment news, due to Elon helping me acquire an internship abroad.”

Moeller remembers Elon asking her to choose her top three companies she would want to work for in London, and E! Entertainment was her first pick. With Elon’s help, she secured exactly what she’d hoped for.

The initial internship with E! during her London study abroad changed her trajectory for the better.

“I kept in touch with the London office, so when I did Elon’s inaugural ‘Elon in LA’ program in the summer of 2008, I was able to land my second internship at E!,” she explained. “One week after graduation in 2009, I moved back to LA without a job. I hustled and kept in touch with the E! team, getting my first paying gig with them in 2010, working in the international department, all thanks to my first internship in London.”

Moeller made the switch from the international department to the domestic department at E! News and then rose through the ranks, from intern to senior producer. Over her 15 years at E! News, she was nominated for five Emmy Awards, and interviewed people like Steve Carell, Charlize Theron and 50 Cent. She also had the privilege of working on the red carpet at the Oscars and Golden Globes.

“I think one thing that’s gotten me far in this business is realizing celebrities are just normal people too, and they want to be treated that way,” she explained. “When working with and writing scripts for celebs and hosts, I’ve always had success connecting with them on a personal level and not treating them like royalty. They will always feel more comfortable around people who treat them normally and give them honest feedback, good or bad.”

Moeller credits her continued success to strong relationships with her coworkers, interviewees, and former hosts, always keeping in contact with them even after some of their shows had ended.

When reflecting on her favorite experiences so far in her career, she recalls being able to work on one of the biggest pop culture stages as a top moment.

“I recently worked the Golden Globes red carpet this year with our host Keltie Knight, and it was my first time doing a major awards show red carpet; we were positioned right at the limo drop where we saw all the celebs exiting their cars, like George and Amal Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Leslie Mann, to name a few.”

This unforgettable experience solidified for her that she was in the right career.
Another memorable project was producing live coverage for Kobe Bryant’s memorial service in 2020, outside of the Staples Center.

“It was just me, my host Will Marfuggi, and a cameraman. We were reporting live from downtown LA, getting footage and statements of the fans showing up to mourn his death. It was a surreal experience to be in the presence of that historic moment,” she said.

Stephanie Moeller with the production team at E! News

Moeller’s journey at E! News was marked by steady growth in leadership, as she took on a variety of roles throughout her time at the company. When E! News was cancelled in September 2025, she unexpectedly lost her job. However, the strong professional relationships she had built over the years quickly became a source of support and opportunity.

“One meaningful connection I made along the way was with Jerry O’Connell, who at the time was hosting ‘The Talk.’ After our interview, he followed me on Instagram and has been a huge supporter of my career ever since. When E! News was cancelled in September, we went out to lunch to talk through opportunities and strategies. He even reposted my Instagram announcement when I shared that I had landed a new job at Entertainment Tonight,” said Moeller.

Building on her professional network, she transitioned from a freelance role at Entertainment Tonight in October to a full-time position in January of this year. She credits this milestone to her connections and a pivotal, “game-changing” internship in London.

Elon’s top-notch curriculum and amazing professors helped her feel prepared for the real world, knowing she could succeed outside the classroom. Elon’s study abroad center helped many students, including Moeller, afford transformative international experiences. Opening doors to life-changing internships and meaningful global connections while abroad.

Moeller has come a long way through courage and perseverance, and now she works for a nine-time Emmy Award-winning nationwide show.

“This business, especially out in LA, is 100% about who you know, but it’s how good you do that is what keeps you there,” she explained.

“My main advice is to take the internships, do the study abroad, make the connections, and always keep in contact with people and never burn bridges,” she said. “You never know who’s going to end up where and who can help you down the line. And when you’re on top, know that it can always change in an instant, so always be kind to the people below you, as one day you may be working for them.”

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share your feedback or those stories online.

Charlotte Pfabe ’27 aims to redefine ENN’s relationship with the community

Emma Luckman — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:50:23 +0000

When Charlotte Pfabe ’27 first visited �þ��, the facilities caught her eye. Coming from Maryland, she was looking for a journalism program that offered more than what she could find close to home, and the minute she stepped into Jane and Brian Williams Studio, she knew she had found her place.

Charlotte Pfabe ’27 is serving as the executive director for Elon News Network for the 2026-27 academic year. (Photographer: Ethan Wu)

Now a junior journalism major, Pfabe has been elected the executive director of Elon News Network for the 2026-27 academic year. Her path to the top leadership spot was a fast one, starting with a variety of roles in broadcast, web, and print. By the spring of her first year, she was already helping others get started as a new member coordinator.

“I helped new students get acclimated to ENN, responded to emails, and acted like I knew what I was doing,” Pfabe said.

Her passion for the craft actually goes back to her childhood. While she briefly considered psychology because she loved learning why people act the way they do, she realized journalism was a better way to learn others’ stories. She did morning announcements in elementary school and even acted as a reporter for Junior Achievement BizTown, which combines in-class learning with a day-long visit to a simulated town.

“I think local news is one of the pillars of local community and society,” Pfabe said. “People trust their local news more than they trust their national news. There is such a value in having people that are constantly around and making those connections to tell stories, especially ones that don’t get told often.”

Pfabe finds inspiration in local reporters she grew up watching in Baltimore, like investigative reporter David Collins. She recalled being starstruck when she finally met him during an internship. She also looks up to Elon alumni who started exactly where she is now, such as Gary Grumbach ’16, a legal affairs reporter for NBC News, and Maya Eaglin ’19, an on-air reporter for MSNOW.

“They started where we’re starting, and their Elon education helped them get there,” Pfabe said. “That is so phenomenal.”

As she looks toward her new role, Pfabe wants to shift the focus toward community-facing initiatives. She plans to lead ENN in more outreach and volunteer events throughout Burlington and Graham to build relationships that are not just transactional.

“You’re going, and you’re volunteering in your community. You’re doing good, and you’re not getting a story out of it,” Pfabe said. “You’re just doing something for the community.”

Transparency is another major goal for the upcoming year. Pfabe said she wants to break down the mystery of how news is made and show the campus that the staff is juggling many responsibilities at once.

“There is this idea that we are journalists first and students second, but we’re journalists and students at the same time,” Pfabe said. “We are still learning, and we’re still doing schoolwork at the same time as we’re doing our stories. We have classes with the same people we’re interviewing.”

Gabriela Alvarez ’28 builds community and purpose at Elon through her scholarship programs

Katelyn Snyder — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:57:16 +0000

Gabriela Alvarez ’28

Gabriela Alvarez ’28 built her Elon experience around connection, opportunity and identity. As a first-generation college student, she has embraced campus communities that strengthen her character while also discovering her passion for strategic communications.

In her junior year of high school in Westchester, New York, Alvarez signed up for the Immersion experience through the Emerging Journalists Program at �þ��, where she was flown to Elon for a week to gain experience in her passion for news and broadcasting. Before the program, Elon had not been on Alvarez’s radar.

“The program changed my view of Elon. I had a really good time and connected with the professors and the cohort I was in. So, I decided to come see Elon as a result,” said Alvarez, who notes communications faculty Colin Donohue, Kelly Furnas and Israel Balderas were influential in her experience.

Her campus tour was on Homecoming & Reunion weekend, where she spoke up about her interest in journalism, which resulted in the tour guide encouraging her to explore the newsroom. There, she was able to chat with alumni from the School of Communications, who shared their positive experiences from their time at Elon.

After touring the communications facilities and connecting with these alumni, she knew Elon was the place for her.

Her first year here, Alvarez was a journalism major, and joining Live Oak Communications Agency became a turning point in her communications career. After contributing to the agency, Alvarez realized her passions aligned more with the strategic communications major.

Alvarez’s Communications Fellows cohort visited Digital Brew, a video production company specializing in creative storytelling, during her Winter Term trip in Florida.

“I fell in love with agency life. I liked strategic communications better because there was more creative freedom for me. I enjoy helping businesses that are someone’s life’s work, blossom even further,” she said.

As a part of the Communications Fellows cohort, Alvarez was able to attend a Winter Term Florida trip in her first year. She notes that this trip gave her the opportunity to explore different fields within communications, which reinforced her passion for strategic communications.

“I think the Fellows is an amazing program. It’s given me some of my best friends, and it opened doors for me to connect with professors,” said Alvarez. “I’m so glad I met Professor (Vanessa) Bravo through a Communications Fellows networking event because, like me, she is Hispanic, and that’s very important to my identity. I connected with her, and I joined the Unity in Communications club that helped me connect with other people who are interested in diversity in the communications world.”

Alvarez is also a proud first-generation college student. As the secretary for Elon’s First-Generation Society, she is consistently making the most out of the opportunities offered to her.

“I really love being first-generation,” she said. “It’s a big part of my identity. I try to do as much as I can to make my parents proud and make their sacrifices worth it.”

In addition, she is also a Bill and Sue Smith Odyssey Scholar. Through attending workshops on financial literacy, discussions on how to stay motivated, and even mental health checks.

“Odyssey has pushed me to be a better person and a better leader who is not afraid to ask for help or try new things. I’ve become more aware of how to succeed in the future, and I feel prepared for post-graduate,” she said.

Alvarez’s Odyssey mentor group during Odyssey Week. From left to right: Alexis Rodriguez Soriano ’28, Valery Montes Cruz ’28, Julian Trinetto ’28, Maisa Valerio ’27 (mentor), Gabriela Maldonado ’28 and Rheanna Scott ’28.

Through the many communities and cohorts Alvarez is committed to, she has found belonging and purpose on Elon’s campus.

“I think being a part of these communities, like Odyssey, First Phoenix and Unity in Communications, is a way for me to stay true to myself,” she explained. “I grew up in a Hispanic-centered community, so coming to a predominantly white institution was a bit intimidating, but joining these communities helped me connect to others who have similar backgrounds and qualities as me. It’s important to stay true to the characteristics that are important to you and what makes you, you.”

Her scholarships have been a “weight off her shoulders” throughout her experience at Elon, allowing her the opportunity to see her dreams realized.

“Being able to tell my family they don’t have to worry so much about me and that I’ve worked hard in school and will continue to work hard is very rewarding. I’m very proud of myself. I’m proud to make my parents happy,” she said. “I’m willing to fight for dreams and fight for what I’m passionate about, and my scholarships have made that possible for me.”

Elon students recognized in national PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition

Tommy Kopetskie — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:17:16 +0000

School of Communications students earned an honorable mention in the 2026 PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition. The student team included (from left) Grace Wizel ’28, Brooke Menzock ’26, Sandy Orozco-Rosaldo ’28, Taylor Radney ’28, Hannah Parker ’26 and Sydney Griffith ’29.

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’s premier national case study competition, challenging �þ�� student teams to design and execute a public relations campaign for a real-world client. This year’s 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.

Elon’s 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’s 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 Elon student team included Hannah Parker ’26 (account manager), Sydney Griffith ’29, Brooke Menzock ’26, Sandy Orozco-Rosaldo ’28, Taylor Radney ’28 and Grace Wizel ’28. Karen Lindsey, assistant professor of strategic communications, served as the team’s faculty adviser and applauded the students’ efforts.

“Our Elon Bateman team spent countless hours in the evenings and on weekends to research, plan and implement the campaign,” she said. “From 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’m 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.”

The competition’s 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
�þ��
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

A Fighting Chance

Alexa Milan — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:27:08 +0000

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’t 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 ’12 says the physical movement often allows clients to recognize and begin healing younger parts of themselves that were never fully seen or supported. “Through the movement, through fighting back against that, they were able to trust themself more.”

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.

“We’re interconnected beings,” she says. “Our bodies hold just as much of our story as our minds do, and healing happens when we learn how to listen to both.”

A Non-Linear Path

Martinelli-Taylor’s journey toward counseling wasn’t straightforward, but every step helped develop the empathy, critical thinking and global perspective that shapes her work. The Massachusetts native wasn’t 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 �þ�� wasn’t 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.

“There’s a lot of psychology in strategic communications, learning what are people’s needs, what do they want, why do they do what they do. I loved that aspect,” Martinell-Taylor says. “Then 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.”

Danielle Martinelli-Taylor ’12 demonstrates somatic boxing techniques with a patient.

But it was her semester abroad in London that influenced her most, broadening her worldview and clarifying what she did and didn’t want to pursue post-graduation. She interned for a fashion supplier on Oxford Street but didn’t 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.

“I was hearing people’s trauma, hearing really difficult life journeys and feeling this pull,” Martinelli-Taylor says. “If people have gone through these really awful things, forced into things they had no control over, how do I step into that world?”

That realization ignited Martinelli-Taylor’s calling to be a counselor. She moved back to the U.S. and earned her master’s 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. “One of the truest values of an Elon education,” he says, “is 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.”

The Mind-Body Connection

After obtaining her master’s 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. “It was starting to help people break out of dissociation and get into their body,” Martinelli-Taylor says. “We used it as a tool when they felt stuck or overwhelmed with talk therapy.”

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 “mind” in Latin, “soul” and “courage” in Italian and “encouragement” in Spanish. “The practice reflects that intentionality, that purposefulness,” she says. “It represents the embodiment of the brain and body’s role in learning about yourself.”

Our bodies hold just as much of our story as our minds do, and healing happens when we learn how to listen to both. — 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 “ring” when they need it, she doesn’t 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 — to trust their bodies, their instincts and their capacity to heal.

“I want them to feel like they’re equipped to learn and grow,” Martinelli-Taylor says. “They can take this work, try it out in the world and know that they’re resilient.”

Point of View: Is Betting Rewiring Sports Fandom?

Alexa Milan — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:33:25 +0000

About a year and a half ago, I reached out to my social media connections to see if anybody had any good sports betting stories. I was writing a book on the subject after a 2018 Supreme Court ruling allowed states to legalize sports betting and wanted to explore the topic from as many angles as possible.

The next day, I received a message from Evan Abenstein ’20. I knew this guy well — we traveled together to Argentina during a Winter Term course and we were both long-suffering New York Knicks fans. He told me that he had developed a new sports obsession. It involved scouring online sportsbooks for “glitches,” betting lines posted by companies like DraftKings or FanDuel that, if acted upon quickly, could result in a guaranteed win. For instance, maybe a bet remained posted after a game had already ended. That’s a no-risk win. Or maybe an extra zero was added to an NBA player’s “prop” bet, allowing you to wager that they’ll score fewer than 200 points rather than 20 points. Again: easy money.

It was a fascinating story, another wrinkle to the emergence of widespread legalized sports betting across the United States. To some, it probably reinforces the notion that betting has taken over American sports. The concern is understandable. Ads for these companies are everywhere. It often seems like people are far more concerned with their own wager — or with finding glitches — than they are with the performance of their favorite team. Addiction is a real concern as well, especially among young people who suddenly have betting ads flooding their social media feeds and six different apps on their phone tempting them to place a wager.

But there’s another angle here. In my upcoming book, “Over/Under: An Unexpected History of Sports Betting,” I make the case that sports betting isn’t a result of the multibillion-dollar American sports industry but rather a primary reason for it. In fact, when I began researching the origin of nearly every major American sport — horse racing and boxing, of course, but also baseball, basketball, football, golf and others — I discovered that the first fans who bought a ticket to the arena or stadium were often there not to support their hometown heroes but rather to throw a couple bucks down on the outcome. It turns out that beating the bookie any way possible, which is what glitch-seeking is really all about, is a longtime American tradition.

If that’s true, if betting is a fundamental building block to nearly 200 years of sports fandom and obsession — perhaps the fundamental building block — what happens now that the activity is not only widespread but increasingly accessible? While there are important questions being asked by politicians and journalists about advertising, culpability and addiction, equally interesting to me as a sport management professor is the future of fandom. Do teams, leagues and media partners really want to foster an environment of props and parlays? A sports landscape where fans focus on point spreads, moneylines and glitches rather than generational loyalty and regional identity?

Because if the teams, leagues and media partners keep telling their viewers and attendees to bet, bet some more and then keep betting, that’s what a lot of their so-called fans — especially the young ones — are going to do. It might very well be instinctual. And then we’ll all be wondering the same thing: Do Americans actually want their team to win? Or do they just want to beat the bookie?

David Bockino, associate professor of sport management and director of Elon’s media analytics program, is the author of “Over/Under.” The book, which was featured on The New York Times list of “New Nonfiction Everyone Will Be Talking About in 2026,” comes out in June.

Student filmmakers to premiere feature-length ‘Valediction’ April 8

Tommy Kopetskie — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:35:18 +0000

Katharyn MacDonald ’27 (center), a strategic communications and journalism double major, plays the lead role of Sam in the student film “Valediction.” She appears alongside her on-screen parents, Hope Hynes Love (Eliza) and Jeff Alguire (Dr. Whistler).

Inspired by real-world stories about the high-stakes race for valedictorian, student filmmakers and spent the past several years bringing to life “Valediction,” 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 �þ��s explores the dangers of apathy and obsession. The screening, scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m., will be followed by an informal reception.

“Valediction” is a dark coming-of-age comedy co-directed and co-written by Hammond Sherouse ’27 and Talula Martin ’27. The film premieres Wednesday, April 8, at 7 p.m. in Turner Theatre.

“I think people should be excited for the screening because it’s the culmination of so many Elon students and faculty’s hard work over these past two and a half years,” said Martin, a strategic communications and cinema and television arts double major. “No matter your major, you will almost certainly see a familiar face or two onscreen or in the credits.”

What began as a concept rooted in academic pressure quickly expanded into a genre-bending, feature-length production – an uncommon scope for �þ�� 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’s 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.

“To include everything we wanted in the story, it became clear to us that ‘Valediction’ had to be feature-length, rather than a short film like most Elon productions,” Sherouse said. “We knew it would be a long and arduous process, but worth it to bring this story to life.”

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

Sherouse (left) and Martin collaborated on “Valediction” over several years, shaping the story, production and creative direction of the student film.

“‘Valediction’ is simply a movie that’s meant to be seen by a large audience,” Sherouse said. “There are laughs, scares and shocking turns – a whole emotional rollercoaster that’s best experienced with friends. I guarantee there are some twists you won’t see coming.”

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 , “Valediction” drew on support from faculty across campus.

Assistant Professor of Cinema and Television Arts Kai Swanson served as the project’s 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 – many trying their hand at acting for the first time.

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

“I 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,” Osman said. “The film is a fun, highly stylized and engaging dark comedy.”

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

“The students have put an incredible amount of work into this project, from development through production and post,” Swanson said. “It’s 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)

School of Communications | Today at Elon | �þ���

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Credits

School of Communications | Today at Elon | �þ��