This year’s group is the largest in the program’s history. Elon doubled the size of its physician assistant class from 38 to 76 students, growing its capacity to prepare clinicians for communities across North Carolina and the Southeast.

The expansion reflects a broader transformation in graduate eduction underway at �þ���. From classrooms on the main campus in Alamance County to new opportunities in Charlotte, graduate education is evolving with intention and purpose.

Guided by the Boldly Elon Strategic Plan, university leaders are investing in
programs where student interest intersects with societal need — strengthening health sciences, business, counseling and legal education while positioning Elon to serve both emerging professionals and working adults seeking new pathways.

That growth builds on more than 40 years of momentum. Elon launched its Master of Business Administration in 1984, followed by a Master of Education in 1986. Graduate offerings expanded into the health sciences with a Master of Physical Therapy program in 1997, which became a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2003. The university established its School of Law in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Today, that trajectory continues with strategic expansion in fields
experiencing high demand.

“Pursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence,” says Allie Duffney, dean of graduate admissions.

A Changing Landscape

Elon’s growth reflects broader shifts across higher education.

“We’re seeing a decline in the traditional college-age population, so expanding strong graduate programs allows Elon to serve new learners while staying centered on our �þ��� mission,” says Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, applications and enrollment in health professions, counseling, data science and business analytics programs remain strong in recent years. “Health care, law and behavioral health professions are facing sustained shortages across North Carolina and the Southeast,” Duffney says.

Several graduate programs are expanding to Elon’s National �þ��� in Charlotte, where students can learn, intern and network alongside major health systems, corporations, nonprofits and courts in a major metropolitan area.

“Growth in Charlotte allows Elon to design graduate education aligned with workforce needs and to support interprofessional collaboration and community partnerships,” says Veronica Marciano, associate professor, founding chair and program director of physician assistant studies in Charlotte. “It creates space to innovate across disciplines and opportunities for involvement in system expansion and workforce development.”

Recent and planned expansions include increasing the cohort size in the PA program on main campus; launching a second PA program, a full-time law program and Master of Science in Business Analytics Flex Program in Charlotte; introducing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program; and expanding graduate certificates designed for working professionals.

A Critical Call for Health Care

In response to nationwide demand for physician assistants, Elon expanded its cohort size from 38 to 76 students in January. The program remains committed to engaged learning, hands-on clinical practice, close faculty mentorship and access to diverse, high-quality rotation sites.

Elon plans to matriculate an inaugural PA class on the Charlotte campus in January 2027, pending accreditation-provisional review by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

“Establishing a PA program rooted in Charlotte directly supports workforce needs by preparing highly trained clinicians who understand the local health care landscape and are invested in serving this community,” Marciano says. “Our goal is not only to educate excellent clinicians, but to meaningfully support and strengthen the health care ecosystem in Charlotte.”

That responsiveness also shaped the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which plans to welcome its first cohort in fall 2026 on Elon’s main and Charlotte campuses.

“Mental health care is no longer optional; it is essential,” says Judy Folmar, interim program director and chair of the clinical mental health counseling program. “Communities across North Carolina and the nation are facing rising rates of anxiety, depression, trauma and substance use while the supply of licensed counselors has not kept pace.”

Delivered in a 21-month accelerated hybrid format, the 60-credit program is designed to equip graduates for licensure while combining academic preparation with extensive clinical experience.

“The growth of graduate education at Elon reflects both institutional momentum and a commitment to workforce relevance,” Folmar says. “What excites us most is the alignment between Elon’s engaged-learning ethos and the preparation of advanced practitioners.”

Skills for a Changing Economy

As organizations accelerate digital transformation and integrate artificial intelligence technologies, demand continues to rise for professionals who can translate data into strategic action.

“Organizations are undergoing rapid digital transformation and increasingly rely on data and AI to make faster, higher-stakes decisions,” says Mark Kurt, associate dean for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. “The MSBA Flex Program in Charlotte equips working professionals with applied analytics and AI skills plus the leadership and ethical frameworks needed to translate data into responsible, measurable business outcomes — without pausing their careers.”

Built on the same STEM-certified core as Elon’s full-time MSBA, the flex format is designed for working professionals and emphasizes AI-informed entrepreneurship.

Pursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence. — Allie Duffney, dean of
graduate admissions

“Faculty and leadership are actively refining the curriculum, building stronger employer partnerships and adapting quickly to changes in the business and analytics landscape,” says Elon alum Craig Brandstetter ’25 g’25. “That flexibility and openness to feedback mean the program can stay relevant and cutting-edge, rather than being locked into outdated structures.”

Alongside degree programs, Elon is also expanding stackable graduate certificates designed for working professionals. Certificates in health care analytics and operations excellence can serve as stand-alone credentials or pathways toward an MBA or MSBA.

The Office of Continuing and Professional Studies recently launched its second cohort of an AI certificate for professionals, delivered fully online to provide practical AI fluency grounded in ethical application.

Expanding Access to Legal Education

Elon Law has built a national reputation for experiential, practice-ready legal education. In 2024 the law school expanded its presence in Charlotte through the part-time Flex Program for working professionals and place-bound students seeking an in-person J.D. in North Carolina’s largest city.

That program quickly gained momentum, reflecting strong regional demand and Elon Law’s established ties to the Queen City, where nearly 10% of its alumni live and work. Elon has applied to the American Bar Association to begin a full-time law program in Charlotte in fall 2027.

“We already have strong relationships there through our programs and alumni,” says Zak Kramer, dean of the School of Law. “The legal community’s embrace of our Flex Program students confirmed that. A full-time program will allow our graduates to learn alongside Charlotte lawyers, build networks and launch careers there.”

Together, Greensboro and Charlotte position Elon’s School of Law as a statewide presence while maintaining the relationship-rich model that defines the institution.

Looking Ahead

As higher education evolves, graduate education is becoming an increasingly important part of the university’s future.

“The heart of Elon will always be our �þ��� liberal arts education,” Kohn says, “but we are strengthening and growing our graduate programs to meet changing societal and workforce needs.”

From Alamance County to Charlotte and beyond, Elon is expanding opportunities for graduate students to learn alongside health systems, businesses and legal institutions across the region. Those programs are preparing the next generation of physician assistants, counselors, analysts and attorneys to serve the communities that need them most.

Hosted by the Physician Assistant Studies and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) programs, the event emphasized a shared commitment: both physical and mental health are essential to overall well-being. As Elon expands its graduate health programs in Charlotte, both programs are intentionally preparing practitioners who understand the value of whole-person care and collaborative practice.

Robyn Wolkofsky, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, opened the event and welcomed guests to campus. Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies Lavette Shirley shared updates on the continued development of the PA program and its focus on preparing clinically strong, patient-centered providers. Judy Folmar, chair and interim program director of the CMHC program, spoke about the region’s growing mental health needs and the importance of training counselors who are equipped to address these with competence, compassion, and cultural humility.

In addition to program information, attendees enjoyed refreshments and participated in Valentine’s Day–themed crafts and wellness activities designed to reduce stress and reinforce the connection between physical and mental health. The gathering created space for meaningful conversation about student preparation, clinical partnerships, and the future of integrated healthcare in the Charlotte region.

As both programs prepare to welcome future cohorts, events like this help build strong relationships with prospective students and clinical supervisors who play a vital role in training the next generation of healthcare professionals.

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

In addition to the current �þ��� Study USA Charlotte programs offered each summer and fall, Elon’s 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 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 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 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.

Queen City Internship Grants
Since its launch last fall, Elon’s Queen City Internship Grant program has already supported 26 students in gaining hands-on experience at organizations across Charlotte — from the Atlantic Coast Conference and NASCAR to Make-A-Wish and Goodwill.

Over the summer, Katie Strohl ’26 helped Special Olympics North Carolina plan a community event, managing logistics like athlete transportation and coordinating volunteers. Across town, classmates Garek Johnson ’26 and Vinny Weinkam ’26 spent their internship at the Make-A-Wish Foundation office in Charlotte, learning about donor outreach and creating promotional materials to encourage donations that help fund children’s dreams.

“I want to do accounting, but not for a ‘big four’ company,” Johnson said. “I want to do something more meaningful, and this experience helped me do that.”

Upcoming Events
Elon’s National �þ��� in Charlotte, which opened in Fall 2023 in South End, is more than a hub for classes and programs — it’s a place where alumni, current and prospective students, and local leaders come together to connect, share ideas and build community. This fall, the campus is hosting a lively lineup of events, from networking gatherings and professional workshops to lectures and cultural programs, all designed to foster collaboration and strengthen ties under the Elon Charlotte banner.

Events will take place both on the Charlotte campus and in other locations across the city:

• Sept. 18: Entrepreneurship Alumni Networking Event
• Sept. 19: Love School of Business Executive in Residence Student Visit
• Sept. 23: Elon Law Admissions Open House
• Oct. 2: Paddles Up Alumni Social
• Oct. 9: Building Charlotte’s Talent Pipeline with �þ���
• Oct. 9: �þ��� Charlotte Open House
• Oct. 10: Food for Thought: Alumni Insights
• Oct. 16: Alternative Break & Study USA Dinner
• Oct. 19: Admissions Event
• Oct. 23: WE Chat: Bite-sized Chats in Charlotte
• Nov. 7: Study USA Food for Thought: Alumni Insights
• Nov. 8: Elon Law “Wills For Heroes”
• Nov. 13: Communications Fellows Student Experience
• Dec. 12: Study USA Capstone College Coffee

Why Charlotte?
Charlotte was a clear choice for Elon’s next National �þ��� location. Before 2023, it was America’s largest city without a law school, making the Queen City an ideal location for the Elon Law Flex Program. This innovative new legal studies program opened in August 2023 and quickly exceeded enrollment goals.

Charlotte is also a major player on the sports scene, serving as headquarters to the Atlantic Coast Conference and home to a high concentration of professional athletics teams. This provides students across majors with unique internships and professional development opportunities through Elon’s “The Sport Experience” academic program. In addition, the city’s growing banking and healthcare industries offer plentiful career and networking opportunities. Elon has proposed launching a Physician Assistant Studies program in January 2027 to further meet local needs.

With a metropolitan population of more than 2.5 million people, the city is a hub for alumni and professional education opportunities. More than 36% of Elon alumni live in North Carolina, and Charlotte boasts one of the largest concentrations of Elon graduates in the nation. This vibrant community is actively engaged in various sectors, including sports, banking, government and public service. And, affordability makes Charlotte an equitable choice, providing meaningful academic and experiential opportunities for all students without the high cost of other major cities.

Together, these factors reflect Elon’s broader mission of engaged learning and preparing students for leadership, while aligning with the Boldly Elon strategic plan goal of establishing dynamic learning centers that extend the university’s reach and impact beyond main campus.

Stay in the Know
Ready to find your place in Elon’s National �þ���? Visit the National �þ��� website to see the different ways available to engage with Elon Charlotte and the university’s other national campus locations.

“I’ve been especially energized by Elon’s collaborative culture and the momentum within the School of Health Sciences,” said Veronica Marciano, associate professor of physician assistant studies in Charlotte, who joined the faculty in 2025. “The emphasis on student-centered, innovative �þ��� and interprofessional learning aligns strongly with my approach, and I’ve appreciated how supportive colleagues are as we build a program designed to support and serve the community.”

New Faculty Members

Department of Physical Therapy Education

• Aidan Gallagher, assistant professor of physical therapy, earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Duke University. In spring 2026, Next semester, he will be assisting in a sport orthopedic elective in the DPT program.
• Gary Johnson, assistant professor of physical therapy education, earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a PhD in health education at William Carey University. He will be �þ��� Clinical Imaging, Psychological Aspects of Physical Therapy, and the Orthopedic Selective in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
• Megan Kim, assistant professor of physical therapy education, earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Nova Southeastern University.
• Robert Nithman, program director of physical therapy and professor of physical therapy education, earned a Master of Physical Therapy at Duquesne University, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Chatham University, and a Ph.D from Nova Southeastern University.

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

• Ashley Fort, associate professor of physician assistant studies, earned her Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) in physician assistant studies at the University of Lynchburg, and will be lecturing in the PA program’s reproductive medicine courses in fall 2025.

Department of Physician Assistant Studies – Charlotte

�þ��� is developing a two-year physician assistant studies program in Charlotte, with a tentative launch date of January 2027. The new program is separate from an existing graduate program established in 2012 on the university’s main campus.

Though the two will eventually share common features – a commitment to experiential education, a holistic approach to preparing future healthcare professionals, and more – they will run independently of each other within the university’s School of Health Sciences.

• Dr. Tim Lietz, inaugural medical director for the Charlotte Physician Assistant Studies Program, earned a Doctor of Medicine n (MD) from The Ohio State University and completed his internship and residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in emergency medicine. Lietz joined Elon in February 2025.
• Veronica Marciano, associate professor of physician assistant studies and founding chair/program director of the Physician Assistant Studies program in Charlotte, earned a Master of Science as a physician assistant from Stony Brook University, and a DMSc in physician assistant education and leadership from SIU School of Medicine. Marciano joined Elon in February 2025.
• Lavette Shirley, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, earned a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Kettering College, and her Doctor of Science in physician assistant studies from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
• Robyn Wolfosky, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, earned a Master of Science in physician assistant studies at Duke University.

Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

• Raychelle Lohmann, associate professor of human service studies, earned her Master of Science in counselor education from North Carolina State University, her education specialist degree (Ed.S) in school counselor and guidance services from the University of Alabama, and her PhD from North Carolina State University.

Department of Nursing

• Kristin Boddu, assistant professor of nursing, earned her Master of Nursing at Samford University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at East Carolina University. She will be �þ��� �þ��� pharmacology and a health assessment lab.
• Tavondia Burdett, assistant professor of nursing, earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Art in health education and promotion from East Carolina University, a Master of Science in Nursing from University of North Carolina Wilmington, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Wake Forest University. She will be �þ��� nursing pathophysiology and pathways to practice this semester.

About Elon’s School of Health Sciences

Established in 2011, the School of Health Sciences offers an array of programs for students at the �þ��� and graduate level. With over 36 faculty and staff �þ��� and assisting 312 students, it maintains a close-knit learning community dedicated to innovation and new learning opportunities. They have successfully taught and developed their students from young learners to empathetic healthcare professionals.

The School of Health Sciences includes four different academic departments: the Department of Physical Therapy (DPTE), the Department of Physician Assistant Studies (DPAS), the Department of Nursing and the developing Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC).