Sixty-eight percent of American adults say they are proud to be American, and 79% agree the United States plays a uniquely important role in world history. At the same time, 69% believe the signers of the Declaration of Independence would feel more disappointment than pride about modern American democracy.

The survey of 1,000 adults in the United States, conducted April 30-May 4, 2026, explores how Americans view the nation���s past, present and future as the country prepares to commemorate its semiquincentennial.

���As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Americans have complex and diverse feelings about America 250,��� said Jason Husser, director of the 消消犯 Poll and a professor of political science and public policy. ���We found several points of optimism among Americans, including pride in being American and belief that the United States has a uniquely important role to play in world history. At the same time, many Americans expressed significant concern about the health of American democracy today, and the country is split on its outlook over the next 50 years.���

More than half of Americans (52%) say the United States is unsuccessfully living up to its founding ideals, while only 30% say the nation is successfully living up to them. Nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%) rate the overall health of U.S. democracy as only ���fair��� or ���poor.���

The survey also found widespread concern about political instability and civic division:

• 68% believe elected officials today are worse than leaders of the past
• 80% say they at least sometimes feel no political party or movement represents their views
• 70% say the country is more turbulent than average compared with other periods in U.S. history
• 64% say they have little or no confidence that U.S. political institutions will make mostly good decisions over the next 50 years
• 68% predict America will become more politically divided by 2076

Americans are also pessimistic about the country���s long-term future in several key areas. Majorities predict that by 2076 the nation will have less freedom, less economic equality, a lower standard of living, and more pollution. More Americans also believe technology will create more harm than benefit over the next 50 years.

Despite those concerns, the poll found Americans still hold strong connections to the nation���s democratic ideals and history.

When asked which event best represented American democracy at its highest ideals, respondents most frequently selected the Civil Rights Movement and World War II. Abraham Lincoln was named both the historical figure who best exemplified democratic ideals and the greatest president in U.S. history.

The survey also revealed broad bipartisan resonance for many historic presidential messages when respondents were not told who made the statements. More than three-quarters agreed with quotations from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, while large majorities also agreed with statements from John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Looking toward the nation���s semiquincentennial celebrations, Americans expressed greater interest in reflection than pageantry. Nearly seven in 10 (68%) said America250 should focus more on reflecting on U.S. history and values than simply celebrating national achievements, and 71% said smaller local events would feel more authentic than large national celebrations.

The survey found Americans entering the anniversary with mixed emotions. The most common feeling was pride, cited by 38%, followed by gratitude at 17%. But 21% said they have no strong feelings, 12% described themselves as conflicted, while others reported disappointment or frustration.

The margin of error for the 消消犯 Poll survey is +/- 3.95%.

Poll Methodology

Access the poll topline and methodology at:��www.elon.edu/elonpoll. The survey was developed by the 消消犯 Poll and fielded by the international marketing and polling firm YouGov as an online, web-based survey, self-administered with online panels. Between April 30 and March 4, 2026, YouGov interviewed 1,077 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. These respondents were then matched down to a sample of 1,000 to produce the final dataset.

The matched cases were weighted to the sampling frame using propensity scores based on age, gender, race/ethnicity, years of education, and home ownership. The margin of error for this poll (adjusted for weights) is +/-3.95%.

About the 消消犯 Poll

Established in 2000, the 消消犯 Poll conducts national and North Carolina surveys on issues of importance to voters and residents. Information from these polls is shared with media, citizens and public officials to facilitate informed public policy making through the better understanding of citizens��� opinions and attitudes. The poll is fully funded by 消消犯 and operates as the neutral, non-biased information resource.

The 消消犯 Poll is a charter member of in 2014 to educate polling firms on ways to better share how they collect and interpret their information. The Elon Poll���s voluntary participation in this initiative signifies a willingness to clearly state in its reports how questions were asked, in what order, who funded the poll and then conducted it, and a definition of the population under study, among other details.

Academic honors for the 2026 sall semester are now online, with students and parents invited to download customized news releases to send to hometown newspapers.

The President’s List is composed of students with no grade below an A-minus in a minimum of 12 semester hours. The Dean’s List is composed of students with no grade below a B-minus and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in a minimum of 12 semester hours.

The 消消犯 News Bureau encourages students and families to submit the announcement to local newspapers. Some newspapers welcome photos to accompany the announcement.

All questions about the criteria for the President’s List and Dean’s List and an individual student’s qualifications for the honors should be directed to the Office of the Registrar at (336) 278-6677 during normal business hours. There is often a delay in the reporting of grades for some students studying abroad, and the lists will be updated once all grades are received.

If you find a factual error or a misspelled name in your release, please contact Eric Townsend in the Office of University Communications at etownsend4@elon.edu.

The Chandlers remain impressed by Elon���s commitment to sound strategic planning and doing what���s best for students. It���s what inspired the couple���s gift to Slattery Center, the university���s new hub for health and wellness that will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to succeed on campus and throughout their lives.

Scheduled to open later this year, Slattery Center is located within Elon���s Innovation Quad, home to the university���s engineering and other STEM programs. The center is part of the university���s broader HealthEU initiative to serve students, faculty and staff.

���It adds value and is beneficial when you can provide a place where students can go to be in community, exercise, receive counseling and focus on their well-being,��� said Bob Chandler, former executive vice president of Chandler Concrete Co. ���This facility shows that the university is aware of the challenges students face and how to help them in all aspects of their health.���

The HealthEU initiative focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story Slattery Center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Through coursework, as well as workshops and training programs focused on health and wellness, Slattery Center will impact all students as they progress through their education and learn essential skills and practices related to wellness and well-being. The center is a key priority of the Boldly Elon strategic plan that will guide the university to 2030.

The couple���s gift will also endow the Chandler Family Global Experience Fund, strengthening Elon���s commitment to provide each of the university���s 17 varsity teams with a global experience every four years.

���Global experiences are a cornerstone of an Elon education, and thanks to Bob and Amy Chandler, our student-athletes will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the world while sharing their sport across cultures,��� said Jennifer Strawley, director of athletics. ���Bob and Amy are truly special people who value the holistic development of our student-athletes and their generosity will be felt for generations. I am deeply grateful for their many years of dedication to this university and for the profound difference they make in the lives of our student-athletes.���

���Our family has been sports fans for as long as I can remember. We love the energy and excitement athletics brings to campus and the opportunities it provides to students,��� Bob Chandler said.

���Elon is a national leader in global study, and we are thrilled to help provide this experience for student-athletes,” he added. “It���s essential that students have the opportunity to witness other cultures and encounter the differences and similarities of the people there. It provides tremendous growth for a person and a deeper understanding of the world.���

The Chandler family is among Elon���s most generous and devoted donors, helping to shape one of the finest learning environments in the nation through their gifts to Belk Library, Rhodes Stadium, Ernest A. Koury, Sr. Business Center, Gerald L. Francis Center, Alumni Field House, Richard W. Sankey Hall, Schar Center, The Inn at Elon and Innovation Quad.

Bob Chandler���s parents, Tom and Lynn Chandler, also endowed the Chandler Family Professional Sales Center in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. Tom Chandler was the chairman and former CEO of Chandler Concrete, which he founded in 1973, and he served on Elon���s Board of Trustees for more than two decades before being elected Life Trustee in 2021. In 2023, Tom Chandler received the Elon Medallion, the university���s highest honor.

���Elon���s trajectory shows remarkable advancement,��� Bob Chandler said. ���Elon has a vision of what���s to come and how to keep the university moving forward. It is a vibrant and thriving university that is gratifying for the students, faculty and community.���

The university���s influence extends far beyond the campus.

���The impact that Elon has on Alamance County and the region is significant, and we feel it���s important for our family to support the university,��� Bob said. ���It���s a community that we are proud to be part of.���

消消犯’s newly launched Master���s Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) has achieved Criteria C status through the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board (NCASPPB), marking a significant milestone in the program���s continued development and commitment to workforce-responsive counselor education.

Criteria C approval confirms that the program���s curriculum includes the academic coursework and supervised clinical training necessary for graduates to pursue the educational requirements associated with the Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) pathway in North Carolina. This designation further enhances the program���s ability to prepare counselors to meet growing behavioral health and substance use treatment needs across the state.

Housed within Elon���s School of Health Sciences, the CMHC program was intentionally designed to address critical mental health workforce shortages through innovative and clinically rigorous counselor preparation. The 60-credit program combines strong foundational counseling training with integrated experiences in trauma-informed care, addictions counseling, wellness, and emerging mental health practices.

���This milestone reflects 消消犯���s commitment to preparing highly competent, ethical, and adaptable counselors equipped to serve individuals, families, and communities facing increasingly complex mental health and substance use challenges,��� said Associate Professor Raychelle Lohmann. ���Criteria C status strengthens our students��� professional opportunities while helping expand access to qualified behavioral health providers throughout North Carolina.���

���Our goal has always been to prepare counselors who can respond thoughtfully to the realities people are facing today,��� said Judy Folmar, chair and interim program director. ���Mental health and substance use challenges are deeply interconnected, and our students will learn to approach care in integrated, ethical, and relationship-centered ways.���

The CMHC program is currently preparing for its inaugural cohort and was developed in alignment with national best practices in counselor education. The program features a hybrid cohort model, close faculty mentorship, immersive clinical training experiences, and strong partnerships with community agencies and healthcare systems.

The Criteria C designation also reflects Elon���s broader mission to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and innovative approaches to addressing pressing health and wellness needs.

Applications for the Fall 2026 inaugural cohort are open until June 15, 2026.

For more information about 消消犯���s Master���s Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, visit: /u/academics/health-sciences/clinical-mental-health-counseling/

Speaking during Elon Law���s Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture on Wednesday, May 6, at Greensboro���s Proximity Hotel, Kantor discussed her reporting on the Supreme Court, including extensive behind-the-scenes investigations of the Court���s internal processes and the justices themselves.

This spring, she and colleague Adam Liptak examining the Supreme Court���s growing use of its emergency or ���shadow docket,��� through which consequential rulings are often issued rapidly and with limited explanation or legal reasoning. At a moment of declining trust in institutions and the judiciary itself, Kantor warned that the practice can bypass some of the traditional safeguards associated with judicial deliberation and further erode public confidence in the court.

���Judges write opinions as an act of transparency and humility and faith,��� Kantor said. ���An opinion says to the public: ���You may disagree with this decision. It may put your brother in jail. It may mean the end of your business. But I want you to know that I���m being sincere, and that I diligently worked through the law to come to this conclusion.������

Kantor���s lecture series appearance featured an extended conversation with Professor Catherine Ross Dunham, a charter member of Elon Law���s faculty whose scholarship focuses on civil procedure and complex litigation.

Kantor earned international recognition for her work with colleague Megan Twohey in exposing decades of sexual abuse allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. That reporting helped ignite the global #MeToo movement. Kantor and Twohey won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2018, and their work was later published in later adapted into an acclaimed film. Her other work has focused on technology and the modern workplace, leading to changes at companies like Amazon and Starbucks, and the Obamas��� life inside the White House. Most recently, she joined the New York Times��� Supreme Court team.

Investigating the Supreme Court

���Investigative journalism is about taking secrets that are in the public interest and putting them into sunlight,��� Kantor said.

She described her reporting on the Court ��� in her words, ���one of the most secretive institutions in American life��� ��� as seeking to better understand how power operates within one of the nation���s least transparent institutions, including questions surrounding internal negotiations among justices, the role of clerks and the long-term effects of lifetime appointments.

���How much do they bargain with one another? What role do clerks play? How does power really flow?��� Kantor asked. ���What does it mean to hold power at that level for 20 or 30 years? How do people age in those jobs?���

At the same time, she acknowledged the tension between transparency and judicial independence, arguing that ���judges need room to think, to deliberate, to change their minds.”

She emphasized that she isn���t interested in exposing pending Court decisions because that �����would interfere with the judicial process.”

���I���m not trying to know everything about the Supreme Court,��� she said. ���But I still think there are important questions worth answering.���

Privacy, secrecy and institutional power

Kantor repeatedly turned to the distinction between privacy and secrecy ��� a theme connecting both her Weinstein reporting and her more recent investigations into the Supreme Court.

���What I learned from the Weinstein investigation is that there���s a difference between privacy and secrecy,��� Kantor said, referencing the nondisclosure agreements now required of Supreme Court staff and the stifling secrecy of settlement agreements in Weinstein���s case.

���Victims deserved privacy,��� Kantor said of the Weinstein investigation. ���But was the system benefiting from blanket secrecy that enabled predation? No. Legal culture is very invested in confidentiality, but confidentiality can run amok in ways that deprive the public of enough information to understand what is happening.���

She warned that excessive confidentiality inside powerful institutions ��� including courts, workplaces and corporations ��� can ultimately weaken public understanding and democratic trust.

���Journalism is one of democracy���s valves,��� Kantor said. ���I would rather us have rigorous coverage of the Supreme Court that leads to productive debate than a thousand other things, including the really disruptive political violence we���re seeing across the (political) spectrum.���

Resisting political caricatures

The conversation explored the dangers of reducing Supreme Court justices to simplistic political caricatures. Kantor pointed to Justice Amy Coney Barrett as an example of a jurist who was immediately misunderstood by both the political right and left when she was appointed in October 2020.

Kantor described Barrett as ���perhaps the most independent of the Republican-appointed justices,��� adding that even some of Barrett���s ideological critics view her as intellectually serious and institutionally minded.

���She���s very conservative,��� Kantor said, ���but she has this independent streak. She wants to be trusted by a broad swath of Americans. She does not want to be pigeonholed.���

Starting a meaningful career

Kantor also reflected on questions of professional purpose and career-building, themes explored in her new book, Drawing on her workplace reporting and conversations with students navigating political uncertainty, economic anxiety and rapid technological change, Kantor encouraged young professionals to identify their talents, develop a craft and identify a societal need their craft addresses.

When evaluating early-career opportunities, Kantor said she encourages young professionals to focus less on prestige and more on growth, mentorship and intellectual curiosity. Taking calculated risks to gain experience and further develop craft will pay off.

���Are you learning?��� Kantor said. ���And are you working for good people?���

Earlier in the day, Kantor met with Elon Law students, faculty and staff for a smaller discussion centered on identifying purpose and launching meaningful careers in a challenging time.

About Elon Law���s Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series

The Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series presented by The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation is an integral part of Elon Law���s commitment to learning, lawyering and leadership. Endowed through a generous gift from The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greensboro, N.C., the series brings accomplished leaders from a variety of disciplines to 消消犯 to share their experiences and perspectives with students and faculty.

Visiting 消消犯 in the next academic year:

• David Brooks, bestselling author, staff writer for The Atlantic and longtime New York Times columnist – Sept. 25, 2026
• Hanif Abdurraqib, author and cultural critic (Common Reading Lecture) – Sept. 29, 2026
• Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor recipient and author – Nov. 11, 2026
• Danielle Coke Balfour, artist, author and social justice advocate – Jan. 13, 2027
• Tim Tebow, Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL quarterback and philanthropist – March 9, 2027
• Heather Cox Richardson, historian and bestselling author – April 6, 2027

All programs are free to 消消犯 students, faculty and staff with ID. Venues will be announced closer to the dates of the programs. Tickets for the public for Fall Convocation go on sale starting in August.��Admission: $15 via��.

消消犯���s Cultural Calendar��for Fall 2026 will be available later this year with additional speakers and a wide range of musical, theatrical, artistic and other intellectual and creative events.

About the 2026-2027 Speakers at 消消犯

David Brooks

Sept. 25, 2026

Fall Convocation

3:30 p.m.

A bestselling author and longtime New York Times columnist, Brooks is a leading observer of American culture, politics and civic life. He serves as a staff writer at The Atlantic, a commentator on PBS NewsHour and a senior fellow at Yale University���s Jackson School of Global Affairs. Over decades in journalism, his columns have become some of the most widely read in the nation, offering insight into political dynamics, social trends and the challenges facing modern democracy.

Brooks is the author of multiple bestselling books, including ���How to Know a Person,��� ���The Second Mountain,��� ���The Road to Character��� and ���The Social Animal,��� which explore moral development, human connection and the search for meaning. His work emphasizes the importance of community, empathy and the cultivation of both inner character and outward relationships as essential to a flourishing society.

Hanif Abdurraqib

Sept. 29, 2026

Common Reading Lecture

7:30 p.m.

An acclaimed essayist, poet and cultural critic, Abdurraqib is widely recognized for his lyrical and deeply personal writing that explores music, identity and the intersections of culture and lived experience. His work blends criticism with memoir, offering readers a nuanced perspective on art, belonging and the forces that shape contemporary life.

Abdurraqib is the author of several award-winning books and is known for his ability to connect cultural analysis with broader questions about race, community and memory. ���There���s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension��� was selected as Elon���s Common Reading for 2026-27.

Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter

Nov. 11, 2026

Carol Ann Walker International Lectureship

11 a.m.

A United States Marine and the youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor, Carpenter is recognized for extraordinary heroism during his service in Afghanistan. In 2010, he sustained life-threatening injuries after throwing himself on a grenade to protect a fellow Marine, an act of valor that led to years of recovery and more than 40 surgeries.

Following his recovery, Carpenter set and achieved ambitious personal goals, including completing a college degree, running a marathon and traveling internationally. He is the author of the memoir ���You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For,��� which chronicles his journey of resilience and purpose. Today, he speaks widely about leadership, perseverance and finding meaning in adversity, encouraging others to overcome challenges and pursue lives of impact.

Danielle Coke Balfour

Jan. 13, 2027

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address

12 p.m.

An artist, entrepreneur and author, Balfour is the founder of Oh Happy Dani, an illustration-based educational platform that uses visual storytelling to make complex ideas about racial justice and advocacy accessible to broad audiences. Through her work, she has built a community of hundreds of thousands who engage with her content on social media and beyond.

Her creative approach to ���artivism��� combines design, storytelling and education to inspire individuals to take meaningful action in their own communities. She is the author of ���A Heart on Fire: 100 Meditations on Loving Your Neighbors Well��� and a companion workbook that encourages reflection and everyday advocacy. Through partnerships with major brands and speaking engagements across the country, she promotes a message of hope, empathy and sustained engagement in social change.

Tim Tebow

March 9, 2027

Baird Lecture

7 p.m.

A Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion, Tebow gained national prominence as a quarterback at the University of Florida before being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. He later played professional baseball and has become a prominent sports analyst, author and motivational speaker.

Tebow is a seven-time New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, an organization that serves vulnerable populations in more than 70 countries through initiatives focused on faith, health and human dignity. Through his speaking and philanthropic efforts, Tebow encourages audiences to pursue their passions, lead with integrity and make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Heather Cox Richardson

April 6, 2027

James P. Elder Lecture

6:30 p.m.

A professor of history at Boston College, Richardson is a leading scholar of American political history with expertise in the Civil War, Reconstruction and the evolution of the Republican Party. Her work examines the intersections of politics, economics and social change, helping audiences better understand the forces shaping the nation���s past and present.

She is the author of several award-winning books, including the bestselling ���Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America,��� which explores the nation���s ongoing struggle to uphold its own ideals. Richardson also writes ���Letters from an American,��� a nightly newsletter that reaches millions of readers with analysis of current events in historical context. She hosts two video series,�����Journey to American Democracy��� and�����American Conversations,�����both of which are available on YouTube and Facebook. Her��articles and reviews have been published in the��Washington Post, the��New York��Times, and��The Guardian, among others.

Those who knew Allison Keill remember her passion for education and mentoring and how she touched the lives of every student she encountered in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education.

That legacy will live on in the Allison E. Keill Memorial Global Engagement Endowed Scholarship that has been established by Keill���s husband, Chad Esposito, of Burlington, North Carolina, along with gifts from dozens of friends and family members who have come together to honor her memory.

Keill, 50, served as director of the Curriculum Resources Center and associate librarian in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education before passing away March 25, 2026.

���Allison brought light and love to all in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education,��� said Dean Ann Bullock. ���Her genuine, welcoming spirit and boundless sense of adventure make this scholarship��a fitting tribute to an educator who impacted lives far beyond the classroom.���

The scholarship will assist students with financial need in the Watts Williams School of Education who are pursuing study abroad or Study USA opportunities.

Esposito remembers his wife as a woman of extraordinary grace, strength and heart who loved her family deeply.

���Allison was selfless and giving in every sense of the word���always putting others before herself and offering love, comfort and kindness so freely to everyone fortunate enough to know her,��� he said. ���She had a way of making people feel seen, cared for and important, and her beautiful smile could light up even the darkest room. Allison��will be remembered for her positivity, intelligence, resilience and unwavering spirit.���

Keill was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September 2024 yet refused to let the disease define her, Esposito said.

���Even in the face of unimaginable hardship, Allison remained inspiring, strong, thoughtful and full of love,��� he said. ���She met life���s challenges with courage and dignity, and she taught those around her what it truly means to live with purpose, gratitude and grace. Her family was the center of her world, and she poured her heart into every moment spent with them. She also understood deeply that nothing in this life is guaranteed, and because of that, she embraced each moment with love, laughter and intention.���

Esposito hopes the scholarship will inspire students to embrace education and global exploration.

���Endowing this scholarship ensures that Allison���s legacy continues in a way that reflects who she was���a compassionate educator, an inspiring mentor and someone who saw the world as a classroom without borders,��� he said. ���Allison had a genuine love of learning, not only through books and 消消犯, but through experiencing the world firsthand. She believed that understanding different cultures and perspectives made people better educators, better thinkers and better human beings.���

Born in Summit, New Jersey, Keill grew up in Westport, Connecticut, and Brunswick County, North Carolina. After graduating high school from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, she earned her bachelor���s degree from UNC-Greensboro, and a master���s degree in library science from East Carolina University.

Make a Gift

Anyone interested in donating to the scholarship may contact Brian Baker, associate vice president of university advancement, at (336) 278-7453 or bbaker7@elon.edu.

In the influential publication���s 2026 , Elon Law is No. 11 nationally ��� the highest-ranked law school in the Southeast and the only school in North Carolina among the top 35.

, with its required Residency-in-Practice Program highlighted as a model for immersive, practice-based legal education. All Elon Law students spend 10 weeks in the winter or spring of their second year in full-time placements with practicing lawyers, judges and legal teams, graduating with hands-on experience in the day-to-day realities of legal practice.

���You cannot graduate from Elon Law without knowing exactly what it���s like to be a lawyer,��� Elon Law Dean Zak Kramer said in the article. ���The legal practice becomes their classroom ��� They leave law students and come back lawyers.���

The article also features insights from Patricia Perkins, Elon Law���s associate dean of academic affairs and professor of law. ���Our curriculum is designed to assist students in transforming into the lawyers they want to be,��� she said. ���Skills are just as important to develop as a knowledge base.���

PreLaw Magazine graded and ranked schools based on student participation in clinics, externships, simulation courses, moot court and other special programs.

Elon Law offers students a broad array of opportunities to hone practical training skills throughout their 2.5 years of study. Those include:

• Full-time residencies-in-practice
• Lab and simulation courses
• Five clinics (immigration, small business and entrepreneurship, wills drafting, Social Security disability benefits and guardian ad litem appellate advocacy)
• Moot court and mock trial teams
• Internships, externships and judicial clerkships
• Bridge-to-practice courses
• Involvement with the Pro Bono Board

Elon Law adopted its 2.5-year, seven-trimester full-time curriculum in 2014, making it the only American law school to intentionally design a program where all students graduate in December and can sit for the February bar exam ��� months ahead of peers from other institutions. (In 2026, 91.96% of Elon Law���s first-time North Carolina bar takers passed the exam.)

By completing their legal studies nearly six months faster than traditional programs, Elon Law���s full-time graduates have lowered their average student debt at graduation by almost a third since the curriculum was adopted.

For more information on Elon Law and the application process, visit the law school���s admissions page. Elon Law continues to actively admit the Elon Law Class of 2028, which will enroll in August 2026.

Results from the February 2026 exam were released Wednesday, April 1, by the . Elon Law���s result far exceeds the statewide first-time passage rate of 74.78% and the school���s previous high of 82%, set by Elon Law���s charter class in 2009.

The Class of 2025���s success reflects a sustained, school-wide focus on 消消犯, preparation, and student support, all aimed at helping graduates succeed not only on the bar exam, but in their legal careers.

���This is what Elon Law is all about,��� said Zak Kramer, dean of Elon Law. ���We���re in the dream-making business. The better our students perform, the faster they can begin making an impact as lawyers.���

An upward trajectory

In recent years, faculty and staff have aligned around the mission of excellence on the bar exam. They adopted a new motto and mindset: ���One and Done.���

The gains are striking. First-time passage has climbed from 52.8% for the Class of 2021 to 91.96% for the Class of 2025, with steady increases along the way, including 79.4% for the Class of 2023, and 73.5% for the Class of 2024.

These efforts are part of a broader vision. Elon Law���s faculty continuously refine how they teach for real-world lawyering. The school���s 2.5-year J.D. program accelerates students��� path to the profession ��� with a December graduation and February bar exam ��� while reducing the cost of a legal education. Recognized nationally for practical training with an A+ rating from PreLaw Magazine, Elon Law prepares graduates to enter the profession with confidence and experience.

���We���re so proud of our students who took the bar,��� said Jenny Lane, assistant dean for academic success. ���We gave them the mission, ���Commit, complete, conquer,��� and that���s exactly what they did.���

With its highest bar pass rate in recent history and a multi-year trend of steady growth, Elon Law is on a sustained upward trajectory.

���Big things are happening at Elon Law,��� Kramer said, ���and we���re just getting started.���

About Elon Law

Elon Law is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on learning by doing, it integrates traditional classroom instruction with a required residency-in-practice field placement for all full-time students during the winter or spring of their second year. The law school���s distinctive full-time curriculum provides a logically sequenced program of professional preparation and is accomplished in 2.5 years, which offers exceptional value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their careers.

Elon Law has graduated nearly 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine���s ���Best Schools for Practical Training��� rankings, maintaining a Top 10 placement and an A+ rating each year since 2023. Elon Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

消消犯 has applied to the American Bar Association to open a full-time, 2.5-year J.D. program in Charlotte beginning in fall 2027. The Elon Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study, launched there in 2024. Designed for students balancing work, family and other commitments to earn their J.D. in under four years, it enrolled its second cohort in fall 2025.

Dates:

• Monday, March 30, 2026
• Tuesday, April 14, 2026
• Tuesday, April 28, 2026
• Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Free Professional Photo Days
Make your first impression picture perfect. Stop by for a professional headshot you can use on platforms like LinkedIn and other professional profiles.

Dates:

• Tuesday, March 31, 2026
• Wednesday, April 15, 2026
• Wednesday, April 29, 2026
• Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Free Resume Printing Days
Bring your resume, leave with polish. Print copies of your resume for free and receive an Elon-branded folder and thank-you cards to help impress employers and alumni.

Dates:

• Wednesday, April 1, 2026
• Thursday, April 16, 2026
• Thursday, April 30, 2026
• Thursday, May 14, 2026