Participants in the newest cohort emphasized the program’s immediate relevance to their everyday work.

Andrea Davis L’12 said the experience helped her clearly identify how AI fits into multiple areas of her life.

“I had such a great time in this course — it really allowed me to pinpoint how I can use AI in my job and in my personal life, and it helped grow my confidence in handling AI,” Davis said.

The certificate focuses on experiential learning, guiding participants through hands-on exercises with AI tools, prompt development and workflow design. Rather than centering on technical complexity, the program emphasizes strategy, ethics and clarity of use.

Elizabeth Worrilow Maher ’17 said the course reshaped how she approaches her daily work.

“It genuinely shifted how I think about my day-to-day work,” Maher said. “What stood out most wasn’t just the tools, but the mindset — using AI to enhance how you think, not replace it.”

Maher noted that key takeaways included the importance of strong inputs and strategy, the impact of small workflow improvements over time and the advantage gained through learning how to ask better questions.

Instructor Rebecca Macy said the growth she observed in the cohort reflected a shift in how participants approached AI.

“The strength of this program is that it does not treat AI as a one-time tool demonstration,” she said. “Participants build from foundational understanding and ethics into prompt engineering, workflow design and a personalized capstone project they can connect directly to their professional or personal lives.”

By the end of the program, she added, participants gain clarity as well as confidence.

“The thirst for learning about the newest AI tools and best practices for practical, professional usage continues to grow,” said instructor Scott Oakes. “Hands-on, cohort-driven learning is a uniquely ������Ƶ experience — one where students draw not only on our expertise, but on the lived experiences of their fellow learners.”

For many participants, that collaborative environment reinforces both learning and confidence.

“This is a great class to learn and expand your knowledge,” said Neal Saunders G’17. “You won’t believe what you can do.”

As the AI Certificate for Professionals continues to grow, the second cohort reflects the program’s evolution from a new offering into an established learning experience with lasting professional impact. The certificate reinforces ������Ƶ’s commitment to lifelong learning and workforce relevance.

The certificate is offered through , part of the Office of Professional and Continuing Studies.

Emily Beauvais, Graduate Student, Northeastern University (Boston)

Nia Bedard, Graduate Student, ������Ƶ (������Ƶ, North Carolina)

Kiersten Bergman, Graduate Student, Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.)

Max Berkson, Media Intern, Carmichael Lynch (Philadelphia)

Aidan Blake, Digital Content Creator, Kaulig Racing (Kernersville, North Carolina)

Anna Brett Blinston, Media and Content Analyst, Big Valley Marketing

Merrie Byers, Graduate Student, North Carolina State University (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Coco Cameron, PR & Social Media Associate, Devaney & Associates (Owings Mills, Maryland)

Luke Carey, Head Coach, Seacoast United MA North (Andover, Massachusetts)

Aaron Chan, Production Specialist, Amazing Studios (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Alexa Citrin, Graduate Student, University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Delaney Dickinson, Social Media Manager, Works Design Group (Haddon Heights, New Jersey)

Ava D’Innocenzio, Graduate Student, Boston University (Boston)

Philip Doherty, Freelance Technical Director (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Julien Dupas, Video Director, Discover Blind Spots (Burlington, North Carolina)

Liam Dupas, Video Director Co-Lead, Discover Blind Spots (Burlington, North Carolina)

Kaelyn Elien, Fellow, Bully Pulpit International (Washington, D.C.)

Anjolina Fantaroni, Reporter, WAFF 48 (Huntsville, Alabama)

Elliet Faust, Marketing & Operations Intern, Rise Social Partners

Avery Ferguson, Intern, Golin (New York)

Lila Goldberg, Project Manager, Mediaplanet (New York)

Jesse Gordon, Reporter, Sports Business Journal (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Sever Gregory, Graduate Student, University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas)

Rachel Holley, Reporter, WECT6 (Wilmington, North Carolina)

Daniel Jaeger, Agent Training Program, United Talent Agency (Los Angeles)

Shelby Keel, Golden Gopher Fund Intern, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Mira Maccarone, Graduate Student, Boston College (Boston)

Lucy McAfee, Graduate Student, Boston College (Boston)

Fiona McAllister, Media Rotation Program Fellow, Fox News (New York)

Morgan Minoff, Associate, ASC Advisors LLC (Stamford, Connecticut)

Maxine Motley, PR Intern, Jennifer Bett Communications (New York)

Tristin Oberg, Graduate Student, Montana State University (Bozeman, Montana)

Abraham Paley, Graduate Student, Saint Mary’s College of California (Moraga, California)

Max Quatroche, Graduate Student, John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television, University of Southern California (Los Angeles)

Hannah Riggs, Team Lead, HeadCount (New York)

Lexi Rogers, Graduate Student, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)

Hudson Sabiston, Graphic Designer, Cone Health Drawbridge Parkway (Greensboro, North Carolina)

Anabella Shpak, Graduate Student, Columbia University (New York)

Ben Solis, Sales, Grainger (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Benji Stern, Springboard Fellow, Brandeis Hillel (Waltham, Massachusetts)

Grace Stetler, PGA WORKS Fellow, PGA REACH Foundation (Philadelphia)

Evelyn Stuart, Recruiter, ALKU (Washington, D.C.)

Bernardo Vargas-Lopez, Co-Founder/Co-CEO, YAPA Global (Austin, Texas)

Erik Winikur, Management Accelerator Program, Concessions Manager, Aramark Sports & Entertainment (Washington, D.C.)

Presiding over the ceremony were The Hon. Catherine C. Eagles of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, The Hon. Stephanie L. Reese of the North Carolina Superior Court and The Hon. Bill Davis of the North Carolina District Court. Graduates were presented to the court by sponsoring attorneys before being admitted to practice before the state bar, the federal bar or both.

“Today is the day you can represent people, represent clients and call yourself a lawyer,” Eagles said during the Thursday, May 21, session. “It’s your job to stand up for people and to stand up for the rule of law. It is your job to conduct yourself uprightly and according to law, and to look after our system of justice every day in everything that you do.”

The ceremony was hosted by the ’s Young Lawyers Section, one of many held across North Carolina and the nation as members of ������Ƶ Law’s Class of 2025 complete their legal studies after December graduations and successful performances on the February 2026 bar examinations. Dean of ������Ƶ Law Zak Kramer delivered remarks welcoming new attorneys, calling the ceremony “the culmination of years of work and sacrifice by our graduates and their families.”

Jonathan M. Parisi, president of the Young Lawyers Section, encouraged newly licensed attorneys to engage in the legal profession and broader community as they begin their careers.

“This is not the end of your learning journey. It’s just the beginning,” Parisi said. “Seek out mentors, get involved in your legal community, and find ways to serve.”

Davis reminded them that their professional reputation will shape their careers.

“Your reputation is your greatest tool and your greatest asset,” Davis said. “Be thoughtful about how you interact with judges, lawyers, clients and court staff. Build a reputation that will serve you well and help you succeed.”

Reese emphasized the responsibility attorneys assume when clients place their trust, livelihoods and futures in lawyers’ hands.

“You’ve shown incredible strength and character in making it to this point,” Reese told the newly admitted attorneys. “People put their very lives in your hands. From today forward, you have that responsibility, and no one else can carry it for you. You are their voice. You are their guide and their strength in the storm.”

Eagles also encouraged the graduates to pursue civic leadership beyond courtrooms and law offices.

“Lawyers are often the people making the nonlegal parts of our community work,” Eagles said. “Find your place where you can make a contribution beyond the courtroom and your office.”

Presiding over the ceremonial court sessions were:

The Hon. Catherine C. Eagles of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina

The Hon. Stephanie L. Reese of North Carolina Superior Court for the 24th District

The Hon. Bill Davis of North Carolina District Court for the 24th District

������Ƶ Law graduates admitted to federal and state court

������Ƶ law graduates seeking admission only to federal court

������Ƶ Law graduates seeking admission only to state court

����’25

About ������Ƶ Law

������Ƶ 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.

������Ƶ Law has graduated more than 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 an A+ rating each year since 2023. ������Ƶ Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ 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 will enroll its third cohort in fall 2026.

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A Donning of the Kente Ceremony at ������Ƶ celebrated the African heritage, achievements and resilience of Black graduates in the university’s Class of 2026 during an evening filled with expressions of cultural tradition, reflection and joy.

Held on the eve of Commencement ceremonies, the annual event honored graduating students with handmade Kente stoles woven in Ghana, a symbol of heritage, wisdom and shared responsibility to be worn at graduation.

Family members and the wider university community gathered inside Alumni Gym on May 21, 2026, to recognize the graduates’ accomplishments and the communities that supported them throughout their college journeys.

“Tonight, we do more than congratulate our graduates,” said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence and associate professor of education. “Tonight, we bear witness to them. Tonight, we affirm them.”

The 10th annual ceremony highlighted the importance mentorship in the graduates’ success. In his remarks to graduates, Williams recognized the “village” of parents, grandparents, mentors, faculty and staff, and friends who supported the graduates throughout their university studies.

Alex Bohannon ’17, president of the ������Ƶ Black Alumni Network, encouraged graduates to remain engaged with the university and support future generations of students.

“As you look ahead, carry this charge: build community, mentor intentionally and stay engaged. ������Ƶ’s strength is its people showing up for one another, again and again,” he said. “Engagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

“The next generation’s experience will be shaped by what you choose to do from this point forward.”

Engagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

Alex Bohannon ’17, president of the ������Ƶ Black Alumni Network

Bohannon also highlighted the role of the ������Ƶ Black Alumni Network in mentoring students and supporting initiatives such as the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund. He noted that the ceremony’s continued growth reflects a vision established a decade ago and sustained through alumni engagement and philanthropy.

During the donning ceremony, each graduate was joined on stage by a person who played a meaningful role in their ������Ƶ experience. Supporters presented the stoles while tributes celebrating each graduate’s accomplishments and future aspirations were read aloud.

Graduates were praised for perseverance, leadership and cultural pride as families, mentors and faculty members reflected on the challenges many students overcame to earn their degrees. Presentations highlighted stories of first-generation college graduates, international students, and campus leaders who balanced academics with research, athletics and service while supporting others along the way.

Another popular feature of the evening program: A rhythmic dance of celebration performed by served to open and conclude the ceremony.

������Ƶ’s event is made possible by the Kelli E. Palmer ’98 Donning of the Kente Endowment. Funding from the endowment supports the program, including the purchase of the kente stoles.

In her own remarks to graduates, La’ Tonya Wiley ’97, ������Ƶ’s assistant director of affinity alumni engagement, described the evening as a way to not only honor accomplishments, but to honor who celebrants have become.

“You are scholars, changemakers, leaders and living examples for those who will follow behind you,” she said. “May you always remember that your excellence is not defined solely by titles or degrees, but by how you uplift others, how you remain rooted in purpose and how you continue building community wherever your path leads.”

Journalist and author Katherine Blunt ’15 acknowledges a challenging reality – that today’s graduates are leaving institutions of higher learning across the country and embarking on professional journeys in a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how people work, learn and think. But she left the students at ������Ƶ’s Graduate Program Commencement ceremony on May 20 with reason to feel hopeful amid so much uncertainty.

While many people may be tempted by the path of least resistance, ������Ƶ cultivates leaders who are deeply rooted in collaboration, communication and, most importantly, the ability to think critically.

“As scholars, we have a responsibility to challenge AI’s assumptions in the same way we’ve learned to challenge our own,” Blunt said, “to treat it as a debate partner or research assistant, to find new ways to augment our thinking, not replace the process.”

������Ƶ conferred graduate degrees on students from five master’s-level programs – Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Business Analytics, Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Higher Education and Master of Education in Innovation – during a joint ceremony in Alumni Gym, where they were surrounded by the loved ones and faculty and staff mentors who championed their education.

Think about what it took to get here. The value in every paper you wrote or project you tackled came not just from the final product, but the mental strength and confidence you built in the process. You didn’t skip the struggle. You embraced the chance to grow.

Katherine Blunt ’15

In her introduction of Blunt, Dean of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education Ann Bullock pointed out that Blunt’s work is highly relevant to every graduate from both the School of Education and the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. Her in-depth reporting on artificial intelligence provides essential knowledge as teachers strive to prepare students to think critically about AI-generated content and digital information. And for those in business, Blunt’s coverage of corporate accountability, energy infrastructure and the explosive growth of AI-driven industries aids in understanding the forces reshaping markets, supply chains and organizational strategy.

Blunt reminded graduates in both fields that AI doesn’t think but rather repeats what has already been said and mimics opinions. Asking it to form opinions and conclusions on our behalf, she said, removes the friction that comes with processing information and generating ideas ourselves.

“That satisfaction is what I hope you feel today,” Blunt said. “Think about what it took to get here. The value in every paper you wrote or project you tackled came not just from the final product, but the mental strength and confidence you built in the process. You didn’t skip the struggle. You embraced the chance to grow.”

Blunt was a Lumen Scholar and news editor of The Pendulum student newspaper at ������Ƶ before graduating in 2015 with a degree in journalism and history. She reported first for the San Antonio Express-News and then the Houston Chronicle prior to joining the Wall Street Journal in 2018, covering power, renewable energy and utilities. Her coverage with colleagues of Pacific Gas and Electric was a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting and earned top journalism honors including a Gerald Loeb Award.

Blunt is the author of “California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric — and What It Means for America’s Power Grid,” a national bestseller and the 2022 Golden Poppy Award winner for nonfiction. She is now based in San Francisco, reporting for the Journal on Google and how artificial intelligence is reshaping search, along with related stories such as the rapid data-center buildout and its implications for the power grid.

During her Commencement address, Blunt told graduates that their ������Ƶ degrees and the relationships they built with professors put them at a distinct advantage in their careers.

“If you are in business, you are prepared to be the strategist who understands the importance of relationships among colleagues, customers and competitors. If you are in education, you are prepared to be the mentor who understands that learning is as emotional as it is logical.

“Algorithms can sort, count and summarize. But only you have empathy, a strong moral compass and the ability to tell a great story. Go do what only humans can do: Act with care, take risks and trust the intuition that comes from living in an imperfect world. Our schools and businesses will be better for it.”

The master’s candidates also heard from Yates May ’23 L’25 G’26, a triple ������Ƶ graduate who delivered the Message of Appreciation. A Burlington native with a family full of proud ������Ƶ alumni, May began taking ������Ƶ classes while still in high school through a dual-enrollment program and went on to double major in strategic communications and journalism, earned her law degree in December and received her MBA during the May 20 ceremony.

She recently asked about 20 current students and alumni to share one word that encapsulates what ������Ƶ means to them, and many shared the same word she would choose herself – home. She wondered why ������Ƶ felt like home to so many people she spoke with across different fields and experiences.

“I think the answer starts with this – at ������Ƶ, we are not anonymous,” May said. “People know when you don’t show up. Professors, they check in. And friends, they notice. In a world that at times can feel so disconnected, this type of connection and care is rare.”

May reflected on how ������Ƶ not only teaches students to think critically, but to invest in one another. ������Ƶ constantly encourages its students to grow while still making them feel supported, she said, pushing them beyond their comfort zone and reminding them that they don’t have to face moments of uncertainty alone.

“That support system is what allowed so many of us to become the people that we are today,” May said. “And that’s important because soon, each of us will scatter across different cities, different states, different countries, classrooms, courtrooms, newsrooms, businesses, communities all over the world. But when we leave behind ������Ƶ, ������Ƶ does not leave us. We carry it with us. We carry ������Ƶ in the way that we lead, in the way that we treat people, in the way that we show up for others.”

President Connie Ledoux Book closed the ceremony by charging the graduates to be resilient and steadfast like the oak trees for which ������Ƶ is named in their next endeavors. As she presented the students with a sapling in recognition of their growth throughout their ������Ƶ education, she reminded them that oaks symbolize the strength of ������Ƶ’s community – strength that now resides in each of them.

“My hope is that each time you see an acorn or an oak tree,” Book said, “you are reminded of the personal leadership you have developed during your studies at ������Ƶ – strengths and skills that I’m counting on you to use to make a positive difference in our world.”

View the complete list of graduates from the spring 2026 Graduate Program Commencement ceremony.

“I was in this place of, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do?'” she said.

She remembers a moment of doubt during her final year when Professor Emeritus Rich Landesberg provided the “tough love” she needed to move forward.

“He kept saying, ‘Just pick. You’re going to be fine. No matter what, you’re going to land on your feet.’ I really needed that at the time,” Polk said.

That foundation was built primarily within the School of Communications, where Polk, a broadcast communications major, found a safe space to test her leadership skills. She points to a producing class taught by Assistant Professor Ray Johnson as a key turning point where the details of the profession finally clicked. Johnson tasked her with being the executive producer for the class, a role that involved managing her peers and overseeing a project from concept to delivery.

“It was so much work, but I loved it,” she said. “You just realize how many people are leaning on you.”

She credits Johnson’s ability to “put on a show” in the classroom as a major inspiration for her own leadership style, teaching her that engagement and enthusiasm are just as important as technical skills.

“He was so good at his job… I think about him often,” she said.

Upon graduation, Polk’s preparation was put to the test when she was accepted into the prestigious NBC Page Program in New York City. Moving from the college environment of ������Ƶ to the fast-paced world of NBC required a quick adjustment. She rotated through high-stakes assignments, including “The Today Show,” the US Open, and Syfy publicity, a journey that required her to adapt to a more rigorous schedule, one that demanded the fundamental discipline of the network.

“I used to be a very late person,” she admitted. “But I got it out of my system because of the Page Program. ������Ƶ prepared me for the presence, how to present yourself well and dress the part, but the Page Program taught me the discipline.”

Her trajectory eventually led her to Los Angeles and the Hallmark Channel for 12 years, where she rose to the position of vice president of development and programming. In this role, she oversaw the production of up to 30 projects annually, yet she never lost sight of the “human-centric” focus she cultivated at ������Ƶ. Polk made it a priority to increase diversity and inclusion within the network’s programming, working to amplify diverse voices to ensure that Hallmark’s signature films reflected a broader range of the human experience. She describes herself as a kindness-first connector, a philosophy that has allowed her to attract top-tier talent and build lasting relationships with writers and agents across the industry.

Now, as she leads Simply Believe Creative, Polk is focused on catalyzing original romantic comedies and holiday films for the modern streaming market. Even from her home in California, she remains deeply connected to the campus where her journey began. She notes with a smile that she still sees familiar faces in the ������Ƶ news, including former classmates who have returned to the university in leadership roles.

Her advice to the next generation of Phoenix is a reflection of her own resilient path.

“Go after the things that scare you and push right through the fear to do them anyway,” she said.

“Take on as many projects as you can, but do them to the absolute best of your ability. Stay curious… the yeses always come,” she said.

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell? Please feel free to share your feedback or those stories online:

In the midst of finals week, inside a second-floor conference room in Schar Hall overlooking the Historic Neighborhood, ������Ƶ seniors presented communications campaigns for one of the world’s most recognizable digital brands: TikTok.

The May 15 presentations marked the culmination of a semester-long partnership between students in Professor Lee Bush’s Strategic Campaigns course, TikTok and ������Ƶ alumna Julia Denick ’15, a brand partnerships manager in media and entertainment for the company. A second class taught by Bush shared its presentations remotely with Denick via Zoom a few days later.

Throughout the semester, students were challenged to think beyond TikTok’s identity as an entertainment platform and instead position it as a powerful marketing tool capable of driving discovery, engagement and purchasing decisions for brands and small businesses. For students, the project offered an opportunity to tackle the kind of real-world strategic communications challenge they may encounter after graduation.

“������Ƶ gave me so much,” said Denick, explaining her decision to partner with current students. “This felt like a small way to give some of that back. I also remember being in their shoes and how much I would have loved working on a project like this.”

A 2015 graduate of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, Denick now works with NBCUniversal and other major media partners, helping brands develop creative and data-driven campaigns on TikTok.

“I’m responsible for building strategic partnerships with NBCU and helping them drive business results on TikTok,” Denick said. “Much of that work is blending creativity and data – advising on media strategy, measurement, creative and building custom campaigns around their biggest tentpole moments.”

Bush explained that the partnership challenged students to look beyond their everyday use of the platform and consider how brands strategically connect with audiences through TikTok.

“Students are, of course, prolific users of TikTok,” Bush said. “This was a great opportunity for them to experience the platform from a different perspective – that of a business or brand manager who needs to reach their customers through the platform.”

Bush said the project reflected the experiential learning focus that defines the Strategic Campaigns course, which serves as the capstone experience for strategic communications majors.

“We are so grateful to Julia for agreeing to be the client for not just one, but two Strategic Campaigns classes and for flying in from New York to see student presentations in person,” Bush said. “What a thrilling culminating experience for our graduating strategic communications seniors.”

For Tori Tyson ’26, one of those graduating seniors, the class project highlighted both the strategic thinking and collaboration required to develop a successful campaign.

“Our assignment was to work with TikTok to create a strategic campaign that repositioned the platform as more than just an entertainment app,” Tyson said.

Tyson noted that one of the most rewarding aspects of the semester was working alongside classmates who each brought different ideas and strengths to the campaign process.

“Everyone on our team brought different strengths, perspectives and ideas to the table, which made the project more creative and well-rounded overall,” Tyson said. “Teamwork played a huge role in our campaign, especially when it came to brainstorming, problem-solving and refining our ideas into one cohesive strategy.”

She also credited Bush with encouraging students to think creatively while maintaining a professional approach to client work.

“Professor Bush created an environment that encouraged collaboration and pushed us to think more strategically and creatively throughout the semester,” Tyson said. “She gave us the confidence to take risks with our ideas while still guiding us in a professional and supportive way.”

The experience also challenged students to narrow broad research and ideas into focused, achievable strategies.

“TikTok is such a fast-moving platform with so many opportunities,” Tyson said, “so it took a lot of collaboration and problem-solving to create a campaign that was both creative and strategic.”

For Denick, the project reinforced the value of experiential learning opportunities before graduation and offered a meaningful way to give back to her alma mater.

“Group projects don’t end after college – life is one big group project,” she said. “And what better prep for post-grad than the real thing.”

������Ƶ has been repeatedly recognized for the number of its alumni who participate in the Fulbright Program as teachers, graduate students, and researchers and has been named a top-producer of Fulbright students in six separate years. Students and alumni interested in the Fulbright Program or other nationally competitive fellowships are invited to contact the National and International Fellowships Office. The deadline to notify the office of your intent to apply for Fulbright in this upcoming cycle is June 1, 2026. Rising seniors are required to work with the National and International Fellowships Office to apply for Fulbright, and alumni are highly encouraged to do so.

Those who received awards this year are:

Azul Bellot ’26

Azul Bellot, a double major in psychology and sociolinguistics with a minor in TESOL, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain. She is The ������Ƶ Commitment scholar in the Odyssey Program and a student scholar with The Center for Engaged Learning.

Bellot has been preparing for an experience like Fulbright long before she arrived at ������Ƶ. Reflecting on her early years, she says, “Growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants, I was my family’s translator from a young age. I navigated formal systems, adult conversations, and bureaucratic spaces in both English and Spanish long before I had the language to describe what that experience was doing to me. It gave me a deep understanding of what it means for language to be a gateway, and what it costs when that gateway is closed.”

These formative years laid the groundwork for her time at ������Ƶ, where she developed her own independent sociolinguistics major, volunteered as an English tutor for children and adults, and conducted research on meaningful mentoring relationships. To Bellot, a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Spain is “the most honest intersection of everything [she’s] been working towards: language, identity, education, and community.”

After Fulbright, Bellot plans to pursue more international fellowships before returning to academia to earn her PhD in Applied Linguistics. Her ������Ƶ mentors include Archie Crowley, assistant professor of English; Nina Namaste, professor of Spanish; and Sylvia Muñoz, assistant dean of students and director for the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education.

Anya Bratić ’26

Anya Bratić, a double major in international & global Studies and public policy with a minor in public health, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Vietnam. She is an ������Ƶ College Fellow, a Periclean Scholar, and the Student Government Association Student Body President.

To Bratić, Fulbright represents the intersection of her two greatest passions: global engagement and teaching. She found ways to blend these passions during her time at ������Ƶ. As a Periclean Scholar, she had the opportunity to study abroad in India to understand what mutually beneficial relationships look like in practice, not just in theory. As a student consultant with the Center for Design Thinking, she developed a love for teaching and facilitation, specifically the challenge of guiding others through the structured process of finding meaningful solutions to “wicked” problems. Serving as an English teaching assistant will allow her to refine her intercultural and teaching skills while strengthening diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam.

After Fulbright, Bratić is interested in pursuing a career in diplomacy or global social impact. “Simply put, I want to work at the intersection of people, policy and purpose,” she says. Bratić’s constellation of ������Ƶ mentors includes Amanda Tapler, associate teaching professor of public health studies; Safia Swimelar, professor of political science and public policy; Sean McMahon, professor of entrepreneurship; and Danielle Lake, director of design thinking and associate professor of human service studies.

Molly Moylan ’26

Biochemistry major Molly Moylan has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain.

At ������Ƶ, Moylan took every opportunity to foster and blend her passions for STEM research, teaching and service. As a researcher, Moylan worked with chemistry professor Dan Wright to study trace metals within medicinal herbs and spices. She refined her teaching skills by serving with America Reads, the Village Project, the CityGate Dream Center, and more. Most notably, Moylan found a way to combine her passions by co-founding Imagine Science, a program designed to address declining student engagement in science education by bringing hands-on experiments and activities to local after-school programs.

In Spain, Moylan will serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Galicia, a region that is especially interested in promoting students’ scientific thinking skills. This Fulbright year will serve as crucial preparation for Moylan as she applies to medical school. The language and cultural skills she will gain in Spain will allow her to better serve Spanish-speaking patients in the future.

Moylan’s most influential ������Ƶ mentor has been Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dan Wright. “Dr. Dan Wright has been instrumental in my success at ������Ƶ,” she said. “Through his continued support, my confidence in both my personal and professional capacities has grown immensely, and I am extremely grateful to have had him as a mentor.”

Madison Powers ’25

Madison Powers, who graduated in 2025 with a degree in journalism and a minor in Spanish, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain. At ������Ƶ, Powers was a communications fellow and a 2023 Pulitzer reporting fellow. Since graduating, she has served as an editorial intern at Garden & Gun Magazine in Charleston, South Carolina.

Powers has long had her sights set on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Spain. During her undergraduate years, she spent a semester in Sevilla and fostered her dual passions for cross-cultural exchange and global education. Eager to return, she applied for Fulbright in last year’s application cycle and was named a semifinalist. She remained so committed to the value of a Fulbright experience that she chose to reapply this year, and her hard work and persistence paid off.

Powers will serve as an English teaching assistant in Madrid. She is excited to live and work in a large, diverse city while improving her Spanish language skills and forming connections with her community. Serving in Madrid will also allow her to work closely with students on Global Classrooms/Model UN projects, which are important to the development of their critical thinking and cross-cultural skills.

This Fulbright year will serve as a bridge between Powers’ current and future journalistic work. Upon returning to the U.S, she plans to work as a journalist reporting on and working in Spanish-speaking communities. Her ������Ƶ mentors include Kelly Furnas, associate teaching professor of journalism; Jan Register, administrative assistant for the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life; and Pablo Celis-Castillo, associate professor of Spanish.

Aryanna Vindas ’25

Aryanna Vindas, a graduate of the class of 2025, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in South Korea. She graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a minor in Asian studies.

Serving as an English teaching assistant in South Korea is a natural extension of the work Vindas began at ������Ƶ. She completed a two-year undergraduate research project about Korean Buddhist mindfulness, studied abroad for a semester in South Korea, and undertook a rigorous course of Korean language study. Simultaneously, she developed her teaching skills by serving as a volunteer English teacher, tutoring Spanish, and leading and assisting dance classes.

Because her grant does not begin until January 2027, Vindas has chosen to go above and beyond to prepare. She will spend this summer in South Korea completing intensive language study at Yonsei University in Seoul, which will help her integrate more successfully into her future host community and build more meaningful relationships with her students.

After Fulbright, Vindas plans to enroll in graduate school to continue the research on Buddhist mindfulness she began at ������Ƶ. Vindas’ ������Ƶ mentors include Renay Aumiller, associate professor of dance; the “wonderful” dance staff; and Pamela Winfield, professor of religious studies and associate director of international & global studies.

In addition to these students, one senior has been named an alternate. Alternates are still in the competition and have the chance to be promoted to finalists (recipients of the grant) up until the official start of the grant period. We will update this story as we continue to hear news of their progress.

Rebecca Lovasco ’26

Rebecca Lovasco, a psychology major with minors in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and neuroscience, has been selected as an alternate for a Fulbright study/research grant in Taiwan to earn a master’s degree in Mind, Brain, and Consciousness at Taipei Medical University.

Lovasco is an ������Ƶ College Fellow who went on to win the Lumen Prize. Her research, which integrates cognitive neuroscience, clinical psychology, and philosophy of mind, explores how anxiety and depression affect reinforcement learning and conscious visual perception. Outside of her research, Lovasco is proud to have served as a law enforcement crisis counselor with the Campus Alamance program.

Lovasco’s ������Ƶ mentors include Kristina Krasich, assistant professor of psychology; William Schreiber, associate professor of psychology; Kim Epting, professor of psychology; Alexa Darby, professor of psychology; and Jill McSweeney, assistant director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and assistant professor of wellness.

“Part of the reason I picked ������Ƶ is that I had spent my whole life in Massachusetts,” Honan said. “I was really excited to go somewhere new, meet new people, build new bridges, and most importantly, I was excited to be a part of the ������Ƶ community.”

Working alongside his ������Ƶ College Fellow mentor, Laura Roselle, former professor of political science and policy studies, Honan completed his application for the Lumen Prize. His focus was to combine his passion for writing and knowledge of political science to explore how presidents use storytelling to shape policy outcomes.

“I remember sitting in her office, and we were talking through my project. I was there for an hour and a half, and at some point, I stopped and said to her, ‘This is really fun, I really like this.’” Honan said. “For me, that was the moment that it clicked that I wanted to work in politics. I really enjoy thinking, writing and reading about politics. It certainly was the moment that sparked my intellectual curiosity in politics as a career.”

Both a Lumen Scholar and an ������Ƶ College Fellow scholarship recipient, Honan built a successful start in his career at ������Ƶ. He studied abroad in London for Winter Term and did a semester at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He held leadership positions in ������Ƶ’s Model UN team and was also the president of the former politics forum club.

Most notably, he was an intern in the Office of the President for former President Leo Lambert. As an executive intern in the president’s office, he worked closely with Lambert and Jeff Stein, who, at the time, was chief of staff to the president.

“They had me working on communications. This was one of the first jobs I had where I was doing communications for a senior leader. In many ways, now, looking back, that was one of those moments where I was doing the career path that I wanted,” Honan said.

This experience led him to advance his career and intern for David Gergen, who was a professor at Harvard Kennedy School and a CNN Senior Political Analyst.

“Most importantly, David Gergen was from North Carolina and was a huge ������Ƶ fan. He was also the chair of the board for ������Ƶ Law. I had met him through a few different ������Ƶ and Massachusetts connections. I ended up interning for him for two summers, and when I graduated, he hired me full-time, where I worked for him for three years,” explained Honan.

Honan worked alongside Gergen full-time during the 2016 election cycle. His work included booking Gergen’s television hits, writing talking points, doing research and writing memos for Gergen.

“Working with him and being around him made me realize, not only did I like this work broadly as a career, but I wanted to be someone who was actually in these jobs that he had done,” Honan said. “I wanted to serve in government, I wanted to work on campaigns, and work for people that I cared about and believed in.”

Honan finished his two-year master’s in public policy program at Harvard Kennedy School, graduating in 2020, during the first two months of COVID-19.

“When I graduated, I told everyone I knew who was working on the campaign for then-Vice President Joe Biden, that I wanted to help and was willing to do anything and go anywhere,” he said.

This drive to work for what he believes in led him to work on the Democratic Convention in Wilmington, Delaware.

“I was on the team that worked to help run COVID-19 testing centers, which at the time was a completely new thing. It allowed me to help with the convention, meet incredible people, and help build the momentum towards Joe Biden’s ultimately successful election in November 2020,” he said.

Honan then moved to Washington and spent two years as the Communications Director for a nonprofit called ‘With Honor’, which works to advance veterans’ affairs issues in Congress.

It was around the time of the midterm elections in 2022 when he suddenly got a call to come into the White House and continue his work on COVID-19 operations. This was a perfect way for Honan to get his foot in the door and start working toward his dream position in the White House.

His hard work in COVID-19 operations eventually earned him a spot on the White House’s communications team, which Honan stated was “what I had always dreamed of and doing what I wanted to do when I attended ������Ƶ.”

During the last year of the administration, Honan was the chief of staff to the White House communications director, the director of message planning and special assistant to the president.

“In those roles, I got to work with an incredible team of people who were supporting the president’s communications, and I had the job of a lifetime. If you had asked me what I wanted to do at ������Ƶ, it would have been that job,” he expressed.

When reflecting on what choices he made at ������Ƶ that helped him get where he is today, Honan said, “At ������Ƶ, I was surrounded by professors, staff and classmates who challenged me and made me smarter. They had my back and helped me figure out how to pursue the career and the life that I wanted. I just think back, and I’m so grateful for people like Laura Roselle and Heidi Frontani.”

After his successes at the White House, Honan returned home to Boston to fill the role of deputy chief of communications for the City of Boston.

“Everyone said to me, Mayor Michelle Wu is an incredible person to work for, and working for a mayor in a place that you love is one of the most rewarding jobs you could have in politics. Both of those things are 100% true,” he said. “It is so special to live in the city of Boston and get to work on the issues that the people on my street, the people in my neighborhood and the people I take the train with every day really care about, and it impacts their lives. One of the coolest things about local government is that you’re working on problems that can immediately change people’s lives.”

This tangible and fulfilling work Honan is doing for his city has led him to extend a helping hand to others interested in politics as a career.

“I have incredible mentors who helped me get here. I am trying to spend as much time as I can mentoring other people. Politics is a tough business to get into, and you can’t just apply on LinkedIn, so I’ve helped people figure out how to get in the door because that’s what many good people did for me,” he said. “I would not have any of the career success I’ve had without the people at ������Ƶ. To me, it feels like it’s my duty to pay it forward and continue that legacy.”

That sense of duty keeps ������Ƶ close to his heart no matter where his career takes him. Every ������Ƶ student he mentors, every alum he runs into in the professional world, pulls him right back.

“I’m immediately brought back, and I remember why it was so special and why the people who went there are so special,” said Honan.

The excitement, the community, the sense of purpose he first felt walking through the bricks and under the oaks, never went away. It grew into something bigger, something he now carries with him everywhere he goes, and something he’s committed to passing on.

Among the honorees were reporters, entrepreneurs, researchers and more, whose journeys reflect the values that define the ������Ƶ experience.

Morgan Bodenarain ’18 – Policy Director and Counsel, Congressional Black Caucus | Washington, D.C.

As policy director and counsel for the Congressional Black Caucus in the 119th United States Congress, Morgan Bodenarain leads policy development and advocacy efforts on behalf of its 61 members, previously holding the same role in the 118th Congress. Bodenarain’s work has earned national recognition, and she has been honored with the National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 Award and the National Bar Association’s Nation’s Best Advocates Award.

At ������Ƶ, Bodenarain was active in the Student Government Association, Phi Alpha Delta professional pre-law fraternity, the North Carolina State Legislature and much more. After graduation, she received her juris doctorate from The George Washington University, where she served as president of the Black Law Students Association and deputy vice president of student affairs in the Student Bar Association.

In her remarks, Bodenarain shared that her four years at ������Ƶ contributed heavily to who she is as a person, noting, “������Ƶ is truly unlike any other place. Thank you, ������Ƶ, for recognizing my success.”

Colby Marvin Bracy ’16 – Director of Human Resources & Philanthropy, The Nonantum Resort, and Owner, Hello Humans Consulting | Portland, Maine

Colby Marvin Bracy led the efforts to transform her family’s historic hospitality business, The Nonantum Resort, into a certified Recovery Family Workplace. Having joined the resort in 2018, Marvin Bracy is now the director of human resources and philanthropy, holding operational responsibilities and championing initiatives to hire individuals reentering the workforce after incarceration.

In addition to her role at The Nonantum, Marvin Bracy is the founder of Hello Humans Consulting, a firm that helps organizations develop thoughtful human resources strategies and people-centered workplaces. She remains active in her local community with the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce and chairs its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Her honors include the Rising Star Award from the local Chamber of Commerce, the Innovator of the Year award from New England Inns & Resorts and the North Star Award from the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Marvin Bracy shared that ������Ƶ’s sense of “bELONing” was something that stuck with her since her first year. “As a student here, I always wanted to belong and help others feel like they had a place they belonged.” She explained that as she moved into a career in HR, “that desire only became more pronounced,” and she wants Nonantum’s employees “to have a sense of belonging at work, especially those who may have never had that feeling before.”

Michaela Fogarty ’19 – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist, Upstream USA | Verona, New Jersey

Michaela Fogarty supports the research and program evaluation efforts that inform national reproductive health initiatives through her role as Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist at Upstream USA.

After graduation, Fogarty began her career with Planned Parenthood Federation of America as a data analysis and visualization specialist, later earning her Master of Health Science degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Forging a research-driven trajectory at ������Ƶ and beyond, Fogarty’s work has progressed from undergraduate research presentations at the Eastern Economics Conference and Undergraduate Research Forum, to authorship of several academic publications, including research on youth vaping behaviors published in the Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology. Before her current role at Upstream USA, she worked as a data manager in the Division of Global Women’s Health at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Fogarty chronologized the milestones of her ������Ƶ experience from joining many clubs to changing her major. By her senior year, she noted that she knew how to use her business skills to make the world a little bit better, but wasn’t sure how.

“With the support of the people I met at ������Ƶ, and my parents,” she said, “I figured it out.”

Michael Goldstein ’17 – Vice President, Guggenheim Partners | New York, New York

In 2015, Michael Goldstein transferred to ������Ƶ, graduating with degrees in accounting and finance in 2017. In 2021, he was inspired to give back and established the Goldstein Family Transfer Engagement Scholarship, providing financial assistance to transfer students entering the Love School of Business just as he did.

A certified public accountant turned vice president, Goldstein’s work at Guggenheim Partners in New York focuses on medical device and health care technology transactions, and he has helped support advisory engagements totaling more than $5 billion.

Goldstein doesn’t shy away from education and philanthropy. Beyond serving on the Love School of Business Advisory Board and hosting ������Ƶ business fellows in New York, Goldstein has been recognized as the top U.S. fundraiser for the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, which brings together Palestinian, Arab and Jewish students to collaborate on environmental research and conflict resolution.

For Goldstein, his remarks were filled with deep gratitude, sharing, “This award would not be possible without the mentorship I’ve had along the way.”

Gary Grumbach ’16 – Legal Affairs Reporter, NBC News | Washington, D.C.

Gary Grumbach has held various positions throughout the NBC Newsroom. From desk assistant to researcher, and later campaign embed, Grumbach is now the legal affairs reporter covering the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts across broadcast and digital platforms.

Grumbach’s ������Ƶ experience included leading ������Ƶ Local News as director and ELN Radio as executive producer. He was also president of the Society of Professional Journalists. Having reported on various presidential campaigns and trials, Grumbach’s work has earned national recognition, three NBC GEM Awards and team honors for coverage of national elections and major federal court proceedings. In November 2025, he was featured in President Book’s podcast series, “������Ƶ Beyond the Bricks.”

Grumbach shared that ������Ƶ taught him teamwork. Connecting the skill to his current career and mentorship, he emphasized, “You don’t get far without teamwork. Fellow ������Ƶ graduates at NBC are always cheering each other on.”

Emmanuel Morgan ’19 – Sports and Culture Reporter, The New York Times | Los Angeles, California

Emmanuel Morgan has delivered stories as a trusted reporter since high school, where his work was featured in outlets such as ESPN’s “The Undefeated” and The Charlotte Observer. At ������Ƶ, Morgan joined The Pendulum as a first-year reporter before rising to editor-in-chief and later serving as executive director of ������Ƶ News Network. He also represented ������Ƶ in the prestigious Carnegie-Knight News21 fellowship, where he collaborated on the national reporting project “Hate in America.”

Since graduation, Morgan has reported for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Los Angeles Times, now covering sports and culture for The New York Times. Morgan’s coverage of multiple Super Bowls and the 2024 Olympics in Paris, as well as his interviews with leading athletes and cultural figures has been featured in national coverage, and in 2023, he received the National Association of Black Journalists’ Salute to Excellence Award for his feature on identity and expression among NFL players.

Morgan thanked the ������Ƶ School of Communications staff and faculty for always having an open-door policy and for being there for him. Thanks to their “tough love,” Morgan said he felt prepared for his role today, and can “take constructive feedback well and apply it.”

Daniela Pereyra ’16 – Real Estate Broker, Dalton Wade Real Estate Group, and Founder, Dare to Jump | Charlotte, North Carolina

Daniela Pereyra is making homeownership accessible one client at a time. As a real estate broker licensed in North Carolina and Delaware, Pereyra currently works with Dalton Wade Real Estate Group, where she represents home buyers and sellers and supports clients through residential transactions and relocations nationwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she assisted military families with relocations and was recognized early in her career as a top-performing agent.

Pereyra is also the founder of Date to Jump, a professional development platform offering workshops and coaching focused on productivity, resilience and overcoming self-sabotage in business. Through this venture, she leads seminars for individuals and groups and has presented programming for students, entrepreneurs, and young professionals. Her leadership also extends to managing a Charlotte community group, where she not only offers guidance on HOA affairs and home values, but also brings the group together for social outings.

Pereyra emphasized ������Ƶ’s “lifelong impact” on her, sharing that “it’s stories like mine that prove that ������Ƶ is above standard.” She feels grateful that ������Ƶ entrusts her to represent the award.

Jensen Roll ’16 – President, Roll Construction, and founder, The Alamance Mill | Graham, North Carolina

What started as an independent major in social entrepreneurship has culminated in a custom homebuilding and remodeling company, Roll Construction, based in Graham, North Carolina. Since launching the company in 2018 with his wife, Mtende Roll, Jensen Roll has built a residential and commercial real estate portfolio of more than 20 properties with Roll Construction earning various accolades.

An entrepreneur by nature, Roll delved into undergraduate research on micro house design, the sociology of social enterprise and solutions to hunger, leading to the founding of Helping Other People Eat (H.O.P.E.), a nonprofit initiative that partnered with local restaurants to combat food insecurity. Today, Roll’s community spirit has led to the founding of The Alamance Mill, a collaborative co-working space that supports local startups and small businesses. He also currently serves as secretary of the Board of Directors for the Alamance-Caswell Home Builders Association.

������Ƶ’s impact contributes to Roll’s everyday work, as he stated, “������Ƶ taught me how to build not just homes, but character and community.” He reflected on striving to continue to represent the spirit of the institution.

Nikki Sanz ’18 – Founder & CEO, GIGGS | Nashville, Tennessee

After working with major artists and organizations including Eric Church, Weezer, and Live Nation, and contributing to high-profile events such as the Super Bowl and CMA Awards, Nikki Sanz founded GIGGS, a professional career platform designed specifically for the live events and touring industry. The platform connects freelancers, touring professionals and production teams through a centralized marketplace and has grown to include 40,000 vetted professionals and 2,000 companies across multiple continents.

To start the venture, Sanz raised an impressive $1.2 million from 35 investors and landed a deal with Netflix’s co-founder Marc Randolph during an episode of Entrepreneur’s “Elevator Pitch.” In 2025, she was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the music category.

Sanz is grateful for ������Ƶ’s experiential learning, stating, “It’s no wonder ������Ƶ grads go on to make a difference in the world!” She looks forward to seeing what all the honorees accomplish in the next 10 years.

Christian Seitz ’16 – Postdoctoral researcher for epidemic vaccine development, University of Chicago | San Diego, California

As a recipient of ������Ƶ’s Lumen Prize, Christian Seitz conducted advanced computational chemistry research resulting in a first-author publication. Following graduation, Seitz continued to pursue research and was awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship while earning his Ph.D. in biochemistry and biophysics from the University of California San Diego.

His doctoral research produced multiple first-author publications and contributed to understanding infectious diseases and molecular biology, a subject he continues to study as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago working on vaccine development and pandemic preparedness.

Today, Seitz’s work focuses on applying artificial intelligence and computational modeling to better understand viruses and accelerate the design of vaccines for emerging infectious diseases. He is a trusted collaborator with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and has received research funding from Argonne National Laboratory.

In his remarks, Seitz asked the audience to reflect on “What would happen if you encouraged someone to pursue a talent?”, encouraging all of them to do so. “Maybe in 10 years they’ll be up on this stage,” he said.

After recognizing the shared themes of “gratitude, love, and the people who have made a difference in your life” in the honorees’ remarks, President Connie Ledoux Book congratulated the alumni.

“We can’t wait to see what you do in the next 10 years, and we are so proud of where you got your start,” Book said.