A dynamic and results-driven enrollment leader with more than 15 years of progressive experience in higher education has been named the next dean of undergraduate admissions at Queens University of Charlotte.

Benjamin Boivin will oversee the university’s undergraduate recruitment, admissions and student success strategies beginning on July 20.

“Benjamin brings a rare combination of data-driven enrollment expertise and forward-thinking leadership to Queens,” said Queens Acting President and CEO Jesse Cureton, MBA ’02. “We look forward to the impact his strategic vision will have on our enrollment as we enter this next chapter of growth.”

Boivin joins Queens from Manhattan University in New York, where he most recently served as director of undergraduate admissions. During his tenure, his strategic leadership, enrollment marketing expertise, and innovative recruitment strategies helped drive a 73% year-over-year increase in undergraduate applications.

A champion of data-informed, student-centered enrollment models, Boivin also served on Manhattan University’s ChatGPT for EDU Steering Committee, helping lead initiatives that explored how the responsible use of artificial intelligence can enhance student engagement and the future of higher education.

“I am honored to join Queens University of Charlotte at such an transformative time in its history,” said Boivin. “Queens has been shaping leaders and serving the Charlotte community for generations. Combined with its innovative partnership with ������Ƶ and the extraordinary growth of Charlotte, the university is uniquely positioned to redefine what a career-centered private education can be. I look forward to working alongside our talented faculty, successful alumni, and caring staff to welcome the next generation of Royals and help lead this exciting new chapter.”

Throughout his career, Boivin has earned a reputation as a highly collaborative leader who values partnership, innovation, and relationship-building across every level of an institution. He holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Manhattan University and is a board member of the Westchester Putnam Rockland Counselors Association (WPRCA).

Los Angeles has been serving as one of the key U.S. locations for the FIFA World Cup 2026; Skladan’s work responsibilities have brought her to LA for the duration of the games this summer.

Students and alumni guests had the opportunity to learn about her impressive career in sports so far and her journeyposition to her current . “It is wonderful to be back at ������Ƶ LA’s home base at The Preserve, in the same space where my classes were held and from where I began the journey to launch my post-graduation professional career,” Skladan told the gathered group.

Each semester, ������Ƶ Los Angeles brings together alumni and students for conversations that benefit emerging young professionals in a wide variety of career fields. The program offers an exciting, immersive and robust spring semester and summer program experience in the heart of historic Hollywood through ������Ƶ’s�������Ի� National Campus Programs. Applications are now being accepted for the spring 2027 semester.

After checking in and creating a nametag, students and parents will have the chance to meet one another, share excitement about the journey ahead and learn which other students from their��area��will be joining them at ������Ƶ. The conversations often lead to new friendships, familiar faces for move-in day and an early sense of belonging within the university community.

Current ������Ƶ parents serve as hosts, sharing their experiences and offering insights about the transition to college life. Many events are also supported by ������Ƶ staff members, who help answer questions about Move-In Day, New Student Orientation, campus��resources and��the first-year experience.��Together, they provide valuable guidance and reassurance as families prepare for the start of the academic year.

Coordinated by the Office of Parent Engagement, Summer Welcome Events are designed to foster meaningful connections among incoming students,��parents�����Ի� current ������Ƶ families. By bringing members of the ������Ƶ community together in a familiar, casual��setting, the gatherings help families feel informed, supported, and connected before students arrive on campus.

For many attendees, Summer Welcome Events mark the beginning of their ������Ƶ experience. Through conversations, shared experiences and new connections, families gain a deeper understanding of the university and the supportive community that will welcome them in August.

Class of 2030 families who are unable to attend a local Summer Welcome Event, Ready, Set, ������Ƶ is��a webinar��offered with current parents and a student sharing their ������Ƶ perspective and experience. Registration for this��webinar��will be open in the middle of July, with the event being��live in��the second week of August.
Families will have an opportunity to��submit��questions prior to the event, and they can choose from two different��timeframes. All incoming parents and students of the Class of 2030 will receive an email to register for Ready, Set, ������Ƶ.

Dr.��John��Walz will join��the��������Ƶ��University administration��on��June 30,��2026,��after nearly a decade��helming��a private university recognized for its emphasis on experiential learning, strong industry partnerships and workforce preparation.

Walz’s��appointment follows a national search and comes as ������Ƶ��debuts��an academic division that��will leverage the��university’s nationally��ranked approach to undergraduate teaching and its emphasis on engaged, experiential learning in pursuit of human transformation.

“John Walz is an accomplished academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success,��engaged learning,��innovative program development and strong connections between higher education and industry,”��Provost Rebecca Kohn said.��“His experience leading engineering programs, combined with his collaborative leadership style and strategic vision, make him exceptionally well suited to guide the School of Engineering and Computing during this important moment in its history.”

John Walz is an accomplished academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success,��engaged learning,��innovative program development and strong connections between higher education and industry.

– Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn

Walz will provide��leadership for the School of Engineering and Computing’s academic programs, strategic planning, fundraising�����Ի� external partnerships while helping advance the university’s goals for innovation, engaged learning and student success.

When the school formally opens for the 2026 Fall Semester, anchoring the university’s Innovation Quad in the heart of campus, it will include��20��full-time faculty and three full-time staff positions with more than 300 undergraduate students.

Engineering is among the university’s most rapidly expanding academic areas, reflecting both national demand and student interest.��������Ƶ’s existing ABET-accredited engineering program offers��programs��in biomedical, computer, mechanical, and environmental, as well as dual-degree pathways.����The school will include computer science and cybersecurity majors and a minor in game design.

������Ƶ President��Connie Ledoux Book said Walz’s background aligns with ������Ƶ’s vision for the new school.

“The launch of the School of Engineering and Computing represents an exciting step forward for ������Ƶ,” Book said. “Dr. Walz brings a rare combination of academic leadership, industry engagement and commitment to student-centered education. His leadership building engineering programs, supporting faculty excellence and preparing graduates for meaningful careers will position the school for continued growth and distinction.”

Walz has spent more than three decades as a faculty member, researcher and academic administrator. During his tenure as president of Milwaukee School of Engineering, he led the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, launched the institution’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, expanded academic offerings in computer science and artificial intelligence, strengthened student retention initiatives and oversaw significant investments in academic facilities and student success programs.

Under his leadership, Milwaukee School of Engineering achieved record undergraduate enrollment, increased student diversity, expanded industry partnerships and raised more than $150 million in philanthropic support for capital projects and academic initiatives.

Before becoming president, Walz served as dean of the , where he led efforts to establish a common first-year engineering program, expanded��student success resources and strengthened relationships with industry partners.��Earlier leadership roles at Virginia Tech and Yale University included overseeing faculty recruitment, program growth and research initiatives while maintaining active teaching and scholarship responsibilities.

Throughout his career, Walz has emphasized strategic planning, student retention, faculty support and partnerships with industry and community organizations. He has also championed initiatives that broaden participation in engineering and technology fields and expand pathways for students to connect classroom learning with professional experiences.

Walz said the opportunity to help shape a new school at ������Ƶ was particularly appealing because of the university’s emphasis on engaged learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.��He also expressed gratitude��to��Book, Kohn and members of the search committee for the opportunity.

“I am deeply honored and excited to be selected as the inaugural dean of the School of Engineering and Computing,”��Walz said.��“I have long admired ������Ƶ’s commitment to engaged learning and believe it provides an ideal environment for educating the next generation of engineers and computer scientists.

“The combination of ������Ƶ’s strengths in the liberal arts and its investment in engineering and computing creates a unique opportunity to prepare graduates with both the technical expertise and��leadership��skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving, globally connected world.”

Walz earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in chemical engineering at Tulane University before completing a Doctor of Philosophy in chemical engineering��at��Carnegie Mellon University.��He and his wife,��Moira, have three��daughters.

About ������Ƶ

������Ƶ is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, and ethical citizens�����Ի���leaders.

At ������Ƶ, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff who prioritize��teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 80 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. ������Ƶ is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

������Ƶ’s academic divisions include ������Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences;��the School of Engineering and Computing;�����Ի� the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 2025, ������Ƶ and Queens University of Charlotte announced plans to merge institutions. Final approval from the U.S. Department of Education is anticipated by 2028.

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 ������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ Poll survey is +/- 3.95%.

Poll Methodology

Access the poll topline and methodology at:��www.elon.edu/elonpoll. The survey was developed by the ������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ Poll

Established in 2000, the ������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ and operates as the neutral, non-biased information resource.

The ������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ 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.

For the second consecutive year, the university is the only North Carolina private school featured by the magazine in its list of “25 Best Drama Schools in the World.” The University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also made the list.

The publication said it consulted with educators and industry insiders to determine the best schools for an acting degree. It also weighed overall training, cost, facilities, alumni success, industry connections and more.

The 16 students accepted to the undergraduate musical theater program go through a rigorous training process, which begins with classes in acting, voice and dance, and then allows students to explore individualized paths, including taking part in student-driven cabaret performances. Seniors also take part in a two-semester course on professional readiness and artistic identity, which includes bringing in casting directors and talent representation, with many students gaining representation or jobs out of this process. To that point, Campy Rodriguez, a current student in the senior class, is on Broadway in��Aladdin, in addition to such alum as Taylor Trensch, who recently led the off-Broadway production of��Bat Boy. Tuition and fees are close to $51,000.

������Ƶ’s Department of Performing Arts��offers seven degree programs: Acting, Arts Administration,��Dance Performance & Choreography,��Dance Science, Drama and Theatre Studies,��Music Theatre�����Ի���Theatrical Design and Technology. Four programs require an audition or interview.

About ������Ƶ

������Ƶ is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture.

At ������Ƶ, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 70 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. ������Ƶ is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

������Ƶ’s academic divisions include ������Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

The new publication, “Human Wisdom for the Age of AI: A Field Guide to Cultivating Essential Skills,” helps students cultivate the human skills they need to thrive in a digital world, whether working with AI technologies or learning independently of those tools. The guide includes engaging and fun exercises on curiosity, critical and deep thinking, creativity, ethical perspectives, communication and relational skills, among others.

Like the 2024 and 2025 editions, this year’s guide is provided to students and institutions free of charge and is available for download at: .

The guide draws on 10 voices across centuries and cultures — from Aristotle, Cicero and Descartes to Mencius and Ptahhotep — whose enduring insights into human judgment, creativity, ethics and wisdom take on new urgency as AI reshapes how we learn and work.

“We are excited to share this hands-on field guide with teachers and learners around the world,” said ������Ƶ President Connie Book. “We must not lose sight of the enduring principles that have always driven human progress. This publication bridges the gap between rapidly expanding algorithmic power and the timeless wisdom of the liberal arts. It empowers students to harness AI technologies where appropriate without sacrificing the empathy, judgment and creative autonomy that only a human mind can provide.”

“As artificial intelligence reshapes how we learn, work and create, the essential skills students need are not disappearing—they are evolving,” said AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella. “Capacities such as critical inquiry, ethical reasoning, creativity and communication are more important than ever because they enable students to engage AI thoughtfully, question its outputs and apply knowledge with judgment and purpose. This guide underscores a central truth: in an age of increasingly powerful machines, the learning outcomes of a liberal education are the foundation for meaningful and responsible innovation.”

“Through our research at The Princeton Review, we consistently see that students are both excited by AI and uncertain about how to use it well,” said Editor-in-Chief Rob Franek. “What they’re really looking for is guidance. This field guide meets that moment by translating big ideas—like critical thinking, creativity and ethical decision-making—into practical habits students can use every day.”

In response to requests from faculty and staff, the new publication includes:

• A set of downloadable with group exercises, worksheets and discussion questions
• An online that allows students to reflect on how they are using AI in their studies and their level of reliance on AI tools.

Students, faculty and staff at more than 4,000 colleges, universities, schools and organizations around the world have accessed the publications. The guide’s has provided information to more than 87,000 users in 170 countries.

The guide is authored by three ������Ƶ leaders and researchers: Daniel J. Anderson, special assistant to the president and former vice president for communications; Lee Rainie, director of the Imagining the Digital Future Center; and Janna Anderson, professor of communications and co-founder and senior researcher for the Imagining the Digital Future Center. They worked in partnership with 24 consulting scholars from 10 countries.

“Human Wisdom for the Age of AI” is endorsed by:

• American Library Association
• CAA Academic Alliance
• EDUCAUSE
• Gardner Institute
• NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
• Online Learning Consortium
• RTI International

All materials in the guide are provided free and licensed under a Creative Commons License Attribution that allows educators to use and adapt the work for noncommercial applications.

As with the previous publications, colleges and universities may request a version of Human Wisdom for the Age of AI field guide that incorporates their institution’s logo on the cover, providing a custom edition for distribution within their campus community. For details on obtaining a customized PDF of the publication, send a request along with a high resolution logo file to imagine@elon.edu.

The Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence is an initiative of��������Ƶ’s��Imagining the Digital Future Center. The publication series grew out of a��2023 global collaboration��that established a��statement of principles��to guide development of AI policies and practices in higher education.

About the publishers of the Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence

��is the nationally recognized leader in experiential learning, preparing graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical global citizens. For five consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked ������Ƶ #1 in the nation for undergraduate teaching excellence and the leader in programs that promote student success. ������Ƶ enrolls more than 7,000 students at its main campus in ������Ƶ, North Carolina, and national campus locations in Greensboro, Charlotte, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C.

������Ƶ’s is an interdisciplinary research center focused on the impact of accelerating digital change and the challenges that lie ahead. The center’s mission is to discover and broadly share a diverse range of opinions, ideas and original research about the likely evolution of digital change, informing important conversations and policy formation. The center was established in 2000 as Imagining the Internet and renamed Imagining the Digital Future with an expanded research agenda in 2024.

is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing the democratic purposes of higher education by promoting equity, innovation, and excellence in liberal education. Through our programs and events, publications and research, public advocacy, and campus-based projects, AAC&U serves as a catalyst and facilitator for innovations that improve educational quality and equity and that support the success of all students. In addition to accredited public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities, and state higher education systems and agencies throughout the United States, our membership includes degree-granting higher education institutions around the world as well as other organizations and individuals.

is a leading tutoring, test prep and college admission services company. Every year, it helps millions of college- and graduate school-bound students achieve their education and career goals through online and in person courses delivered by a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors, online resources, and its more than 150 print and digital books published by Penguin Random House. The company is not affiliated with Princeton University.

Beginning this fall, Queens will align its undergraduate academic calendar with ������Ƶ’s undergraduate calendar. The most notable change will be the reintroduction of Winter Term at Queens, a short, intensive session in January that allows students to focus on a single course or study abroad experience.

“J-Term gave Queens students something rare — three weeks each January alongside our closest friends to discover who we were through service, career exploration, and international travel,” said Queens alumna Staci McBride ’92. “We forged lifelong memories while living our motto, ‘Not to be served, but to serve.’ I am thrilled that this transformative tradition will now be part of the student experience again, and I can’t wait to see the lasting bonds and impact it will have on their lives.”

A highlight for many students is the intentional opportunity to study abroad in January. Both institutions have thriving study abroad programs, from ������Ƶ’s nationally ranked participation rate to .

“J-Term gives students the opportunity to engage deeply in a single course, often in a global context, and to complement their learning in ways that are not possible during a traditional semester,” said Nick Gozik, dean of global education at ������Ƶ. “Expanding this approach to Queens creates a meaningful opportunity as the two institutions come together.”

For LMA Alexander, executive director of the Pulliam Center for International Education at Queens, this new term brings fresh possibilities for JBIP. “The John Belk International Program is a cornerstone of the Queens undergraduate experience,” she said. “Queens has a long tradition of dynamic, multi-disciplinary faculty-led programs, and the addition of J-term will create new opportunities for innovative programming in collaboration with our ������Ƶ colleagues.”

In another integration move designed to expand opportunity for students, the two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize a priority-admission pathway for Queens undergraduates to ������Ƶ’s School of Law. Both teams are actively working to share more details with students in the coming weeks.

J-Term gives students the opportunity to engage deeply in a single course, often in a global context, and to complement their learning in ways that are not possible during a traditional semester. Expanding this approach to Queens creates a meaningful opportunity as the two institutions come together.

– Nick Gozik, dean of global education at ������Ƶ

Evidenced through the service and experiential learning emphasized on both campuses, Queens and ������Ƶ share a commitment to civic engagement. This core belief will come to life through the Deliberative Citizenship Network (DCN), which recently invited both schools to join its inaugural cohort.

“The DCN highlights some norms or expectations that surround effective dialogues,” said Naeemah Clark, associate provost for academic inclusive excellence at ������Ƶ. “Active listening, empathic and ethical discourse, and evidence-based argumentation are essential elements that are at the heart of a liberal arts education.”

Margaret Commins, chair of the political science, international studies and sociology department, shared, “We’re excited about the opportunity to work with a national cohort to learn best practices for integrating deliberation into the curriculum and co-curriculum, and for working with our ������Ƶ colleagues to develop creative campus and cross-campus programming in this area.”

The DCN program will bring together two faculty members, one staff member, and 10 students from each participating school. The program will teach best practices and innovative ideas that can be woven into and beyond the classroom. “Students who can demonstrate these skills will be better learners and leaders in their post-graduation lives,” Clark added.

The ������Ƶ team will be led by Dillan Bono-Lunn, assistant professor of political science and public policy and faculty fellow for civic engagement; Bob Frigo, assistant dean of campus life and director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life; and Andrew Moffa, assistant director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life.

The DCN participants won’t be the only ones working together this summer. With an expected June vote on the merger by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, many administrative departments at Queens are preparing to integrate effective July 1, 2026, officially becoming employees of ������Ƶ.

The first phase of integration brings new employee benefits — along with understandable questions from staff. To help ease the transition, Jeff Stein and Pamela Davies, co-chairs of the integration team, are holding coffee chats — open hours where any Queens employee can sign up to learn more about the process and ask their questions. The plan is to extend these coffee chats to ������Ƶ employees as well.

“Mergers are hard work,” Stein said. “Yet it’s been exciting to see how collaborations across Queens and ������Ƶ have already produced new opportunities and pathways for students — an early signal of what becomes possible when we work together to build what students need next.”

Visiting ������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ 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��.

������Ƶ’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 ������Ƶ

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 ������Ƶ’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.

The afternoon ceremony on April 30, 2026, in the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center closely followed a similar Peace Corps tradition where volunteers ring bells as they conclude two years of service in their assigned countries.

The Peace Corps Prep Program equips students with critical competencies across four essential areas: sector-specific training, foreign language proficiency, intercultural competence, and professional leadership development.

Skills align with all six Peace Corps service sectors: Agriculture, Community Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health, and Youth in Development.

The program is directed at ������Ƶ by Jennifer Eidum, an associate professor of English who previously taught English in Ukraine as a Peace Corps volunteer. More than 70 students have completed the requirements of the Peace Corps Prep Program at ������Ƶ since its inception over a decade ago.

Eidum said the moment connects students to a global community committed to making the world better.

“������Ƶ’s students are always so engaged, and they’re so active, and they do so many things on campus,” Eidum said. “It’s really nice for them to have an opportunity to be recognized for the work they’ve done. Having the sound of a bell, that very physical experience, makes it a moment to remember and celebrate.”

Students Who Recently Completed the Peace Corps Prep Program

• Azul Bellot ’26 (Education)
• MacKenzie Brown ’27 (Youth in Development)
• Virginia Campbell ’27 (Environment)
• Gia Coleman ’26 (Education)
• Emily Ecker ’26 (Health)
• Rose Fyffe ’27 (Youth in Development)
• Caden Halberg ’26 (Environment)
• Maya Katz ’27 (Youth in Development)
• Olivia Levy ’26 (Environment)
• Eliza Menser ’26 (Environment)
• Nivea Millner ’26 (Environment)
• Sam Montgomery ’27 (Environment)
• Mia O’Brien ’27 (Youth in Development)
• Corinne Pavel ’26 (Environment)
• Kate Rutledge ’27 (Youth in Development)
• Jenna Toms ’26 (Health)

Reflections and Advice from Participants

• “Do more than what fits your sector. Many sectors overlap in many ways and so I think it’s important to understand each one and how they work together. It also is important to make sure to not focus on only one sector’s issues … it’s best to get exposure to as many as you can through classes and service.” – Nivea Millner ’26
• “Take opportunities that come your way! If they see an interesting volunteer or work position that allows you to engage with different communities, this might be a chance to build soft skills that are transferable to the Peace Corps. Engaging deeply in one activity or form of service may also be more valuable than contributing in small ways to a lot of organizations — follow your passion and stick with it!” – Eliza Menser ’26
• “I would encourage future students interested in this program to study abroad. During my junior year J-Term trip to Italy, I met so many kind people, both from ������Ƶ and through the experience abroad. Studying in Italy also helped me realize that after graduation, I could pursue opportunities beyond the United States and even consider working internationally.” – Caden Halberg ’26
• “Do the program even if you are unsure if you want to apply post-grad. Many of the classes I took already qualified for the program and I appreciated connecting with some advising mentors who shared my similar interests.” – Kate Rutledge ’27
• “Step outside your comfort zone and explore every opportunity ������Ƶ has to offer. As a freshman, I was often overwhelmed and unsure about a lot of the amazing opportunities ������Ƶ and the broader community of Alamance have to offer. It’s important to remember you don’t need to do everything sent your way but instead take the time to really understand and weigh your options, ultimately choosing what seems best for you. More importantly, learn to be ok with uncertainty, as I’ve learned that when I have grown the most. “ – Mia O’Brien ’27
• “If I could give advice to future Peace Corps Prep students, it would be to take advantage of any opportunities you have available to you, whether that be volunteer opportunities, work experience, networking, and more.” – Virginia Campbell ’27

Visit the ������Ƶ Peace Corps Prep Program website or contact Associate Professor Jennifer Eidum (jeidum@elon.edu) for more information about the program.