MBA | Today at ��Ƶ | ��Ƶ

��Ƶ graduate students encouraged to think critically, lead empathetically

Alexa Milan — Thu, 21 May 2026 15:04:45 +0000

Journalist and author Katherine Blunt ’15 delivered the keynote address at ��Ƶ’s spring Graduate Program Commencement ceremony.

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.”

Yates May ’23 L’25 G’26, a triple ��Ƶ graduate from a family full of proud ��Ƶ alumni, delivered the Message of Appreciation at the Graduate Program Commencement ceremony.

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.

President Connie Ledoux Book charged graduates to be steadfast and resilient like the oak trees for which ��Ƶ is named.

“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.

Find your joy: How April Dudash G’24 followed her values after ��Ƶ

Diane Swenson — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:20:50 +0000

April Dudash MBA ’24 did not leave ��Ƶ with a next step. Instead, she graduated with the confidence to pursue work that reflects her values.

“I don’t feel like my career trajectory post-graduation is the norm for an MBA graduate,” Dudash said. “I had to do some soul searching and pursued something different that aligns with my values.”

Before enrolling in ��Ƶ’s MBA program, Dudash worked at Duke Regional Hospital as communications manager, serving as the only communicator on site for the entire hospital and supporting more than 2,000 employees.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped support emergency preparedness efforts, including a command center that operated for months, and later supported community vaccination clinics.

“I learned so much throughout that experience,” she said. “I saw the best of the best and the worst of the worst and saw health care workers give their all.”

As the pandemic unfolded, mentors encouraged her to return to school. A nurse manager would ask her regularly, “When are you going back to school?” Dudash also had two mentors who recommended ��Ƶ’s MBA program.

“She would say, ‘It’s never a good time to go back to school,’” Dudash said. “They encouraged me to take the step.”

For Dudash, the MBA offered the flexibility to build leadership skills while keeping her options open.

“I can apply it across industries,” she said. “I wanted to strengthen my leadership skills and get a broader view of how organizations operate.”

She started the program in September 2020, a decade after graduating from the University of Florida with a journalism degree. Returning to school felt like a significant transition.

“I remember being nervous,” she said. “I was 10 years out of school and didn’t know how it would feel to be a student again.”

Rather than rushing through, Dudash took one class at a time and completed the program over four years, graduating in May 2024.

April Dudash with Major Duckett and Brandon Swindell after winning the MBA Competition in 2024

“I wanted to fully immerse myself in each course and build relationships with my classmates and professors,” she said.

She also described the program as a place where she could participate fully and grow, especially in courses that challenged students to share ideas and respond to feedback.

“It opened up my confidence in pursuing new ideas,” she said. “Your ideas are valid.”

As graduation approached, Dudash began thinking more intentionally about what kind of work would be fulfilling.

That summer became an opportunity to reflect. Dudash leaned into theater, a longtime passion through improv, including teaching improv comedy and pursuing operations work in the arts nonprofit space.

This past year, she balanced roles between Durham arts nonprofit Mettlesome Theater and nationally recognized DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) while also serving as chair of the Meals on Wheels Durham board.

But most recently, she was appointed Mettlesome Theater’s first full-time operations director.

April Dudash on the DPAC stage

April Dudash volunteering with Board Treasurer Meals on Wheels

“My ��Ƶ MBA gave me the confidence to say, ‘I want to help with this, and I want to pursue this,’” she said. “My dream job was to be an operations director or executive director of an arts nonprofit, and the program gave me the high-level perspective to lead that work.”

Christine Cotton G’02 shows how kindness grows into community change

Diane Swenson — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:57:18 +0000

Sometimes the smallest question sparks the biggest change.

When Christine Cotton G’02 asked her son why he kept requesting extra sandwiches for lunch, his response revealed a problem she didn’t know existed in her own community.

“At first, I thought he was just a hungry middle schooler,” Cotton said. “But when I asked, I learned he was sharing them with a friend who didn’t have enough food. That was the moment I knew I had to do something.”

Wanting to make a difference, Cotton and two friends asked neighbors to leave cans of tuna on their porches for pickup. The response was immediate and overwhelming. “We realized that everyone wants to help,” she said. “They just don’t always know how.”

That simple idea grew into PORCH Communities, a hunger relief nonprofit that now reaches across the country.

The model is easy to replicate: once a month, neighbors leave requested items on their porches, volunteers collect them and deliver directly to local pantries.

“It’s so simple, but it’s effective,” Cotton said. “We’re not creating new pantries. We’re strengthening the ones that already exist.”

As PORCH began to expand, Cotton drew on her ��Ƶ MBA to guide its growth. “My MBA gave me the strategic thinking skills to scale,” she said. “I can look at our finances, fundraising and marketing, and know how to manage them because of my time at ��Ƶ. It gave me the confidence to walk into any room and know I can lead.”

Those lessons continue to shape her leadership more than two decades later.

“What I learned at ��Ƶ shows up in my work every day,” Cotton said. “It is the foundation of how I lead PORCH now.”

The results of that approach show in the numbers.

In 2024, PORCH launched 27 new chapters, engaged more than 18,000 volunteer hours and donated over 1 million pounds of food. That impact reached 242 pantries, schools and partners across 13 states, adding up to $2.43 million in hunger relief last year and more than $15 million since the first porch pickup.

“We can’t solve poverty,” Cotton said. “But we can disrupt the cycle of hunger. A child who has enough to eat can focus in school, and that changes everything.”

Cotton said what excites her most is watching others take ownership of the mission. “The most rewarding part for me has been seeing how many people step up once they are given the tools,” she said. “It shows what’s possible when neighbors come together.”

Community voices

“PORCH has been unfailing in keeping Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard going. The steady donations from local chapters have truly kept us off ‘life support.’” — Roxann Lansdowne, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, Wilmington, N.C.
“Thanks to our PORCH partners, we receive regular donations that keep our shelves stocked year-round. That consistency helps us manage both our workload and our budget, which ultimately means we can feed more families. This has never been more important, as we’re serving far more clients than even a year ago.” — Sara Haggar, Holly Springs Food Cupboard, Holly Springs, N.C.
“PORCH has made it possible for us to put healthy food on more tables. Their generosity stretches our resources and strengthens our ability to serve our community.” — Mike Claxton, The Lord’s Food Pantry, Shallotte, N.C.
“We joined PORCH to give back to our community, but in the end, we’re the ones who benefit. From the people we’ve met to the inspiring volunteers we work alongside, the experience has been truly rewarding.” — Dian Lissoos, Volunteer Chapter Leader, PORCH Indy, Indianapolis

The same son whose kindness helped spark PORCH also chose ��Ƶ. Matthew Cotton ’18 grew up walking around Lake Mary Nell and feeding the ducks with his parents, and when it came time for college, he wanted that same sense of community.

Matthew Cotton ’18 with Christine Cotton at a graduation event

He graduated with a business degree, plus a minor in sport management, and now works with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. “Matthew spent years watching PORCH grow, and now he’s carrying forward that same commitment to service in his own career,” she said.

As PORCH looks to the future, Cotton hopes to double the number of neighborhoods involved while keeping the grassroots feel that has defined the organization since its earliest days.

“We want to put a PORCH in every community,” she said. “The idea started with a few sandwiches, but it has grown into something much bigger. That is the power of neighbors helping neighbors.”

Cotton asks everyone to consider starting a PORCH where they live. “It’s amazing what happens when a few cans from a few neighbors come together,” Cotton said. “Getting started is simple, and once it begins, the ripple effect is powerful—families are fed, neighbors are connected, and communities are transformed.”

Princeton Review again names ��Ƶ’s MBA program among the nation’s best

Diane Swenson — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:44:48 +0000

The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business has been included in The Princeton Review’s .

For the , which included evaluations of on-campus and online MBA programs, The Princeton Review analyzed administrator surveys from 390 business schools and feedback from 34,700 students, weighing more than 60 data points that cover academics, experiential learning, career services and student satisfaction.

“Our MBA program is built for individuals who aspire to lead with purpose, apply data fluency in every decision and make an immediate impact within their organizations,” said Haya Ajjan, dean of the Love School of Business. “This acknowledgement affirms the dedication of our faculty and staff and the drive, curiosity and professionalism our students bring to every aspect of their learning.”

Student testimonials praised the MBA program for the accessibility of faculty as well as the “top-notch” and “amazing” administration who “all work very well together and make you feel at home.”

More about the ��Ƶ MBA from The Princeton Review:

The professors are “open with their time and always willing to meet outside of class,” and most of them “have over twenty years experience in their fields.” Professors bring this “real business experience” to class, and courses themselves are “largely current event and real world driven.” Professors “offer challenging work but are also always there to help.”

About the MBA Program

��Ƶ’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business prepares students for dynamic careers unlike anywhere else. The Master of Business Administration program develops functional expertise and leadership skills that empower graduates to inspire others and achieve lifelong success. Students benefit from one‑on‑one mentorship with faculty and staff, who guide them in defining individualized career paths. The program offers full‑ and part‑time options to accommodate a range of personal and professional commitments.

Applications are reviewed year‑round for fall, winter and spring start terms. For information, visit the ��Ƶ MBA website or contact the Office of Graduate ��Ƶ at gradadm@elon.edu.

Laké Laosebikan-Buggs named Triad Business Journal ‘Leader in Diversity’

Michael Abernethy — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 19:48:29 +0000

When she isn’t teaching or innovating programs at ��Ƶ’s graduate schools, you’ll find Laké Laosebikan-Buggs surrounded by students.

She circulates halls and common areas, smiling and waving at familiar faces, sparking new relationships with her easy humor and boisterous laugh. She welcomes them in, counsels them, hears and advocates for them. ��Ƶ’s inaugural director of inclusive excellence for graduate and professional programs recognizes the simple fact: We all want to belong. And she has the magic touch to foster that belonging.

“Dr. Buggs truly has a way with people. When you see her in the halls, there is rarely a time when she doesn’t stop to talk to a student, professor or staff member. She isn’t just talking to make light conversation, but cares about all the interactions she has,” said Gianna Landrum L’25, an ��Ƶ Law Diversity Fellow — a program Buggs established to enhance inclusive excellence at the law school and in the legal profession. “I’m in awe of her ability to connect with those whose identities she does not share because she makes the effort to learn.”

This month, Buggs was recognized with a . The annual awards honor professionals who champion inclusive excellence in workplaces, across the community and beyond. She will join other honorees and their guests at a June 12 reception at the N.C. A&T University Student Center ballroom and be featured in a June 27 special issue.

Laké Laosebikan-Buggs, center, the director of inclusive excellence for graduate and professional programs, introduces former District Court Judge Marcus Shields, right, during a discussion in ��Ƶ Law’s Depictions of Discrimination course on May 6, 2025.

To those who’ve worked closely with Buggs — in the Division of Inclusive Excellence, at ��Ƶ Law, the School of Health Sciences, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the Love School of Business — Buggs’ recognition is no surprise.

“Laké is a wonderful resource and provides valuable support for ��Ƶ’s graduate students,” said Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “She creates an environment where they are welcomed and heard, and we all benefit from her perspectives. Through vital conversations in graduate programs across ��Ƶ, students are prepared to serve the communities and clients they will engage with during their careers.”

She creates an environment where they are welcomed and heard, and we all benefit from her perspectives. Through vital conversations in graduate programs across ��Ƶ, students are prepared to serve the communities and clients they will engage with during their careers.

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn

Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence and associate professor of education, said Buggs’ effective advocacy for graduate and professional students allowed the university to be more conscious of their needs, “positioning ��Ƶ to make decisions that enable them to flourish.” Williams was a 2021 Leader in Diversity honoree.

“Laké exudes genuine warmth and empathy, which are powerful tools for engaging those whom she encounters. In turn, people are quick to trust her in guiding their decisions and accessing the many resources ��Ƶ offers,” Williams said.

Passionate advocacy, unwavering support

To hear Buggs tell it, there’s no secret to what she does.

“Everybody can do this work. You don’t need a title,” she reflected recently. “We change the whole experience for our students when each of us is invested in their well-being and belonging.”

Listening goes a long way. Buggs watches for areas where students may struggle, attends to the challenges they face entering professional life or preparing for a career change, and searches for ways to support them in and out of the classroom. She is especially cognizant of obstacles students from marginalized communities may face as they pursue advancement in their careers.

Beneath her warm exterior lies a passionate commitment to changing and challenging systems. Students discover this when they seek mentorship in profoundly difficult and traumatic experiences. Buggs not only supports them, but elevates critical issues for transformational conversations among faculty, staff and students that lead to reconciliation and growth.

She inspires others to take up this work by modeling what inclusive leadership looks like. Through her example, she makes equity work feel not just necessary, but possible and worthwhile.

Zac Ormond G’23, assistant professor of physical therapy

In her teaching, she encourages interdisciplinary work that centers inclusive excellence across professions and is “committed to providing classroom experiences that are inclusive by design and in application.”

Students feel that support and gain valuable insights from her guidance.

Zac Ormond G’23 first met Buggs as a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program on the school of Health Science’s Diversity Committee. Later chairing that committee, Buggs “helped me refine my leadership skills, and her example showed me what it means to lead with both conviction and compassion,” he said. Now an assistant professor of physical therapy in ��Ƶ’s program and a Northwestern University Sports Division 1 Fellow, he continues to seek her wisdom.

“She inspires others to take up this work by modeling what inclusive leadership looks like. Through her example, she makes equity work feel not just necessary, but possible and worthwhile,” Ormond said.

Since arriving at ��Ƶ in 2021, some of Buggs’ achievements include:

Creating opportunity for ��Ƶ’s graduate students to participate in affinity celebrations around commencement ceremonies, including Lavender Graduation and ¡Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight.
Initiating programs for graduate and professional students interested in building skills in inclusion and belonging, including ��Ƶ Law’s Diversity Fellows Program and the School of Health Sciences’ Student DEI Committee.

Innovating and contributing to professional identity workshops that aid graduate and professional students in establishing themselves within their chosen fields, such as Acorn to Oak at ��Ƶ Law and Confronting Bias in the Clinical Learning Environment at the School of Health Sciences.
Working with students, faculty and staff to establish the ��Ƶ Law Professional Closet for access to business attire for interviews and early careers, as well as prayer rooms for various faiths and a lactation room for new mothers.
Spearheading book clubs that spark reflection and discussion among students around timely subjects and diverse perspectives of the world.
Developing and teaching courses that investigate how society grapples with different identities and how individuals can effect change.
Creating social events and networking activities that create community among graduate students that include game nights, cultural outings and meetings with President Connie Ledoux Book.

What others say about Buggs’ impact on the ��Ƶ community:

“Laké is a passionate advocate for students, with a deep commitment to creating the types of inclusive environments that are essential for the success and thriving of all students. The graduate student population at ��Ƶ is spread across multiple academic programs with very different schedules and student needs. Laké offers a common touchpoint for all of them in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.” – Jon Dooley, vice president for student life and associate professor of education

“Within the first week of her arrival at ��Ƶ, Laké took on the charge to increase visibility and services for graduate and professional students. As a faculty advisor to the School of Health Sciences’ Student Diversity Committee, she helps them create meaningful events for supporting and educating healthcare students in the care of diverse patients and colleagues.” –Melissa Scales, associate professor of physical therapy education

“Laké has a huge capacity to bring people in and bring people together. She loves people, loves to see them thrive and be successful, and that motivates her. She challenges students to recognize their own agency and power to make change.” – Stacie Dooley, ��Ƶ Law assistant dean of career and student development

“She builds trust and relationships by making herself available, being her authentic self and empowering students to use their voice. I have seen her give solid counsel to students who were struggling or who needed direction. The nature of her position as a student affairs professional rather than their program chair or advisor gives her the opportunity to be a true safe space for students.” – Kim Stokes, associate professor of physician assistant studies and department chair/program director for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Graduate students tasked with promoting ‘belief, belonging, behavior’

Eric Townsend — Thu, 22 May 2025 21:18:16 +0000

As Kevin Trapani is quick to note, there’s a certain paradox to life in 2025: global poverty and rates of disease are declining, educational access is expanding, and technology has made communication instant and knowledge more accessible than at any point in human history.

Kevin Trapani, the father of three ��Ƶ graduates and an executive-in-residence in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, delivered the Commencement address on May 21 to graduate students in ��Ƶ’s Class of 2025.

That doesn’t include advancements in medicine, clean energy, and global cooperation.

So then why is there a rise in loneliness, anxiety, division, and despair? What explains the growing violence, political instability, and economic uncertainty now taking a toll on many people? And what’s to be done?

“Well, if you’ve earned an advanced degree in education, I want you to teach character,” Trapani told candidates for master’s degrees who celebrated their ��Ƶ graduation on May 21, 2025. “And, if you’ve earned an advanced degree in business, I want you to teach… character.”

��Ƶ conferred graduate degrees on 85 students representing five programs at ��Ƶ – the Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Business Analytics, Master of Education in Innovation, and Master of Arts in Higher Education programs – inside an Alumni Gym filled with family, friends, and classmates.

In delivering the Commencement address, Trapani – a retired insurance executive and entrepreneur, executive-in-residence in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, and the father of three ��Ƶ alumni – suggested practices “that can anchor you in a chaotic world.”

Belief: “Now let me be clear: Belief doesn’t require religion. But it does require intention. It requires the choice to say, ‘This is what I stand for. This is what I will sacrifice for. This is who I will be when no one is watching.’ Belief is not abstract. It informs our choices. It shapes how we live. It gives us the courage to keep going in tough times. And today, in a world that too often confuses distraction with direction, belief is more necessary than ever.”
Belonging: “To bring people together, to find and build purpose-centered community, give of yourself. Spend your time, talent and treasure on the essential issues of human need: Feed the hungry. House the homeless. Care for children. Welcome the stranger. In that work, you’ll meet people who will challenge and shape you – and who will come to love you and give your life meaning.”
Behavior: “I’m asking you – I’m expecting you – to change the world. I know you can only lead from where you stand – but you must lead. Your privilege is power and know this: power is not a bludgeon. It’s a blessing. Not something you use to dominate, but something that demands that you give. … Find a powerful partner and build a family. Practice your faith. Support your schools. Find and speak the truth — not just the trending soundbite. Sit with someone and really listen. Don’t choose the easy way. Do hard things. Beautiful things. Love one another. Because that’s where meaning lives.”

Micaela Acosta G’25 delivered a message of appreciation on behalf of all graduate students awarded master’s degrees by ��Ƶ on May 21, 2025.

Trapani has been an executive-in-residence at ��Ƶ since 2022 and lectures on topics related to innovation, ethical leadership and stakeholder capitalism. Before his corporate retirement in 2024, he was co-founder, president and CEO of The Redwoods Group, the largest insurance provider dedicated to protecting youth-serving organizations in the country by working to prevent the sexual abuse of children in institutional settings, drowning prevention, transportation, and elevation risk safety

A 1979 Duke University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Trapani is a member and past chair of the Advisory Committee for Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business Center for Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship.

He has also been the social entrepreneur in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, chair of the board of North Carolina Public Radio, chair of the board of the United Way of the Greater Triangle (N.C.) and chair of the North Carolina Workforce Development Commission.

“You. Are. ��Ƶ,” Trapani reminded graduates. “Those three words carry weight more than a diploma, a title, or a résumé ever will because to be ��Ƶ means you’ve been formed in a community that believes in purpose and that values knowledge, yes — but also character — and that believes we are not simply here to succeed, but to serve.”

The evening Commencement celebration also featured remarks by ��Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book, Provost Rebecca Kohn, and Micaela Acosta G’25, a candidate for the Master of Education from Argentina who delivered a message of appreciation on behalf of her classmates.

Acosta reminded her classmates that they stood on a bridge between two worlds: “the world that shaped us and the world we are about to shape.” Commencement, she said, is a time to ignite courage for what lies ahead.

Among the many important lessons learned while enrolled in graduate studies, she added, there was one most meaningful to her.

“We never stop learning,” Acosta said. “In education, we are not simply teaching content or following a curriculum. We are shaping lives. We are inspiring futures. We are making an impact that might only reveal itself years from now when a student recognizes us at the grocery store, even if we don’t recognize them. And that, truly, is the power of education.

“Today is not just a ceremony. It is a declaration that says, ‘We are ready.’ Ready to make mistakes. Ready to take risks. Ready to lead with heart and innovation. ��Ƶ has not only taught us new perspectives, methods, and strategies – it has reawakened our belief in the profound impact of what we do.

Today is not just a ceremony. It is a declaration that says, ‘We are ready.’ Ready to make mistakes. Ready to take risks. Ready to lead with heart and innovation. ��Ƶ has not only taught us new perspectives, methods, and strategies – it has reawakened our belief in the profound impact of what we do.

– Micaela Acosta G’25

“As we step forward into the world, into classrooms, organizations, businesses, and communities, may we remember that success is not just measured in titles or accolades, but in the lives we touch, the hope we plant, and the courage we inspire.”

��Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book

Book concluded the ceremony with a charge to graduates to be resilient and steadfast “like the mighty oak for which ��Ƶ is named.” The strengths and skills gained at ��Ƶ should be used to make a difference in the world.

“As we envision each of you launching into what’s next in the exciting career path ahead, carry ��Ƶ and our values with you always,” Book said. “Honesty: be truthful in your work and in your relationships. Integrity: be trustworthy, fair, and ethical.  Responsibility: be accountable for your actions. Respect: be simple, and value the dignity of each person.

“Use ��Ƶ’s values when you encounter the inevitable hard choices. Lean on them and each other when you need to reason things out. Remember, we are forever bound together by these values: you, me, your classmates, faculty, and staff. You are lifelong members of the ��Ƶ family.

“Congratulations, Class of 2025, and long live ��Ƶ!”

Candidates for the Master of Science in Accounting

Nick Amatulli
B.S., ��Ƶ

Juliet Baudoin
B.S., ��Ƶ

Cailin Daigle
B.S., ��Ƶ

Kelly Degnan
B.S., ��Ƶ

Emma Flynn
B.S., ��Ƶ

Wise Halverson
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Anna Hamner
B.S., ��Ƶ

Josh Hazlett
B.S., ��Ƶ

Blake Kessel
B.S., ��Ƶ

Tabitha Knedeisen
B.S., ��Ƶ

Vincent Ruggiero
B.S., ��Ƶ

Charlotte Scully
B.S., ��Ƶ

Allison Silvernale
B.S., ��Ƶ

Juliet Walker
B.A., ��Ƶ

Candidates for the Master of Science in Business Analytics

Ananya Agrawal
B.A., Assumption University

Alan Allred
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Robert Barcello
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Craig Brandstetter
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Nicholas Buchholz
B.A., Fordham University

Juan Callejo-Ropero
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Adam Cheifetz
B.A., ��Ƶ

Mackenzie Deming
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Yadira Fernandez-Delgado
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Annie Grantais
B.S., NEOMA Business School

Cece Guyader
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Narjis Jebali
B.S., SKEMA Business School

Jazlyn Jefferson
B.S., Hampton University

Mikayla Jones
B.A., Catawba College

Charline Kergueris
B.S., NEOMA Business School

Madeline Ludwig
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Mariana Martinez
B.B.A., Christian University

Will McCoy
B.A., ��Ƶ

Simone Royal George
M.Ed., Washington University

Annabelle Schall Faucheux
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Victor Stromsten
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Liz Sulley
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Madison Synowiec
B.S., ��Ƶ

James Thomas Tegler Jr.
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Dylan Tucker
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Candidates for the Master of Business Administration

John Acebu
B.A., Xavier University

Addie Ackley
B.S., West Virginia University
M.S., West Virginia University
J.D., ��Ƶ

Jaclyn Burke
B.S., University of South Carolina
J.D., ��Ƶ

Davis Cheek
B.S.B.A., ��Ƶ

Cuyler Field
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
J.D., ��Ƶ

Robert Floyd
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Sarah Fuller
B.A., High Point University
J.D., ��Ƶ

Kendra Haskins
B.A., Duke University

Tarah Holland
B.S., North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Steven Lawrence Losiewicz
B.B.A., Greensboro College

Emily Lyons
B.S., Western Carolina University

Brooke McCormick
B.A., Monmouth College
J.D., ��Ƶ

Aaron Mellette
B.S., ��Ƶ

Eduardo Mendes Flores
B.A., Texas A&M University
J.D., ��Ƶ

Ayo Onasanya
B.A., ��Ƶ
J.D., ��Ƶ

Moni Pao
B.S., North Carolina State University

William McGeachy Roberson
B.A., Davidson College

William Rock
B.S., Trident University

Ryan Xavier JaNeil Sanders
B.S., ��Ƶ

Patrick Schwartz
B.S., University of Hartford

Jon Seaton
B.A., ��Ƶ

Edith Sanchez Smith
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Sean Walker
B.A., ��Ƶ

Daniel Warren
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Aaron Whetstone
B.S., Clemson University

Katie Wolfe
B.B.A., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Candidates for the Master of Arts in Higher Education

Emma Rose Varner Calhoun
B.A., Duke University

Seth Lawrence Lasher
B.S., Kentucky Wesleyan College

Logan Montana Morral
B.A., York College of Pennsylvania

Cassandra McLean North
B.A., Roger Williams University

Rebecca Emily Osborne
B.A., North Carolina State University

Asmaa Zaitoun
B.S., University of Jordan
M.A., University of Jordan

Candidates for the Master of Education

Micaela Acosta
Bachelor’s, Universidad Nacional de Catamarca

Huanhuan Cai
B.A., Southwest University of Political Science and Law

Rocio Castillo Garcia
Bachelor’s, Escuela Normal Particular Autorizada in Queretaro

Erika Conde Garcia
Bachelor’s, Universidad Del Valle

Hailey Firmin
B.A., ��Ƶ

Lu Li
B.A., Tonghua Normal University

Rebecca McLamb
B.A., ��Ƶ

Ana Gabriela Peñaranda
Bachelor’s, Universidad de Cuenca

Yuli Andrea Peralta Verano
Bachelor’s, Institucion Universitaria Colombo Americana

Zoë Rein
B.A., ��Ƶ

Matthew R. Trez
B.A., ��Ƶ

Nan Ye
Bachelor’s, Shenyang Normal University in Shenyang

Qianhan Yi
Bachelor’s, China West Normal University

Yuqi Yuan
Bachelor’s, Yunnan Normal University,
Foreign Languages College in Kunming

��Ƶ students gain insights in South Korea

Diane Swenson — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 22:04:18 +0000

Between centuries-old palaces and cutting-edge AI startups, a group of ��Ƶ Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Business Analytics students recently immersed themselves in South Korea’s cultural heritage and rapidly evolving business landscape.

Led by Brittany Mercado, associate professor of management and chair of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, and Robert Moorman, the Frank S. Holt, Jr. Professor of Business Leadership and professor of organizational behavior, the nine-day experience took students from the streets of Seoul to the industrial city of Pohang.

The program provided an up-close look at how tradition and technology coexist in one of Asia’s most dynamic economies.

“Every experience challenged me to look beyond familiar corporate models,” said Madeline Ludwig ’23 G’25, an MSBA student from Nashville, Tennessee. “From the moment we touched down, I realized how deeply cultural values like respect and teamwork influence business operations here.”

Students began to see a recurring theme during site visits.

“I was amazed by how ancient customs fit seamlessly with high-tech innovation,” said Liz Sulley ’25 G’25, an MSBA student from Staten Island, New York. “It’s an approach I’d love to bring into my future career, where tradition and progress can complement each other.”

In between company tours, the cohort also met with individuals who fled North Korea through Freedom Speakers International. Hearing firsthand accounts of resilience and reinvention provided new perspectives on societal challenges.

“Their stories highlighted incredible perseverance,” Sulley said. “It also brought home the region’s humanitarian issues—something that rarely surfaces in day-to-day business discussions.”

Beyond formal meetings, cultural immersion added depth to what students learned in conference rooms. Ludwig and her cohort enjoyed late-night karaoke sessions and sampling puffer fish as steps in understanding Korean approaches to collaboration and problem-solving.

“Diving into everyday customs gave me a richer sense of how Koreans work together,” Ludwig said. “It’s something I’ll carry with me in any team environment.”

Site visits included:

Posco Steel in Pohang
Wells Fargo Korea
Samjeong KPMG
EY Korea
SV Investment
Ringle AI Tutors

For many, witnessing South Korea’s rapid economic development, less than a century after devastation offered lessons in adaptability and a broader global awareness.

“Seeing how they rebuilt and continue to innovate reminded me that business success is deeply tied to resilience,” Ludwig said. “There’s no better classroom than the world itself.”

Both students encouraged peers to seek out global study opportunities.

“Studying abroad isn’t just about adding passport stamps; it’s about transforming your perspective,” Sulley said. “If you get the chance, go. You’ll grow in ways you never imagined.”

Valle publishes journal article on the experience of incivility in organizations

mvalle — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 13:37:55 +0000

Matt Valle, ��Ƶ professor of management, along with colleagues Suzanne Zivnuska, Ken Harris, Ranida Harris, John Carlson and Dawn Carlson published research in the December 2024 issue of “Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration,” which investigated the spiraling effect of incivility perpetration following incivility victimization using organizational ICT (Information and Communication Technologies).

This is the first known test of the incidence of an incivility spiral due to communications enacted through ICT. According to the authors, there is special cause for concern given the often-impersonal nature of ICT use (and abuse) in organizations. Individuals may feel emboldened by the distance and perceived safety ICT mediation affords and may be less likely to moderate their online interactions with colleagues. Absent the physical intimacy and non-verbal signals that face-to-face interactions provide, individuals may be more likely to perpetuate incivility in ICT interactions even if there is no implicit intent to harm others.

The primary finding was that ICT incivility in the workplace has the potential to spiral, insofar as incivility victims are likely to become incivility perpetrators in the future. The research shows how technology-mediated communication can influence workplace relationships and behaviors, impacting overall workplace culture. By understanding the dynamics of incivility perpetuation through ICT, managers and organizational leaders can work toward promoting respectful and positive interactions in both virtual and physical work spaces.

ICT use is ubiquitous in organizations and maintaining high standards for civil discourse through the varied communication media may help organizations enhance collaboration, support employee emotional well-being, and deepen organizational commitment. Additionally, civil online interactions may help organizations avoid an escalation of other deviant behaviors in the future.

In online ICT interactions, the research team generally found that “what goes around, comes around.”

24 from 2024: Scenes from the past year at ��Ƶ

Avery Craine Powell — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:15:02 +0000

It was a big year for ��Ƶ. Among many major moments, ��Ƶ was ranked #1 in the nation for undergraduate teaching by U.S. News and World Report for the fourth consecutive year; the Class of 2028, ��Ƶ’s most diverse yet, was welcomed with open arms; ��Ƶ Law School launched the Flex Law Program in Charlotte and plans for the new HealthEU center were announced.

A selection of 24 photos from the year offers a look at what the ��Ƶ community accomplished in 2024.

Assistant Professor of Strategic Communications Karen Lindsey works with students in small groups during the Foundations of Strategic Communications class. In 2024, ��Ƶ was ranked #1 in the nation for undergraduate teaching for the fourth consecutive year.

The Class of 2028 and incoming transfer students proceed out of Alamance Building to New Student Convocation on Aug. 24.

��Ƶ Medallion recipients, from left, Kyle Wills, Jean Rattigan-Rohr and Steven House

Jeremy Allen '07 with his father, Trustee Noel Allen '69 at the ��Ƶ Medallion ceremony on Friday, April 19, 2024.

Retired Adm. Mike Mullen delivers the inaugural Carol Ann Walker International Lecture in McCrary Theatre on Nov. 11, 2024.

Actor Ginna Claire Mason performs with students during the spring commencement ceremony on May 24.

Mary Jo Festle, left, and Ann Cahill were presented with medallions in recognition of their selection as Distinguished University Professors during a formal ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in McKinnon Hall.

Longtime ��Ƶ ��Ƶ leader Barry Bradberry '75 was surprised with a special retirement breakfast at Biscuitville with staff from the Office of ��Ƶ on May 28.

Emily Stober '25 performs as Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde: The Musical" during an ��Ƶ mainstage production in Fall 2024. In a collaboration between ��Ƶ’s Music Theatre Program and the Department of Engineering, the show’s co-starring dogs were played by quadruped robots programmed, costumed and controlled by engineering students.

Recognized at the 2024 Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony are, from left, Professor of Physical Therapy Education Charity Johansson, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Education Srikant Vallabhajosula, Associate Professor of Sport Management Shaina Dabbs and Professor of Sociology Tom Arcaro.

Students gather during the first College Coffee of the Fall 2024 semester. College Coffee is a weekly tradition every Tuesday during the academic year, allowing students, faculty and staff to gather for food and fellowship.

Fireworks kick off ��Ƶ's Homecoming & Reunion Weekend at Rock the Block.

Students created a "Hope Wall" in front of Alamance Building following the 2024 Election.

The new EcoVillage at Loy Farm opened in Fall 2024. The Living Learning Community will offer an opportunity for hands-on learning through horticulture, agriculture and research with the Center for Environmental Studies. It will eventually include 12 sustainable homes along with a renovated ranch house that will serve as a common area. Students designed the first home alongside Robert Charest, associate professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Studies, with input from University Planning Design and Construction Management.

��Ƶ reached the CAA Men's Soccer Championship Semifinals for the fourth straight season and finished as the tournament's number one seed in two of the last three years.

President Connie Ledoux Book speaks at an Evening for ��Ƶ event in Washington, D.C.

Renovations were completed on the Gerald L. Francis Center. The university has been updating the Francis Center over the last several years by adding skills labs, classrooms, student study spaces and a interprofessional lab equipped with augmented, virtual and mixed reality technology. There is also a new entry garden dedicated to those who have donated their bodies to science. The building houses ��Ƶ’s School of Health Sciences.

Students move into the new East Neighborhood Commons on Aug. 23, 2024. ��Ƶ welcomed the Class of 2028, ��Ƶ's most diverse yet.

The Phoenix defeated Campbell University 50-27 during ��Ƶ's 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend

A Master of Physician Assistant Studies graduate receives their hood from School of Health Sciences Dean Maha Lund during the School of Health Sciences commencement ceremony on Dec. 13 in Alumni Gym.

The inaugural cohort of the ��Ƶ Flex Law Program.

For the first time, floating Asian lanterns were placed in Fonville Fountain on Scott Plaza for the Festival of Lights and Luminaries. Students wrote wishes on the lanterns and released them into the water.

Arthur C. Brooks participates in a Q&A session with Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, following his Fall Convocation address on Sept. 27 in Alumni Gym.

The ��Ƶ men's basketball team (3-2) made a statement win on Nov. 22, defeating unbeaten Notre Dame (4-1) on the road inside the Joyce Center, 84-77.

Among the notable news from 2024:

The accolades continued to pour in for ��Ƶ. In addition to a #1 ranking for undergraduate teaching, U.S. News and World Report also ranked ��Ƶ #1 for learning communities and first-year experiences, and ��Ƶ was ranked in the top 12 in all eight U.S. News and World Report categories of “programs that enhance student experience.” The Princetown Review listed ��Ƶ Law in its 2024 guidebook of “The Best 168 Law Schools” and named ��Ƶ’s MBA program as one of the “Best Business Schools for 2024.”
��Ƶ welcomed several new and familiar faces to university leadership. Hilton Kelly began his role as dean of ��Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences. Associate Dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Haya Ajjan was named the next dean of the school. Anu Räisänen became the inaugural director of HealthEU Initiatives and Professor of Management Mustafa Akben was named ��Ƶ’s first director of artificial intelligence integration.
��Ƶ broke its record for study abroad participation with a 94% participation rate among doctoral institutions, according to the 2022-23 Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report.
In March, ��Ƶ launched the Imagining the Digital Future Center, expanding upon the work during the past 20 years of The Imagining the Internet Center with scholar-in-residence Lee Rainie, with the Pew Research Center, now at ��Ƶ as the new center’s director.
A new partnership with Novant Health will allow students in ��Ƶ’s Physician Assistant Studies program to undertake hands-on clinical education in the Charlotte metro area.
��Ƶ and eight other colleges and universities in North Carolina and Pennsylvania joined forces to bring an innovative, large-scale solar facility online in western Kentucky. The project is a significant step in ��Ƶ’s journey to carbon neutrality by 2037.
Several new facilities opened on campus including a new EcoVillage at Loy Farm and the East Neighborhood Commons. Final renovations were also completed at the Gerald L. Francis Center to include skills labs, classrooms, student study spaces and an interprofessional lab.
The ��Ƶ Medallion, the university’s highest honor for service, was awarded to four: Trustee Noel Allen ‘69 in April and three former university leaders in August: Provost Emeritx Steven House, former Senior Associate Athletics Director Kyle Wills and former Vice President for Access and Success Jean Rattigan-Rohr.
��Ƶ announced a $3 million fundraising campaign to expand and enhance training and practice facilities for the men’s and women’s golf teams, creating one of the golf facilities in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and college golf.
��Ƶ said farewell to the Class of 2024 with actor Ginna Claire Mason ’13, formerly Glinda in Broadway’s “Wicked,” delivering the 2024 commencement address, encouraging graduates to “dream big, keep going and sing out.”
��Ƶ’s 17^th annual Night of the Phoenix event set a new record, raising $521,923 for ��Ƶ Athletics.
The university welcomed several speakers to campus through the ��Ƶ Speaker Series including authors Herb Frazier, Bernard Powers and Marjory Wentworth; Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford; Hall of Fame baseball manager Tony La Russa; former presidential advisor David Gergen and his son Christopher Gergen; environmental activist and author Leah Thomas; Havard professor and bestselling author Arthur Brooks and retired Adm. Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint chiefs of staff, who delivered the inaugural Carol Ann Walker International Lectureship.

Planting the seed with Jonathan Lindberg ’04 G’18

Caroline DiFrango '23 — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 13:53:25 +0000

Jonathan Lindberg’s ’04 G’18 father has been a forester his entire life. So, even though Lindberg decided to attend ��Ƶ on a whim three days before fall classes began, it felt inevitable in hindsight.

“I grew up literally and figuratively in the outdoors,” Lindberg says. “Planting my tree after graduating in 2004 from undergraduate studies was impactful, and getting the opportunity to do so again after receiving my MBA almost 15 years later was something I very much looked forward to.”

Jonathan Lindberg ’04 G’18 among family and coworkers at a Susan G. Komen walk.

Like his two oaks, Lindberg’s career is also thriving. This fall, he was promoted to head of development operations at G1 Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to creating cutting-edge cancer treatments. This career advancement inspired him to reflect on his time at ��Ƶ.

As a double major in accounting and business administration, Lindberg took advantage of ��Ƶ’s cross-curricular approach. From dissecting cadavers to participating in a black box theater production, Lindberg tried it all. This, paired with the diverse people he met at ��Ƶ, provided Lindberg with a dynamic understanding of the world.

“[But] what ��Ƶ provided more than anything was a foundation of interpersonal skills intermixed with basic technical and educational abilities that positioned me to be able to insert myself into a variety of environments where I could quickly and easily become comfortable,” he said. “I like to think of my time at ��Ƶ as when I ‘learned how to learn.’”

Jonathan Lindberg ’04 G’18 graduating with his MBA.

These experiences and Lindberg’s professional aspirations compelled him to return to campus for an MBA in 2015. Lindberg continued to progress in the life sciences with the help of his master’s degree and was recruited to G1 Therapeutics in 2022.

“The most rewarding part of the G1 story has been seeing the growth in the number of patients that are receiving our product,” he says. “Knowing that patients are waiting inspires us to bring our very best each and every day.”

Even as his career advances, Lindberg remains involved with his alma mater through the Martha & Spencer Love School of Business Graduate Alumni Board.

“It has been great to be engaged with the University at a different level – seeing the passion and ambition shared by the leaders of the LSB to continue to develop a thriving program is truly inspiring,” said Lindberg.

His experiences with ��Ƶ over the past two decades have proven to him the value of an ��Ƶ education.

“What truly helps ��Ƶ alumni stand out is that they are exceptionally well rounded, aware of the world around them, and generally more dynamic,” he said. “I think this is a byproduct of the engaged learning practices on campus. I’ve heard the same from many past colleagues and business leaders.”

Jonathan Lindberg ’04 G’18 on a panel from an Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) on Careers in Clinical Research

In addition to taking advantage of all ��Ƶ has to offer, Lindberg advises current students to follow where their passions lead. “Do your best to get as deep and wide of a basic foundational understanding,” he said. “Then, aggressively pursue whatever provides you with the most motivation and excitement.”

“You’re one thousand times better regretting having done something than not having the courage to say yes to something,” he adds. “This is the time to think big, explore, pursue passions and take chances.”

MBA | Today at ������Ƶ | ������Ƶ

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