Open to students of all class years, the Meet & Greet is designed to foster meaningful connections between students and employers actively seeking talent in the fields of communications and sport management. Whether students are exploring career paths, searching for internships, or preparing for post-graduation employment, this event provides a welcoming environment to network and gain insight into various industries.

Attendees will have the chance to engage in one-on-one conversations with employers, learn about current job and internship opportunities and gain advice on how to stand out in competitive professional settings. Events like this not only help students build their professional networks but also allow them to practice essential communication skills in a real-world setting.

Students are encouraged to bring copies of their resumes, dress professionally and come prepared with questions. The Communications and Sport Management Meet & Greet promises to be an excellent opportunity to take the next step toward a successful career.

Autumn Parish ’28 found her place in the African Diaspora Living-Learning Community, located on the fourth floor of Jackson Hall in the Global Neighborhood. On that hall during her first year, she discovered best friends and built the foundation of her ������Ƶ experience.

“It’s important where you live,” Parish said. “You have to feel at home when you’re not home.”

While the African Diaspora LLC is her safe space on campus, the human service studies major is deeply involved in campus life. Parish serves as a member of the Student Government Association, a SMART mentor, an ������Ƶ College Fellow, a fall 2025 initiate of Alpha Kappa Alapa Sorority, Inc., a Renaissance Scholar and secretary for the National Council of Negro Women.

She also works as a student coordinator for the Black Student Success team, helping plan events centered on the Black community at ������Ƶ.

“I find planning events fulfilling because it lets students know that their community is here,” Parish said.

Mentorship

Mentorship is woven into the culture at ������Ƶ. Professors, staff and students alike step into mentorship roles, helping others navigate their college experience.

Parish serves as a SMART mentor, which feels natural. She’d always tried to be a positive role model for her younger siblings back home, and she now extends that same energy to first-year students finding their footing at ������Ƶ.

Sandra Reid, a professor of human service studies and Parish’s research adviser, inspires Parish’s approach to mentoring. Reid first made an impression at an admissions event when she led a mock class that ultimately swayed Parish’s decision to choose ������Ƶ.

“I know I can be successful in a small classroom environment where professors don’t see me as a number, but they know who I am,” Parish said. “They know my name, and they care about my well-being.”

Now working alongside Reid for her research, Parish continues to grow academically and personally.

“Autumn is a caring, inquisitive and highly focused research student who consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to learning,” Reid said. “She soaks up new information and engages thoughtfully with complex material, applying strong critical thinking skills to her work.”

The culture of mentorship at ������Ƶ has been one of the university’s defining characteristics.

“I love when people help me help the world,” Parish said. “I love that it’s part of the culture. The professors want you to succeed. The advisers want you to succeed. Even someone who doesn’t even know who you are, they want to see you succeed.”

History in the Making

For Parish, Black History Month is about understanding where you come from and honoring those who paved the way.

Growing up, her parents emphasized that the opportunities she has today exist because of sacrifices made by generations before her.

“And just to think that was only a couple of generations away — my grandparents protested,” Parish said. “They showed us how important it was and the sacrifices they made for the opportunity for me to get a scholarship at a school I didn’t even think I could go to.”

That perspective shapes how she approaches her work on campus. Parish believes history is not confined to the past. It is unfolding every day.

“Black history is happening all the time, and you are living Black history because everything that you do is history in the making,” she said.

Parish views her involvement at ������Ƶ as preparation for a life centered on service and impact. The sense of belonging she found in her first year and the mentors who guided her continue to shape how she shows up for others.

“Everything that you do makes an impact on future things to come,” Parish said. “Every decision you make can make a positive impact if you let it.”

Black History Month

As part of Black History Month, ������Ƶ is sharing stories through Today at ������Ƶ that highlight Black students, faculty and staff who actively contribute to a campus environment where cultural histories and identities are celebrated year-round. In February, ������Ƶ is also recognizing the month through a series of events and programming.

The Department of Performing Art’s production from Feb. 13-15, 2026, featured an immersive sound design developed through collaboration between Associate Professor Michael Smith, Production Manager Rick Earl and music production and recording arts student Brandon Cericola ’26.

The project blends Smith’s sabbatical research in immersive audio with Cericola’s interest in sound design for film and television, where immersive sound is increasingly common. The result was a student production that expanded beyond a traditional theatrical sound system.

“The traditional audio for musicals is augmented by eight surround speakers placed in the audience, some for sound effects, others to bring the performance out into the space more, to surround the audience with vocals,” Earl said.

The production used the department’s existing equipment, along with additional loudspeakers, to create the sound effect. The show used 80 inputs and 38 outputs, with updated software to help automate immersive sound effects. While some immersive systems require major hardware investments, the team developed manual techniques to adapt the live performance within available resources.

“The nature of the show is more rock-oriented, and maybe more intimate than some musicals, and takes place in a city, which by nature is an immersive environment,” Earl said. “The stars aligned — the right student, the recent research, experiences and the desire of all of us to do something like this.”

Cericola had significant creative ownership of the design. Aside from the required elements, much of what the audience heard was his creation. Earl and Smith worked with Cericola over the summer to build a small immersive setup, allowing him to record musicians, experiment with mixing and refining before scaling the systems for McCrary Theatre.

“A lot of what you hear is Brandon’s creation,” Earl said. “Large-scale system implementation like this takes strong project management skills, leadership and mentoring skills, documentation, flexibility, time management, and the ability to know when something isn’t going to work and find an alternative.

“From an audience perspective, I think it will bring them into the ‘world’ that is ‘RENT’ and enhance their experience,” Earl said.

For Cericola, the production represents the combination of the experiences he has had while at ������Ƶ.

“This has been the most challenging project I have taken on at ������Ƶ, and it is a combination of many skills I have learned here,” Cericola said. “To hear the show come to life during rehearsal was exciting and satisfying. It is evidence of my education and time at ������Ƶ.”

Cericola drew on coursework in the Music Production and Recording Arts program, leadership experiences, work study roles with the Office of Cultural and Special Programs and immersive audio research developed as an ������Ƶ College Fellow. He also attended the NAMM Show, an international music industry trade show, where he connected with manufacturers, sound designers and an engineer to discuss immersive audio approaches and set-ups.

For Smith, the production marks a full-circle moment following his sabbatical research.

“The research I did on my sabbatical was my main leaping point for trying to do immersive audio on the McCrary stage,” Smith said. “After hearing Brandon’s and Rick’s setup over the summer, I knew the next step would have to be producing a live musical with a similar setup.”

During his sabbatical, Smith built a scaled-down immersive theatre that was later expanded and installed in Roberts Studio Theatre. The 25-speaker system allows each speaker to be individually assigned and controlled, creating a unique learning space for students.

“It is the only theatre in this area that has an immersive audio system for students to do their sound design work on,” Smith said.

Earl, Smith and Cericola made decisions as a team to ensure the project remained manageable and cost-effective. They said the collaboration shows what is possible when research, creativity and student passions intersect.

“Without all three of us working together, something like this wouldn’t have been possible,” Smith said. “Now we realize what possibilities we have for future performances, not just in the Department of Performing Arts but for Cultural event programs as well.”

The symposium involved presentations from academics and practitioners from across the country. Two of the ������Ƶ students also presented their undergraduate research.

“I learned truly how applicable outdoor education and experiential education can be incorporated into our lives,” said Calista Quirk ’26,��who presented her research titled “Exploring Gender Boundaries in College and University Outdoor Education Programs Across North Carolina.” “I felt unbelievably empowered by how much research can impact a group of people. I truly learned how much of an impact I can have as a single person with a passion for what I do every day.”

Adam Arno ’26 presented research titled ‘Beyond Entertainment: Exploring Humor as a Response to Stress in Outdoor Education Programming.” Arno shared that the experience “gave me a first look into the potential for outdoor education research. It was a special opportunity to present my undergraduate research in front of top names in the field. It also was a chance to get my name out into the world as someone interested in pushing forward research in experiential education.”

While at the conference, students attended sessions and networked with faculty and undergraduates. Sessions challenged them to broaden their view of outdoor experiential education and consider how data and assessment can inform program practice.

Leah Brooker ’27 said that the conference “inspired me to continue asking questions about outdoor education practices, how they can impact others, and how their value can be integrated into a multitude of different disciplines. I learned that the field is multifaceted, ever-evolving, and making exciting advancements toward helping others recognize its importance. This experience motivated me to dive deeper into my undergraduate research.”

Nearly 300 aspiring ������Ƶ College Fellows participated in academic sessions, program receptions, group simulations and interviews during Fellows Weekend. Led by the Office of ������Ƶ, the annual Fellows Weekend invites to campus high school seniors in contention for the university’s signature fellows and scholarship programs.

“Talking with prospective ������Ƶ College Fellows was incredibly energizing,” said Associate Professor Renay Aumiller, director of the ������Ƶ College Fellows program. “Students brought such thoughtfulness, curiosity and openness to every conversation, and it was clear how deeply they were already thinking about learning, collaboration and purpose. Those moments of dialogue and connection are always my favorite part of Fellows Weekend.”

The ������Ƶ College Fellows program is a four-year academic and professional program for students who are passionately committed to exploring the breadth, depth and connections within ������Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences.

There are three branches of the ������Ƶ College Fellows program for the 60 students selected for the cohort: Arts and Humanities Fellows, Mathematical and Natural Sciences Fellows and Social Sciences Fellows. Among other requirements, Fellows must intend to major in one of the many fields within ������Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences and rank in the top 15% of their high school class.

Aumiller said she was struck by both enthusiasm and depth of engagement displayed by students throughout Fellows Weekend, which took place Feb. 6-7, 2026. The weekend also provided an opportunity for prospective families to connect with faculty, staff and current ������Ƶ students in the ������Ƶ College Fellows program.

“I left the weekend feeling inspired,” Aumiller said. “The energy was vibrant, focused and genuinely curious. Students were asking thoughtful questions, listening closely and engaging with one another in meaningful ways. There was a real sense of excitement about learning and being part of something larger than themselves.

“It was a joy to meet so many students and their families and to share the values of the ������Ƶ College Fellows program with them,” she added. “The level of engagement, warmth and enthusiasm throughout the weekend made it a special experience for all of us involved.”

Participants were organized into advocacy teams based on geographic location. Ryu and��her team (of North Carolina 4th Congressional District) met with the offices of U.S. Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis through their legislative assistants and held an in-person meeting with U.S. Representative Valerie Foushee of North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District. In each meeting, Ryu participated in the discussions focused on��STEM education and continued federal funding, through the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DoE), and National Institutes of Health (NIH), to sustain and strengthen the U.S. STEM workforce.

The conversations emphasized that mathematics is foundational to nearly every STEM field, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, climate modeling and advanced manufacturing. While often operating behind the scenes, mathematical sciences provide the analytical framework that enables innovation across STEM fields. Federal support, such as NSF, ensures that students receive high-quality training in quantitative reasoning, data analysis, and interdisciplinary problem-solving—skills that are increasingly critical in a rapidly evolving economy.

As a faculty member at a primarily undergraduate institution, Ryu highlighted how her NSF-supported research directly benefits students from various STEM majors at ������Ƶ. NSF funding allows faculty to engage undergraduates in authentic research experiences that integrate teaching and scholarship. Through these projects, students gain hands-on experience working with real data, computational models, and collaborative research teams. Many of her former and current students have gone on to graduate programs in STEM, federally funded research positions, or STEM careers in industry and healthcare, contributing directly to the national workforce pipeline.

The meetings also underscored the important role that primarily undergraduate institutions play in educating a diverse STEM workforce, including first-generation students and those from rural or underserved communities. Investments in NSF programs that support undergraduate research help expand access to STEM pathways and ensure that talent from a wide range of backgrounds is represented in the nation’s scientific workforce.

By participating in #MathSciOnTheHill, Ryu helped amplify a collective message from the mathematical sciences community: continued federal investment in mathematics education and research is a strategic investment in the strength, adaptability, and competitiveness of the U.S. STEM workforce.

The Capitol Hill visit highlighted how faculty advocacy can connect classroom and research experiences at ������Ƶ to national conversations about innovation, economic growth, and workforce development. Her Capitol Hill visit was supported by the American Mathematical Society.

At this conference, three ������Ƶ students and two faculty attended and presented.

Student Accomplishments:

• Kelly Donovan ’26, a double major in applied mathematics and statistics, a Lumen Scholar and College Fellow, presented her Lumen project titled “Novel Deep-Sea Coral Imputation Technique: Filling in Missing Data to Further Coral Conservation” in a poster session. Her research is mentored by Assistant Professor of Statistics Nic Bussberg.

• Lisa Kranec ’28,��a double major in engineering and applied mathematics, presented her recent project in a poster session titled, “ Mathematical Modeling of Cardiac Macrophages in COVID-19.” Her research team��is mentored by Associate Professor Hwayeon Ryu and their work has been supported by the����(under Ryu).

• Pagnapech Ngoun ’26,��an engineering major, presented her collaborative research in an oral session titled, “ Mathematical Modeling of COVID-19 Reveals Immune Cell Dysfunction.”��Her research represents recent findings based on a new mathematical model��that accounts for the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the human immune system. Her research team��is mentored by Associate Professor Hwayeon Ryu and their work has been supported by the����(under Ryu).

Faculty Accomplishments:

• Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Keta Henderson gave an invited talk on her collaborative work titled “Analysis of trade-off between dispersal and patch intrinsic growth for a landscape ecological model” in a session “Women in Mathematical Biology”.��Henderson also served as a moderator and co-organizer for the Association of Women in Mathematics Panel: “Shattering the Myths—Hiring Women in Mathematics.” In addition, she participated in a professional development session focused on teaching multivariable calculus using CalcPlot3D and 3D printing. She plans to incorporate these strategies into her MTH 2520 Multivariable Calculus and Analytic Geometry in Spring 2026.

• Associate Professor of Mathematics Hwayeon Ryu��co-organized a special session titled “Women in Mathematical Biology,” in which a total of 16 invited speakers presented a variety of life science questions through the lens of mathematical modeling��to understand complex system dynamics. The goal was to highlight the new developments or advancements along with the diverse group of researchers who drive innovation.��In this session, Ryu presented her recently published paper, “,” partially supported by��������Ƶ Faculty Research & Development Full-Year, Full-Pay Sabbatical Award with Financial Assistance.

“I had a very fulfilling time while at JMM. Althe l presentations I was able to attend, all conversations I had with professors from different programs, and all pieces of feedback I received on my poster were very enriching. I’m very grateful I was able to attend the conference and I’m excited to hopefully attend in the future,” said Donovan ’26.

Participants learned about the��EcoVillage LLC at Loy Farm��proposal process and how the LLC integrates with the existing farm and academic initiatives on site. Presenters also offered learning moments, bumps in the road, and reflections on the EcoVillage’s first two years as a community.��Participants also gained insights on how to potentially kickstart a conversation on tiny house partnerships at their institution.��

The EcoVillage will be available for sophomores through seniors to select during Housing Selection coming up in February for returning students for the 2026-27 academic year.

Rafting through the Grand Canyon two years ago, Braetan Peters ’26 was taken by the beauty of the cliffs and valleys, but something else was also on her mind: her cell phone.

“The trip lasted eight days, and five days were actually water rafting throughout the canyon. So, we covered over 130 miles, and it was intense camping. And during that time, I did not have access to my cell phone, so I constantly felt the need to reach down and go ‘Oh, where’s my cell phone?’”

So, when it came time to find a topic for her ������Ƶ College Fellows research, Peters decided to explore the addictive factor of cell phones and how peoples’ behavior changes after not having access to the devices for extended periods.

“That experience in the Canyon really propelled this research forward,” said Peters, who is from Annville, Pennsylvania.

������Ƶ College Fellows is a four-year academic and professional program in ������Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences, for students who are passionately committed to exploring the breadth, depth and connections within the arts and sciences.

Right now, Peters is in the process of gathering survey data. Over the summer, she partnered with Hatch River Expeditions, a family-owned rafting company in Northern Arizona. The company sent out Peters’ information to its clients, asking if they’d like to participate. Once confirmed, Peters surveyed people before their rafting trip and then followed up after.

“Grand Canyon is probably one of the last places left where your phone can’t constantly get internet. We hope we can help her get what she needs,” said Steve Hatch, owner of Hatch River Expeditions. “Not very many people in the world get access to the Grand Canyon the way we do. Whenever we can, we like to use that access to help people.”

In addition to survey results from Grand Canyon rafters, Peters will also survey students on Winter Term study abroad trips to Tanzania and New Zealand, where their cell phone use will be minimal.

A biology major with a neuroscience minor, Peters is currently on a pre-med track, so she says, getting experience with this kind of research will be helpful for her future. Undergraduate research is one of the five ������Ƶ Experiences, along with study abroad, service, leadership, internships and research. Students are required to complete at least two of the experiences before they graduate. With undergraduate research, students pair up with a faculty member as their mentor. Mat Gendle, professor of psychology, is serving as Peters’ mentor.

“It’s been super helpful to have someone to guide me through this process since it’s my first time,” said Peters, who has also been an ������Ƶ Women’s cross country and track and field student athlete for the past three years.�� “I chose Mat Gendle because of his enthusiasm to work with me on this. This isn’t something that he has done previously, but he has knowledge in the neuroscience area.”

Peters is working on a manuscript for the project and hopes to submit it for publication after graduating.

Titled “A Qualitative Study of Parent-Reported Biopsychosocial Challenges Among North American Families with Adopted Children Living with Perinatally-Acquired HIV,” the article applies a biopsychosocial framework to better understand the complex realities these families face. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 22 adoptive caregivers, the research highlights that, while HIV is now a manageable medical condition thanks to effective antiretroviral treatment, families often grapple with significant psychological and social challenges.

Among the most pressing issues were early childhood trauma, racial discrimination and HIV-related stigma. Parents reported difficulties navigating disclosure in schools and communities, particularly when trying to advocate for their children without compromising their privacy. Many participants also emphasized the need for trauma-informed care and increased cultural sensitivity among healthcare and educational professionals.

“Parents described a reality in which HIV wasn’t the biggest challenge—it was the surrounding stigma, racism, and the long-term effects of trauma,” said Fair. “This research calls for holistic support systems that reflect the lived experiences of adoptive families.”

The study was supported by ������Ƶ College Fellows and Undergraduate Research Programs. Wolgin, who plans to attend law school in the fall, served as a co-author on the project.