Rafi Dahdal ’24 G’24��will serve a three-year term as��Youth Trustee, joining Megan Curling ’23 and Elizabeth “Liz” Kwon L’23 in youth leadership roles for the university’s governing body.

The Board of Trustees has ultimate corporate and fiduciary responsibility for ������Ƶ. It oversees ������Ƶ’s long-term health and strategic direction, educational policy, finances and operations, and overall advancement of the university’s mission.

Dahdal was active on campus as a student advisor, tutor, teaching assistant, intern in the Center for Organizational Analytics, Graduate Advisory Board representative, and student worker in the university’s mail center. His academic work focused on the intersection of AI and business intelligence.

Dahdal today serves as a division business analyst at in Raleigh, N.C., and aspires to attend medical school, where he hopes to apply data-driven insights to improve patient outcomes and clinic operations.

“Being selected for this position is not just an honor, it’s an opportunity to represent student voices at the highest level,” Dahdal said. “It’s not just a title. It’s a platform.”

Building on his experience as a student leader at ������Ƶ, Dahdal said he looks forward to engaging broadly with peers and serving as a voice for the student body in the boardroom.

Born in Syria, Dahdal moved to Raleigh in 2012 and is the oldest of four siblings, including Rony Dahdal ’26. He graduated from in Raleigh where he pursued multiple internship and learning opportunities that he described as honoring the sacrifices his parents made for him.

A later recipient of the Leon and Lorraine Watson Scholarship through ������Ƶ’s Odyssey Program, and a graduate of the Accelerated 3+1 Business Dual-Degree Program in Business Analytics, Rafi Dahdal credits his campus mentors for helping him find a sense of purpose.

Dahdal said he always attempts to bring a thoughtful, data-informed mindset to leadership. “Meaningful change starts with listening and leading with intention,” he said. “My goal is to build bridges between students and leadership—to make sure every voice is heard.

“I’m excited to bring a fresh perspective grounded in collaboration and innovation with a deep commitment to making a lasting impact.”

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.

Established in 2007 within University Advancement, the invite-only council advises the university on programs and services for young alums and current students as they transition into their lives after graduation.

The new members’ first meeting with the full board will be on Friday, May 2 as part of Alumni Awards Weekend.

Emma Bach ’24 
Emma Bach graduated from ������Ƶ in 2024 with degrees in public health and policy studies with minors in human service studies and political science. Bach was involved in a variety of activities while a student at ������Ƶ, including serving as president of Kappa Delta, being an inaugural staff member for the Phoenix Policy Think Tank and representing the Class of 2024 as a Senator in the Student Government Association. She currently works for Lee County as an AmeriCorps Lead for North Carolina Fellow.

Amaya Gaines ’23 
Amaya Gaines graduated from ������Ƶ as a double major in political science and policy studies with a minor in Leadership Studies. As a student, Gaines was a recipient of the Lumen Prize, the university’s most prestigious undergraduate research award. Gaines worked with faculty to create PST 3700, also known as the Phoenix Policy Think Tank. She is currently pursuing a doctorate at Cornell University’s Brooks School of Public Policy & Government.

Justin Morin ’17 ��
Justin Morin graduated from ������Ƶ with a bachelor’s in economics. During his time at ������Ƶ, Justin was a Lumen Scholar and Honors Fellow. His extracurricular activities included serving on the Cultural Event Planning Committee for Sigma Pi Fraternity. Morin also worked as a university guide and student assistant for Hillel. Morin is currently a Vice President at Citizens Bank, focusing on investment banking for gaming and leisure companies.

Kyle Porro ’17 ��
Kyle Porro graduated from ������Ƶ with a bachelor of science in finance and a minor in environmental and sustainability studies. As a student, Porro was heavily involved on campus, serving as Student Body President. Professionally, Porro is currently a lawyer and has also co-founded his own business, Stirred Stories, a publishing company that promotes diversity in storytelling.

Lexy Roberts ’19 ��
Lexy Roberts graduated with a degree in public health. As a student, she was a research consultant for the Black Oaks Restoration Project and worked in the Office of the President. After graduation, Roberts worked for the Racial Equity Institute as a DEI trainer and organizer. After serving in the Leadership Alamance Program through the Alamance Chamber, she worked her way through the education consultant field and began working as a Network Navigator for StriveTogether.

Spencer Wagner ’18
Spencer Wagner graduated from ������Ƶ as a double major in political science and policy studies. As a student, Wagner was heavily involved in the Student Government Association serving as class senator and, eventually, executive vice president. He graduated from American University with his master of public administration in 2023. Wagner is currently a Performance Analyst for the District Department of Transportation in Washington, DC.

Erin Wilkins ’18��
Erin Wilkins graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s in public health. She subsequently attended George Washington University and earned a master of arts in education and human development. Since then, Erin has climbed the ladder in the field of Human Resources with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion and now serves as a manager of diversity, equity and inclusion at Goodwin. Her work earned her recognition as a 2024 recipient of a 10 Under 10 award.

“I tried an almost ‘Three Stooges’ slapstick style or ‘The Office’ sarcasm,” he said. “If you read the book out loud, it presents in a way that I would speak. It was to help me be a better speaker and writer.”

Vet’s love for public speaking started as a student at ������Ƶ, speaking about leadership to high school groups and professional associations. A year after graduating in 2013, Vet and a partner opened The Oak House in downtown ������Ƶ. Since then, he has risen to executive leadership roles at multiple companies as well as held advisory board roles in several companies and non-profits and shares his experiences as an international speaker. He also serves on the ������Ƶ Alumni Advisory Board and the Doherty Center Advisory Board.

“Speak Goodr” includes a variety of humorous stories and some of the “wildest things” that have happened during Vet’s speaking career, including a recent chaotic incident during a conference presentation.

“I was speaking in an exhibit hall and every person was given a pair of headphones. I had to talk into a microphone that just went to their headphones, which was a very unreal and surreal experience,” he said. “While, all the while, the stage had a massive divot in it that was imploding. The monitors and slides were strobing. An AV guy comes on stage and starts talking to me, blocking me and totally interrupts the presentation. Meanwhile, the meeting planner was still trying to keep the event on schedule.”

But Vet says while public speaking can have some mishaps and be intimidating to many people, it’s important to remember why you’re speaking in the first place.

“The reason you end up on stage, whether it’s a board room, corporate stage or a conference is because someone thought you had a message to share,” he said. “What I tell people is you have to take that message that you have and you have to share it, even if it’s just for one person, you’ve done your job.”

“Speak Goodr” is available at major retailers and .

“When I was a kid, the only thing my mom would be OK with us having on TV while we were eating dinner was the evening news and Jeopardy!,” said Phillips. “It was a great family experience. We would watch it, shout in answers and it would spark discussions and conversations. It’s just something I really love and it’s relaxing too.”

This September, Phillips had the opportunity to hear the famed Jeopardy jingle, not through the TV, but as a contestant, standing behind the podium with a buzzer in hand.

“I walked into the studio for the first time and saw the stage and my jaw dropped,” said Phillips.

Phillips’ episode is scheduled to air Friday, Nov. 1, but her journey to the Jeopardy! stage has been years in the making. Potential contestants must first take the Jeopardy! Anytime Test, which Phillips estimates she has taken 15 to 20 times. In April 2023, she took the test again, and a year later, was finally selected to take a second, proctored exam. Then she was chosen for an audition, meeting with the casting producers to see if she could play the game.

“Playing the game is very different than answering the questions on the quiz,” she said. “It was a whirlwind of a summer, just all Jeopardy, all the time.”

An audition does not guarantee a spot on the show, but for Phillips is paved the way to her appearance. To prepare, she took advice from previous contestants who noted that a lot of the questions are going to be what you already know. But she still practiced with 500 flashcards for a month before filming at Sony Studios in Los Angeles in September.

“The best part was spending the day in the green room with the other contestants for that week,” she said. “We couldn’t have our phones so the only thing we did was talk to each other and watch the games that were happening. It was an amazing group of people who all shared a love of knowledge, facts and trivia.”

Phillips graduated from ������Ƶ with a double major in history and international studies and a minor in political science. She took a year off and then earned her law degree from the College of William & Mary. Originally from Rockville, Maryland, she now lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and is a commercial space regulatory attorney for the Federal Aviation Administration. While at ������Ƶ, Phillips immersed herself in the ������Ƶ Experiences, including two study abroad experiences: in Ireland and in London.

“They were so much fun and I learned so much,” said Phillips. “I really appreciated both of those.”

While Philips could not talk about the specifics of her Jeopardy! episode before it airs, she could emphasize how her ������Ƶ education made an impact.

“I became such a well-rounded and life-long learner at ������Ƶ,” she said. “There was such encouragement to try different things and constantly explore new areas. That well-roundedness helps with a show that is general knowledge trivia.”

Phillips becomes the second member of the ������Ƶ community to appear on Jeopardy! this year. Marko Saric, an adjunct instructor in mathematics, was a contestant on the long-running show in April.

The former president of ������Ƶ Law’s Student Bar Association has been elected to serve a two-year term as Youth Trustee on the ������Ƶ Board of Trustees.

Elizabeth “Liz” Kwon L’23, an attorney at in Durham, North Carolina, is the first alumna of an ������Ƶ graduate program ever elected by the Board to serve in that leadership role.

The Board of Trustees has ultimate corporate and fiduciary responsibility for ������Ƶ. It is responsible for the university’s long-term health, oversight for its strategic direction, educational policy, finances and operations, and for advancing the mission of the university.

The Maryland native hopes her presence on the Board of Trustees will help raise additional awareness across campus of the many ways ������Ƶ’s graduate students in law, health sciences, business, and education offer their talents to the university and the community.

“������Ƶ has played such an integral role for me professionally and personally,” Kwon said. “������Ƶ Law prepares graduates who will give back to the community, graduates who dedicate so many hours of pro bono legal work for those in need and graduates who zealously advocate for their clients. I hope to bring that lens and insight to Board discussions.”

������Ƶ Law prepares graduates who will give back to the community, graduates who dedicate so many hours of pro bono legal work for those in need and graduates who zealously advocate for their clients. I hope to bring that lens and insight to Board discussions.

– Elizabeth “Liz” Kwon L’23

Kwon studied international business at the University of Maryland, College Park prior to attending ������Ƶ Law as a Dean’s Scholar and Business Fellow. While in law school, she served in leadership capacities for several student organizations, including the Student Bar Association and the Military Law Society.

It was in the latter role that Kwon, whose husband is an officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Liberty, forged a partnership with the to host a Wills for Heroes pro bono program where ������Ƶ Law student volunteers assisted veterans and first responders with creating wills and other estate documents.

She today works for Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions as the governance and commercial real estate attorney for the corporation’s worldwide entities.

Prior to this role, Kwon also volunteered her free time as a leader for the Soldier Family Readiness Group at Fort Liberty, the official military spouses and family support group while her husband commanded the 307th Headquarters Company in the 82nd Airborne Division.

And she offers nothing but praise for her colleagues and mentors from ������Ƶ Law. “The people are what make ������Ƶ Law and ������Ƶ so great,” Kwon said. “It’s not the buildings. It’s the community and the culture that’s been created.”

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.

During her congratulatory remarks, ������Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book expressed deep appreciation for the award winners’ transformative journeys of success from students to accomplished individuals. She also recognized the impact of family and friends in their success, highlighting the significance of relationships and unexpected paths, and underlining the transformative power of an ������Ƶ education.

“This evening inspires all of us here at ������Ƶ and remind us, when we’re working with our students today, that in 10 years they’ll be out there doing work far greater than we had imagined possible and they will surpass all of our dreams,” Book said. “That’s really what we’re celebrating — the power of an education to change your life forever forward and your family’s lives forever forward.”

Sarah Alger ’17

Information Officer, USAID – Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance

Sarah cultivated her passion for public health and human service at ������Ƶ, laying the foundation for a meaningful career in global health.

She graduated magna cum laude with a degree in public health and minors in human service studies, leadership studies, and wellness and health education. She was active with Campus Recreation and Wellness, the LEAD Program, Women’s Club Soccer, Just Dancing Around and the ������Ƶ Public Health Society. Sarah was also a member of the honor societies Omicron Delta Kappa and Kappa Omicron Nu. She studied abroad in India during Winter Term 2015.

������Ƶ laid the foundation for me to be become a global citizen, a public health advocate and a lifelong learner. … These experiences undoubtedly launched my career working at the CDC and USAID and next the NIH. … This award is only possible with all of your support. I greatly appreciate the opportunities I’ve been afforded, and I look forward to seeing what the future generation of public health students from ������Ƶ accomplish as a major continues to grow here.

For her undergraduate research, Sarah collaborated with Watts/Thompson Professor of Public Health Studies and Human Service Studies Cynthia Fair to publish the first-known study on the needs of internationally adopted children with HIV in the United States. Following graduation, Sarah went on to earn an advanced degree in public health from The George Washington University in 2019.

Between her undergraduate and graduate experiences, Sarah served as an intern for the nonprofits Children of Uganda, CARE and Population Services International. She continued to pursue a career in global health programming when she joined DAI Global, LLC, an international development company with projects in nearly 200 countries, as its associate global health practice specialist. During her tenure, one of the projects that Sarah managed was the launch of USAID’s flagship maternal and newborn health project in Indonesia.

After spending a year in Uganda serving as a Strategic Information Fellow with the CDC Global Health Fellowship Program, Sarah joined the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance in January 2023 as a full-time information officer.

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Katherine Blunt ’15

Energy Reporter, The Wall Street Journal

Katherine Blunt ’15 engaged in enriching experiences in and out of the classroom at ������Ƶ that paved the way for a successful career in journalism.

Katherine earned her degree in journalism with a focus on print and online news. As a student, she served as the news editor for The Pendulum and was a member of Catholic Campus Ministry, Phi Alpha Theta and Lambda Pi Eta. During Winter Term 2012, Katherine studied abroad in Germany. A Presidential Scholar and Communications Fellow, she was awarded ������Ƶ’s prestigious Lumen Prize in 2013. Her undergraduate research focused on how Adolph Hitler was described in popular American newspapers from 1923 to 1933.

I think something that all [������Ƶ alumni] have in common is a real appreciation for all the special opportunities that we had at ������Ƶ, but really also all the people who are truly committed to helping us succeed. I majored in journalism and history, and when I think back on the four years that I spent here, I think first of the professors who helped me really to make the most of it.

Following graduation, Katherine took a reporting job with the San Antonio Express-News. Her first major investigation was exploring the failure of the state’s new public-private toll road. She then joined the Houston Chronicle and spent a year reporting on how Joel Osteen built Lakewood Church into one of the nation’s largest megachurches.

In November 2018, Katherine began covering renewable energy and utility companies for the Houston office of the Wall Street Journal. She and two colleagues investigated the massive wildfire that engulfed Northern California due to faulty infrastructure from power provider Pacific Gas & Electric. Their coverage was a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting; it also earned a Gerald Loeb award, the highest honor in business journalism, and the Thomas L. Stokes Award for environmental journalism. Katherine’s work on the disaster was the foundation for her 2022 book, “California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric – and What It Means for America’s Power Grid.”

Within her community, Katherine serves on the board of Food Runners, a nonprofit that collects excess meals from restaurants and businesses and delivers them to local food programs. She helps lead a wide network of volunteers that relay close to 20,000 meals each week. Additionally, Katherine is a Newsroom to Classroom volunteer with The News Literacy Project.

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Sean Burke ’14

Loan Officer, PGIM Real Estate

Since graduating from ������Ƶ with a bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in accounting, Sean Burke ’14 has made significant contributions in his career and his community.

As a student, Sean was an Odyssey Program scholar, president of Sigma Chi fraternity and a Business Fellow. He studied abroad in Mexico, Barcelona and the Pacific Rim. He also held an internship with Citi in summer 2013 before taking a position with the company as a finance analyst after graduation.

The first thing that ������Ƶ taught me when I got on campus was to be a global citizen. To me, that meant being part of something bigger than myself. It meant using my experiences at ������Ƶ through the Odyssey Scholars Program and the Business Fellows Program to help guide me in my career. And ������Ƶ’s emphasis on that global citizenship inspired me to work in a career that has a true impact on the community around me.

Sean spent three years with Citi before joining PGIM Real Estate Finance in 2017 as a senior investment analyst. PGIM is one of the largest real estate investment managers in the world with $210 billion in assets under management. Since joining PGIM, Sean has assisted with the structuring of more than $2.7 billion in debt financing transactions. In his current role as a loan officer, he is responsible for originating and structuring multifamily affordable and conventional loans. Sean’s passion for affordable housing stems from his time at ������Ƶ when he volunteered with the Odyssey scholars in the Mississippi Delta.

In spring 2021, Sean married fellow alum Ranen Jones Burke ’14 at the Duke Mansion in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple continues to reside in the Queen City, where they have attended several regional ������Ƶ alumni events. An active member of his community, Sean has volunteered with Shelters to Shutters supporting poverty alleviation and Hank’s Yanks Baseball Foundation in youth development. He also served on the Charlotte Young Leaders Council of the Urban Land Institute. Most recently, Sean acted as a mentor in the Urban Land Institute’s Etkin Scholars Program, which introduces college students to the real estate industry.

As a member of the 1889 Society, Sean’s giving has supported the Anonymous Odyssey Scholarship Annual Fund, the ������Ƶ Experiences Fund, Hillel, ������Ƶ’s Greatest Needs, the Leon V. and Lorraine B. Watson Scholarship, and the N.C. Independent College Fund Scholarships. His brother, Alec Burke ’17, is also an ������Ƶ alumnus.

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Ashley Braun Darling ’13 & Tom Darling ’13

Co-Founders, Darling Wines

Ashley Braun Darling ’13 and Tom Darling ’13 have forged fulfilling careers from their passions while making meaningful contributions to their communities.

During her time at ������Ƶ, Ashley dived into a plethora of experiences, participating in various organizations including Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Catholic Campus Ministry, Invisible Children and the Student Union Board. Additionally, she sang with the all-female a cappella group Sweet Signatures and is a sister in the Tri-Sigma sorority. Her academic journey included completing The London Theatre program during a semester abroad in England, ultimately earning a degree in media arts and entertainment with a specialization in broadcast and news media.

Tom exhibited a service-oriented mindset and entrepreneurial drive throughout his academic and professional endeavors. During his time at ������Ƶ, Tom balanced his studies with active participation in Men’s Tennis, Club Ice Hockey, Catholic Campus Ministry and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He also volunteered with various service organizations, including Loaves & Fishes food ministry.

Right here is the magic of ������Ƶ. Not only can you learn and earn an incredible degree from this university, but more importantly, you learn the necessary life skills to pursue your dreams and enter the real world. It’s the people and the place that shape you and prepare you for what is to come, and to me, this is where ������Ƶ excels. — Tom Darling ’13

Post-������Ƶ, the couple moved to Washington, D.C., where Ashley ventured into the marketing realm, initially serving as a sales account manager at TransPerfect before transitioning to a role as an email marketing and social media specialist with Fishbowl Marketing. In 2014, she co-founded Grip the Mat, a yoga studio offering pop-up classes followed by group social experiences. Tom served as a sales manager with The Knowland Group, which provides sales solutions for the hotel, meeting and event industry, and as a clinical sales specialist for Medtronic, a health care technology company.

Tom’s journey into winemaking began after a transformative trip to Northern California, leading him to work part-time in a tasting room in Middleburg, Virginia. In 2016, he and Ashley relocated to Napa to pursue winemaking as a full-time career. Tom gained invaluable experience as a cellar hand and sales associate at several Napa wineries before co-founding Darling Wines with Ashley. Starting with just two barrels of Syrah, their venture quickly gained traction, with their wines earning placements in prestigious establishments like Bouchon Bistro in Napa Valley. Today, Darling Wines produces exceptional Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay sourced from coastal vineyards meticulously farmed with respect for the environment. Their wines can be found in esteemed Michelin-starred restaurants, local favorites and retail wine shops across the Bay area.

Ashley and Tom live in Sonoma, California, with their children. In addition to their entrepreneurial pursuits, they remain active in their community. Tom serves as a sales rep at Springboard Wine Company and sits on the board of ACEing Autism, a nonprofit utilizing tennis to support children with autism spectrum disorder. Ashley continues to teach yoga at Sonoma Yoga and founded the Conscious Motherhood mother’s circle, embodying their commitment to holistic wellness and community engagement.

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Peter Fox ’14

Vice President, The Blackstone Group

Peter Fox ’14 sharpened his business acumen at ������Ƶ and now holds a significant leadership role with the world’s largest alternative asset manager.

During his time at ������Ƶ, Peter served as vice president of Phoenix Capital and was active with Model UN, Club Golf, College Republicans and the Financial Management Association. He also studied abroad in the European Union in winter 2013. During his final year at ������Ƶ, Peter was part of a team that qualified as state finalists in the 2014 CFA Institute Research Challenge. He graduated with a degree in finance and a minor in accounting. In 2021, Peter furthered his education with an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

I’m honored, and at the same time very humbled, to be on this stage. The accomplishments of my peers make me look very small. That said, I would not be here without the support of family and friends, and I think everyone up here who’s been here can say the same exact thing. Thank you to the people who are here, but more importantly, thank you to the people who are not.

Since graduating, Peter has steadily advanced his career in investment banking. Beginning as an analyst with the Corporate Finance Group at Credit Suisse, he progressed into associate and senior associate roles at Coller Capital. He joined The Blackstone Group in 2021 as an associate before being promoted to vice president. Blackstone is a leading global investor that manages $1 trillion in assets including real estate, private equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, credit, real assets, secondaries and hedge funds.

In September 2019, Peter married fellow alum Tayler Sirabella Fox ’14. The couple resides in Larchmont, New York, where Tayler works as an AVP of product development with Global X ETFS. Tayler and Peter welcomed their son, William, in June of this year.

Peter returned to ������Ƶ in 2017 to participate in a “Perspectives in Banking” panel discussion with finance majors where he provided tips for job hunting within the banking industry. He previously served on the New York regional committee for the ������Ƶ LEADS Campaign and is currently a member of the President’s Young Leaders Council. Members of the 1889 Society, Peter and Tayler have generously supported the Love School of Business, ������Ƶ’s Greatest Needs, the Phoenix Club, Football, the School of Communications and Men’s Basketball.

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Phylicia Pearl Mpasi ’15

Actress & Writer, By Phylicia Productions

From the McCrary Theatre stage to the big screen, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi ’15 has made her mark in the entertainment industry with her writing and performing talents.

Phylicia Pearl is a graduate of ������Ƶ’s music theatre program and minored in communications. She was a member of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, the French Club, Active Minds, Catholic Campus Ministry and the theatre honor society Alpha Psi Omega. Phylicia Pearl spent the spring of her sophomore year participating in the ������Ƶ in L.A. program. Shortly before graduating, she was cast as a vocal swing and held the understudy role for Shenzi in the Broadway National Tour of “The Lion King.”

Thank you. Thank you for accepting me into the university and the music program all those years ago.�� … Thank you for teaching me I could sing songs and ultimately live life in my own key when I did not come prepared for those lessons. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for creating the roots that would allow me to blossom into who I am today.

Throughout her post-graduate career, Phylicia Pearl has enjoyed success as an actress, writer, comedian and singer who tells stories that showcase the excellence of underrepresented people through a comedic lens. She continued performing in various roles in “The Lion King” both on Broadway and on tour until 2020. She began creating YouTube videos during the pandemic before pivoting to writing. Phylicia Pearl wrote for “We Stay Looking,” an HBO scripted podcast produced by Issa Rae that received both Webby and Ambie Award nominations. She was also a staff writer on the Paramount+ series “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies.”

In 2023 Phylicia Pearl made her big screen debut as young Celie in “The Color Purple,” based on the Broadway adaptation of the 1985 film and produced by Hollywood heavyweights Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. She won the NCAACP Image Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance for her work and was nominated with the rest of the film’s cast for a Critic’s Choice Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

In addition to TV scripts, Phylicia Pearl has also worked as a freelance writer for Honeysuckle digital magazine, where she wrote pieces on the intersection of pop culture and social justice and had the opportunity to interview Malcolm X’s niece. Within her community, Phylicia Pearl volunteers with the National Eating Disorders Association and works to bring the cultural benefits of theatre to low-income children in her hometown.

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Oscar Miranda Tapia ’17

Ph.D. Candidate at North Carolina State University

During the ������Ƶ LEADS Campaign launch in Boston in 2019, Oscar Miranda Tapia ’17 spoke about his experience as an Odyssey student and shared his gratitude for donors who made attending college a reality. Now, he’s made it his life’s work to further educational opportunities for others.

An Odyssey Program and Golden Door Scholar, Oscar was active with several organizations on campus including serving as treasurer and president of the Latinx-Hispanic Union from 2014 to 2015. During the summer before his senior year, Oscar participated in the ������Ƶ in NYC program. After graduating in 2017 with a degree in psychology, he spent a year as a Community Impact Fellow with Alamance Achieves before going on to earn his master’s degree in education from Harvard University in 2019.

It’s hard to conceptualize being here today. Never did I think that I would go to college or think that I would go to college debt-free, much less live in New York City considering my rural background, or even graduate from Harvard. The 5-year-old me from Mexico could have never imagined this, but this training has been a true blessing.

Oscar returned to his alma mater to help launch The First-Generation Initiative through his role as assistant director of first-generation student support services. In 2021 he was honored with the Latinx-Hispanic Union Staff Service Award for this work. Oscar spearheaded efforts to provide resources to the population of first-generation students who did not have a built-in support system like the Odyssey Program. This meaningful work is highlighted in the book that Oscar recently co-authored with President Emeritus Leo M. Lambert, Assistant Provost Peter Felten and Isis Artze-Vega. Published in August 2023, “Connections are Everything: A College Student’s Guide to Relationship Education” serves as a guide for students who are looking to develop powerful relationships during their college years.

Oscar departed ������Ƶ in 2022 to pursue his Ph.D. in educational leadership, policy and human development at North Carolina State University. He currently serves as a research associate at the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research and is also a graduate assistant at the William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. Oscar sits on the board of LatinxEd, an educational and equity leadership organization that is hosted on ������Ƶ’s campus.

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Dmitri Thompson ’18

CEO of Rise Media and Co-founder of RISE League, Inc.

Dmitri “Meech” Thompson ’18, a former member of ������Ƶ’s Division I Men’s Basketball team, ended his ������Ƶ career as one of the best scorers in program history and has gone on to make a tremendous impact in the lives of children in his hometown.

As an undergraduate, Dmitri served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and volunteered as a counselor with the Boys & Girls Clubs. In summer 2015, he traveled with the Men’s Basketball team as they studied abroad in Europe. He served as team captain his senior year before graduating with a degree in sport and event management and a minor in communications.

I’d just like to thank ������Ƶ for being such an amazing, amazing university, and for making my life easy, because my goal, my mission in life is to inspire; inspire the youth, inspire anyone I come in contact with, and giving someone like me, a young Black boy, this honor, it’s going to inspire a lot of people like me.

Following graduation, Dmitri spent two years playing professional basketball internationally in Nicosia, Cyprus. While playing abroad, he and his brother, Dwight, began a series of entrepreneurial initiatives that made an indelible footprint on their hometown of Orlando, Florida. Inspired by their desire to give back to the Boys & Girls Club, a program they were involved in as youth, the brothers designed and sold shirts to raise enough money for a sizeable donation. The success of their initiative led to the creation of the streetwear clothing brand DT Apparel, with the message “Rise Up, Take Courage, Do It.”

In 2019 Dmitri and Dwight established RISE League, a program designed to help underprivileged youth connect the skills they learn on the basketball court to the business world. In addition to basketball training sessions and clinics, it also offers monthly seminars, job tours, employee shadowing and college scholarship opportunities. In November 2023, the nonprofit received a $75,000 grant from Dick’s Sporting Goods to help with program and scholarship costs.

Most recently, the Thompson brothers started Rise Media, a full-service creative agency that offers photography, videography, editing and Photoshop services for businesses and the public. In addition to leading the company as chief executive officer, Dmitri also acts as director of media for JRZ Marketing. Using his background in media production, he collaborates with small-to-medium-sized businesses as they build their respective brand identities.

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Erin Wilkins ’18

Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Goodwin Law Firm

Erin Wilkins ’18 has been a stalwart advocate for people from historically marginalized communities throughout her time at ������Ƶ and her professional career.

As an undergraduate, Erin served as a SMART Mentor, SAAC representative, campus visit assistant, teaching assistant, first-year orientation leader, diversity ambassador and a student worker in the Health & Wellness Center. While studying abroad in Denmark in spring 2017, she worked as a math tutor at the Copenhagen International School. She completed an internship with Cone Health as a community health and wellness extern later that summer. Erin graduated from ������Ƶ with a degree in public health studies before going on to receive a Master of Arts in education and human development from The George Washington University, where she is currently an adjunct professor in the business school.

From the moment I heard about ������Ƶ, I knew I wanted to be a student here. It’s the only school I applied to … And I just knew in my heart of hearts that this was the place for me. … ������Ƶ gave me four of the best years of my life. Great friends, a wonderful education and memories to last a lifetime.

In a short span of time, Erin has built a distinguished career in the legal industry and currently serves as the manager of diversity, equity and inclusion at the law firm Goodwin in Washington, D.C. She advises partners on how to incorporate DEI competencies into their legal practice and management styles and empowers staff who have been historically marginalized, including women, people of color, disabled individuals, members of LGBTQIA communities and veterans. Erin recently championed the creation of a women of color initiative within the firm. She previously held similar roles at the law practices of Venable and Reed Smith LLP.

Erin also works to make a difference in her community through her service in the Junior League of Washington. As a member of the scholarship committee, she helps provide resources to young people who are facing financial challenges in pursuing their education. She also promotes community service projects that address issues such as women’s empowerment, education and poverty.

Erin lives in Alexandria, Virginia. She continues to contribute her time and resources at ������Ƶ as a leadership member of the ������Ƶ Black Alumni Network and supporter of the Black Alumni Scholarship.

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������Ƶ will recognize four alumni for their leadership, accomplishments and service during this year’s Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony on April 26 at The Inn at ������Ƶ. Award recipients include:

Sam Troy ’67��

Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award

This award is presented to an alumnus who has distinguished himself in a profession and in the community and brought honor to ������Ƶ.

An English major, Sam Troy currently serves as executive-in-residence at the Bryan School of Business and Economics at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where his primary focus has been conducting research on and promoting the North Carolina wine industry. He is the epitome of an engaged alumnus, faithfully supporting the university with a gift every year since he graduated as well as volunteering his time.

Kristen Yntema ’95��

Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award����

Awarded to an alumna who has distinguished herself in a profession and in the community and brought honor to ������Ƶ.��

A double major in business administration and public administration, Kristen Yntema is the president and CEO of AuthoraCare Collective, one of the largest nonprofit hospice and palliative care organizations in central North Carolina. Triad Business Journal recognized Kristen as one of its 40 Leaders Under 40 in 2011, one of its Outstanding Women in Business in 2016 and a Most Admired CEO in 2019.

Carol Brown ’68��

Distinguished Service to ������Ƶ Award������

Awarded to an organization, business, foundation, orindividual who has demonstrated outstanding service��that promotes the advancement of ������Ƶ.��

A mathematics major, Carol Lupinacci Brown spent 30 years with the Christina School District in Delaware as a middle and high school teacher, building administrator and central office administrator. All the while, Carol has maintained a meaningful connection with ������Ƶ, serving as an ������Ƶ Alumni Board member and previously served as an Alumni 360 volunteer, peer agent and class reunion volunteer. In 2019, she made an estate gift and created an ������Ƶ Experiences scholarship in 2023.

Erica Ayala ’08��

Distinguished Alumni Service Award������

Awarded to an alumnus or alumna who has given extraordinary service to his or her community.��

A political science major, Erica Ayala joined CBS Sports in 2023 as a writer and on-air analyst, primarily covering WNBA, NCAA Women’s Basketball and NHL stories. She is considered the only Black/Latina broadcaster to call an NHL game. Outside of her career, Erica has volunteered her time with the Children’s Defense Fund and Westchester Children’s Association, holding multiple roles to advance child advocacy and social action. In 2017 New York Nonprofit Media recognized her as a “40 Under 40 Rising Star” in the nonprofit world.

The Office of Alumni Engagement and the Young Alumni Council have announced the 2024 Top 10 Under 10��award recipients, who will be celebrated during an April 27 ceremony in Snow Family Grand Atrium.

These 10 accomplished alumni from the past decade have achieved professional success, continuously work to better their communities and serve as loyal alumni role models. Award recipients include:

Sarah Alger ’17��

Information Officer at USAID – Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance��

Sarah Alger graduated with a degree in public health and for her undergraduate research, Sarah collaborated with Dr. Cynthia Fair to publish the first-known study on the needs of internationally adopted children with HIV in the United States.

After spending a year in Uganda serving as a Strategic Information Fellow with the CDC Global Health Fellowship Program, Sarah joined USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance as a full-time Information Officer.

Katherine Blunt ’15��

Energy Reporter at the Wall Street Journa����

Katherine Blunt earned her degree in journalism, with a focus on print and online news. Katie, along with two colleagues from the Houston office of the Wall Street Journal, investigated the massive wildfire that engulfed Northern California due to faulty infrastructure from power provider Pacific Gas & Electric.

Katie’s work on the disaster was the foundation for her 2022 book,��California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric – and What It Means for America’s Power Grid.

Sean Burke ’14��

Multifamily Debt Originations at PGIM Real Estate��

Sean Burke graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and joined PGIM in 2017, assisting with the structuring of more than $2.7B in debt financing transactions.

In his current role as a Loan Officer, he is responsible for originating and structuring multifamily affordable and conventional loans. Sean’s passion for affordable housing stems from his time at ������Ƶ when he volunteered with the Odyssey Scholars in the Mississippi Delta.

Ashley Braun Darling ’13 & Tom Darling ’13��

Co-Founders of Darling Wines��

Ashley Braun Darling earned her degree in media arts and entertainment, specializing in broadcast and news media. Tom Darling graduated with a bachelor’s in sport and event management.

In 2017, Ashley and Tom launched Darling Wines. Beginning with a Syrah, Darling Wines has since added a Pinot Noir and a Chardonnay to their listings. Bottles can be enjoyed at several Michelin-starred restaurants as well as local favorites and retail wine shops in the Bay area.

Peter Fox ’14��

Vice President at The Blackstone Group��

Peter Fox earned a degree in finance and during his final year at ������Ƶ, Peter was part of a team that qualified as state finalists in the 2014 CFA Institute Research Challenge.

Since graduating, Peter has steadily advanced his career in investment banking. Beginning as an analyst with the Corporate Finance Group at Credit Suisse, he progressed into associate and senior associate roles at Coller Capital before joining the team at Blackstone in 2021.

Phylicia Pearl Mpasi ’15��

Actress, currently in��The Color Purple��

Phylicia Pearl Mpasi is a graduate of ������Ƶ’s musical theatre program and before graduating, she was cast as a vocal swing and the understudy for Shenzi in “The Lion King.”��In May 2023, she celebrated the premiere of��Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies��for Paramount+ working as a writer for the first season.

Most recently, Phylicia Pearl stars as young Celie in the remake of��The Color Purple,��produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg.

Oscar Miranda Tapia ’17

PhD Candidate in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development at NC State

Oscar Miranda Tapia earned a degree in psychology��and spent a year as a Community Impact Fellow with Alamance Achieves before earning his master’s degree in education from Harvard University in 2019. Oscar returned to his alma mater to help launch The First-Generation Initiative through his role as Assistant Director of First-Generation Student Support Services.

This meaningful work is highlighted in the book that Oscar recently co-authored with President Emeritus Leo M. Lambert, Assistant Provost Peter Felten, and Isis Artze-Vega in August 2023,��Connections are Everything: A College Student’s Guide to Relationship Education.

Dmitri Thompson ’18��

CEO at Rise Media, Co-founder of Rise League Inc.��

Dmitri Thompson is a former captain of ������Ƶ’s Division I Men’s Basketball team who graduated with a degree in sport and event management and ended his career as one of the best scorers in program history. Following graduation, he spent two years playing professional basketball in Cyprus. While playing abroad, Dmitri and his brother, Dwight, sold shirts to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club, creating RISE League.In November 2023, they received a $75K grant from Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Most recently, the Thompson brothers started Rise Media, a full-service creative agency that offers photography, videography, editing and Photoshop services for businesses and the public.

Erin Wilkins ’18��

Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Goodwin Law firm��

Erin Wilkins earned a degree in public health studies before going on to receive an MA in education and human development from The George Washington University.

In a short span of time, Erin has built a distinguished career in the legal industry and currently serves as the Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the law firm, Goodwin. As a testament to her expertise in DEI, Erin has been invited to speak at the National Association for Law Placement Annual Education Conference in Boston, MA, in 2024.

To read more about this year’s alumni award winners, visit the Alumni Awards page here and for more information about this year’s awards, please contact Hannah Hattori, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement—Special Events, at hhattori@elon.edu.

Trez and Rein represent the first cohort to complete Teach for Alamance, a program established in 2023 by the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education at ������Ƶ to recruit and retain top talent to local public schools.

In exchange for a two-year commitment to teach in the Alamance-Burlington School System, new ������Ƶ graduates receive a full scholarship to the university’s Master of Education in Innovation program, as well as a small annual stipend to help with living expenses.

Teach for Alamance participants grow their knowledge of innovative approaches to teaching, deepen their knowledge of educational research, and develop a broader understanding of the way that young people use technology to learn and connect with peers.

“It’s important for ������Ƶ and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education to support the very schools in our community that help us prepare teacher candidates for successful careers,” said Dean Ann Bullock. “By providing a program to entice graduates to stay and teach here, we strengthen those relationships, which benefits all involved.”

Introducing the 2023-2025 Teach for Alamance Fellows

Matt Trez ’23 G’25
Eighth Grade Social Studies
Turrentine Middle School

“Any opportunity I get to step up my game is something I’m going to take.”

Matt Trez joined the ������Ƶ Phoenix football team in 2019 as a preferred walk-on offensive lineman. Then came COVID. With time to assess his goals, the Connecticut native hung up his cleats and switched majors from finance to education. He needn’t look far for inspiration.

“My mom loves her teaching job more than anything,” Trez said. “She loves her kids. And I had to make a decision between possibly sitting at a desk for the rest of my life or a job where I could connect with people and build relationships.”

Student teaching led Trez to an opportunity to help coach football for Williams High School in Burlington. How could he not jump at the eventual full-time job offer to teach eighth grade at nearby Turrentine Middle School? More than a career, Trez had discovered a community filled with the very children of faculty and staff who’d mentored him at ������Ƶ.

“My kids are on the cusp of becoming young adults. Having a part in their formation is really, really interesting,” he said. “I also love that I’ll get to see these kids grow into their own and flourish once they go off to a high school where I coach.”

The Teach for Alamance program simply made sense. “It’s a dream deal,” Trez said. “The people at ������Ƶ during my undergraduate studies really cared about making sure we made it to the finish line. I feel like I’m getting that same support now. I don’t want my educational journey to stop. I’m always going to do what I can to get to that next level and better myself.”

Zoë Rein ’23 G’25
Ninth Grade English and Language Arts
Eastern Alamance High School

“I always loved learning and I wanted to keep learning and do a job I thought would be different every single day.”

Freshman year of high school was tough for Zoë Rein. Her family had just moved to Colorado from their longtime home in Kansas City, and the quiet teenager was lacking confidence in her new environs. She soon met teachers who encouraged her love of the language arts and the passion for poetry she’d harbored since reading Emily Dickinson as a child.

Rein’s college search would lead her to ������Ƶ and an Honors Program with the flexibility to double major in mathematics and English with teacher licensure. She today teaches language arts and advises a poetry club at Eastern Alamance High School.

“Writing is what makes me feel like I’m helping students do something they’ll be able to do for the rest of their lives, something that helps them empower themselves and find a voice,” Rein said. “That’s the thing that brought me out of my shell.”

Rein hadn’t planned on graduate school so soon after starting her career. A self-described “huge researcher,” she wanted to work for a time, then pursue answers to questions drawn from classroom experiences. But earning a master’s degree on a full scholarship? Turned out that Teach for Alamance was too good to turn down.

Rein notes other benefits to pursuing a master’s degree as a rookie teacher. The program reinforces concepts learned as an undergraduate and students have access to faculty who provide advice for overcoming the rough moments all new educators face.

“Some days it can be really hard to remind myself of all the things I know are pedagogically good,” Rein said. “Reading again about effective teaching helps me reframe what I need to do.”

About the Master of Education in Innovation program

������Ƶ’s 30-hour Master of Education in Innovation program is a part-time, distance education program designed for teachers who are active educators in the K-12 setting delivered online in the summer, spring and fall semesters.

The M.Ed program is intentionally designed to disrupt practitioners’ traditional concepts of schooling and move teachers toward more progressive visions and praxis. Candidates are:

• Introduced to a range of progressive student-centered pedagogies such as project-based learning and place-based education
• Asked to reimagine education within a constructivist framework, allowing for equitable learning opportunities that are respectful and responsive of students’ backgrounds
• Offered opportunities to experiment in their own practice with innovative pedagogies

Many people started them, very few finished and even fewer have continued to keep up the good work. Lindsey Maxwell ’14 falls into that final category after turning her quarantine project into a fully-fledged business.

Maxwell and her partner launched in their driveway in Denver, Colorado, in 2020. The two-person team specializes in enhancing the travel experience for adventurers across America, refurbishing vans into custom living spaces and providing customers with products to do it themselves. In a time when road travel was exploding, Maxwell jumped at the chance to grow in an industry she already felt at home in.

Following her 2014 graduation, Maxwell moved to Charlotte to teach preschool, a role very different from what she is doing now. A year and a half later, Maxwell left her life in the U.S. behind and moved to Italy to be an au pair, an opportunity that she could not pass up. It was during this stage of her life that she really fell in love with traveling, and the passion that would soon fuel Featherbuilt started to grow.

“While I was living and working in Italy, my job was about 75% travel and I completely fell in love with incorporating travel into a regular part of my life,” said Maxwell. “In 2018 as I was finishing up my time in Italy, I stumbled across a blog from a woman who had converted a van into a tiny home and was traveling around the country and living out of it. I knew this was something I needed to do.”

Upon her return to the U.S., Maxwell purchased a Sprinter van and started her conversion career with the help of her dad. Little did she know that that van would change her life forever as she met her partner and co-owner of Featherbuilt after a couple of months on the road in her new home on wheels. In the early stages of starting his own van conversion business, it was a match made in heaven just in time for COVID-19 to hit and quarantine projects to take over. For Maxwell and her partner, their quarantine project was on a larger scale than most as she bought a second van and they joined forces to make it a home.

“There was absolutely no hesitation starting this business because there was pretty much no other choice at that time,” explained Maxwell. “My partner, Patrick, had quit his job officially back in 2019 to get Featherbuilt going, and I had been working seasonally while traveling in the van so we had nothing to lose. Jumpstarting Featherbuilt was perfect during COVID because we could still work together in isolation and try to make money while staying safe.”

Since that first project together, Featherbuilt has taken many shapes and forms, from remodeling for an Instagram-famous wolfdog, Loki, to customizing more of their own vans, to developing a conversion system that can be sold as a “Do-It-Yourself” kit. But no matter which stage Featherbuilt has been in, there has been one thing that has always been important to them: sustainability.

“Once you experience a sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park or the changing of the seasons in Yosemite, you want to protect it at all costs,” explained Maxwell. “Being a part of the manufacturing business, we see firsthand how much packaging junk goes out in the world (and eventually our landfills) every day and we strive to reduce that.”

Although very proud of their commitment to building sustainably, Maxwell is most proud of how she has made something out of nothing. With no business or construction background, she has developed into a very successful entrepreneur who is a power tool pro. Despite learning most of these skills post-graduation, she attributes much of her life success to her ������Ƶ experience.

“People complain about the “������Ƶ bubble” but I actually think that was a very important factor for preparing me for life after graduation,” Maxwell said. “I felt a stronger sense of community than many of my friends that attended other universities and I have sought to continue establishing strong connections in my post-grad communities. I feel that has led to a lot of my success and happiness.”

Maxwell also credits ������Ƶ’s study abroad programs for igniting her love of travel and showing her the many different ways she could live. As a loyal member of Sweet Signatures, she learned how to run events, giving her both the experience and courage needed to become an entrepreneur. She encourages all ������Ƶ students to take advantage of the time they have while at ������Ƶ and make the most of it.

“Take advantage of the things ������Ƶ has to offer you,” said Maxwell. “I thought I was too busy in college to pursue other hobbies or more meaningful relationships and that was the least busy I’ve been in my life ever since. These years are a gift – don’t blow it.”

������Ƶ was a place of community and peer interaction for Maxwell, and she truly feels that that culture is what has inspired so many alums, herself included, to follow their passion and succeed.

The future of Featherbuilt, and the adventure vehicle world, looks bright as they continue to develop their van build system so more people can do it themselves. Maxwell hopes to provide women with the resources and confidence to try new things with her entrepreneurial story. Find out more about Featherbuilt at or find them on Instagram .

The event will take place on Thursday, September 15, at The Glasshouse. A reception including a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres will begin at 6 p.m., immediately followed by a program featuring remarks by President Connie Ledoux Book and special guests. This program will include a special recognition of Joan and Ed Doherty P’07 and their legacy of leadership.

������Ƶ LEADS in New York
A celebration of leadership and philanthropy with President Connie Ledoux Book

Thursday, September 15, 2022
6 p.m. Reception
7:30 p.m. Remarks by President Book and guests

The Glasshouse
660 12th Avenue, Floor 6
New York, New York 10019

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres

Please email elonleads@elon.edu��to RSVP or for any questions.