Alumni, parents and friends of ������Ƶ are invited to come together for an Evening for ������Ƶ in Chicago. Connect with fellow members of the ������Ƶ community and hear a few highlights from campus.

The event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Chicago Cultural Center. Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a reception featuring a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres before gathering for a special program at 7:30 p.m. with remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book.

Evening for ������Ƶ in Chicago with President Connie L. Book 
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026
6:30 p.m. Hosted reception with hors d’oeuvres
7:30 p.m. Program with remarks by President Book

Chicago Cultural Center
77 East Randolph Street
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Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres

Register at  or contact advancement@elon.edu.

The annual recognition honors emerging public relations professionals making their mark on the industry in the early stages of their careers. For Gibson, the recognition gave her a chance to appreciate how much she and HCM have grown in a relatively short time.

“PRNEWS is one of the most respected platforms in the industry, so it’s an honor to be recognized,” Gibson said. “I’ve spent the past few years watching Hannah Cranston Media grow from a team of three to a team of more than 20, and most days I’m too deep in pitching and problem-solving to stop and think about how far we’ve come.”

While Gibson has built her career in public relations, many of the skills that guide her work today were developed through her experiences as a journalism major at ������Ƶ.

The Honors Fellow was heavily involved with ������Ƶ News Network as an anchor and multimedia journalist, while also participating other immersive experiences like FreshTV. Those opportunities helped establish a foundation in storytelling that she continues to draw upon while working on the public relations side of the media industry.

“������Ƶ gave me a passion for storytelling and a tenacious curiosity, both essential to my career,” Gibson said. “Working as a reporter and anchor with ENN taught me what it takes to build a good story, and what makes people actually connect with one – the human element has to come first.”

That journalism background, Gibson said, has proved especially valuable as she develops stories and works directly with reporters.

“It’s shaped how I think about what a good story looks like and made me a better resource to the journalists I work with today,” she said.

Following graduation, Gibson spent three years with Jennifer Bett Communications before joining HCM in early 2024 as senior manager of public relations. She was promoted to director of public relations and business development six months later.

In her current position, Gibson oversees the agency’s consumer packaged goods, women’s health and wellness client roster, with responsibilities spanning client strategy and media relations. Her work can range from developing pitch strategies with colleagues to staffing events with reporters and cultivating media relationships. “My job changes shape depending on the week – which is one of the best parts,” she said.

Gibson credits much of her professional growth to learning the importance of surrounding herself with people committed to their work and to one another.

“Bet on people over playbooks. In an industry built on relationships, we can teach anyone to write a pitch or find the right story – but working alongside people who are passionately determined and hungry to see their teams succeed is an irreplaceable, unteachable quality.”

– Amanda Gibson ’21

Gibson also points to retired ������Ƶ faculty members Rich Landesberg and Glenn Scott as influential mentors. She credits Landesberg with instilling a respect for journalism’s ability to serve communities, an outlook that has influenced the brands and people she chooses to work with. Her research with Scott examining how stories are told around major events also continues to inform her approach to identifying stories and perspectives that might otherwise be overlooked.

Those lessons, along with the relationships she developed during her undergraduate years, remain important to Gibson five years after graduating.

“Beyond the classroom, the friendships and mentors I found at ������Ƶ continue to be a bedrock of both my life and my career,” Gibson said, “I’m endlessly grateful for my time Under the Oaks.”

Four ������Ƶ students and five faculty members attended the conference, presenting research and scholarly work spanning mathematical biology, mathematics education, artificial intelligence and undergraduate research.

Student Accomplishments:

• Lisa Kranec ’28, a double major in applied mathematics and engineering and a Lumen Scholar, presented her research project, “Mathematical Modeling of Cardiac Macrophages in COVID-19,” during a poster session. Kranec is mentored by Associate Professor of Mathematics Hwayeon Ryu, and her research is supported by the through an award to Ryu as principal investigator.
• Pagnapech Ngoun ’26, an engineering graduate, and Nicolas Alvarez ’27, a double major in mathematics and engineering and a Lumen Scholar, presented their published research in a poster titled “Mathematical Modeling of COVID-19 Reveals Immune Cell Dysfunction.” Their research presents findings from a mathematical model that accounts for interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and the human immune system. Ngoun and Alvarez are mentored by Ryu, and their work is also supported by the through the award to Ryu.

Faculty Accomplishments:

• Professor of Mathematics Todd Lee gave a contributed talk titled “MAA Journal Problems Provide a Foundation for Undergraduate and High School Research Programs.”
• Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Kristen Mazur gave a contributed talk on her work titled “Same Course, Different Outcome: Reflecting on Failure after Success in a Mathematics Capstone Course.”
• Associate Teaching Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Brittany Riggs gave a contributed talk titled “An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Women throughout the History of Mathematics.”
• Associate Professor of Mathematics Hwayeon Ryu gave an invited talk titled “From Failure to Insight: Rethinking Writing-to-Learn through Projects in the Age of AI” during the special session “MAA Project NExT and its Impact on Teaching and Learning.”
• Associate Professor of Mathematics Aaron Trocki gave a contributed talk titled “Using GenAI to Include Students’ Interests in Calculus.”

The students’ and faculty members’ participation at MathFest highlights the department’s commitment to undergraduate research, innovative teaching and engagement with the broader mathematical community. Their presentations provided opportunities to share work developed at ������Ƶ while connecting with mathematicians, educators and students from across the country.

As digital editor at WUSA-TV, a CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C., Rosenthal handles a wide range of responsibilities, from writing for the station’s website and producing social media content to gathering sources and reporting in the field. The journalism major said she fell in love with news reporting when she was in high school, which led her to apply to ������Ƶ.

“I joined my high school newspaper club in ninth grade, and it was the 2016 election season,” Rosenthal recalled. “There was a ton of news, and I got the ‘news bug,’ and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

At ������Ƶ, Rosenthal found opportunities through student media to develop her reporting skills outside the classroom.

“I feel like the hands-on experience that I got working with my peers and friends, and actually going out and doing reporting, and putting together a paper every week showed me more of the skills that I use on a day-to-day,” Rosenthal said.

She also credits The Pendulum’s critique sessions with teaching her how to receive feedback and use it to improve her work.

“You don’t need to qualify a mistake or qualify a reason why you did this or that,” Rosenthal said. “What I learned so much from critique was how to take feedback and move forward and use that in the next piece. Now I’m somebody who asks for feedback all the time because, I think, in part, because of those critiques.”

Those lessons have followed Rosenthal into her professional career. Earlier this year, she spent three weeks covering a murder trial in Fairfax, Virginia, an assignment she described as a significant learning experience.

“My station sent me to a murder trial in January, and I spent three weeks covering a very high-profile case every day in court, and that has been a huge learning and teaching moment for me,” Rosenthal said. “I feel like I learned so much from covering this trial, especially as somebody who has covered many court hearings and smaller things.”

For current ������Ƶ students interested in journalism, Rosenthal recommends getting involved in student media early and pursuing the subjects that interest them.

“My biggest advice is to be involved in student journalism,” she said. “Just start doing stories and meeting people and doing things that are out of your comfort zone. When I was at ������Ƶ, I was interested in courts. I would go to the courthouse in Graham to pick up court documents for stories, and go to the police station, and pick up crime numbers, and things like that. If there’s something that you’re interested in, just start doing it.”

Like Rosenthal, Phengsitthy discovered her love of writing through her high school newspaper, where she served as editor-in-chief. She brought that interest to ������Ƶ, double majoring in Communication Design (now Visual Communication) and Media Analytics while becoming heavily involved with ������Ƶ News Network.

“I’ve always been a writer,” Phengsitthy said. “I know that people don’t really like talking about high school when they talk about their experience, but high school is when I really started.”

Phengsitthy served as design chief of The Pendulum during her sophomore year and managing editor as a junior. She credits those experiences with providing the foundation for her professional journalism career.

Everything I did in ������Ƶ News Network is what set me up for my journalism experience today. I joke with my friends that ENN was like my third degree in college because I got so much done and learned so much there. From just writing every single day, that’s what helped me get better.

— Nyah Phengsitthy ’23

While at ������Ƶ, Phengsitthy interned with Bloomberg Law on its environment desk. Following graduation, she returned to the organization through a rotational program and now works as a health reporter. In that role, she has covered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, drug pricing and other complex issues affecting the pharmaceutical and health care industries.

Her work at Bloomberg Law requires reporting on complex subjects, but Phengsitthy said young journalists shouldn’t feel pressure to become experts on every topic they cover. Instead, they should focus on developing the skills necessary to find knowledgeable sources, understand complicated information and explain it clearly to readers.

“Be an expert in being a reporter and writing and learning how to break down information for your readers,” Phengsitthy said.

Phengsitthy also encourages ������Ƶ students to complement their campus journalism experience with internships that allow them to apply their skills in professional settings.

“You can have all the skills, and you can have all the clips that you have from ENN, but it’s more powerful if you go and get to apply them somewhere else,” she said, noting the value of internships. “The more experience you have, the better.

“The job market is really hard right now, but I feel like if you’re able to show that you can get your foot in the door somewhere, that’s good.”

As ������Ƶ prepares for the new academic year ahead, we celebrate the accomplishments and the incredible support of donors during this past fiscal year.

Learn more below about the impact that donors made in 2025-26.

Giving: How donors invested in students

������Ƶ provides an exceptional education, unique in the opportunities that are provided to students from the very beginning. Donor support helps bridge the gap between an ordinary education and unlocking the potential of all that ������Ƶ has to offer. From hands-on learning and mentorship, to ������Ƶ Experiences like study abroad and research, students can take advantage of what makes ������Ƶ special with the help of donor funding.

Donor generosity from the 2025-26 fiscal year will continue to impact students for years to come. Here are just a few of the ways in which donors invested in students this past year:

• $31.8 million raised for students
• 6,337 alumni donors
• 4,208 parent and grandparent donors
• 1,021 faculty and staff donors
• 364+ funds impacted
• 11 new planned gifts totaling $5+ Million
• ��𳦴ǰ���-�����𲹰쾱�Բ���������Ƶ Day 2026 raising $3.5 million
• Top funds supported: ������Ƶ’s Greatest Needs, ������Ƶ Student Scholarships, Academic Schools & Departments, The Phoenix Club and HealthEU

Student success: What donor gifts made possible

Thanks to donor support, ������Ƶ’s Odyssey Program reached a new milestone, welcoming the largest cohort in ������Ƶ history. You can learn more about this accomplishment on Today at ������Ƶ.

Donor generosity also led to a successful year for student-athletes. This year marked a 48% increase for annual giving to support Phoenix Athletics compared to just five years ago. Twenty student-athletes presented their research at the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, and 93 student-athletes graduated in May 2026. All of this in addition to winning multiple CAA championship titles! 

More than 1,500 students walked across the stage to accept their diplomas during Commencement 2026. Thanks to donor support, students were able to see their dreams realized. Visit Today at ������Ƶ to read the stories of graduating seniors to see how donors helped them along the way.

Community: How we strengthened ������Ƶ together

������Ƶ’s network continues to thrive because of the engagement of alumni, families, faculty, staff and friends. Their involvement is what makes the university so special, strengthening our community and creating opportunities for future generations.

These accomplishments illustrate the tremendous impact of involvement with ������Ƶ:

Alumni

• 10,550 engaged alumni
• 186��alumni events with 3,547 attendees
• 2,427 alumni returned for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
• 2,523 alumni served as volunteers
• 296 shared their love for ������Ƶ as Social Media Ambassadors
• 33��Women of ������Ƶ events with 368 attendees
• 811 participants in Lifelong Learning and Professional Development
• 1,523 alumni participated in 
• 67 reunion committee members

Families

• 6,881�� attendees representing 1,939 families
• 32 Summer Welcome Events with 756 attendees in 23 States
• 364 “Ready, Set, ������Ƶ!” virtual attendees
• 116��FAMbassadors
• 7 parent Webinars���ɾ��ٳ���967�����ٳٱ�Ի����

Faculty & Staff

• 42 Giving Captains
• 4 Co-Chairs for Faculty & Staff Giving
• 105 ������Ƶ Day Champions

Together, these accomplishments tell the story of an extraordinary ������Ƶ community and its enduring commitment to giving back. Thank you to our 2025–26 fiscal year donors for investing in our students and their future.

Matt Belanger ’05 begins most weekdays when much of the Twin Cities is still asleep.

His alarm sounds at 2 a.m. By 4:30, he is on the air at KSTP-TV, anchoring three hours of live morning news for viewers across Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The schedule requires discipline, but for Belanger, the responsibility is also a privilege. In the latest episode of “������Ƶ Beyond the Bricks,” he tells President Connie Ledoux Book that thousands of people rely on his newsroom to explain what happened overnight, prepare them for the weather and commute ahead, and provide the information they need to begin their day.

“We set people up for success every morning,” Belanger said. “That commitment to serving the public is really what it’s all about.”

Belanger’s commitment to journalism began at ������Ƶ, where the promise of hands-on learning helped convince him that he had found the right university. He knew he learned best through experience and was drawn to the opportunity to work with cameras and begin developing his skills from the start of college.

As a student, Belanger worked across both television and print journalism through ESTV and The Pendulum. That crossover experience taught him that a strong story begins with the same essential facts, even when it is adapted for television, print, web or social media.

“I just thought a good story was a good story,” Belanger said. “It turns out that’s actually true.”

������Ƶ also provided the supportive environment and direct feedback he needed to grow. Belanger remains connected with former faculty members, including Professor Tom Nelson, and credits those relationships with giving students a foundation that extends well beyond graduation.

After ������Ƶ, Nelson encouraged Belanger to begin his career at KELOLAND Media Group in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At the smaller-market station, Belanger reported, filmed stories, worked on the assignment desk and produced weekend newscasts. The ability to experience nearly every role in the newsroom gave him what he describes as a strong foundation for his television career.

That foundation later supported his investigative work in Pennsylvania.

While waiting for an interview on the floor of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Belanger and a photographer noticed paper clips and folded pieces of paper wedged into lawmakers’ electronic voting buttons. The discovery led to months of reporting on “ghost voting,” a practice through which some lawmakers could appear in the official record as present and participating even when they had not traveled to Harrisburg. Because attendance records could be tied to taxpayer-funded travel reimbursements, the reporting raised broader questions about accountability and public trust.

Belanger compared investigative journalism to building a legal case: reporters must gather enough evidence and research to feel confident in what they present to the public. That deeper work, he said, distinguishes investigative journalism from the basic updates audiences can find throughout the day on their phones.

Today, Belanger continues to bring that same sense of responsibility to his work in the Twin Cities, where he has reported through some of the region’s most difficult and consequential moments. He said the work requires journalists to remain authentic, approach painful stories with care and never lose sight of the people whose lives are affected by the news.

Near the end of the conversation, Belanger recalled another lesson from ������Ƶ—and from President Book, who taught him as a communications professor.

“You have to do the work in life,” he said. “You have to put in the time. You have to do the research. You’ve got to do the work in order to succeed.”

For Belanger, that work now begins at 2 a.m., helping ensure his community is informed and prepared when a new day begins.

Learn more about “������Ƶ Beyond the Bricks” online.

Founded by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer, Imagine Entertainment is one of Hollywood’s most respected film and television production companies, with acclaimed credits including “A Beautiful Mind,” “Apollo 13” and “Friday Night Lights.”

Since joining the company more than six years ago, Choi has risen from an executive assistant to vice president of film, where she leads development across the department’s slate. Her projects include “Dangerously Funny,” a feature about the Smothers Brothers’ battle with CBS censors, and she secured the rights to the books “200 Monas” by Jan Saenz and Rebecca Yarros’ “The Last Letter” for Amazon. Imagine’s upcoming releases include “How to Rob a Bank,” “Whalefall,” “The Mosquito Bowl” and “Spaceballs 2.”

Choi said the recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the relationships she has built throughout her career.

“You can’t succeed in a vacuum, and I think the best part of this industry is the camaraderie and community that you can find if you look for it,” Choi said. “To be recognized by the company where I grew up as a producer is incredibly meaningful, and even more than that, to look around and be celebrated by my peers and creative partners is everything.”

In her profile, the ������Ƶ graduate reflected on the experiences that sparked her passion for filmmaking.

“Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to watch many movies, so the ones I did manage to see felt especially meaningful,” she told Variety. “That experience shaped the kinds of stories I gravitate toward today.”

Reflecting on her career path, Choi – a Leadership Fellow at ������Ƶ – offered advice for others hoping to break into the film industry.

“No matter how you got into the room or what room you’re in, make the most of it,” she said. “Do everything you can to hone your craft so that, in an industry where opportunities are increasingly harder to come by, you’re the most prepared you could be to take full advantage of whatever comes your way.”

Jay Hendrickson ’71 concluded his service in July nearly two decades after joining a governing body responsible for ������Ƶ’s long-term health, oversight for its strategic direction, educational policy, finances and operations, and for advancing the university’s mission. Hendrickson served as vice chair of the board’s athletic policy committee, in addition to other leadership roles.

“Few families have shaped ������Ƶ like the Hendricksons,” said ������Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book. “Eighteen years at the Board table represents an extraordinary gift of time, judgment and trust. Steady, thoughtful leadership of the kind Jay brought to his role, with the unwavering support of his wife Amy, have influenced decisions that will carry ������Ƶ forward for decades, and his presence will be deeply missed.”

Hendrickson and his wife, Amy Hendrickson ’69, of Raleigh, North Carolina, have been unwavering advocates of ������Ƶ for many years through their transformative support of academic and athletic causes across multiple campaigns. 

The couple’s gifts have supported engineering and athletics, two priorities near and dear to their hearts. The Hendrickson Football Center in Alumni Field House honors Jay’s father, Horace J. Hendrickson, who served as director of athletics and was a football, basketball and baseball coach from 1937 to 1942 and is considered one of ������Ƶ’s all-time great coaches.

They have also generously supported athletics scholarships through annual gifts to the Phoenix Club. In 2000, the couple endowed the James A. ’71 and Amy T. ’69 Hendrickson Engineering Scholarship, which has attracted outstanding students to the university’s engineering program.

The Hendricksons are members of The ������Ƶ Society President’s Circle, Palladian Society and Order of the Oak, the university’s planned giving society. Fourteen of their immediate family members have ties to ������Ƶ.

In 2011, Jay and Amy received the Distinguished Service to ������Ƶ Award in recognition of their tireless service to their alma mater. The couple were also among the 2009 recipients of the Southern Conference Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes those who have contributed to all aspects of the university.

“We are thankful for the transformative impact that Jay and Amy have had at ������Ƶ,” said Burney Jennings ‘87, executive chair of the Biscuitville restaurant chain and chair of the ������Ƶ Board of Trustees. “Their insights, ambassadorship, positive energy and generous stewardship of our university have contributed greatly to ������Ƶ’s growth and success.”

“I was ashamed. I was embarrassed. I kept everything to myself,” Henze said.

In May 2023, a call that appeared to come from the Wells Fargo fraud department set off a three-week scheme. The people on the phone claimed Henze’s identity had been tied to money laundering, then posed as federal officials offering to help. They sent badges, letters and other documents that looked real.

By the time Henze understood what was happening, the scammers had emptied her savings, retirement and investment accounts, maxed out her credit cards and stolen more than $250,000.

Henze now speaks openly about the scam, works with groups that support financial education and talks with other victims. She is also an education and outreach specialist at ‘storytelling with data,’ where she builds partnerships and programs for students and educators.

Her ������Ƶ experience still shows up in that work. Henze majored in human service studies, joined the Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows program and still calls mentors she met on campus. She recently spoke with Today at ������Ƶ about the path from Menlo Park, California, to ������Ƶ, the career she built after graduation and why telling the hardest part of her story has become part of her recovery.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: You grew up in Menlo Park, California. What brought you across the country to ������Ƶ, and what shaped your experience once you arrived?

A: I was looking at smaller liberal arts colleges, but I wasn’t necessarily looking to go far from home. A neighbor who had moved from North Carolina told us she had heard ������Ƶ was a great school. My mom and I visited during my junior year of high school, and I immediately fell in love with it. There was a particular energy I had not felt on other campuses. The tour, eating in the dining hall, seeing a residence hall and meeting students all felt thoughtful and welcoming. I knew pretty quickly that ������Ƶ was the right choice for me.

I majored in human service studies with minors in business administration and leadership studies. I was also an Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow and served on New Student Orientation Head Staff.

Two mentors stand out. Professor Chris Leupold taught my first psychology class, which was also my first class at ������Ƶ. I took several more classes with him, and we still talk frequently. He has been a mentor throughout my career. Rex Waters, former dean of student development and led the Leadership Fellows program, was also tremendously influential.

������Ƶ gave me more than book learning. Leadership, communication and long-term professional development were built into the experience, and that has stayed with me.

Q: How did those experiences guide the career you built after graduating in 2012?

A: ������Ƶ Career Services connected me with SPX Corporation at a career fair. I joined its human resources rotational program in Charlotte in June 2012, one month after graduating.

Human resources brought together the things I cared about in psychology, social work and human services with the business side of an organization. After several years in HR, I moved into organizational effectiveness, change management and strategy work. In 2023, I started my own consulting business and worked with nonprofits, small businesses and universities. One of my favorite projects brought me back to ������Ƶ to work alongside the university’s Human Resources team.

Today, I work for ‘storytelling with data,’ where I build education partnerships and programs. Leadership Fellows helped me develop the curiosity and entrepreneurial mindset I still use to understand what people need, create a solution, try it and adjust when it does not work the first time.

Q: What happened in May 2023, and what helped you decide to share it publicly?

A: It started with a phone call. My caller ID said “Wells Fargo Fraud,” and I banked with Wells Fargo, so I answered. The caller told me there was suspicious activity connected to my account and that the transfers were tied to money laundering. Then I was transferred to someone who claimed to be with the Federal Trade Commission.

I panicked. I thought someone had stolen my Social Security number and that I could be blamed for a crime. Over the next three weeks, the scammers walked me through gift-card purchases, wire transfers and bitcoin transactions. They told me I was securing my money. In reality, I emptied my bank accounts, my 401(k) and my investment accounts. I also maxed out my credit cards.

It is easy to look back and ask why anyone would do those things. In the moment, these people knew how to keep me afraid and earn my trust. They already had personal information about me. When I questioned them, they sent what looked like official badges and signed letters. Every skeptical question had a believable answer.

They stole more than $250,000. That money represented years of work. I had been saving since I started working as a teenager, and I began contributing to my 401(k) as soon as I got my first job after ������Ƶ.

At first, I did not tell people because I felt ashamed and embarrassed. Part of healing was accepting that it was not my fault. I cannot change what happened, but I can share what I learned. If my story helps one person pause before acting, or helps another victim feel less alone, then speaking about it matters.

Q: What do people misunderstand about scams like this, and what have you learned from other victims?

A: People still picture an obvious phishing email or a call that sounds suspicious right away. Those scams exist, but criminals can also spoof a familiar phone number, find personal information online and create documents that look legitimate. They create urgency because panic makes it harder to slow down and question what you are hearing.

Since I began sharing my story, people have contacted me about their own experiences. Some lost $500. Others lost $5,000 or much more. The amounts are different, but the shame and isolation can feel the same.

Those conversations have helped me heal. I have also spoken with Wisconsin law enforcement officers about how they can support fraud victims and volunteered with SecureFutures, a Milwaukee nonprofit that teaches financial skills to young people. Knowing that I might help someone recognize a scam or simply remind a victim that they are not alone brings me a lot of joy.

Q: What changes would you like to see for people recovering from fraud?

A: Victims need practical support right away. I was employed and still had a mortgage, bills and groceries to pay after losing everything. Friends and family helped me, but not everyone has that kind of support system.

I would also like to see a simpler reporting process. I had to repeat my story and submit the same documents about seven times to different agencies. Each report took hours, and each retelling brought me back into the trauma. I understand that agencies have different responsibilities. I still hope they can make the process easier for people who are already overwhelmed.

Q: What can readers do now to protect themselves?

A: First, slow down. Scammers want you to panic and act before you talk to anyone else. Caller ID is not proof of who is calling. Hang up, then contact the bank, company or government agency through its official app, website or the number on the back of your card. Talk with someone you trust before moving money or sharing information. A bank or government agency will not tell you to buy gift cards or move money to “protect” it.

Use a strong, different password for each account and turn on multifactor authentication wherever it is offered. Never give an unexpected caller a verification code. I also encourage people to request an IRS Identity Protection PIN, which adds protection against someone filing a federal tax return with your Social Security number.

A few extra minutes can prevent years of stress and recovery.

Q: What do you want current ������Ƶ students and recent graduates to carry with them?

A: Life is not always going to follow your plan. Challenges will come, and you get to decide what you do with them. You can learn, build resilience and use what happened to help other people.

There is a Latin phrase I live by now: amor fati, or “love of fate.” To me, it means trusting that whatever life brings can shape what comes next. You cannot control everything that happens to you. You can control how you respond.

People who experience identity theft can report it and build a recovery plan at . The Federal Trade Commission accepts fraud reports at , and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center accepts reports at . The IRS explains how to request an . Learn more about teen financial education and volunteer opportunities at . Henze also created a with additional information for protecting yourself and responding to fraud.

Three ������Ƶ Los Angeles area alumnae attended the world premiere of their grant-funded films at the sold-out inaugural ������Ƶ Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Festival at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.

Julie Boyd ’15, Bex Evans ’16 and Mirai ’07 were recipients of $3,000 each through the 2025-26 ������Ƶ Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Grant Competition last fall.

Grant recipients were selected through a review and ranking process by a selection committee comprised of industry leaders, including several ������Ƶ alumni. The selection committee was co-chaired by Jordan Roman ’15.

To view photos from the festival, .

Production of the three short films – Boyd’s “The Life and Times of,” Evans’s “Shadow Dusk” and Mirai’s “#StopAsianKate” – took place in the spring and included opportunities for spring 2026 ������Ƶ Los Angeles students to participate in and observe the production process.

In addition to the screenings of the three films, the festival included a panel discussion with ������Ƶ alumni Lindsey Emerson, vice president of streaming, global strategy & operations at Paramount Skydance and Alex Stevenson, account lead at Creative Artists Agency. They each offered perspective and advice to both current students and alumni about creating job opportunities and career growth in a shifting industry landscape.

A meet-and–connect reception on one of the studio’s back lot streets followed the festival screening program.

Unique alumni engagement opportunities for ������Ƶ Los Angeles students are at the core of the ������Ƶ Los Angeles experience. Based in the heart of historic Hollywood, applications are now being accepted for students to participate in the spring 2027 and National Campus Programs Los Angeles experience that also features specific LA-focused academic courses, site-based internships and community service.