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• New beginnings, familiar reminders mark Class of 2030’s arrival at ������Ƶ
• Class of 2030 reminded of the ‘enormous opportunity’ of an ������Ƶ education at New Student Convocation

������Ƶ’s Class of 2030 committed to uphold the university’s core values of honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect during the annual Call to Honor ceremony Monday, Aug. 24, in Alumni Gym.

Student Government Association President Michael Swartz ’27 opened the ceremony by reminding students that the Honor Code extends to all aspects of life at ������Ƶ.

“These are more than just four words; they are a guiding star for every decision we make throughout life,” Swartz said.

As part of the ceremony, student leaders representing each class signed the Honor Code book, symbolizing their commitment to the four values.

Swartz encouraged students to view honesty as more than avoiding academic misconduct, noting that the relationships students build with peers, faculty and staff depend on fulfilling commitments and remaining true to their word.

‘Honor matters’

Emily Elrod, assistant teaching professor of mathematics and statistics, reflected on how honor has shaped her 20-year career in education, from public K-12 schools and community colleges to public and private universities.

“Honor matters,” Elrod told students. “To me, honor is reflected through honesty, integrity, responsibility, and respect. It matters in the classroom, in our professional relationships, and in the trust that others place in us as individuals and leaders.”

Elrod, who is beginning her fifth year at ������Ƶ, said the opportunities she has received throughout her career have been rooted in relationships built on trust. She encouraged students to think about academic honor not simply as a set of rules designed to prevent misconduct, but as an important part of the learning process and developing character.

Elrod said students can sometimes feel pressure to immediately have the correct answer or succeed from the beginning. Instead, she encouraged them to embrace mistakes, reflection and improvement as essential parts of learning.

“My hope is that students leave the classroom not only with stronger content knowledge, but also with a deeper understanding that honor is not simply about following rules, it is about becoming the kind of person others can trust, respect, and rely on throughout a lifetime,” Elrod said.

Building a strong foundation

Kenzi Maness ’27, a history and political science double major and president of ������Ƶ’s First Generation Society and Phi Alpha Delta, spoke directly to the Class of 2030 about respect, the Honor Code value their class will represent throughout their time at ������Ƶ.

Maness shared how the four values have shaped her own ������Ƶ experience as she prepares to graduate a year earlier than originally expected. Doing so, she said, required honest conversations with professors, organization, self-reflection and an understanding of how much she could reasonably take on.

“If you are not honest with yourself, then you cannot be honest with others,” Maness said.

She compared the four Honor Code values to blocks forming a tower: Removing one can weaken the others and eventually destabilize the entire structure.

“This is a new chapter so build your tower strong and lean on the amazing resources ������Ƶ has to offer when you need to,” Maness said. “The Honor Code sets a standard we are all expected to meet, a standard that strives to make us all better citizens, students, family members, and friends.”

Joining generations of ������Ƶ students

President Connie Ledoux Book then led students in reciting the Call to Honor.

Today we are entrusted with the honorable legacy of ������Ƶ, dedicated to the intellectual, personal and spiritual growth of all its members, to the advancement of knowledge for the good of all, and to the service of local, national and global communities. To that end, we affirm our commitment to the core values of our university:

• We commit ourselves to honesty, being truthful in our academic work and in our relationships with others.
• We commit ourselves to show integrity, being trustworthy, fair and ethical.
• We commit ourselves to responsibility, being accountable for our action and for our learning.
• We commit ourselves to respect, being civil, valuing the dignity of each person, and respecting the physical and intellectual property of others.

With these commitments, we join generations of ������Ƶ students as bearers of its honor.

Book signed the Honor Code book and offered the university’s commitment in return.

“We have pledged our commitment to live these ������Ƶ values,” Book said. “On behalf of the university, I pledge to you that ������Ƶ will do its part to challenge you to grow intellectually, socially and spiritually.”

The ceremony concluded with the singing of ������Ƶ’s alma mater and a final charge from Swartz to remain committed to honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect throughout their years at ������Ƶ.

As they departed Alumni Gym, students received commemorative coins inscribed with the word “Honor” and were invited to sign boards displaying the Honor Pledge on Young Commons, making a public commitment to the values they had pledged to uphold.

“We hope that this coin will help you recall this Honor Code ceremony and your commitment,” Swartz said. “It is what makes a community out of individuals and binds us together as ������Ƶ.”

The first Phoenix Five of the year is here! Each Sunday afternoon, I’ll send you a quick email with five things you need to know for the week ahead. This could include important deadlines and campus events or helpful reminders and opportunities to get involved.  My goal is simple: keep you as informed as possible with one Sunday email you can use to plan your week ahead.

With classes beginning on Tuesday, here are five things to help you start the semester off right.

Get Connected on Social Media

Social media is one of the easiest ways to stay plugged in at ������Ƶ. If you want to know what’s happening on campus in real time, here are a few Instagram accounts I recommend:

• ������Ƶ (main)
• Phoenix Athletics and Phoenix Phanatics
• Student Life
• ������Ƶ Dining
• Student Union Board
• ������Ƶ News Network
• HealthEU

Hypnotist

Monday, Aug. 24, 8:30-11 p.m., Alumni Gym

Join the Student Union Board (SUB) for the annual hypnotist show – a student favorite! Come ready to watch your friends (or maybe even yourself!) take the stage for an unforgettable, hilarious performance. .

������Ƶ Campus Traditions – Starting this Week!

College Coffee

Tuesdays, 9:40-10:20 a.m., Alumni Gym

College Coffee is one of ������Ƶ’s most beloved traditions. Every Tuesday morning, the entire campus gathers for coffee, treats and conversation. It’s a chance to meet people, connect with faculty and staff, and hear about what’s happening around campus. If your student organization wants to host an information table at College Coffee, information on .

Numen Lumen: A Thursday Inspiration

Thursdays, 9:50-10:20 a.m., Numen Lumen Pavilion

On Thursday mornings, we pause for a moment of reflection and inspiration. You’ll hear music from student, faculty, and staff performers and reflections from members of our community. This year’s theme is and the first Numen Lumen of the year will be held this Thursday.

Getting Started with Canvas

Beginning with the Fall 2026 semester, ������Ƶ is using Canvas instead of Moodle. You’ll use it to access course materials, submit assignments, communicate with your instructors, and view your grades. Before classes begin:

• Log in to Canvas using your ������Ƶ account.
• After logging in for the first time, as part of setting up your Canvas account. Your account will not be fully functional until you do.
• Visit the for student guides, FAQs and support resources.
• Learn the basics by enrolling in the course.

When you log in, you may not see all of your Fall courses immediately. Your instructors will make courses available before or on the first day of class.

Cheer on Phoenix at First Home Football Game

Thursday, Aug. 27

Student Tailgate

2-7 p.m., Hunt B (back parking lot of the Schar Center)

Before football kickoff, get ready to ignite your game day with Phoenix spirit at the student tailgate. Parking passes are available in Student Involvement and are limited to one pass per student and three passes per student organization or group.

������Ƶ v. Glenville State

7 p.m., Rhodes Stadium

Start off the fall semester by cheering on the Phoenix as ������Ƶ opens the football season against Glenville State. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Rhodes Stadium.

Welcome to ������Ƶ! Welcome first years, welcome back returning students, and welcome families. We are so very glad that you have chosen to be here with us.

This week’s Torah portion (parshah) is called . Ki Teitzei means “when you go out”. In the parshah, this going out refers to war and is immediately followed by laws governing the taking of captives. The parshah then provides an extensive collection of commandments.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that while I imagine that moving into ������Ƶ may have been a rough or challenging experience for many of you, it probably didn’t feel like going to war. At the very least, I hope it did not! However, I imagine that going out from the homes and families you have grown up in has also involved taking care of an extensive list of seemingly unconnected details, just like the parshah.

In looking over these detailed commandments, one struck me as essential to thriving here at ������Ƶ. says “If you see your brother’s [or your fellow’s] donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it; you must raise it together.”
At first glance, this verse may not appear to be relevant to our lives. I am unaware of any donkeys or oxen present on ������Ƶ’s campus, although if senior administrators know differently, please let me know! [Correction: apparently have been an issue!] However, if you bear with me, I will show you why this verse still matters for us here today.

The Talmud () – an ancient collection of commentary on rabbinic law considered authoritative for traditional observance even today – connects this passage with a similar passage from : “When you see a donkey of your enemy lying under its burden and would refrain from raising it, you must nevertheless help raise it.”

According to traditional rabbinic interpretation (), the verse from Exodus commands us to remove undue burdens from animals, even animals belonging to people who hate us. This command shows us that we should alleviate animal suffering whenever possible.

However, the verse from this week’s parsha in Deuteronomy is understood to command us to put a load back onto an animal if its load has fallen off. This verse teaches us that we should not just care for the animal, but also for the owner of the animal, honoring their intentions to build a secure life for themselves. The verse also clarifies that we are meant to put the load back onto the animal with the owner. We are meant to care for the economic success and flourishing of our fellows with our fellows.

So why does this matter? These laws in these verses matter in three ways.

First, many of us live our lives carrying heavy emotional burdens. We are not donkeys or oxen, but college life can sometimes be a lot to bear. If the Torah asks us to alleviate animal suffering, how much more so would it want us to assist each other in relieving our own suffering? We at Jewish Life (Betsy, Boaz, Jay, Sarah, Tal, and myself) want you to know that we are here for you and will be here for you whenever you need us.

Second, college is also a time of growth and opportunity. There are some burdens (such as the responsibilities and privileges of adulthood) you will want to take on! Classes, internships, study abroad, leadership experiences, Greek life, clubs – these are aspects of college life that I know many of you are already excited about! We are also here to help you grow in the ways you want to grow and support your flourishing!

Finally, you may have heard the phrase – all of the Jewish people are responsible for one another. I believe that forming relationships – with mentors and with each other – is the most important part of the college experience. I know that it can sometimes take time to make friends at college and to find your place. It is totally normal to feel anxious about making friends. If you do feel this way, know you’re not alone!

As you and your families adjust your being in college, I hope all of you gathered here today know that you will always have a home with Jewish Life at ������Ƶ. We’re here to help you let go of or manage the burdens you don’t want, take on the burdens you do want, and help you form the relationships with one another that will sustain you through college and beyond. We are so happy that you have chosen to make your home with us. Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh. Let us all take care of one another. Shabbat shalom.

Nearly 1,600 new ������Ƶ students gathered Under the Oaks for New Student Convocation on Saturday, Aug. 22, marking the formal beginning of their academic journey and receiving a challenge to embrace the “enormous opportunity of an ������Ƶ education.”

“We are intentionally seated here, under this beautiful canopy of century-old oak trees,” said Book. “These oak trees have weathered challenges and withstood change. They are symbolic of a strength that will unfold in each of you in the years ahead.”

A celebration of who you are

Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, opened the annual ceremony with the invocation, reminding students of this special moment in their life and college experience.

“It is a celebration of who you are—and who you are becoming,” said Boswell. “You have arrived at this place, at this crossroads, from which you will embark upon a journey that will increasingly become your own. So, begin from a place of confident centeredness.”

On their way to the ceremony from Alumni Gym, students walked through Alamance Building and passed the bell that once hung in Old Main before the building was destroyed by fire in 1923.

Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley used the history of the bell to remind students that ������Ƶ’s recovery from that devastating fire was possible because members of the community came together. Classes resumed within a day, and Commencement was held Under the Oaks that spring.

“That’s what that bell actually stands for,” Dooley said. “Not that hard things happen, you already know that. It’s that ������Ƶ has never rebuilt alone, and neither will you.”

Dooley encouraged students to build relationships with classmates, including those whose backgrounds and perspectives may differ from their own.

“The cure for loneliness, the real key to building community, isn’t finding people who agree with you; it’s finding people who take the time to actually get to know you, including the ones who don’t see it your way,” Dooley said. “Spend your time focused on the person you’re with, instead of the phone you’re carrying.”

Meet the Class of 2030

The nearly 1,600 new undergraduates at Convocation include members of the Class of 2030 and 80 students transferring to ������Ƶ from other institutions. The new students represent 40 states and 19 countries, including Spain, Singapore, Norway, Serbia, South Korea, China and New Zealand. Among them are 203 first-generation college students.

Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Randy Williams spoke of the “breadth and depth of the experience of our new students,” highlighting four students who represent the “well-rounded, talented, and compassionate” Class of 2030

• Josh Cox ’30 from Wilmington, Delaware plans to study engineering, and was a decorated high school athlete in football and track at Archmere Academy, where he was also recognized for his academic accomplishments with an AP Scholar Award. Cox has completed annual athletic training internships with the NFL Los Angeles Rams every year since 2018. He was also selected to participate iExplorers Post 9-week course on government-grade aircraft manufacturing.
• Laura Kate Galbreath ’30 is a high-level cyclist from Greenville, South Carolina who plans to study business analytics & AI. In 2023 she competed in the USA Cycling Amateur and Junior Road National Championships, demonstrating her well-rounded skills by finishing 3rd in the road race, 4th in the time trial, and 5th in the criterium. She’s also a cellist with her school’s chamber orchestra and taught leadership through mountain biking to younger girls in her hometown through the GRIT program.
• Anna Gratz ’30 from Sugar Land, Texas plans to major in public health studies and is this year’s recipient of the William R. Kenan Honors Scholarship, ������Ƶ’s highest academic award.  She earned the Girl Scouts Gold Award and developed a toolkit to help children with disabilities to explain their disabilities to classmates, along with a website that she shared with Texas Children’s Hospital, school counselors nationwide and disability advocates.
• Binita Shaw ’30 from Udhailiyah, Saudi Arabia plans to major in biology and graduated from Western Reserve Academy high school in Hudson, Ohio. Binita has been involved in immunology research on neuroblastoma, including studying the CRISPR knockout effects of a Glioblastoma gene through Cleveland Clinic, presenting the results at a national scientific conference, and publishing the study in the Journal of Immunology. She was also recognized for her efforts to secure a grant to support Read Nepal, an organization for which she served as a science and math tutor.

Students were also introduced to the faculty members who will help guide their academic experiences. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn and Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs Deandra Little highlighted ������Ƶ’s teacher-scholar-mentor model and recognized four 2026 faculty award recipients: Scott Proudfit, associate professor and chair of English; Sandy Marshall, associate professor of geography; Ryan Johnson, associate professor and chair of philosophy; and Sandra Reid, associate teaching professor of human service studies.

Kohn encouraged students to get to know their professors, seek assistance when they need it and fully engage with their courses.

“������Ƶ has never rebuilt alone, and neither will you.”

Jon Dooley, vice president for student life

Keep moving

That message of relying on others was also at the center of remarks from Student Government Association President Michael Swartz ’27. He recalled struggling in a course during his first semester and wondering whether he belonged at ������Ƶ.

Rather than dropping the course, Swartz followed his parents’ advice to stay, seek assistance and give the class his best effort.

“I learned that asking for help is not proof that you are unprepared,” Swartz said. “But often, it is the first sign that you are ready to grow.”

Three years later, Swartz told the new students that the experience taught him a lesson extending far beyond the grade he eventually earned: don’t let challenges get you down.

“Remember that the goal is never to walk perfectly,” Swartz said. “It is to get back up, laugh when you can, accept the hand beside you, and keep moving.”

In her address, President Book emphasized that while students will learn about new technologies and the latest discoveries in their fields, an ������Ƶ education remains centered on human values and relationships, and a “very real sense of your own power, your own human intelligence to shape the future.”

“At the core of ������Ƶ are the fundamental values of honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect. Values embraced in our honor code. Human values that are impossible to capture via artificial intelligence,” said Book.

A symbol of hope

Book also led students through a “human bar graph,” an exercise illustrating the opportunity represented by attending a private, residential university and the network of faculty and staff prepared to support them. As she instructed groups of students to stand as representatives of different groups such as those who attend community college, four-year public schools, private universities, etc., one student, Ava Hunter ’30, was left standing representing “private, residential colleges and universities like ������Ƶ.”

“Ava, you symbolize the hope expressed in the model we have designed and deliver here at ������Ƶ,” Book said.

At the conclusion of Convocation, students received an acorn, an ������Ƶ tradition symbolizing the beginning of their growth at the university. In four years, the Class of 2030 will be Under the Oaks again for Senior Baccalaureate, where they will receive an oak sapling.

The ceremony concluded with a musical performance by Jocelyn Bogart, Maya Spencer and Keller Knight and the singing of ������Ƶ’s alma mater before students recessed through a line of faculty members.

Book left the Class of 2030 with a challenge to take ownership of their journey.

“This enormous opportunity of an ������Ƶ education requires action on your part, a commitment to taking full advantage of all we have here,” Book said. “We invite you to a powerful journey of questions and curiosity that will shine new light and new understanding.”

Nearly 1,600 new students arrived at ������Ƶ on Friday, Aug. 21, as the university welcomed the Class of 2030.

Despite a mix of rain and sunshine, staff members in Student Life and Residence Life worked to make the Move-In Day process as seamless as possible for students and their families. Student organizations and ������Ƶ Athletics teams also lent a hand, helping unload vehicles and carry students’ belongings into their new homes.

Familiar items in a new home

For many members of the Class of 2030, those belongings include more than the essentials for college life. As they begin a new chapter at ������Ƶ, students brought photographs, books, keepsakes and other reminders of the people and places they call home.

Ale Furano ’30 arrived at ������Ƶ from Greenwich, Connecticut, with three Polaroid photos of his family and friends. A Communications Fellow who plans to study sport management, Furano said he is looking forward to the opportunities ahead.

“I’m excited to meet new people and have a great opportunity and a new way of life,” Furano said. “I think the opportunities at ������Ƶ are really great, especially in the sport management field.”

Avery McTigue ’30, who plans to study nursing, is looking forward to joining clubs and organizations and exploring study abroad opportunities. Among the items making her new room feel more like home is an ������Ƶ-themed Jellycat plush toy with a special connection to her friends.

“The special item I brought from home is my ������Ƶ ‘Jellycat,’” said McTigue, who is from Bergen County, New Jersey. “My friends threw a ‘bed party’ for me, and it reminds me of them. Basically, they decorate your whole room, and it’s all ������Ƶ stuff.”

For George Schneider ’30, from Seattle, Washington, the move to ������Ƶ meant finding room for his vinyl collection. Schneider chose ������Ƶ because of its acting program. The Princeton Review recently ranked ������Ƶ No. 1 for Best College Theater, while The Hollywood Reporter included ������Ƶ on its list of the “25 Best Drama Schools in the World.”

“I’m very excited to be independent and expand on my training,” Schneider said. “I brought my record player and about 20 of my records. I knew I wasn’t going to bring a lot for my room, but I wanted to bring something to remember home by.”

An avid reader, Ryan Parker ’30, who plans to study journalism, made sure one of her books made the trip from Dallas, Texas. For Parker, attending ������Ƶ also means experiencing a new part of the country.

“I chose ������Ƶ because I felt it was the best for me, and I felt it would be a good transition as well,” Parker said. “I’m most excited to meet new people, especially being from Texas and being in a different part of the country.”

A class from around the world

The students arriving on campus bring a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and academic interests. Members of the incoming class come from 40 states and Washington, D.C., as well as 19 countries, including Singapore, Spain, Norway, Canada, Serbia, South Korea, China and New Zealand.

The most represented states are North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Illinois.

Fourteen percent of incoming students are the first in their families to attend college. The class also enters ������Ƶ with a strong academic record, with an average high school GPA of 4.09.

Students are bringing a broad range of academic interests to campus. The 10 most popular intended majors among incoming students are psychology, finance, biology, business analytics & AI, marketing, nursing, exercise science, elementary education, sport management and political science.

Several programs are seeing notable increases in interest compared with last year’s incoming class. The number of new students intending to major in elementary education increased 41%, while finance increased 39% and biology increased 16%.

The community classroom experience

Those statistics are reflected in the individual journeys bringing students to ������Ƶ.

Alexis Jacobs ’30 of Westport, Connecticut, was drawn to the university because of its size and sense of community. To personalize her new space, Jacobs brought handmade frames filled with reminders of the people, places and experiences important to her.

“I made these frames with different prints, photos, places I’ve been and family members,” Jacobs said.

Peter Matijevic ’30, who plans to study business analytics and applied mathematics, brought a reminder of his Massachusetts roots: a Drake Maye NFL jersey.

“It reminds me of Massachusetts and my favorite NFL player,” Matijevic said. “I chose ������Ƶ because it’s a beautiful campus and has small classes, so I could get to know my teachers.”

������Ƶ’s teacher-scholar-mentor model among its faculty is a touchstone of the university’s academic experience. For five years in a row, ������Ƶ has been ranked best in the nation for undergraduate teaching, and The Princeton Review recently ranked the university as No. 4 Best Classroom Experience.

Following Move-In Day, students attend New Student Orientation, including New Student Convocation on Saturday, Aug. 22.

For , pursuing journalism doesn’t necessarily mean following a traditional path. The ������Ƶ junior didn’t want to fit into a certain box, so when she saw an opening last summer for a video production assistant internship in her hometown in Central Illinois, she applied – and landed the role.

The opportunity introduced Burgos to a different side of storytelling. Working with the Big Ten Network, a national sports network dedicated to coverage of Big Ten Conference athletics, she gained hands-on experience setting up and shooting content ranging from interviews to b-roll. Most importantly, she contributed to several documentary projects.

Nearly a year later, she can finally share what she worked on last summer – a short documentary highlighting the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s rich history of agricultural innovation and discovery. The film premiered on the network on July 8; a fact Burgos celebrated on .

With the documentary now available on , Burgos has been able to show her family the finished product, including her father, who was “super excited” for her.

“He’s taking a picture of my credit,” Burgos laughed.

This summer the ������Ƶ junior interned again with the Big Ten Network and her role expanded. She’s gotten to participate in some shoots, review video archives and work on another documentary. While she cannot disclose the subjects yet, she helped colleagues interview several high-profile Illinois alumni.

“I think I really just got to dip my toes in last summer,” she said. “And there are always so many more stories still to be told.”

Burgos’ willingness to explore different sides of journalism reflects the path she took at ������Ƶ, where she didn’t declare her major until her sophomore year. Before settling on journalism, she took advantage of that flexibility to explore different areas within the School of Communications.

That exploration included working on a student film set as a grip, an equipment technician who supports a production.

“If you know about something in your community that you might be interested in getting involved in. Don’t be afraid to reach out.”
– Miranda Burgos ’28

As a Communications Fellow, Burgos and the rest of her first-year cohort traveled to Florida, where they shadowed professionals and toured companies representing different areas of the communications and sport industries. Burgos said it helped her realize that graduating with a journalism degree didn’t necessarily mean she had to work at a newspaper or broadcast station.

“I was still undecided at that time, but no matter what I picked, my options were maybe more open than I was imagining,” Burgos said.

Experiences like the Florida trip eventually helped push her to submit her application to the Big Ten Network.

The internship also brought its own challenges. Burgos said she had to learn to be more adaptable as shoots would get rescheduled or canceled altogether. Once she became accustomed to the unpredictability, however, it became one of her favorite parts of the internship.

“Things can get moved, things can just pop out of nowhere, but it kind of felt like an adventure,” she said. “It has been so much fun.”

This fall, Burgos will study abroad in Spain. When she returns, she plans to continue exploring her options as a journalism major.

The Princeton Review has again featured ������Ƶ in a popular college guide that annually recognizes excellence in dozens of categories, with the university placing among the top 25 schools in 15 categories and in the top 10 of eight categories, including #1 Best College Theater.

������Ƶ’s profile in “” includes more than a dozen recognitions:

• #1 Best College Theater
• #4 Best Classroom Experience
• #6 Best Student Support and Counseling Services
• #6 Best College Dorms
• #8 Happiest Students
• #9 Most Beautiful Campus
• #9 Everyone Plays Intramural Sports
• #10 Their Students Love These Colleges
• #11 Best Campus Food
• #12 Best Career Services
• #12 Best-Run Colleges
• #18 Most Active Student Government
• #23 Professors Get High Marks
• #24 Best Quality of Life
• #25 Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation

The Princeton Review chose the 392 colleges for the book based on its surveys in 2025-26 of 2,000 college administrators about their school’s academic offerings. The company also surveyed students attending the colleges in the book who rated their schools on dozens of topics and reported on their campus experiences at them. Only about 14% of America’s nearly 2,800 four-year colleges are in the book.

“We are delighted to name ������Ƶ one of our Best Colleges for 2027, and we recommend it to students searching for their ‘best-fit’ college,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief and lead author of The Best 392 Colleges.  “������Ƶ has outstanding academic programs; we also took into account the candid feedback we received about it from its very own customers—its enrolled students.”

The rankings are entirely based on the company’s surveys of students attending the schools in the book who reported on their campus experiences at their schools. Surveys of 172,000 students (about 439 per school on average) were tallied for the rankings in The Best 392 Colleges.

Information on the for the rankings and the student is published in the book and on .

Select Responses Cited in “The Best 391 Colleges”

• ������Ƶ provides “meaningful access to professors, research opportunities, internships, and leadership roles early…which allows (students) to explore their interests in practical, hands-on ways.”
• “Everyone from the most esteemed professors to our incredible dining hall workers, to the student life staff, to our groundskeepers” is described as “the most incredible support system.”
• Faculty are “highly experienced and enthusiastic” who do “constant check-ups and meetings with you. They want to make sure that you’re not only succeeding in their class, but also having an amazing, enriching time in college.”
• Students praised the small class sizes, which allow for bonding “with both my professors and my peers, and it gives me more opportunities for success.”
• ������Ƶ’s experiential learning model provides an opportunity “where students can use both classroom learning and real-world experience to understand the information being taught.”
• Students highlighted the university’s “strong culture of involvement” where “students are constantly balancing academics with leadership roles, service organizations, research, athletics, and creative projects, and that energy creates an environment where it feels normal to want to do big things.”

About the Princeton Review

The Princeton Review (), founded in 1981, is an education services company known for its tutoring, test-prep, admission services, school rankings, books, and other resources. Headquartered in New York, NY, it is not affiliated with Princeton University, and it is not a magazine.

The Best 392 Colleges is the 35th annual edition of The Princeton Review’s flagship college guide which debuted in 1992. It is one of more than 150 Princeton Review books in a published by Penguin Random House. The book and its annual student-survey-based college rankings have been featured on NBC TODAY more than two dozen times over the years and referenced by media from NPR to The Wall Street Journal and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

While relatively new to ������Ƶ, Moses-Brownson has been deeply engaged with NAAHP for many years. Moses-Brownson co-chairs the NAAHP Committee on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, sits on the Regional Board of Directors for SAAHP (the Southeastern Association for Advisors in the Health Professions), is part of the instructional team for the NAAHP Leads: Regional and National Leadership track professional development program, and serves as a liaison between NAAHP and the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) LASOR (Learner Access, Student Opportunities, & Retention) working group.

Since joining ������Ƶ in 2024, Moses‑Brownson has helped transform Health Professions Advising through new courses, expanded programming and strategic partnerships that support students and alumni pursuing careers in healthcare. Central to this impact has been a new suite of courses co‑developed with Yuko Miyamoto, director of health professions advising and associate professor of biology, and Collier Lumpkin, associate director of career advising for pre-graduate school. Together, Moses‑Brownson and Miyamoto created an application preparation course focused on helping students understand timelines, requirements and competencies for health professions programs.

Moses-Brownson and Lumpkin developed a standardized test preparation course designed to support students preparing for exams such as the MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE, and LSAT, which focuses on the non-content aspects of test preparation while providing deeply discounted access to high-quality test prep resources. These courses give students structured guidance, peer support and staff expertise as they move from exploring professional careers to actively applying.

Moses‑Brownson has also prioritized outreach to prospective students and the broader community, reflecting ������Ƶ’s commitment to access and engagement. In 2026, Health Professions Advising and the Student Professional Development Center co-hosted Health Professions Exploration Day, welcoming local high school students and Union County Schools to campus to learn about a wide range of healthcare careers and see how ������Ƶ can help them prepare for those futures. The event connected visitors with faculty, advisors, and current students, highlighting both the breadth of health professions and the many academic and co‑curricular paths available at ������Ƶ.

To deepen connections between ������Ƶ students and health professions programs, Moses‑Brownson and the SPDC brought a health professions expo to campus, inviting schools and programs to meet directly with students. The expo gave students the chance to ask questions, compare programs, and build relationships with admissions representatives, all while receiving advising support on how to present their experiences and plan next steps. This kind of face‑to‑face engagement helps students see the full landscape of opportunities, from medicine and dentistry to physician assistant programs, nursing, genetic counseling, nutrition/dietetics, pharmacy and other fields.

Another key initiative has been a partnership with Alamance Community College to offer an EMT course hosted primarily on ������Ƶ’s campus. By making this training more accessible, Health Professions Advising has opened additional pathways for students to gain hands‑on clinical experience and patient contact hours, which are critical components of competitive applications to many health professions programs. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to preparing students not only academically, but also through meaningful, real‑world exposure to healthcare settings.

On campus, Moses-Brownson has worked to develop new opportunities for students to engage in the transformative experiences that prepare students for the competitive application processes in the health professions. A partnership with Belk Library, specifically with Engineering & Physical Science Librarian and Assistant Librarian Ellen Cline, and Coordinator of Research and Publishing and Associate Librarian Jesse Akman, has provided a pathway for underclassmen who cannot access traditional research opportunities to pursue evidence synthesis research opportunities with mentorship and support from library staff.

Alongside these programs, Moses‑Brownson has worked to deepen individualized advising and application support for both current students and alumni. Health Professions Advising offers one‑on‑one appointments, workshops, and resources to help students design an academic plan, understand professional competencies, and prepare strong, reflective applications. Students can meet with Moses‑Brownson through the ������Ƶ Job Network using the “Pre‑Health Advising” appointment types and can connect with Miyamoto by emailing ymiyamoto@elon.edu to schedule advising focused on academic planning and application processes.

Together, Moses‑Brownson and Miyamoto lead a Health Professions Advising program that supports hundreds of students and alumni as they explore, prepare for, and pursue a wide range of health careers. The NAAHP Outreach/Engagement Award underscores how intentional advising, new courses, campus‑community partnerships, and accessible programming can shape students’ pathways to becoming healthcare professionals, both at ������Ƶ and beyond.

The incoming class represents a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, with students coming to ������Ƶ from 40 states and Washington, D.C., as well as 19 countries. Among the countries represented are Singapore, Spain, Norway, Canada, Serbia, South Korea, China and New Zealand.

Fourteen percent of incoming students are the first in their families to attend college. The class also enters ������Ƶ with a strong academic record, with an average high school GPA of 4.09.

The most represented states include North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Illinois.

Students are bringing a broad range of academic interests to campus. The 10 most popular intended majors among incoming students are psychology, finance, biology, business analytics, marketing, nursing, exercise science, elementary education, sport management and political science.

Several programs are seeing notable increases in interest compared with last year’s incoming class. The number of new students intending to major in elementary education increased 41%, while finance increased 39% and biology increased 16%.

The Class of 2030 will arrive on campus Friday, Aug. 21 for Move-In Day, kicking off New Student Orientation and the start of their ������Ƶ journey.

Friday, Aug. 21
Move-In Day

All students will be assigned a specific move-in time, which can be found on their Acorn Account. Upon arriving to campus, students and families must report to central check-in at Schar Center. Students will then receive orientation materials and directions to their move-in location. Each neighborhood has specific driving directions, which can be viewed on the map below.

New Student Orientation

All new students are required to attend new student orientation, which starts on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 21, and goes through Monday, Aug. 24. On Friday, students will meet their orientation leader for the first time and, throughout orientation, they will have multiple opportunities to interact with their orientation leaders. More activities on Friday include students learning about their residential neighborhood or campus community (for off-campus students) and having fun at Late Night ������Ƶ.

Saturday, Aug. 22
New Student Convocation

The Class of 2030 will be welcomed to the university Under the Oaks by President Connie Ledoux Book during New Student Convocation on Saturday, Aug. 22. Students will first meet in Alumni Gym at 8 a.m. and hear from Jon Dooley, vice president of student life, before walking through Alamance Building and gathering with friends and families Under the Oaks. During the procession, students will pass the bell that hung in “Old Main” before the building was destroyed in the fire of 1923.

If family members want a bite to eat before New Student Convocation, they can stop by the special Parent and Family College Coffee in Citrone Plaza. College Coffee brings together students, faculty and staff each week for food and fellowship.

During convocation, students will receive their acorns, an ������Ƶ tradition since 1999, which symbolizes the beginning of their ������Ƶ journey. As they prepare to graduate in spring 2030, students will receive an oak sapling at the Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate, a symbol of their transformation during their time at the university.

Later in the day, students can meet with their academic advisors and ������Ƶ 1010 Peer Educators and then say goodbye during the Family Send-Off Picnic at several locations: West Koury Lawn, West Moseley Lawn and Martin Alumni Center Wristbands are required and can be purchased at the Orientation Headquarters in the Moseley Student Center. Students eat for free with a meal plan.

Events are planned for families throughout New Student Orientation. However, if families cannot attend, they can always reach out to the Office of Parent Engagement with questions or concerns. Students have additional programming that afternoon and into the evening starting at 4:00 p.m. Orientation events are mandatory for all new students.

Monday, Aug. 24
Call to Honor

On Monday, all new students will commit to the university’s Honor Code with the Call to Honor at 9:30 a.m. in Alumni Gym. Each incoming class represents one of the four pillars of the ������Ƶ Honor Code: honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect. Students sign their name on a poster with the ������Ƶ Honor Code and receive a coin with the word “honor” engraved on it. Several other sessions are planned throughout the day, ending with a mesmerizing hypnotist show in Alumni Gym.

Classes begin on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

“Lauren and her peers in the Leadership Scholars program understand that true leadership starts with the courage to share your voice and listen to others,” said Anita McGill, assistant dean of student engagement. “This program will hone those skills, helping them grow into confident, thoughtful leaders equipped to make a meaningful difference on campus and beyond.”

As the president of the English Honor Society at Cox Mill High School in Concord, North Carolina, Lee participated in her school’s newspaper club and spent over a year crafting her own poetry collection focused on growth, mental health and womanhood, with hopes of publishing it in the future.

Her love for storytelling began at just 6 years old, inspired by fictional worlds and fairy tales that provided comfort during difficult times. Through the years, her imagination evolved into a lifelong passion for writing, shaped in part by her mother, an author of essays and memoirs.

In her original work, she captures moments of tenderness and personal connection:

Warm smiles were the key to my trust. 
Melodic voices sparked my own soft smile. 
My screeching cries would even melt to hush. 
I was always drawn to a soft, velvet hand. 
My mother’s touch was magical. 
It bloomed peace within me, like sun through sand. 

Reflecting on her creative journey, Lee shared how writing helped her through difficult times throughout her childhood.

“I’ve always loved writing and from an early age, it helped me process my emotions,” she said. “When I write poetry, it helps me get certain messages out there that I think people need to hear.”

Lee also cites American poet and activist Amanda Gorman as an inspiration for her writing. “I think her poems are so powerful, and she showcases the Black experience beautifully through creativity,” she said.

Her commitment to connecting with others extends well beyond the page. Guided by a strong spirit of service, she felt strongly aligned with Queens’ motto, which is based on serving others.

“I’ve always enjoyed helping those around me, and I’m so excited to be able to participate in service-based opportunities on campus and in the community,” she said. “I want to use my skills to help others by inspiring them to be the best versions of themselves while making them feel heard.”

Lee intends to study creative writing as her major with a minor in journalism. When asked why she chose Queens, she cited its tight-knit, supportive community and tailored academic pathways.

“Queens offers so many opportunities in my major because I get to concentrate specifically on creative writing, rather than just a broad English major,” she explained. “I’m also excited to participate in internship opportunities and build relationships with my professors and professional mentors to help me flourish.”

As she prepares to move onto campus this August, Lee is eager to immerse herself in campus life. At the top of her list? Connecting with fellow writers, joining the campus literary magazine and exploring local storytelling outlets.

With a commitment to service, leadership, and storytelling, Lee is excited to bring a unique voice and fresh energy to the Queens community this fall.