Danielle Martinelli-Taylor ’12 has built her career around helping people move through pain toward healing. As the founder of Animo Counseling and Coaching in Denver, Colorado, she works with clients through a holistic mind-body approach to mental health, including somatic boxing therapy. In the latest episode of ā€œĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Beyond the Bricks,ā€ President Connie Ledoux Book sits down with Martinelli-Taylor to explore the experiences that led her to a career in trauma counseling.

A graduate of ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ’s School of Communications, Martinelli-Taylor majored in strategic communications and minored in religious studies before her career turned toward mental health care. That shift began with moments she did not fully recognize at the time, including an ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ class on human trafficking that opened her eyes to the reality of trauma and stayed with her long after graduation.

“I think like a lot of things, there were moments, but I hadn’t added them up yet,” she said.

After graduation, Martinelli-Taylor’s path moved through customer service at Wayfair, nonprofit work in London and continued reflection on the kind of work that felt meaningful. Each step helped her better understand what she was drawn to, what she needed to move away from and how service could become a throughline in her life and career.

That search eventually led her to counseling, where she began working with clients who had experienced trauma. She noticed that talk therapy alone was not always the right entry point, especially when asking clients to revisit painful stories could bring them back into that experience. From there, she began developing a new approach.

ā€œWhat can we do that still heals or helps the body get rid of this distress, this intensity, this pain, but not necessarily just… talking about it?ā€ she said.

Somatic boxing therapy grew from that question and from Martinelli-Taylor’s own experience using boxing to process the emotional weight of counseling work. Over time, she began incorporating pads and bilateral movement into sessions, helping clients reconnect with strength, courage and a sense of agency.

ā€œFind your strength, find your resilience find that courage,ā€ she said.

While her work now sits in the mental health field, Martinelli-Taylor still sees clear connections to her ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ education. Her communications background has helped her explain a new therapeutic model, build a practice and share her work with clients and other professionals.

ā€œIā€™m glad I had a marketing background. Iā€™m glad I had a little bit of a PR background because so much, even though itā€™s counseling and mental health, itā€™s a lot of business,ā€ she said.

Martinelli-Taylor’s story was featured in the 2025 Presidentā€™s Report because of the meaningful impact she is creating through service to others. For ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ students and young alumni still trying to find direction, she encouraged patience and forward motion, even when the larger path is unclear.

ā€œJust take one step,ā€ she said. ā€œDonā€™t try to figure it all out right now.ā€

Toward the end of the conversation, Martinelli-Taylor shared a quote from Frederick Buechner that has helped frame her own sense of calling:

ā€œMaybe the place youā€™re called is where your deep gladness and the worldā€™s deep hunger meet,ā€ she said.

“For Martinelli-Taylor, that place has become the space where service, counseling and embodied healing meet. Her story is a reminder that purpose is often formed through the moments that stay with us and the courage to follow them into work that helps others heal.

Learn more about the podcast and listen to the episode here.

Learn more about the 2025 President’s Report and read it here.

Tickets are now on sale for the inaugural ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Festival on Wednesday evening, July 22, at 6:30 p.m., at the historic Sony Pictures Studios lot, in Culver City, California.

The festival will feature the world premieres of short films from three ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Los Angeles area alumna who were recipients of last fallā€™s ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Grant Competition funds.

Julia Boyd ā€™15, Bex Evans ā€™16 and Mirai ā€˜07 each received grants of $3,000 for the production of their original short films. Their projects were selected for funding from among numerous submissions received. A selection committee comprised of industry professionals and ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ alumni reviewed, ranked and voted on all of the submissions received; Boyd, Evans and Miraiā€™s projects were the three top selections from this process.

The short film festival will also feature a conversation with ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ alumni Lindsey Emerson, vice president of streaming, global strategy & operations at Paramount Skydance and Alex Stevenson, account lead at Creative Artists Agency, about the current state of the entertainment industry and the impact these shifts are having on students transitioning from college to the professional world, as well as how current working professionals might navigate the new landscape for new opportunities.

A reception will follow the festival presentation with the opportunity for current ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Los Angeles summer students to connect with ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ alumni and other industry professionals.

Limited availability tickets for the film festival are $25 each, with 100% of all ticket revenue designated to support next yearā€™s grant competition.

For information and ticket purchases, and for contributions to the grant competition fund, please visit the .

Applications will be accepted starting Sept. 1, 2026.

The ABA approval clears the way for ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law to expand its nationally recognized model of full-time legal education to North Carolina’s largest city. At that point, ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law will offer three pathways to a law degree in North Carolina: a full-time program in Greensboro, a full-time program in Charlotte and the part-time ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law Flex Program in Charlotte.

“This comes at an incredible moment for ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law,” said ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law Dean Zak Kramer. “Within the last year, we’ve celebrated historic bar passage rates and employment outcomes for our graduates, along with record enrollment and student applications. The ABA’s approval of our Charlotte program builds on that momentum, allowing ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law to bring our signature approach to legal education to one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.”

The inaugural Charlotte class, consisting of up to 75 students, will begin studies in August 2027 on the campus of Queens University of Charlotte. The charter cohort will graduate in December 2029, following ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law’s existing 2.5-year, seven-trimester academic calendar in Greensboro. The ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law Flex Program will also begin holding its part-time evening classes on the Queens campus in Fall 2027.

The full-time Charlotte program will replicate the innovative curriculum established at ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law’s Greensboro campus. The hallmark of ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law’s experiential, skills-based, community-centered approach to legal education is the Residency-in-Practice Program: a course-connected placement that pairs every student with a practicing attorney or judge during the winter or spring of their second year.

That experience moves students beyond studying the law to begin living it ā€” working alongside attorneys and judges, serving clients and communities, and developing the professional judgment and practical skills expected of new lawyers. Students return to campus with greater confidence, stronger professional connections and a clearer sense of the kind of lawyer they will become.

ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law is in the early stages of hiring a full complement of professors, administrators and student support personnel who will lead the full-time program in Charlotte. The move aligns with the proposed merger of ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ and Queens University, which remains subject to final approval from SACSCOC and the U.S. Department of Education.

ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ leaders are working closely with Queens University to ensure law students benefit from a vibrant campus experience and the resources of a thriving university community.

The expansion also builds on ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law’s longstanding relationships throughout Charlotte’s legal community. Already, more than 10 percent of the law schoolā€™s alumni live and work in the Charlotte area. Law school leaders plan to strengthen existing partnerships, develop new connections and grow opportunities for students to serve in a region with a need for legal talent, legal services and innovative legal education.

Through clinics, residencies and community partnerships, ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law students regularly work alongside attorneys, judges, nonprofit organizations and public agencies to help address unmet legal needs.

“We’ve been in Charlotte all along through our students, alumni and community partnerships,” Kramer said. “This approval gives us an opportunity to deepen our commitment to Charlotte. We’re excited to invest here, build new partnerships and help shape what comes next.”

Additional information about admissions, faculty hiring and program development will be announced in the coming months.

About ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law

ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on learning by doing, it integrates traditional classroom instruction with a required residency-in-practice field placement for all full-time students during the winter or spring of their second year. The law schoolā€™s distinctive full-time curriculum provides a logically sequenced program of professional preparation and is accomplished in 2.5 years, which offers exceptional value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their careers.

ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law has graduated more than 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazineā€™s ā€œBest Schools for Practical Trainingā€ rankings, maintaining an A+ rating each year since 2023. ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

The ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study, launched in Charlotte in 2024. Designed for students balancing work, family and other commitments to earn their J.D. in under four years, it will enroll its third cohort in Fall 2026.

The ā€œĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Dance Team Send-Offā€ video, directed and edited by Peter Sillitto ā€™26 and produced in collaboration with the ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Dance Team, received a Sports Video Group (SVG) College Sports Media Award for Outstanding In-Venue Video ā€“ Collegiate Student Championship. The award was presented May 27 in Atlanta during the 18th annual SVG College Sports Media Awards ceremony.

The honor came just weeks after the ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Dance Team captured two national titles at the 2026 National Dance Association College National Championships, winning the Division I pom and Division I hip hop competitions. The back-to-back victories marked a historic achievement for the program, including ĀŅĀ׏Óʵā€™s first national championship in the pom category.

Produced for the teamā€™s trip to nationals, the video took a more narrative approach than previous send-off productions.

ā€œProducing a send-off video is something we do every year, with the final piece being shown in the Schar Center and shared across social media,ā€ said Sillitto, a cinema and television arts major. ā€œThis year, we wanted to take a more story-driven approach by focusing on the teamā€™s journey to nationals. Our goal was to showcase not only their performances, but also the hard work, dedication and experiences that led them there.ā€

In addition to Sillitto, the student production team included Kristen Pearson ā€™27 and Meghan McGarrigle ā€™28 as producers; and Zack Golub ā€™26 and Colin Dorroh ā€™27 as creative producers and camera operators.

across multiple locations, capturing both cinematic visuals and authentic moments from practices, workouts and team activities.

ā€œOne of the biggest challenges was making sure we told the teamā€™s real story, which meant being present and ready to film during genuine moments,ā€ Sillitto said. ā€œCapturing those authentic interactions and experiences was an important part of the creative process and helped make the final video feel more personal and meaningful.ā€

For Sillitto, the award reflects months of collaboration and effort from both the dancers and the production crew.

ā€œIā€™m proud of the project because every year our goal is to create the best video possible, and we have a lot of creative freedom to experiment with new ideas and push ourselves creatively,ā€ he said. ā€œThe final video represents months of hard work from both the dance team and the production crew, so weā€™re excited and grateful that the project has been recognized.ā€

Sillitto graduated from ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ in May and recently accepted a position with Booz Allen Hamilton as a videographer and social media content creator.

Sillitto and Dorroh attended the 2026 SVG College Summit in Atlanta alongside Anthony Bamford ā€™25, coordinating producer for ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Sports Vision; Patrick Cunningham, director of live broadcast production for ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Athletics; and students/recent graduates Philip Doherty ā€™26, Anthony Eppolito ā€™27 and Joey Marinello ā€™28.

This year marked another strong showing for ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ at the national competition ā€“ the university won its first-ever award in 2025. In addition to the winning ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Dance Team send-off video, four other ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ productions were recognized as finalists in the Collegiate Student Championship division: ā€œFootball: ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ vs. North Carolina A&T,ā€ ā€œStrength Beyond the Game ā€“ Brodie Carroll,ā€ ā€œWin The Moment ā€“ Asher Cunninghamā€ and ā€œWhat It Takes ā€“ ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Menā€™s Basketball Halftime Hype.ā€

Sixty-eight percent of American adults say they are proud to be American, and 79% agree the United States plays a uniquely important role in world history. At the same time, 69% believe the signers of the Declaration of Independence would feel more disappointment than pride about modern American democracy.

The survey of 1,000 adults in the United States, conducted April 30-May 4, 2026, explores how Americans view the nationā€™s past, present and future as the country prepares to commemorate its semiquincentennial.

ā€œAs the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Americans have complex and diverse feelings about America 250,ā€ said Jason Husser, director of the ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Poll and a professor of political science and public policy. ā€œWe found several points of optimism among Americans, including pride in being American and belief that the United States has a uniquely important role to play in world history. At the same time, many Americans expressed significant concern about the health of American democracy today, and the country is split on its outlook over the next 50 years.ā€

More than half of Americans (52%) say the United States is unsuccessfully living up to its founding ideals, while only 30% say the nation is successfully living up to them. Nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%) rate the overall health of U.S. democracy as only ā€œfairā€ or ā€œpoor.ā€

The survey also found widespread concern about political instability and civic division:

• 68% believe elected officials today are worse than leaders of the past
• 80% say they at least sometimes feel no political party or movement represents their views
• 70% say the country is more turbulent than average compared with other periods in U.S. history
• 64% say they have little or no confidence that U.S. political institutions will make mostly good decisions over the next 50 years
• 68% predict America will become more politically divided by 2076

Americans are also pessimistic about the countryā€™s long-term future in several key areas. Majorities predict that by 2076 the nation will have less freedom, less economic equality, a lower standard of living, and more pollution. More Americans also believe technology will create more harm than benefit over the next 50 years.

Despite those concerns, the poll found Americans still hold strong connections to the nationā€™s democratic ideals and history.

When asked which event best represented American democracy at its highest ideals, respondents most frequently selected the Civil Rights Movement and World War II. Abraham Lincoln was named both the historical figure who best exemplified democratic ideals and the greatest president in U.S. history.

The survey also revealed broad bipartisan resonance for many historic presidential messages when respondents were not told who made the statements. More than three-quarters agreed with quotations from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, while large majorities also agreed with statements from John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Looking toward the nationā€™s semiquincentennial celebrations, Americans expressed greater interest in reflection than pageantry. Nearly seven in 10 (68%) said America250 should focus more on reflecting on U.S. history and values than simply celebrating national achievements, and 71% said smaller local events would feel more authentic than large national celebrations.

The survey found Americans entering the anniversary with mixed emotions. The most common feeling was pride, cited by 38%, followed by gratitude at 17%. But 21% said they have no strong feelings, 12% described themselves as conflicted, while others reported disappointment or frustration.

The margin of error for the ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Poll survey is +/- 3.95%.

Poll Methodology

Access the poll topline and methodology at:Ā www.elon.edu/elonpoll. The survey was developed by the ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Poll and fielded by the international marketing and polling firm YouGov as an online, web-based survey, self-administered with online panels. Between April 30 and March 4, 2026, YouGov interviewed 1,077 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. These respondents were then matched down to a sample of 1,000 to produce the final dataset.

The matched cases were weighted to the sampling frame using propensity scores based on age, gender, race/ethnicity, years of education, and home ownership. The margin of error for this poll (adjusted for weights) is +/-3.95%.

About the ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Poll

Established in 2000, the ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Poll conducts national and North Carolina surveys on issues of importance to voters and residents. Information from these polls is shared with media, citizens and public officials to facilitate informed public policy making through the better understanding of citizensā€™ opinions and attitudes. The poll is fully funded by ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ and operates as the neutral, non-biased information resource.

The ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Poll is a charter member of in 2014 to educate polling firms on ways to better share how they collect and interpret their information. The ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Pollā€™s voluntary participation in this initiative signifies a willingness to clearly state in its reports how questions were asked, in what order, who funded the poll and then conducted it, and a definition of the population under study, among other details.

Participants in the newest cohort emphasized the programā€™s immediate relevance to their everyday work.

Andrea Davis Lā€™12 said the experience helped her clearly identify how AI fits into multiple areas of her life.

ā€œI had such a great time in this course ā€” it really allowed me to pinpoint how I can use AI in my job and in my personal life, and it helped grow my confidence in handling AI,ā€ Davis said.

The certificate focuses on experiential learning, guiding participants through hands-on exercises with AI tools, prompt development and workflow design. Rather than centering on technical complexity, the program emphasizes strategy, ethics and clarity of use.

Elizabeth Worrilow Maher ā€™17 said the course reshaped how she approaches her daily work.

ā€œIt genuinely shifted how I think about my day-to-day work,ā€ Maher said. ā€œWhat stood out most wasnā€™t just the tools, but the mindset ā€” using AI to enhance how you think, not replace it.ā€

Maher noted that key takeaways included the importance of strong inputs and strategy, the impact of small workflow improvements over time and the advantage gained through learning how to ask better questions.

Instructor Rebecca Macy said the growth she observed in the cohort reflected a shift in how participants approached AI.

ā€œThe strength of this program is that it does not treat AI as a one-time tool demonstration,ā€ she said. ā€œParticipants build from foundational understanding and ethics into prompt engineering, workflow design and a personalized capstone project they can connect directly to their professional or personal lives.ā€

By the end of the program, she added, participants gain clarity as well as confidence.

ā€œThe thirst for learning about the newest AI tools and best practices for practical, professional usage continues to grow,ā€ said instructor Scott Oakes. ā€œHands-on, cohort-driven learning is a uniquely ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ experience ā€” one where students draw not only on our expertise, but on the lived experiences of their fellow learners.ā€

For many participants, that collaborative environment reinforces both learning and confidence.

ā€œThis is a great class to learn and expand your knowledge,ā€ said Neal Saunders Gā€™17. ā€œYou wonā€™t believe what you can do.ā€

As the AI Certificate for Professionals continues to grow, the second cohort reflects the programā€™s evolution from a new offering into an established learning experience with lasting professional impact. The certificate reinforces ĀŅĀ׏Óʵā€™s commitment to lifelong learning and workforce relevance.

The certificate is offered through , part of the Office of Professional and Continuing Studies.

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A Donning of the Kente Ceremony at ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ celebrated the African heritage, achievements and resilience of Black graduates in the universityā€™s Class of 2026 during an evening filled with expressions of cultural tradition, reflection and joy.

Held on the eve of Commencement ceremonies, the annual event honored graduating students with handmade Kente stoles woven in Ghana, a symbol of heritage, wisdom and shared responsibility to be worn at graduation.

Family members and the wider university community gathered inside Alumni Gym on May 21, 2026, to recognize the graduatesā€™ accomplishments and the communities that supported them throughout their college journeys.

ā€œTonight, we do more than congratulate our graduates,ā€ said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence and associate professor of education. ā€œTonight, we bear witness to them. Tonight, we affirm them.ā€

The 10th annual ceremony highlighted the importance mentorship in the graduatesā€™ success. In his remarks to graduates, Williams recognized the ā€œvillageā€ of parents, grandparents, mentors, faculty and staff, and friends who supported the graduates throughout their university studies.

Alex Bohannon ā€™17, president of the ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Black Alumni Network, encouraged graduates to remain engaged with the university and support future generations of students.

ā€œAs you look ahead, carry this charge: build community, mentor intentionally and stay engaged. ĀŅĀ׏Óʵā€™s strength is its people showing up for one another, again and again,ā€ he said. ā€œEngagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

ā€œThe next generationā€™s experience will be shaped by what you choose to do from this point forward.ā€

Engagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

Alex Bohannon ’17, president of the ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Black Alumni Network

Bohannon also highlighted the role of the ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Black Alumni Network in mentoring students and supporting initiatives such as the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund. He noted that the ceremonyā€™s continued growth reflects a vision established a decade ago and sustained through alumni engagement and philanthropy.

During the donning ceremony, each graduate was joined on stage by a person who played a meaningful role in their ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ experience. Supporters presented the stoles while tributes celebrating each graduateā€™s accomplishments and future aspirations were read aloud.

Graduates were praised for perseverance, leadership and cultural pride as families, mentors and faculty members reflected on the challenges many students overcame to earn their degrees. Presentations highlighted stories of first-generation college graduates, international students, and campus leaders who balanced academics with research, athletics and service while supporting others along the way.

Another popular feature of the evening program: A rhythmic dance of celebration performed by served to open and conclude the ceremony.

ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ’s event is made possible by the Kelli E. Palmer ā€™98 Donning of the Kente Endowment. Funding from the endowment supports the program, including the purchase of the kente stoles.

In her own remarks to graduates, La’ Tonya Wiley ā€™97, ĀŅĀ׏Óʵā€™s assistant director of affinity alumni engagement, described the evening as a way to not only honor accomplishments, but to honor who celebrants have become.

ā€œYou are scholars, changemakers, leaders and living examples for those who will follow behind you,ā€ she said. ā€œMay you always remember that your excellence is not defined solely by titles or degrees, but by how you uplift others, how you remain rooted in purpose and how you continue building community wherever your path leads.ā€

“I was in this place of, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do?'” she said.

She remembers a moment of doubt during her final year when Professor Emeritus Rich Landesberg provided the “tough love” she needed to move forward.

“He kept saying, ‘Just pick. Youā€™re going to be fine. No matter what, youā€™re going to land on your feet.’ I really needed that at the time,” Polk said.

That foundation was built primarily within the School of Communications, where Polk, a broadcast communications major, found a safe space to test her leadership skills. She points to a producing class taught by Assistant Professor Ray Johnson as a key turning point where the details of the profession finally clicked. Johnson tasked her with being the executive producer for the class, a role that involved managing her peers and overseeing a project from concept to delivery.

“It was so much work, but I loved it,” she said. “You just realize how many people are leaning on you.”

She credits Johnsonā€™s ability to “put on a show” in the classroom as a major inspiration for her own leadership style, teaching her that engagement and enthusiasm are just as important as technical skills.

“He was so good at his job… I think about him often,” she said.

Upon graduation, Polkā€™s preparation was put to the test when she was accepted into the prestigious NBC Page Program in New York City. Moving from the college environment of ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ to the fast-paced world of NBC required a quick adjustment. She rotated through high-stakes assignments, including “The Today Show,” the US Open, and Syfy publicity, a journey that required her to adapt to a more rigorous schedule, one that demanded the fundamental discipline of the network.

“I used to be a very late person,” she admitted. “But I got it out of my system because of the Page Program. ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ prepared me for the presence, how to present yourself well and dress the part, but the Page Program taught me the discipline.”

Her trajectory eventually led her to Los Angeles and the Hallmark Channel for 12 years, where she rose to the position of vice president of development and programming. In this role, she oversaw the production of up to 30 projects annually, yet she never lost sight of the “human-centric” focus she cultivated at ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ. Polk made it a priority to increase diversity and inclusion within the networkā€™s programming, working to amplify diverse voices to ensure that Hallmarkā€™s signature films reflected a broader range of the human experience. She describes herself as a kindness-first connector, a philosophy that has allowed her to attract top-tier talent and build lasting relationships with writers and agents across the industry.

Now, as she leads Simply Believe Creative, Polk is focused on catalyzing original romantic comedies and holiday films for the modern streaming market. Even from her home in California, she remains deeply connected to the campus where her journey began. She notes with a smile that she still sees familiar faces in the ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ news, including former classmates who have returned to the university in leadership roles.

Her advice to the next generation of Phoenix is a reflection of her own resilient path.

“Go after the things that scare you and push right through the fear to do them anyway,” she said.

“Take on as many projects as you can, but do them to the absolute best of your ability. Stay curious… the yeses always come,” she said.

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell? Please feel free to share your feedback or those stories online:

In the midst of finals week, inside a second-floor conference room in Schar Hall overlooking the Historic Neighborhood, ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ seniors presented communications campaigns for one of the worldā€™s most recognizable digital brands: TikTok.

The May 15 presentations marked the culmination of a semester-long partnership between students in Professor Lee Bushā€™s Strategic Campaigns course, TikTok and ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ alumna Julia Denick ā€™15, a brand partnerships manager in media and entertainment for the company. A second class taught by Bush shared its presentations remotely with Denick via Zoom a few days later.

Throughout the semester, students were challenged to think beyond TikTokā€™s identity as an entertainment platform and instead position it as a powerful marketing tool capable of driving discovery, engagement and purchasing decisions for brands and small businesses. For students, the project offered an opportunity to tackle the kind of real-world strategic communications challenge they may encounter after graduation.

ā€œĀŅĀ׏Óʵ gave me so much,ā€ said Denick, explaining her decision to partner with current students. ā€œThis felt like a small way to give some of that back. I also remember being in their shoes and how much I would have loved working on a project like this.ā€

A 2015 graduate of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, Denick now works with NBCUniversal and other major media partners, helping brands develop creative and data-driven campaigns on TikTok.

ā€œIā€™m responsible for building strategic partnerships with NBCU and helping them drive business results on TikTok,ā€ Denick said. ā€œMuch of that work is blending creativity and data ā€“ advising on media strategy, measurement, creative and building custom campaigns around their biggest tentpole moments.ā€

Bush explained that the partnership challenged students to look beyond their everyday use of the platform and consider how brands strategically connect with audiences through TikTok.

ā€œStudents are, of course, prolific users of TikTok,ā€ Bush said. ā€œThis was a great opportunity for them to experience the platform from a different perspective ā€“Ā that of a business or brand manager who needs to reach their customers through the platform.ā€

Bush said the project reflected the experiential learning focus that defines the Strategic Campaigns course, which serves as the capstone experience for strategic communications majors.

ā€œWe are so grateful to Julia for agreeing to be the client for not just one, but two Strategic Campaigns classes and for flying in from New York to see student presentations in person,ā€ Bush said. ā€œWhat a thrilling culminating experience for our graduating strategic communications seniors.ā€

For Tori Tyson ā€™26, one of those graduating seniors, the class project highlighted both the strategic thinking and collaboration required to develop a successful campaign.

ā€œOur assignment was to work with TikTok to create a strategic campaign that repositioned the platform as more than just an entertainment app,ā€ Tyson said.

Tyson noted that one of the most rewarding aspects of the semester was working alongside classmates who each brought different ideas and strengths to the campaign process.

ā€œEveryone on our team brought different strengths, perspectives and ideas to the table, which made the project more creative and well-rounded overall,ā€ Tyson said. ā€œTeamwork played a huge role in our campaign, especially when it came to brainstorming, problem-solving and refining our ideas into one cohesive strategy.ā€

She also credited Bush with encouraging students to think creatively while maintaining a professional approach to client work.

ā€œProfessor Bush created an environment that encouraged collaboration and pushed us to think more strategically and creatively throughout the semester,ā€ Tyson said. ā€œShe gave us the confidence to take risks with our ideas while still guiding us in a professional and supportive way.ā€

The experience also challenged students to narrow broad research and ideas into focused, achievable strategies.

ā€œTikTok is such a fast-moving platform with so many opportunities,ā€ Tyson said, ā€œso it took a lot of collaboration and problem-solving to create a campaign that was both creative and strategic.ā€

For Denick, the project reinforced the value of experiential learning opportunities before graduation and offered a meaningful way to give back to her alma mater.

ā€œGroup projects donā€™t end after college ā€“ life is one big group project,ā€ she said. ā€œAnd what better prep for post-grad than the real thing.ā€

This work represents an important step forward in the planned merger, which is awaiting a vote from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. That accreditation approval is the first step in a two-step federal approval process before ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ assumes operational oversight of Queens.

As the approval process continues, ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ and Queens are planning to align a number of administrative and operational functions through shared services, beginning June 30. The goal of the shared services model is to strengthen the financial and operational foundation of the future combined institution while ensuring that students continue to receive strong support throughout the transition.

ā€œThis next stage is about building the foundation for a stronger future,ā€ said Jeff Stein, chief integration officer and executive vice president. ā€œLeaders from both institutions are working collaboratively and deliberately, and drawing on the strengths, talents and traditions of ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ and Queens to design shared functions that serve students well and position the combined institution for long-term success.ā€

The shared services model will bring together teams in areas such as admissions and financial aid, advancement, career services, communications and marketing, finance, human resources, information technology, academic advising, facilities, library services, study abroad and other key administrative functions. These areas support the daily operations of both campuses and play an important role in the student experience. Leaders have emphasized that the design process is not simply about combining existing structures, but about creating stronger teams and practices that reflect the best of both institutions.

The merger also builds on ĀŅĀ׏Óʵā€™s growing presence in Charlotte, including the expansion of ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ Law and future graduate programs. Queensā€™ deep roots in the city, distinctive undergraduate experience, Division I athletics program and legacy of civic engagement will remain important parts of the combined institutionā€™s future. Athletics programs at ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ and Queens will continue to operate as distinct and separate Division I programs.

For employees, the transition will include direct communication, HR support and detailed information about next steps. Queens employees whose roles are part of the shared services areas will transition to ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ employment at the end of June and continue in similar roles. Queens employees who transition will move to ĀŅĀ׏Óʵā€™s benefits program.

A small number of positions will not continue as part of the shared services structure. Employees in those roles are receiving direct support, including information about open positions at ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ in which they are eligible to apply and career transition resources.

The transition plan also includes onboarding, professional development and culture-building opportunities designed to help newly integrated teams build relationships and establish shared practices. Planned supports include department retreats, leadership workshops, employee resources, buddy programs and ongoing opportunities for feedback and questions.

Throughout the process, Queens will continue to have dedicated leadership guiding campus operations, helping ensure continuity for students, employees and the Charlotte community while federal approvals are pending.

For ĀŅĀ׏Óʵ and Queens, this stage of the work is both practical and forward-looking. It is about aligning systems and teams, but also about shaping a shared future grounded in student success, institutional strength and a commitment to Charlotte.

ā€œThe promise of this merger is not only that two institutions will come together,ā€ Stein said. ā€œIt is that, together, we can create something stronger ā€” an institution with deeper resources, broader opportunities and an enduring commitment to the students and communities we serve.ā€