That spark, born in a hospital room and cultivated at ������Ƶ, now powers Rosales’ work as a bilingual journalist, TV host and content creator traveling to red carpets and fashion weeks across Latin America and the U.S.

In early 2025, she checked off two vision-board moments: New York Fashion Week and Premio Lo Nuestro, an awards show honoring the best of Latin music. “Stepping out of the car and seeing the cameras, the fans, I thought, this is real,” she said.

������Ƶ felt like home from the start, Rosales says, even before she enrolled, when her family visited campus during her sister’s recovery. The support continued when she arrived as a student. “El Centro was my support system,” she said, adding that staff like Sylvia Muñoz and Diana Prieto were family. She also credits the Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education (CREDE) and the daily kindness of dining staff who “checked on me, cheered me on, and made campus feel like home.”

She entered as a cinema and television arts major but quickly gravitated toward being on-air. A friend encouraged her to try ETalk, the student-run TV show. “There was a spark when I saw the host,” she said. “They brought so much magic to the table. I thought, ‘Why don’t I do that?’.”

Another nudge led her to WSOE, where she launched the station’s first Spanish-language radio program, Tu Cita Favorita, a weekly hour of entertainment news and music. “It was just me, myself and I, talking about what I loved,” Rosales said. “I wanted the Burlington community to hear Spanish on air.”

Faculty mentors helped her embrace bilingual storytelling. Professor Anthony Hatcher “showed me not to be afraid of speaking Spanish in journalism, or of my accent,” she said.

Professor Kelly Furnas remembers the purpose behind her early assignments.

“Beyond energy, engagement and work ethic, she brought a sense of purpose to her writing,” Furnas said.

Professor Alex Luchsinger also noticed a “lightbulb moment” as Rosales leaned into reporting on Nicaragua and Latin America. “Her background and skillset put her in a good position to do this,” Luchsinger said.

A pivotal moment came when Maity Interiano ’07, a Univision host and ������Ƶ alumna, returned to campus. While on campus, Rosales asked her for advice.

“Maity says people come to TV for three things: fame, a voice or to do what they love,” Rosales recalled. “I realized I want to entertain and inform, to be that spark for someone having a hard day.”

After four years of storytelling and growth, she was ready to take that energy into the professional world. Graduating into the 2020 pandemic, however, meant rescinded offers and a frozen job market. Rosales returned to Managua and pitched a morning segment to the national station, VosTV. The show, Tu Cita con Carmencita, began as a 15-minute feature twice a week. “I had no professional camera, just my phone and a lot of ganas (enthusiasm),” she said.

Then came a turning point. In February 2022, as her grandmother’s health declined, sponsors abruptly pulled out of the show.

“Within two days, about 15 brands said they couldn’t continue,” Rosales said. That same weekend, an international fashion invitation landed in her inbox. “It felt like a sign,” she said.

After her grandmother passed on Feb. 14, “her favorite date,” Rosales thanked viewers on live TV and announced it would be her last episode on the channel. “I took the invitation and went independent.”

Since then, Rosales has covered Miss Nicaragua and Latin American fashion weeks, and booked U.S. commercial work, all while growing Tu Cita con Carmencita as her own platform. She has also explored acting, including a role on a Telemundo project titled Velvet: El Nuevo Imperio.

“Being on set felt like home,” she said.

She took acting and special-effects classes at ������Ƶ and hopes to keep that door open. Rosales is passionate about creating greater visibility for Hispanic journalists and TV hosts in the U.S. entertainment industry. She hopes her work helps open doors for others who share her background.

“I want young viewers, especially girls across Latin America, to see that their dreams are possible,” she said. “You have to believe in yourself and follow your heart.”

She also measures success differently now.

“Before ������Ƶ, I thought success was just making it,” she said. “Today, success is being at peace with where you are on the journey. As a Phoenix, we rise, no matter how many times we fall.”

Rosales keeps ������Ƶ close to her heart. As a student, she often walked through the School of Communications’ ‘Wall of Fame’ for inspiration, reminding herself that the people on those walls once stood where she was.

“I used to look at those photos and think, one day, I want a Latina student to see my picture and believe it’s possible,” she said. Now, she hopes current students do the same, finding motivation in the stories of those who came before them.

She hopes to return to campus to speak with students and partner with Latin organizations.

Her advice to current Phoenix: “You don’t have to know your path as a first-year. Try everything. Walk the ‘Wall of Fame’ and see yourself there. Those four years are hard, and they shape you,” she said.

And for anyone navigating setbacks, she offers the same encouragement she once gave her sister from a hospital bedside: “Keep going. Little signs will tell you you’re on the right track, and the yeses always come.”

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell, maybe even yourself? Please feel free to share those stories online.

Moon graduated from ������Ƶ in May with degrees in Accounting and Finance, and this September he begins his career as an income audit and assurance associate with Baker Tilly in Washington, D.C. He credits his time in ������Ƶ’s Odyssey Program with getting him to this point in his life.

“Without the Odyssey Program scholarship, I don’t know where I would be or what I would be doing right now,” Moon says.

Moon arrived on campus in the fall of 2016 as a Jessie Thurecht Hook ’46 Scholar in the Odyssey Program. It is a life-changing scholarship based on academic achievement and high financial need. It is an extensive, cohort-based program that creates a family atmosphere among Odyssey students that fosters mentoring, friendships and personal growth. The scholarship also includes access to one of the ������Ƶ Experiences engaged learning programs such as study abroad. Increasing funding for Odyssey and other scholarship programs is one of the priorities of the ������Ƶ LEADS fundraising campaign.

All the hallmarks of the Odyssey program generated a pathway to success at ������Ƶ even when the road had a few bumps, Moon says.

“The mythology of ‘Odyssey’ entailed a journey of Odysseus after the fall of Troy. He experienced obstacles preventing him from reaching his family in a reasonable amount of time. However, along the way he overcame each obstacle with the help from others,” Moon says. “In terms of my experience with Odyssey, despite all the obstacles that I had to confront, with the support of those around me, I was able to propel my success.”

That’s how the Odyssey Program is supposed to work, says Marcus Elliott, who was assistant director of the program when Moon arrived at ������Ƶ and is now Odyssey’s director. He was an important mentor during Moon’s time on campus.

“The accountability-based mentality of the program is designed to support one another and to have a ‘home base’ of like-minded individuals who understand each other. This is vital to the journey that each of our scholars is on throughout their time at ������Ƶ,” Elliott says. “Nicholas thrived in that environment. Having a family, that home base, really empowered him to continue to push through and take advantage of all the opportunities that presented themselves to him.”

Those opportunities included two internships that were pivotal to establishing Moon’s career goals, one leading directly to his post-graduation job.

Family matters 

Growing up in Silver Spring, Maryland, Moon was the kid who enjoyed dental appointments. “I loved going to the dentist. I loved science and I loved math,” he says. When he began looking for a college to attend, he planned to study biology in hopes of ultimately going to dental school and becoming an orthodontist.

Moon says he applied to a dozen schools looking for the right fit — a good student-to-faculty ratio, a family atmosphere and opportunities to have a social life. Much of his decision would depend on financial aid through scholarships. Attaining the Odyssey Program scholarship made his decision to attend ������Ƶ easy.

“I vividly remember getting the call (from ������Ƶ). I came out of baseball practice during the spring and got a call from a North Carolina number. I was with my friends and answered the call. They told me I had received the scholarship. I knew what that entailed. I knew the description of what Odyssey is and what it meant,” Moon says. “I didn’t make the decision on the spot, but I knew ������Ƶ would be the place for me. It was a great moment and something I’ll never forget.”

First-year Odyssey students get a taste of campus a few weeks before Move-In Day. Many are first-generation college students with limited experience on a college campus. They spend a week with other students in the program, attend events led by faculty or staff and develop relationships with a student mentor. Moon’s mentor was Pete Victoratos ‘19 and Moon says they are still in contact today. The week set the tone for his time at ������Ƶ.

“They have faculty speak to us. They expose us to their perspective on things and the transition to college. We explain our past. We see how we can relate and develop that friendship before coming to school,” Moon says. “Coming to school can be overwhelming. Coming down for a week in advance makes you more comfortable from the start before you get overwhelmed by it all.”

The week gave Moon the start and confidence boost he needed and was important throughout his ������Ƶ career. He ultimately applied to be a summer mentor and filled that role for five students in 2018, says Catherine Parsons, assistant director of the Odyssey Program.

“Nick and Pete got along so well and as a result, Nick wanted to be a mentor, too,” Parsons says. “When he applied to become a mentor, he was so authentic and so complimentary of Pete that I thought if anyone got a lot out of Odyssey Week it was Nick.”

Elliott agrees. “A lot of that confidence and the ability to really make a mark on the campus started with his relationship with his ‘day ones’ as we call them, people in Odyssey and his peers,” he adds.

Changing course 

Moon admits to hitting a few roadblocks during his first year and credits then-director Esther Freeman, Elliott and Parsons with keeping him focused on his goals, including a redefinition of his career path. He initially decided to major in biology as a route to dental school. But after taking a few courses, he decided biology didn’t play to his strengths. He began looking for a new major.

“It was definitely a hard transition. I talked to a lot of people about it. I talked to Esther. I spoke to Marcus and Catherine. They knew I had strong characteristics in different fields. They provided me with certain guidance to make the transition as easy as possible,” Moon says.

Elliott says Moon was struggling with biology, “just pushing through, doing what he had to do.”

“He started talking a lot about what he wants to do and what impact he wants to make,” Elliott recalls. “We just tried to lean him toward that direction, expose him to some programs we have that he could watch and maybe thrive in. One is a financial empowerment series when a Finance professor comes in and talks about different strategies about how to budget effectively; how to negotiate buying a car; understanding fundamental principles about what an employment offer looks like in different cities by looking at what it costs to live there. Dr. Chris Harris in the Love School of Business opened him up to a career in accounting and finance.”

Moon says he also realized that solving mathematical problems was his strength.

“At that point I decided to look at Business. I knew ������Ƶ had a great Finance program and accounting would be a springboard to a career. Every business needs accountants,” Moon says. “I wanted to go down that route. I graduated with a double major so I would say it worked out pretty well.”

Each time he had a high or low point, Odyssey Program leadership was there to help, Moon says.

“The Odyssey community is very, very close. If I was doing something great or something bad, they were there to address it,” Moon says. “I made the President’s List my first year in Finance and Accounting. Esther and Marcus called me and screamed congratulations over the phone. Odyssey has that family feel that I won’t forget and can’t replace. Having those parental figures while you’re at college impacted me so much.”

A matter of Experiences 

Through the Odyssey Program and his own initiative, Moon engaged in a variety of ������Ƶ Experiences, including a study abroad opportunity in Spain, which included visits to different parts of Europe. He put his own experience to work during a part-time job as an office assistant in ������Ƶ’s Office of Academic Advising and Support, where students go for advice about changing majors, schedules or academic help. He also worked in the university’s Disabilities Services office and as a student tour guide for the Office of ������Ƶ.

Of all the ������Ƶ Experiences, internships loomed the largest. Moon landed an internship in the summer of 2018 with National Geographic as a corporate finance intern, where he conducted research and performed presentations about new nonprofit accounting standards.

“I had just switched majors. I felt it was imperative to get exposure and experience in the field and didn’t want to spend the summer working in a retail store,” Moon says. “Internships are where Odyssey and ������Ƶ really come into play. If I was at a larger university with a larger student-to-faculty ratio, I do not believe I would have gotten the internship with National Geographic because of guidance and opportunities.”

The ������Ƶ Job Network offered through the university’s Student Professional Development Center helped Moon obtain the National Geographic internship and one with his future employer, Baker Tilly, in 2019. He also worked with staff in the Porter Family Professional Development Center in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

“������Ƶ provided me with numerous opportunities. The SPDC and Porter Center showed me how to meet employers and interact with employers. I learned that marketing and networking are essential in the business field. You have to get your name out there and be proactive,” Moon says.

Through his internships, one with a corporation and another with a nonprofit, Moon learned professionalism and organizational skills and gained maturity.

“I feel more confident going into a field now that I have these experiences,” Moon says. “I wouldn’t have been able to have it without the resources, without people wanting to help me on campus.”

Full circle

Elliott and Parsons say that Moon leaves ������Ƶ as an important role model for students in the Odyssey Program.

“One of his strong suits is his ability to relate to others as peers. His demeanor draws people toward him. The way he carries himself. A lot of people try to emulate his character,” Elliott says. “He’s a young man who definitely wants to see the best out of the people he surrounds himself with.”

That’s what makes him such a successful mentor, Parsons says. “He invests time. He’s authentically him and always available to be of support to someone.”

Moon is grateful for his Jessie Thurecht Hook ’46 Scholarship in the Odyssey Program and the guidance he gained through his mentors.

“Catherine and Marcus in the Odyssey Program, I have so much love for them. They wanted this for me as much as I wanted it myself. They also pushed me to keep my focus. They made sure I didn’t get too distracted,” Moon says. “I can’t put into words how thankful I am for the Odyssey Scholarship.”

Each year he tries to find the words in a thank you letter to the donor who made his scholarship possible.

“Having them invest in a student means a lot. And a lot of us who receive scholarships embrace that and want to make the donor families proud,” he says. “If people are investing money in me, I can’t waste it away. It kept me focused and motivated.”

Elliott says he is impressed with the way Moon used any setbacks as a catalyst to improve himself and grow during his time at ������Ƶ.

“It’s amazing to see his transformation from the summer of 2016 to today. Now he’s moving to the next chapter of his life,” Elliott says. “We’re extremely proud of him and we know he’s going to go out and do great things.”

About the ������Ƶ LEADS Campaign

With a $250 million goal, ������Ƶ LEADS is the largest fundraising campaign in the university’s history and will support four main funding priorities: scholarships for graduates the world needs, increase access to engaged learning opportunities such as study abroad, research and service learning, support for faculty and staff mentors who matter and ������Ƶ’s iconic campus. To date, donors have contributed $193 million toward the goal.

Every gift to the university — including annual, endowment, capital, estate and other planned gifts — for any designation counts as a gift to the campaign, which will support students and strengthen ������Ƶ for generations to come. To learn more about how you can make an impact, visit .

The English Department’s traditional end-of-year party and awards ceremony went virtual this year as photographs of graduating seniors screened one-by-one and Miles Davis’s “All Blues” played in the background.

On the last day of finals on May 19, three screens of English majors, minors and faculty members Zoomed at 5 p.m. to celebrate the achievements of all 28 graduates and to honor three in particular.

Laura Braley ’20 received the English Scholar Award which recognizes superior academic achievement by a graduating senior. Maeve Riley ’20 won both the English Leadership Award for her outstanding contributions to the life of the department as well as the English Department’s student-worker-of-the-year award. Anne-Tillery Melson ’21 received the Betty Gerow Scholarship for the 2020-21 academic year.

Besides these departmental awards, students in senior seminar courses were awarded for their semester projects.

• Valerie Medlin’s paper, “‘Even in Death’: Exposing Institutional Oppression through Grave Robbing in Colson Whitehead’s ‘The Underground Railroad,’” won the Outstanding Literature Senior Seminar Research Award.
• Hayden McConnell received the Outstanding Professional Writing and Rhetoric Senior Seminar Project for “Making the Topic of Rhetoric More Accessible to New and Current Members of the Field of Rhetoric.”
• Angela Myers received the PWR junior ePortfolio Award for PWR and ENG Majors and PWS Minors.

Post-award entertainment was interactive: one Kahoot! (involving baby pictures of faculty members) and one old-fashioned, hand-raising vote for the summer’s shelter-in-place Book Club. After the awards ceremony, guests stayed around chatting, not wanting the party to end.

The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business holds dual-degree partnerships with the ESB Business School in Reutlingen, Germany; NEOMA Business School in Reims, France; Universidad Pontificia Comillas – ICADE in Madrid, Spain; and Universita Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza, Italy.

As part of the four-year dual-degree program, students spend their first two years studying at their home institution and their last two years studying abroad at the partner institution. While abroad, they deepen their international business experience by completing a full-time, semester-long work experience and a research portfolio.

“The dual-degree program taught me how to work with people from different countries and cultures, and obviously, helped me improving my English skills,” said Alina Prengel ’20, who completed her studies at ������Ƶ after spending two years at ESB Business School.

“I increased my intercultural competence and wonderment,” added Umberto Canali ’20, who spent his first two years at Universita Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore and the last two at ������Ƶ. “I improved my overall skills, such as organization and professionalism, and reached a great knowledge of the language. I became more open to diversity and grew my ambitions for the future.”

“I am particularly proud of this year’s class of graduating Business Dual-Degree students,” said Mark Kurt, associate professor of economics and director of the business dual-degree program. “They have been tested like no other in recent memory with COVID-19 while living, studying and working in another country and language. They have emerged as resilient leaders with their own set unique set of values and competencies capable of persevering through uncertain situations including our current circumstances.”

Business Dual Degree Class of 2020

������Ƶ | NEOMA Business School

Abigail Mathews

Hometown: Waxhaw, N.C.

Internship: Program coordinator, VivaTechnology, Paris

Thesis: How strategic corporate social responsibility strategies provide companies with a competitive advantage

Post-graduation plans: Global technology analyst at Bank of America

ESB Business School | ������Ƶ

Rebecca Ellrich

Hometown: Erlangen, Bayern, Germany

Internship: Sales support, XPO Logistics, High Point, N.C.

Thesis: Production decisions for multi-firms considering consumer preference in the car industry (mentor: Assistant Professor of Marketing Xin Liu)

Post-graduation plans: “Moving to D.C. and working there full-time. Hopefully in the area of supply chain.”

Alina Prengel

Hometown: Weilheim, BW, Germany

Internship: Business unit controlling, Bosch, Chicago

Thesis: Antecedents and Contextual Influences of Reneging Behavior (mentor: Associate Professor of Management Brian Lyons)

Post-graduation plans: “I want to get my master’s degree in Finance/BI, preferably in Munich or Mannheim.”

Carsten Raum

Hometown: Bonn, Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany

Internship: International operations, DHL eCommerce, Weston, Fla.

Thesis: Examining Factors that Influence Entrepreneurship across the 50 US States (mentor: Assistant Professor of Strategic Management Mark Mallon)

Post-graduation plans: “They are a bit up in the air right now. I would like to do another internship in consulting and then reapply to the top firms once recruiting goes back to normal next year.”

NEOMA Business School | ������Ƶ

Pauline Escande

Hometown: Strasbourg, Alsace, France

Internships: Sales operations, DHLeCommerce, Weston, Fla., and HR assistant, Kayentis, Grenoble, France

Thesis: Does Instagram lead to conspicuous consumption? The mediating roles of envy, narcissism and self-promotion (mentor: Associate Professor of Marketing Lawrence Garber)

Post-graduation plans: “My plan is to explore more the professional world with additional internships and jobs (first in finance I think). Then, if needed, I will apply for a master’s program.”

Cecile Ferreira

Hometown: Porto, Portugal

Internships: Marketing, DHL, Weston, Fla., and sales assistant, Speaking Agency, Paris

Thesis: The Relative Effect of Small vs. Large SMI’s on Consumer Behavior: An Empirical Study (mentor: Associate Professor of Marketing Lawrence Garber)

Post-graduation plans: “I will be getting a Marketing Masters at The University of Manchester.”

Universidad Pontificia Comillas – ICADE | ������Ƶ

Enrique Quemada

Hometown: Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain

Internship: DCM, BBVA, London

Thesis: The effect of technological advances in the financial system and sustainable growth in the long term

Maria Valero Gonzalez

Hometown: Madrid, Spain

Internship: Marketing and sales, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, London

Thesis: Lovebrands: How the Luxury World Connects Emotionally with its Clients

Post-graduation plans: Junior auditor at PwC Madrid

Universita Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore | ������Ƶ

Umberto Canali

Hometown: Parma, Italy

Internship: Business analyst, DHL eCommerce Americas, Weston, Fla.

Post-graduation plans: “I planned to intern in Spain for the summer and start grad school at Cattolica in September. Unfortunately, I had to give up on having an internship abroad, but I will be helping my dad with his work and, hopefully, find a job in my area.”

Sveva Saggia

Hometown: Robbio, PV, Italy

Internship: Planning and pricing, Mercedes-Benz USA, Atlanta

Thesis: L’amministrazione e il controllo di gestione in una PMI: il caso S.V. s.r.l. (Accounting and Controlling in an SME: the case of S.V. s.r.l.)

Post-graduation plans: “Work for a few years and then do a master’s or MBA. Hopefully travel both for work and pleasure.”

Giovanni Valdata

Hometown: Silvano Pietra, Pavia, Italy

Internship: Financial planning and analysis, Lenovo, Morrisville, N.C.

Post-graduation plans: “Completing a co-op at Wayfair and then going to grad school for the master’s degree in International Management offered by Università Cattolica.”

An ������Ƶ Honors Fellow and mathematics major who earned her teaching licensure, Gomilla earned the awards for Academic Achievement and Outstanding Mathematics Research for the Class of 2020.

“I am lucky to have found such a curious, motivated and mature research partner. Kylee has pushed herself and me to great achievements related to her research to create mathematical models for school attendance zones,” said Gomilla’s mentor, Professor of Math Crista Arangala.

What topics did you research, and how did that impact your educational goals?

While at ������Ƶ, I spent two years conducting mathematical modeling research on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Attendance School Zones. I chose this research topic because it was a perfect way to blend my passion for rigorous math and education. Also, Charlotte is my hometown, and has an interesting and complex history of school zoning. It was an honor to present my research at the South Eastern Conference of the Mathematical Association of America.

How has your relationship with your mentor improved your educational success and helped you reach your goals?

Dr. Arangala expressed all the amazing qualities of a wonderful mentor: enthusiastic, patient, supportive, encouraging, and I hope to embody those similar qualities when I am a mentor to my high school students in the future. Conducting research was an educational goal of mine before coming to college, and I am so thankful I found a mentor for life who was willing to invest in a new project with me.

What are your future plans?

After I graduate, I will be teaching at Green Level High School in Cary, North Carolina. I am very excited to serve as a volleyball coach at the school too! While I am sad my college experience is coming to an end, I am so thankful for all my family, friends, professors, and community members who supported me along the way.

What advice would you give future ������Ƶ students?

For all the new students, take risks. For me that was traveling abroad to Malawi and New Zealand. For you, those risks worth taking may be different, but go forth with confidence to challenge yourself. Don’t forget to have fun while you do!

What is your favorite ������Ƶ tradition?

My favorite ������Ƶ tradition is the luminaries. In college, it is easy to be constantly in a future-forward mindset. Luminaries provided a wonderful time to be in the present with the wonderful community around me. I could always feel the peace, light, and warmth surrounding me, even if it was 30 degrees out. I am excited to be living in N.C. so I can return to campus for this special event.

Patterson double-majored in Theatrical Design and Technology and Arts Administration, and was named the Outstanding Senior in Theatrical and Technical Design for the Class of 2020.

What led you to choose theatrical design and technology and arts administration as your majors?

Theatre has always been a big part of my life. When I was in high school I knew I was passionate about spreading theatre and making theatre happen, rather it be behind the scenes, or behind a desk.

What was your research topic and how did you choose that subject? How did that enrich your education?

My research topic allowed me to assist Assistant Professor of Arts Administration David McGraw on the largest survey of stage managers in the world. I picked this topic because David asked if I was interested in the project during my sophomore year here, and as the survey takes place every two years it was an honor to get to work on it again my senior year. It’s been wonderful being a part of something that returns regularly and being a part in its growth and development.

I was able to participate in ������Ƶ in New York and it enriched my education in so many ways. One of these is I was able to conduct interviews with about 10 different stage managers and was able to get qualitative support on much of the quantitative data we had collected.

Which performances were most valuable to you as a student?

Student works were usually the most valuable to me because they were opportunities for my leadership skills to shine. Working on projects where creativity is fostered among every team member is something I truly learned to cherish during student productions. I could argue that everyone’s production I worked on at ������Ƶ taught me a skill or lesson that I can take with me in my professional pursuits.

What is your proudest accomplishment while at ������Ƶ?

The first thing that comes to mind is serving as the 2019 president of Alpha Psi Omega, Lambda Omicron, the Theatre Honors Fraternity at ������Ƶ. Being one of the four leaders during a period of exciting growth for the chapter is something I am incredibly proud of.

How has your relationship with your mentor furthered your educational goals or helped you grow?

David McGraw is my mentor and I truly could not express how helpful he has been, not only as an arts administrator but also a stage manager in my professional development. I am very lucky to have a mentor who has a background in the jobs and positions I am interested in having.

David is so well known in the industry that he often becomes a connection that I have with other theatre professionals I get to meet. He has given me incredible opportunities such as presenting our work on the Broadway Stage Management Symposium as well as the Southeastern Theatre Conference. I am lucky that I know that our lives will most likely intersect again even after I graduate, as David is known for continuing his mentorships in the alumni community.

What are your plans for the future?

This is a very complicated question as I am entering the field during an emergency of the theatre community, but I know I will be a part of the rebuild once it is safe for theatres to open once again. I am interested in pursuing a career as a freelance stage manager and I intend to travel quite a bit when I am in these early stages of my career.

What advice would you give to future ������Ƶ students, or what do you wish you had known as a first-year student?

Other people’s success is not your failure. If you go into every job and every opportunity like it is a competition, you will be burned out so quickly. Art thrives when we all are working and when we are all successful, and that often means giving up opportunities you thought were perfect for you.

What’s your favorite ������Ƶ tradition?

So many to think of, but I love the Theatrical Design and Technology Brunches that often accompany big events such as holidays and finals. It’s a time for us to put work aside and focus on the unbreakable bonds we have with each other. It’s a great reminder that we are a huge support system, and I am so glad I have so many amazing memories to reflect on.

A double-major in dance performance and choreography and arts administration, Durham earned the Outstanding Senior Award for Dance Performance and Choreography.

What led you to your majors?

I always knew that I wanted to be a dancer, but I also knew that I had so much more to learn before I could make this art form a career. I was not only interested in performing, but also the artistry, choreography, design and business side of the arts, which is what led me to choosing my majors of dance performance and choreography and arts administration at ������Ƶ.

Which ������Ƶ experiences were most valuable to your education?

Throughout my time at ������Ƶ, I was able to participate in study abroad. I studied dance and business in Florence, Italy, in the spring of 2019. This semester abroad presented many challenges but through them all they all helped me realize the one thing that I am 100 percent certain about, which is that I need to be creating and dancing.

I was able to participate in the Internship experiential learning requirement not once, but twice throughout my years at ������Ƶ, both on and off campus. On campus, I was the production assistant and the on-campus intern for ������Ƶ Performing Arts, all while performing and choreographing for the Fall Dance Concert in 2018. I was also the marketing and social media intern for In Balance Pilates, while also training in Chicago and traveling to choreograph commissioned works in the summer of 2019.

Which performances were most valuable to you as a student?

As a student, I genuinely feel as though all of my performances were valuable, because they each presented a new challenge for myself as an artist. I always loved having the ability to showcase my classmates’ research and movement throughout the Choreography Salon, which happens every Fall semester, as well as our mainstage productions which I have been in since I was a first-year. Performing the work of classmates was always so compelling and exceptional to me, it was so intriguing to see how artists all have very special perspectives on how to create and set a work.

Performing the work of guest artists also provides a unique lens: How can you be a professional? Having the ability to work with working and current professionals has not only heightened my personal sense of professionalism, but also just creates great contacts. Every guest artist I have worked with has been incredibly welcoming and open to conversations, both inside and outside of the rehearsal studio.

One performance that really changed me as an artist was Abby Corrigan’s College Fellow Thesis Concert in February 2018, “Of Those Who Live.” I found her process extraordinary and exhilarating. She really allowed for her dancers to take ownership of the movement; I became so much more confident with my movement and myself throughout that rehearsal process.

“​Rites of Seasons,” ​ the Spring Dance Concert for 2020, was also a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Being able to work with live musicians, singers, and composers was something I had personally never done before and it was so inspiring. Everything about this show was so special: the stage design, the costumes, the choreography… It was the very first full-evening length work that I had ever performed in a mainstage production! I was able to perform in Renay Aumiller’s “​Fall” and Yoshito Sakuraba’s “​Winter.” Although at the time of this performance the senior class and myself had no idea that it would be our last time performing at ������Ƶ, I believe it was the best possible show to end my time at ������Ƶ with. “​Rites of Seasons”​ will always be a show that I am immensely proud of and grateful to have been a part of.

What is your proudest accomplishment while at ������Ƶ?

I would have to say my proudest accomplishment at ������Ƶ would either have to be receiving the “Outstanding Senior Dance Performance & Choreography Award” this past fall, or being the very first ������Ƶ dance major to have their choreographic work selected to be presented in the Fall Dance Concert for two consecutive years. It’s amazing to receive recognition for all of the countless hours and years of hard work put into this incredible art form.

How have your relationships with faculty furthered your educational goals or helped you grow?

Throughout my years at ������Ƶ, the entire dance department faculty has served as my mentors. They have been the most helpful and understanding people and served as massive motivators throughout all of my years. They have pushed me beyond limits and constraints I had no idea existed, been there for me in some of my darkest times, and opened doors to opportunities that have deepened my sense of artistry and training.

Assistant Professor of Dance Renay Aumiller has served as my modern professor, choreography professor, academic advisor, choreographer as well as my choreographic mentor. She has been life-changing. She has completely allowed me to become my most authentic self as a person and artist, and has truly helped me find my artistic voice. She not only would offer feedback, raise challenging questions, and help me as a mover, she also would just listen. No matter what the topic was, Renay would always listen with open arms and help me talk through any problems, concerns, or challenges that I was going through. I am so thankful for everything that she was able to share with me. Renay is much more than a professor to me and I am sure that many students can say the same.

What are your future plans?

Originally after graduation, I was supposed to be joining HS Pro, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s professional program and second company. Unfortunately due to financial instability as a direct result of COVID-19, this program was canceled. I was also supposed to be joining Hubbard Street Dance Chicago this June for their Pre-Professional Choreographic Program, but that was canceled as well.

However, I am still all set to go to Los Angeles this July and train with ATE9 dANCE cOMPANY through their Summer Course! They only accept 15 dancers into this program and this serves as the company audition. As for my Fall 2020, I have been accepted into multiple professional programs in Chicago and New York City, and am excited for all of the company auditions from the Spring to be rescheduled this summer. As of now, I could end up moving to Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, or Los Angeles! I cannot wait to see what the future has in store.

What advice would you give to future ������Ƶ students?

One piece of advice that I wish I had known as a first-year is that you do not have to feel guilty for being different. I have always been someone who is highly motivated and driven, and someone is ready to work for what they want. I always thought that people would judge me or talk about me negatively because I was often absent from social activities because I was in the studios late at night improving, in my room choreographing and planning my next rehearsal, watching rehearsal videos and footage from professional companies to gain inspiration and knowledge or simply was always in rehearsal. I never knew that my work ethic would be one of the things that I love most about myself. So, first-year Shelby, never apologize for working hard and being different.

What’s your favorite ������Ƶ tradition?

My favorite ������Ƶ tradition is not necessarily a tradition, but rather a trait of ������Ƶ, and that is the relationships that are built here. The faculty are all so welcoming, full of knowledge, and truly care about each and every one of their students, even if they are not teaching a class that is within your major or minor. These relationships foster growth that would most certainly not have been there otherwise. The relationships that you build between faculty is unmatched with any other university I have ever heard of.

Instead, they got a party.

After scholarly discussions about their progression as researchers and scientists, the background of Professor of Psychology Overman’s screen changed and she donned her doctoral cap and gown for a senior send-off. “Pomp and Circumstance” played. One by one, the four lab members who weren’t yet seniors bestowed superlatives and shared affirmations of Hannah Greenwood, Chloe Hultman, and Emma Siritzky. Overman, professor of psychology and assistant dean of ������Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences, announced their names and emailed them mock diplomas.

“It was a complete surprise and I was so moved by how much time, effort, and thought they put into it,” Hultman said. “I cannot put into words how thankful I am for this act of kindness and special moment. It meant so much to me and gave me a sense of closure during this time of global uncertainty.”

Across ������Ƶ — in department web meetings, classes, between mentors and students — countless similar virtual celebrations happened this month. The end of the spring semester is often bittersweet, the sense of accomplishment mixed with the finality of communities separating for disparate futures, but none have felt like Spring 2020. With in-person class cut short in March, friends, faculty and classmates were forced to replicate virtually what came naturally face-to-face. Yet, friendships survived, teams persevered, learning still happened, as Zoom and Webex meetings became our connection to ������Ƶ once removed from it.

Throughout May, faculty and fellow students paused to commend the commencing seniors and to wish them success in an uncertain world. Department year-end banquets held online became events to toast one another and recognize the friendships and community fostered in academic pursuits.

For the Chemistry Department’s annual banquet, Professor and Chair Kathy Matera scoured social media and archives for photos of seniors from their childhood and time at ������Ƶ, displaying them in a slideshow.

“Some of you really need to change the privacy settings on your Facebook pages,” Matera quipped as the photos flashed across the screen. They elicited laughter and “awws” from the students, igniting memories of a STEM Prom in McMichael Science Center and antics outside labs.

In the History and Geography Department, what in years past was a fairly scripted annual program was transformed into an online space for graduates and faculty to reconnect and pay tribute to each other.

“We wanted something a little more participatory,” said History and Geography Department Professor and Chair Charles Irons, “We wanted students to join the discussion fully and freely. “It lasted about 40 minutes, people kept sharing meaningful or authentic words of gratitude.”

He noted that the 30 History and Geography graduates for the Class of 2020 were exceptionally strong as a class, including two of ������Ƶ’s 10 recently named Fulbright scholars: Anneliese Daggett and Jacob Stern. One senior, who will teach elementary math next year after also earning her teaching licensure, shared the note a professor wrote on a first-year paper encouraging her to pursue history. She’d saved the note as a memento.

“These expressions are more meaningful now,” in the wake of the separation caused by the pandemic, Irons said.

In a Facebook Live video for the Music Department, Associate Professor of Music and Department Chair Hallie Hogan summed up the emotions around the departure of the Class of 2020.

“Now is the time to reflect on those things which are most important in your life and carry on with patience and thoughtfulness,” Hogan said. “I hope that as time passes, you will remember how powerful and wonderful people can be, embracing the paradox that defines the journey within this grand scope. I hope that, despite the challenges that may lie ahead, you will find joy in your life and through your own creative spirit find the voice that is uniquely your own.”

These graduates will spend the next year as ������Ƶ Service-Year Graduate Fellows who in their new roles will focus on the health and well-being of Alamance County residents and furthering educational success in partnership with five community organizations. This is the sixth cohort of ������Ƶ alumni to participate in the unique collaboration that supports the mission of these community partners while providing new ������Ƶ graduates with valuable professional experience.

These new service-year fellow begin their work when Alamance County like so many communities is responding to a global pandemic that has taxed the health system, threatened public health and disrupted the educational system.

Kathy Coville of Cone Health is co-director of the program with Tom Brinkley, executive director of the Student Professional Development Center, and she explained Wednesday the impact these service year fellows have within the organizations they will serve as they are called upon to be leaders. Each will be supported and encouraged while being given the freedom to take on and overcome new challenges during the coming year.

“We throw then into real meaningful and consequential work where there’s no one right answer,” Coville told the crowd gathered in Clohan Theatre in the Inman ������Ƶ Welcome Center. “We tell them that there is a community of mentors standing alongside you saying, ‘Yes, you’re the leader here. This is your job. You can do this.’ Each of you has made your mark.”

The ceremony offered the opportunity to celebrate those accomplishments of the cohort of fellows who are now completing their year of service at Alamance Regional Medical Center, the Alamance County Health Department, Healthy Alamance, Impact Alamance and Alamance Achieves. Finishing their year of service were Bridgette Agbozo, Katie Davin, Taylor Jones, Mariatu Okonofua, Lexy Roberts, and Chelsea Thomas.

Running through the comments by the fellows concluding their service was how much they had grown and developed working side-by-side with their mentors during the past year. They reflected on how they had been able to accomplish much more than they would have thought possible, and were able to step into leadership roles during challenging times.

Offering advice to the new fellows, Lexy Roberts ’19 encouraged them to believe in themselves as they begin this journey. “You are exactly where you need to be and you have all the tools you need to be successful,” Roberts said. “Don’t question yourself and your surroundings.”

Mariatu Okonofua ’19, who worked with Alamance Achieves during the past year, said she pursued the service-year fellows program because she wanted “to learn what I couldn’t learn in a college textbook.” As she prepares to attend Boston College School of Law, she thanked those she has worked side-by-side with since graduating last spring.

“I am so proud of where this journey has led me,” Okonofua said. “I am so grateful for the unwavering support and trust you have always placed in me. You have always seen in me what I cannot and known better what I was capable of.”

Each of the new fellows will work with one of five Alamance County agencies: Alamance Achieves, Healthy Alamance, Impact Alamance, the Alamance County Health Department and Alamance Regional Medical Center. ������Ƶ and the four partner agencies are funding the program.

������Ƶ Service-Year Graduate Fellows

Colin Deutsch, Alamance County Health Department

A recipient of the Presidential Scholarship, a Lumen Scholar and a Provost Scholar at ������Ƶ, Deutsch majored in biochemistry and served in leadership roles with ������Ƶ Volunteers!, the President’s Student Leadership Advisory Council, the Student Union Board and the Service Learning Community.

Deutsch is motivated to learn from different members of the community and their experiences as he continues to develop his own path forward. “I have great admiration for the people who wake up every morning and put their beliefs into practice to make sustainable changes in the community,” Deutsch said in his application. “In Alamance County, there are countless community members I have met who take these ideals and use them to create a place that provides equitable, affordable and appropriate access to resources.”

Deutsch said that during his time at ������Ƶ, he learned to critically examine problems by thinking about root causes and breaking down each step of a process. These are skills he’s applied in his undergraduate research, as well as his work with ������Ƶ Volunteers! and service-learning. “Through my service-learning with the community during college, I have come to share the same vision as many of the community partners in Alamance County, and I want to work alongside them to enhance the well-being of the community,” Deutsch said.

Sylvia Ellington, Alamance Achieves

Ellington, an Odyssey Scholar, majored in psychology and studied in Australia during her time at ������Ƶ, with her academic performance earning her spots in the Psi Chi and Pi Gamma Mu honor societies. Since 2015 she worked as an administrative assistant at LabCorp, and on campus was involved with the ������Ƶ Academy as a peer mentor and was a member of the senior class giving committee, as well as serving as a member of the Morrow Town Task Force with the Alamance NAACP.

Originally from Graham in Alamance County, Ellington views the service-year fellows program as an opportunity to address issues she is passionate about. A first-generation college student, she’s focused on examining barriers and opportunities for educational access and success. “Alamance County is my community and this fellowship is a chance to make a positive impact that affects people I know and love,” Ellington said in her application to the program.

Ellington notes that communities that offer social support and foster trust help their residents feel safe, happy and satisfied. ” All community members should feel like they are treated justly and fairly,” she said. “Basic needs like housing, food, and safety should be met for people all of incomes. Members should also feel empowered to be engaged and participate in their community.”

Yasmeen Lee, Healthy Alamance

A public health studies major, Lee is an Odyssey Scholar, an Honors Fellow, a Lumen Scholar and a Presidential Scholar who has focused her undergraduate research on understanding the impact of social media on breastfeeding black millennials. She has worked with the Office of ������Ƶ, the Office of the President and the Student Professional Development Center while volunteering with The Village Project and the Open Door Clinic in Burlington. She studied in Australia in 2018 and this year completed an internship with the North Carolina Perinatal Association.

She viewed partnership, cohesion and multi-step intervention as key elements to improving community health outcomes. She looks forward to working with a variety of community organizations and the opportunity to put her academic knowledge into practice within the community. “Just as ������Ƶ focuses on the importance of interdisciplinary learning, I know that working in Alamance County will focus on understanding interconnections of health and well-being,” Lee said in her application.

She views her selection as an ������Ƶ Service-Year Graduate Fellow as bringing her experience at ������Ƶ full circle. “In the Public Health Studies Department, we often apply what we learn to the surrounding community, county, and state,” she said. “I want the opportunity to really put my learning into practice by working and living in the community I’ve learned so much about over my four years. I also feel that the opportunity would give me the time to assess my career aspirations.”

Sydney Simmons, Impact Alamance

Simmons, an Odyssey Scholar, majored in sociology at ������Ƶ and was a recipient of the George McClendon Community Service Award and the Student Leadership and Community Development Award. She participated in the Semester at Sea program, was a resident assistant with the Office of Residence Life, and served as a mentor for the Odyssey Scholar program and ������Ƶ Academy.

Her childhood and her experience at ������Ƶ provided the two main motivations to pursue the ������Ƶ Service-Year Graduate Fellow opportunity. “From an early age, I have known the value of education and have had a fire in me to explore the issues of social justice, but it was a lack of knowledge that often stopped me,” she said in her application. “That was until I had the opportunity to attend ������Ƶ and become involved in programs such as the Odyssey Program, ������Ƶ Academy, and the “It Takes A Village” project. These programs are solely centered on improving the quality of life and well-being for individuals in the Alamance County and beyond.”

She looks ahead at the experience she will gain during the next year as contributing to her further personal and professional development. “I know I want to work in areas centered on access to resources, education, and social justice, but I am unsure as to which path is best for me and my desires,” Simmons said. “Thus, to have the opportunity to continue the work I have started during my time at ������Ƶ will not only allow me to forge new connections and relationships, but I believe as a result, I will be even more confident and secure in my career plans.”

Lily Sobalvarro, Alamance Regional Medical Center

Sobalvarro majored in public health studies and Spanish as an Odyssey Scholar at ������Ƶ while volunteering as a tutor for The Village Project and working as student coordinator for the university’s El Centro de Español.

Sobalvarro studied community health issues through her public health practicum that took her to India, where she and her cohort focused on diabetes. She looks forward to applying some of those skills she learned through that experience to her work with the community as an ������Ƶ Service-Year Graduate Fellow. “When considering community work, I am inspired by the power of community collaboration and the agency that a community has on its well-being,” Sobalvarro said in her application. “My public health practicum has shown me the ability of an empowered community to uplift itself and improve its well-being and has motivated me to continue working closely with communities.”

Sobalvarro views the diversity of a community as something that should be celebrated for how it enriches culture and society. “However, historically our country has battled with inequality and discrimination since before its foundation and this struggle continues,” she said. “Disparities in health outcomes, education, and opportunity are detrimental to quality of life and well-being of a community, which demonstrates the strong impact of equity.”

Lallo Yadeta, Alamance Achieves

Yadeta majored in international and global studies as well as public health studies at ������Ƶ as a recipient of the Presidential and ������Ƶ Engagement scholarships. She served as co-president of the newly established Community Service, Outreach and Activism division of the Black Student Union at ������Ƶ as well as serving as a tutor for AmericaReads.

Yadeta believes in the role that ������Ƶ can play in Alamance County, and looks forward to assisting with that mission. “Motivated by working in collaboration with partners, the opportunity to support efforts in Alamance County that cultivate community would be invaluable in supporting my long-term career aspirations,” Yadeta said in her application. “I am excited to work with the community partners of Alamance who value and uplift the community voice in a collaborative effort to improve the quality of life for members of the county.”

She looks ahead at the coming year as a chance to pursue her passion for community development while advancing her career goals. “Community development is my foremost passion and is the work I want to do for the rest of my life,” Yadeta said.  “I feel very strongly that all too often the communities that contribute the most to societies are those that are left most at risk and am passionate about working to eliminate this disparity. The opportunity to participate in this experience would provide a hands-on, immersive foundation for me to begin a career in the field.”

Emma Ebright majored in Biology with a concentration in Foundations for Medical Sciences and minored in Chemistry and Neuroscience. She was named the Biology Department’s Outstanding Student of the Year for 2020.

What led you to major in Biology?

I was drawn to biology as a major because I have a high level of interest in understanding the creation, functionality, and constituents of the world around me. My passion for discovery and research, along with a particular fascination in the mechanisms that function within the human body has driven my curiosity towards the field of medicine.

Pursuing a major in biology allowed me to focus on my interest in human biology and biochemistry, as well as gain a deep understanding of the interactions within and between living organisms. Entering ������Ƶ, I knew biology was the right direction for me because of my interests. However, the courses I took as a freshman and the strong relationships developed with my professors and peers reinforced that Biology was the right choice for me.

What was your research topic and how did you choose that subject? How did that enrich your education?

The Hamel Lab primarily focuses on investigating the ecology and evolution of insect behavior. As a part of the Hamel Lab, I have co-investigated the behavior of a locally occurring species of katydid, an insect closely related to grasshoppers and crickets, over the past two years. Nicole Marici, my research partner, and I observed the behavior of these insects in staged mating encounters within a semi-natural environment. After analyzing observed behavior, we constructed diagrams that represent the frequencies of behavioral transitions for these insects in mating encounters. We also determined the amount of time this insect species dedicates to engaging in specific behaviors. Through this investigation, we have set the stage for future studies about mate choice, mate competition, and predation risk for this insect species.

I chose to pursue research in behavioral ecology and evolution to give myself an opportunity to explore this field of biology in greater detail. This research focus was particularly intriguing to me because it gave me the ability to immerse myself in a field of biology that is not deeply ingrained in my major concentration or future aspirations. I also had an established relationship with Assistant Professor of Biology Jen Hamel, who encouraged me to join the Hamel Lab.

Nicole and I were scheduled to give an oral presentation of our research at the North Carolina Academy of Science Annual Meeting, but we were unfortunately unable to due to the current circumstances. We were grateful and excited to have the opportunity to present our research to the Department of Biology and distinguished leaders of ������Ƶ at the Biology Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, which was held virtually. The opportunity we were granted to present our research truly showed us the commitment of the Department of Biology to research, disseminating knowledge, and the accomplishments of its students. For that, we are so grateful to be a part of it.

What is your proudest accomplishment while at ������Ƶ?

My proudest accomplishment was having the ability and opportunity to make an impact on the learning, development, and interest in science of other students through a number of roles I held on campus. Being a human physiology laboratory teaching assistant, lead biology tutor and supervisor, and president of Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society allowed me to encourage students to love learning. I motivated them to push their academic abilities, promoted interest in discovery and the biological sciences, and facilitated a greater understanding of challenging course material for peers.

It is an accomplishment for me to know that I have made a positive impact on the learning of others and served as a resource and mentor for students following a similar path to me.

How has your relationship with your mentor furthered your educational goals or helped you grow?

My research mentor is Dr. Jen Hamel, Assistant Professor of Biology. I state “is” because her mentorship will undoubtedly continue following my graduation. Dr. Hamel’s guidance and support throughout my time as a researcher and student has been formative in my development as a scientist and a person. Her mentorship has strengthened my ability to think critically, ask questions, overcome challenges, and collaborate with others. She has facilitated my growth through her encouragement of self-driven investigations and experimental design. I am grateful to be a member of the Hamel Lab, both now and after graduation.

Additionally, all of the professors in the Department of Biology have made an impact on my education and personal growth, which has significantly guided me into great success. I find it incredible that each professor in this department will enthusiastically and unquestionably form a relationship with a student and serve as a mentor or resource. The professors in the Department of Biology who have been most influential in my experience are Dr. Robert Vick, Dr. Eric Bauer, Dr. Antonio Izzo, Dr. Jennifer Uno, and Dr. Yuko Miyamoto.

These professors have provided a level of guidance, support, and encouragement unlike any other in my career and have been integral to my academic and personal growth. They have provided me opportunities for discovery, to facilitate the learning of others, and to challenge my own leadership and academic abilities. I am thankful to have formed such meaningful and life-long relationships with these professors throughout my time in the Department of Biology.

What are your future plans?

In my future, I plan on pursuing a career as a physician. Following graduation, I will be engaging in medical research in order to gain more proficiency in the field of medicine and insight into the research currently being investigated, prior to matriculating into medical school. While engaging in research, I will continue to serve my local community through pursuing medical volunteering experiences alongside.

What advice would you give future ������Ƶ students, or what do you wish you had known as a first-year student?

Entering college can be an intimidating and challenging feat to overcome. ������Ƶ is a community that provides a level of support and comfort unlike anywhere else. ������Ƶ becomes your second home and encourages you to grow as a person and student.

Take advantage of opportunities that present themselves to you even if they seem challenging, intimidating, or out of your comfort zone. Whether it is getting coffee with a student you just met or the opportunity to serve as a leader in a department or an organization, take the chance because it will be rewarding and will shape you in some way. You never know what could have been until you take the chance or a leap into the unknown. ������Ƶ will be there to catch you if you fall even the smallest bit.

What’s your favorite ������Ƶ tradition?

My favorite tradition would have to be receiving an acorn at convocation and an oak sapling upon graduation. This tradition signifies the development we undergo throughout our time at ������Ƶ and the life-long growth that results from being shaped by our ������Ƶ experiences. It is a tradition I have kept close to my heart while a student at ������Ƶ and one I am excited to take throughout my life following graduation.