Below is a selection of events open to the entire 乱伦视频 community; more can be found on the official Planning Week website below.

Monday, Aug. 17

Opening Day
Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center; Events start at 8:30 a.m.

Planning Week 2026 kicks off with Opening Day on Aug. 17, first with a community-wide reception in Alumni Gym followed by the presentation of 乱伦视频 Medallions to Jim Donathan, Don Grady and Mary Thornton. Katy Rouse, professor of economics, will also be named the Trustee Chair for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Following these recognitions, President Connie Ledoux Book will delivery her annual Opening Day address.

Since 2011, the 乱伦视频 community has collected school supply items for the children in Alamance County. Donations can be made at the Opening Day breakfast or at campus drop-off locations through Thursday, Aug. 20. Details on donation sites and needed items will be emailed to faculty and staff. This initiative is co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students, Staff Advisory Council, and Kernodle Center for Civic Life.

Breakout Sessions

Following the president鈥檚 address from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. a variety of breakout sessions will be available for all members of the 乱伦视频 community, including:

• Recommendations from the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee
• Building the Innovation Hub: 乱伦视频 as a Regional Center for Creativity
• Preparing Together for Student Success
• Thriving Together: The Sport Collaborative and the Opportunity in Club Sports
• Summer at 乱伦视频
• Changing the Trajectory 鈥� Roberts Academy and the Roberts Center for Dyslexia and Engaged Learning
• HealthEU, the Slattery Center, and Our Research Coalitions
• Mentoring in Meaningful Relationships Implementation Gallary Walk and Next Steps
• Wise Moves During Higher Education Pressures
• School of Engineering and Computing

All members of the 乱伦视频 community are then invited to a picnic on the Lakeside Patio at noon. Members of 乱伦视频鈥檚 schools and colleges will meet from 12:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 18

Student Employment Essentials
Moseley 215; 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The goal of the workshop is to provide staff and faculty with an understanding of student employment policies and processes, to include recruiting, job posting, screening candidates, work agreements, payroll, orientation, onboarding, evaluations and termination. Please contact Kameryn Taylor at听ktaylor54@elon.edu听for any questions about this workshop.

Championing First-Generation Student Success
Koenigsberger Learning Center Room 127; 2 to 3 p.m.

This session will provide participants with an understanding of the first-generation community on campus and how 乱伦视频 approached first-generation student success. Participants will identify ways they can incorporate ways to support first-generation college students in their classes and extracurricular opportunities.

Merger and Integration Q&A
LaRose Student Commons 200; 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 19

Merger and Integration Q&A
Turner Theatre 101; 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Embedding Inclusive Excellence in Our Work
Belk Pavilion 208; 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Inclusive excellence remains a strategy for creating an academic community reflective of well-being and a sense of belonging. In striving for greater levels of student success and employee vitality, initiatives across the university demonstrate partnerships and efforts to infuse inclusive excellence principles in daily work. This session is an opportunity to gain an update on what is happening to foster respect for human differences and to share ideas for ideas for how faculty and staff might make inclusive excellence embedded rather than additive in teaching, mentoring, and service.

Vivvi Childcare and Early Learning Information Session
Sankey Hall 206; 2 to 3 p.m.

Learn more about the Acorn Academy, 乱伦视频鈥檚 partnership with Vivvi to provide employer-sponsored child care on campus.

乱伦视频 Campus and Community Resource Fair
Sato Commons Great Hall in the Global Neighborhood,听3 to 4:30 p.m.

Open to all faculty, staff, and student leaders who may already be back on campus, this event is meant to be an interactive tabling fair to highlight what everyone needs to know to provide resources to students. Explore more than 50 departments/tables – whether you have been here for more than a decade or are brand new to 乱伦视频, come learn about resources for students and faculty/staff, take a moment to reconnect with offices on campus, or learn about opportunities for collaboration and partnerships! Refreshments and Raffle.

Thursday, Aug. 20

Working with Accommodations & Accessibility: A Partnership for Access
Sankey 106; 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

This session will highlight how the Office of Academic Accommodations & Accessibility, the Office of Compliance, the Disabilities Advisory Committee, and faculty partners collaborate to support access at 乱伦视频. Presenters will share updates from the past year, including themes from campus listening sessions, revised faculty/staff resources, accessibility and accommodations data, and practical guidance for supporting students and colleagues.

College Coffee 鈥� Employee Resources Groups
Phi Beta Kappa Commons (Rain Location: Koury Concourse); 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.

乱伦视频鈥檚 weekly tradition of community gathering begins with this year鈥檚 first College Coffee. Come (re)learn about the ERGs on campus and pick up some Phoenix swag to show your school spirit! College Coffee continues throughout the year on Tuesday mornings from 9:40 a.m to 10:20 a.m.

• Advocates for Diversity and Accessibility
• Amazing Admins
• API (Asian and Pacific Islander)
• Black
• Carpool Connections
• Catholic
• Christian
• 乱伦视频 Alumni
• Employees with Children
• Jewish
• Latinx/Hispanic
• LGBTQIA+
• Social Media
• Staff Advisory Council
• Supervisors of Student Employees
• Sustainability
• Veterans
• Women鈥檚 Forum
• Young Professionals

Friday, Aug. 21

Move-In Day

Students officially return to campus on Friday, Aug. 21. More information about Move-In Day and New Student Orientation can be found online.

Saturday, Aug. 23

New Student Convocation
Under the Oaks (Rain Location: Schar Center); 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

New Student Convocation marks the official opening of the academic year and welcomes the Class of 2029 and transfer students.

University Directory Photos

All 乱伦视频 faculty and staff members are encouraged to have their photo included in the university鈥檚 online directory. Please make plans to have a new or updated photograph taken. If you are new to 乱伦视频, if your photo is missing from the campus directory, or if your photo is more than three years old, please have a new photo taken by the Office of University Communications. No appointment is necessary, simply just drop in during a session that suits you. The portraits are taken from chest up on a gray backdrop in a photo studio.

The photo studio is now located in the southwest corner of Alumni Gym, close to West Haggard Avenue. Please enter through the external doors in the southwest corner of Alumni Gym, noted by a red star on this map.

Tuesday, August 18: 2 to 4 p.m.

Thursday, August 20: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Related Articles

• The Month in Photos: May 2026
• The Month in Photos: April 2026
• The Month in Photos: March 2026

While campus is quieter during the summer months, June still brought plenty of activity to 乱伦视频. From the sounds of the annual community concert and picnic to the energy of summer camps and campus events, there was no shortage of memorable moments.

Take a look back at some of the month鈥檚 highlights through the eyes of the staff in University Communications.

Engineering success

A former president of the听Milwaukee School of Engineering听and听longtime leader in engineering and technology education has been named the inaugural dean of 乱伦视频鈥檚听new听School of Engineering and Computing.

Dr.听John听Walz joins 乱伦视频 after nearly a decade听helming听a private university recognized for its emphasis on experiential learning, strong industry partnerships and workforce preparation.

AI Play

乱伦视频 hosted its inaugural AI Play summer camp in June for rising middle school students with an interest in the world of artificial intelligence. Thirteen students participated, learning about artificial intelligence while improving their AI literacy.

Summer Concert & Picnic

乱伦视频 faculty, staff, students and friends came together at the Martin Alumni Center for the annual Summer Concert & Picnic on June 25.

Emancipation Celebration

This summer, 乱伦视频 faculty and staff were invited to engage in meaningful dialogue, reflection and community-building through the Inclusive Excellence Summer Development Series 鈥淎merican Anniversaries: 250 Years, Over 160 Reasons to Heal.鈥�

The series connected two significant milestones in American history 鈥� the nation鈥檚 250th anniversary and the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth 鈥� through opportunities to explore the ongoing pursuit of freedom, equality and justice.

Together@乱伦视频鈥檚 Emancipation Celebration invited community members to enjoy a Juneteenth exhibit, music, sweet treats and games while celebrating freedom, resilience and community.

Related Articles

• Recognizing Pride Month 2026 at 乱伦视频
• Pride Month: AK Krauss reflects on safety through building networks
• Pride Month: Archie Crowley is building community through language and mentorship
• Pride Month: Maria Lagunes Flores 鈥�29 reflects on a year of self-discovery and belonging

When Lane Merrill 鈥�27 was searching for colleges, academics mattered, but so did finding a place where they could belong.

鈥淎 big factor was the social scene and how accepting 乱伦视频 was,鈥� said Merrill, a statistics and data analytics double major from Tampa. 鈥溌衣资悠� had the avenues for a big LGBT community if I wanted that in my college experience.鈥�

At 乱伦视频, Merrill has found that community and has become an important part of helping strengthen it for others.

Shortly after arriving, Merrill connected with the Gender & LGBTQIA Center through the Gender and Sexuality Living Learning Community. The experience provided more than a living situation.

鈥淚 appreciated that it was the start of discovering friends and people who had similar interests to me,鈥� Merrill said. 鈥淚 had a starting point just to talk to people.鈥�

They also remember early programming from the GLC that introduced new students to campus resources and opportunities, helping create a sense of connection from the beginning.

That sense of community eventually led Merrill to become involved with Spectrum, 乱伦视频鈥檚 LGBTQ+ student organization. As president for 2026-27, they have focused on helping rebuild and strengthen the organization鈥檚 foundation following challenges that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Merrill鈥檚 passion for LGBTQ+ advocacy began before college. They attended a private high school where establishing a Gender and Sexuality Alliance was a significant achievement.

鈥淢y junior year was the first year that we got some form of a GSA,鈥� Merrill said. 鈥淏eing a part of that formation and that leadership helped me see how important these kinds of organizations are to people who are just starting their journey and just figuring out what the LGBT community is and how they can be a part of it, even just in an ally aspect.鈥�

That experience shaped their commitment to creating welcoming spaces for others at 乱伦视频.

鈥淚鈥檓 hopeful that a lot of the work that I鈥檝e done this year sets a foundation for events going forward,鈥� they said. 鈥淚鈥檇 really like to see Spectrum host events and just create an enjoyable space for the LGBT community.鈥�

Along the way, several people have helped Merrill feel at home at 乱伦视频. They credit GLC Director Luis Garay and graduate apprentice Kate Campbell with providing guidance and support.

鈥淚 remember Luis at that GLC welcome event my freshman year,鈥� Merrill said. 鈥淭hey were very nice, very welcoming, and remembered my face afterwards. It was just nice to be like, 鈥業 have a friend. I kind of know somebody.鈥欌��

贰濒辞苍听holds a Spring Pride celebration in May, when students are on campus. However, the month is recognized globally during June to honor听the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a series of protests that followed a police raid on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The bar remains a popular gathering place for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Merrill, who identifies as gender fluid, said 乱伦视频 has lived up to the welcoming environment they hoped to find when researching colleges.

During Pride Month, Merrill reflects on how their relationship with the celebration has evolved. Growing up in Florida, they often observed Pride events from a distance. At 乱伦视频, they have become more actively involved.

鈥淚 have definitely tapped more into what the celebrations are, what are the things going on around me, and what are the things that I can then put myself into and become a part of this experience more than just watch it,鈥� Merrill said.

乱伦视频 honors Pride Month stories

As part of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, 乱伦视频 is sharing stories through Today at 乱伦视频 that highlight students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month and year, 乱伦视频 also offers resources and events related to the LGBTQ+ community.

Related Articles

• Recognizing Pride Month 2026 at 乱伦视频
• Pride Month: Archie Crowley is building community through language and mentorship
• Pride Month: Maria Lagunes Flores 鈥�29 reflects on a year of self-discovery and belonging
• Pride Month: Lane Merrill 鈥�27 finds belonging and community across the 鈥楽pectrum鈥�

鈥淎n advocate is one who finds the things that need doing and gets them done,鈥� said AK Krauss, paraphrasing a local partner at Family Service of the Piedmont. 鈥淎dvocacy is so individual and specific to different folks.鈥�

Krauss serves as 乱伦视频鈥檚 assistant director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center for Confidential Advocacy, a role that manages cases and supports the wellbeing of 乱伦视频 community members who have experienced harms, including sexual assault, relationship abuse, stalking and sexual harassment.

As an advocate, Krauss provides emotional support, connects community members to resources, helps them navigate legal processes and collaborates on safety planning.

Jayla Martin 鈥�25, student manager for the GLC, described Krauss as the embodiment of an advocate and friend and someone who has a 鈥渟trong sense of justice and a depth of empathy and compassion that has made countless lives better.鈥�

鈥淲hen I was going through my silly, twenty-something problems as a student, AK was always ready to lend an ear and listen without judgment,鈥� Martin said. 鈥淎s a staff member now, they are always able to give me a balanced, realistic perspective on a problem, and still make me laugh afterwards.鈥�

The work, while rewarding, can be challenging and emotionally taxing. Krauss and other partners on campus offer awareness and preventative programs, trainings and events to stop sexual harm on campus. To destress away from work, Krauss takes boxing lessons, enjoys nature and enjoys connections with their chosen family.

鈥淚 bought a punching bag for my house for $40 from somebody who was moving,鈥� Krauss said. 鈥淚 thought, 鈥業 will absolutely invest in that!鈥欌�� A few trial classes at a gym turned into a beloved hobby.

鈥淏oxing helps me get out of my head,鈥� Krauss said. 鈥淚t helps me release the physical energy that comes with living in a high-stress world and working in a high-stress position.鈥�

Krauss also enjoys being in nature. They have a tattoo of a sleeping fox, as well as a cluster of fairy inkcap mushrooms.

鈥淭he mushroom tattoo reminds me of the bigger connections and pictures in life: connection to community, connection to chosen family and all the different ways to build networks with each other that are maybe seen or unseen, recognized or unrecognized,鈥� Krauss said.

Krauss said that advocacy work is innately diverse across multiple identities and experiences. Almost everyone who serves in the role of an advocate has experienced the challenge of navigating support systems after harmful experiences.

鈥淲e understand it personally,鈥� Krauss said. 鈥淲e bring that tenacity into the work and that’s the part of advocacy that I really love and vibe with and identify with.鈥�

At work, Krauss is grateful to work in a space that feels safe, where they can focus on the work at hand.

鈥淚 love and appreciate that we have queer folks in leadership on campus who are blazing the trail so that I can just be here and do the work that I鈥檓 here to do,鈥� they said. “I don鈥檛 need to worry about protecting myself or my identities 鈥揑 can focus on being here for the students. That鈥檚 really what I want to do.鈥�

乱伦视频 honors Pride Month stories

As part of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, 乱伦视频 is sharing stories through Today at 乱伦视频 that highlight students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month and year, 乱伦视频 also offers听resources and events听to support the LGBTQ+ community.

Carla Fullwood, director of inclusive excellence education and development, has been selected as one of the

The awards celebrate companies and individuals who have worked to establish and advance diversity and inclusion efforts in their workplaces and communities. The winners will be honored at an event on June 18 at N.C. A&T State University.

鈥淢y work is grounded in the belief that inclusive excellence is not just an ideal, but a practice. It requires ongoing learning, unlearning and accountability,鈥� Fullwood told the Triad Business Journal. 鈥淚鈥檓 inspired by possibility. The idea that unfair systems can evolve, that people can grow, and that we can create environments where more people feel a true sense of belonging. That is what keeps me committed to this work every day.鈥�

At 乱伦视频, Fullwood leads initiatives on inclusive excellence and is a certified coach. She is a contributor to the Carolinas chapter of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. She was the closing speaker at NASPA Region III 2024 Summer Symposium, a featured guest on the web series 鈥淕ood Trouble: Inclusive Pedagogy鈥� and a guest on the podcast 鈥淟imed: Teaching with a Twist.鈥� She also co-authored the article 鈥淎mplifying Student Viewpoints on Inclusive Student Experiences for Inclusive Excellence in Kinesiology.鈥�

In her nomination, it was noted that Fullwood听is consistently recognized by faculty and staff for her “highly effective and learning-centered approaches to expanding perspectives related to diversity and inclusion and developing skills for equitable practices.”

鈥淐arla demonstrates her commitment to building capacity for empathetic human connections,鈥� said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence. 鈥淪he deliberately creates learning conditions that help people see the world through others鈥� eyes and act thoughtfully with kindness, regardless of identities. The Triad Business Journal wisely recognized Carla for her leadership at 乱伦视频 and in the region.鈥�

More information on the June 18 celebration is available .

Crowley’s research focuses on queer and trans communities, particularly in the U.S. South, and the ways language evolves. Over the past several years, trans people have gained greater public visibility, which, Crowley says, has sparked debates about language.

鈥淗ow do trans people want people to refer to us?鈥� Crowley asks. 鈥淲hat are the 鈥榗orrect鈥� ways to talk about transness?鈥�

While many people look to Crowley for answers to these questions, Crowley is not interested in coining new terms. Through interviews with members of queer and trans communities, Crowley has found that people navigate the ever-changing landscape of gender and language in different ways.

鈥淥ne interviewee said that if you’re about to say 鈥榯hank you, sir鈥� or 鈥榯hank you, ma鈥檃m鈥� to be polite, you could choose another phrase that conveys the same respect,鈥� Crowley said. 鈥淪omething like 鈥榯hank you so much.鈥欌��

At 乱伦视频, mentorship takes many forms. Before arriving at the university, Crowley found mentorship through Professor of Art History Kirstin Ringelberg.

During the interview process, Crowley was asked whether there was anyone on campus they would like to meet. They requested a conversation with a trans faculty member to gain insight into that experience at 乱伦视频.

Ringelberg, who has been a member of the 乱伦视频 faculty for more than 20 years, became an important resource.

鈥淜nowing that they’ve been here so long and have so much institutional memory has been a great fountain of knowledge for me, especially navigating this campus as a trans person,鈥� Crowley said.

Next year, Crowley will serve as coordinator of the Women’s, Gender and Sexualities Studies program. As they prepare for that role, they have looked to colleagues such as Ringelberg for guidance on creating spaces where queer and trans students, faculty and staff can thrive.

鈥淗iring Archie has helped with mentorship across campus,鈥� said Ringelberg, 鈥淎rchie is an incredible mentor, to our students and the way that Archie models positive but critical transness to our students is transformative .”

Like many 乱伦视频 faculty members, Crowley has also become a mentor to students.

During their first year of teaching at 乱伦视频, Crowley taught Azul Bellot ’26 in an introductory linguistics course. Bellot entered the class as a psychology major but became interested in linguistics through the course. With Crowley’s guidance, Bellot designed an independent major in sociolinguistics.

Then, for an independent research project, Bellot interviewed trans women and collected stories about their health care experiences. Bellot later presented the research at the Student Undergraduate Research Forum, the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and the Women’s and Gender Studies South Conference.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really gratifying to be able to guide someone through that process and see them get excited,鈥� Crowley said.

For Crowley, Pride is more than a month-long celebration. Through their research, mentorship and work with the Women’s, Gender and Sexualities Studies program, they are helping build community where people feel seen, supported and heard.

Crowley keeps reminders of Pride’s history throughout their office, from a small brick they received at a Pride event in Alamance County to a poster commemorating the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria Riot.

“The history of Pride is rooted in confrontation,鈥� Crowle said. 鈥淚t’s a celebration in the confrontation.”

乱伦视频 honors Pride Month stories

As part of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, 乱伦视频 is sharing stories through Today at 乱伦视频 that highlight students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month and year, 乱伦视频 also offers resources and events to support the LGBTQ+ community.

The series connects two significant milestones in American history 鈥� the nation鈥檚 250th anniversary and the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth 鈥� through opportunities to explore the ongoing pursuit of freedom, equality and justice.

“This series offers our community an opportunity to reflect on the diverse significance of two historical celebrations during a complex contemporary moment. As we commemorate 250 years of American independence, it is a joyous yet complicated time,” said Carla Fullwood, director of inclusive excellence education and development. “Many communities, particularly historically marginalized communities based on race, have not experienced our nation’s principles of freedom, equality, and justice in the same way across the past 250 years. That is evident in the significance of Juneteenth, which marks the moment enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were notified of the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed years earlier. And that declaration on June 19, 1865 does not account for the many enslaved people who remained in bondage across the South, and in several Union states,听for months after.

Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion

Faculty and staff participating in the Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion series will gather June 9-18 for facilitated conversations inspired by “The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing” by Anneliese Singh.

Through the lens of racial healing, participants will explore how race and racism have shaped Americans鈥� experiences of foundational democratic ideals and consider what concepts such as freedom, equality and justice mean in their own lives and communities.

Registration for the Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion series is now closed. Registered participants should have received their copy of 鈥淭he Racial Healing Handbook.鈥� Additional details will be shared directly with participants.

Juneteenth Commemoration Activities

The Inclusive Excellence Summer Development Series culminates June 18 with a day of educational experiences, reflection and celebration.

Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum & State Historic Site Tour

From 9 to 11:30 a.m., faculty and staff can visit the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum & State Historic Site, home of the historic Palmer Memorial Institute, a pioneering educational institution for African American students in North Carolina. Participants should begin boarding the bus at 8:45 a.m.; transportation will depart campus promptly at 9 a.m. from the 乱伦视频 sign near the Inman 乱伦视频 Building.

Freedom Footprints

Beginning June 8, members of the 乱伦视频 community can explore Black history, activism and achievement at 乱伦视频 through . The self-guided experience includes campus walking tour stops marked by lawn signs featuring QR codes that connect visitors to additional historical information.

On June 18, Shaunta Alvarez, interim coordinator of University Archives, Digital Collections & Systems Librarian and associate librarian, will lead a guided version of the tour. Weather permitting, participants will depart from Lakeside 213/214 at 1:45 p.m. following the Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion session. No registration is required.

Emancipation Celebration

The day concludes with Together@乱伦视频鈥檚 Emancipation Celebration from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in McKinnon Hall within Moseley Center. Community members are invited to enjoy a Juneteenth exhibit, music, sweet treats and games while celebrating freedom, resilience and community. Participants can compete in a Spades tournament for prizes or join casually to learn or teach the game. Individuals and teams of two are welcome to

The Inclusive Excellence Summer Development Series is a collaborative initiative supported by Belk Library, Black Lumen Project, the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE), the Committee on 乱伦视频 History and Memory, 乱伦视频 Archives and Special Collections, HealthEU Initiatives, the Office of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development (OIEED), the Office of Leadership and Professional Development (OLPD), Together@乱伦视频/Staff Advisory Council and other campus partners.

The events offered through this summer series give us an opportunity to explore that complexity with honesty and care,” Fullwood said. “The Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion series creates space to unpack our understanding of these complexities through dialogue and storytelling. The Freedom Footprints tour and Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum tour center narratives about Black experiences that are often untold or minimized in the context of American history. Closing the series with the Together@乱伦视频 event allows us to root all of this learning in community-building. We are proud to offer 乱伦视频 faculty and staff opportunities to learn, reflect, and heal together.”

It was through the Gender & Sexuality Living-Learning Community that Lagunes Flores discovered something more: a community that helped her realize she wasn’t “just another student,” but someone who mattered deeply to the people around her.

“It made me realize that I played a bigger role than I initially did,” Lagunes Flores said. “I thought it was just going to be, ‘Oh, another first year,’ but it made me realize that I mattered a lot more than what I thought.”

What began as a search for belonging has evolved into a commitment to help others find it, too. That transformation started the day she moved to campus.

A journey of self-discovery

Lagunes Flores鈥檚 journey began during a Phoenix Friday event, where she experienced a sense of belonging and purpose after meeting another incoming student who encouraged her to apply to the Gender & Sexuality LLC. The two would later become roommates.

“I thought to myself, ‘Well, okay, at least I’ll have one friend at 乱伦视频 and a roommate I know I can trust,'” said Lagunes Flores, who joined the university community through the听Leon and Lorraine Watson scholarship in the Odyssey Program.

What she didn’t know at the time was that the connection would help shape the foundation of her first year of college. After settling in on move-in day, Lagunes Flores and her roommates gathered the pride flags they had brought for their shared living space.

“One of my roommates was like, ‘Before putting them up, do you want to just go outside or go in the hallways and run with them?'” Lagunes Flores said.

Carrying their flags through the residence hall, she and her roommates celebrated the start of their first year and the community they had established. For Lagunes Flores, this moment meant so much more than celebrating move-in day.

“That was the first time I had actually experienced a sense of community with other queer people,” she said.

Growing up in a Native American community in Lumberton, North Carolina, Lagunes Flores had few opportunities to explore many of her intersecting identities.

“The only identity that I really got to explore before undergrad was the money struggles and things like that,鈥� she said.

乱伦视频 became a springboard for self-discovery, helping her embrace parts of her identity that had remained largely unexplored. That journey included gaining a deeper understanding of her queer identity. Experiences and friendships with fellow students led her to the support and community she needed.

One of those experiences came during a Drag Extravaganza event hosted by the Gender and LGBTQIA Center (GLC), featuring drag star Stormie Daie, who invited audience members to celebrate diverse identities and encouraged them to cheer when they heard one that resonated with them.

“That was the solidifying moment where I was comfortable in my sexuality,” Lagunes Flores said. “That was when I found my label.”

Building a foundation of belonging

Beyond helping her explore her identity, the Gender & Sexuality LLC also connected Lagunes Flores with mentors who would shape her academic and professional journey. Among them were Lauren Gulimette, an associate professor of philosophy and co-coordinator of Women鈥檚 Gender and Sexualities studies, and Luis Garay, director of the GLC, who are both co-advisors of the LLC.

Through conversations with Gulimette, Lagunes Flores discovered a passion for Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies and eventually added it as a minor, alongside her major in elementary education and a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Guilmette also connected her with the PACE program, which helped her secure a campus position and introduced her to opportunities she hadn’t considered as a first-year student.

Among them was an internship with Transcend Alamance, a nonprofit organization that supports transgender individuals in Alamance County. As an intern, Lagunes Flores helps write the organization’s bi-monthly newsletter.

Those who have worked closely with Lagunes Flores have noticed her growth and commitment to building community, noting that she is someone who actively creates spaces where others feel welcomed and connected.

“While Maria can at first seem shy and quiet, it has been a pleasure to watch her find community and come into their own as an active participant in the classroom and a student organizer on campus,” Gulimette said.

Garay echoed Gulimette, highlighting that Lagunes Flores鈥� commitment to inclusivity and building connections extends beyond the living-learning community itself.

“She brings floormates and friends outside of her residence hall to our monthly community dinners, extending our values of connection and relationship-building to others across campus,” Garay said.

Tibs Vance 鈥�29, a fellow student and friend, said that Lagunes Flores has a gift for helping others feel included.

“Maria is always really good at inviting me to events she helps organize or events she thinks I’ll enjoy,” he said. “Her understanding of others in her communities really helps her support and form impactful connections.

The sense of belonging and community that she found through the Gender & Sexuality LLC and with students, such as with Vance, now informs how she approaches leadership opportunities and her future career goals.

Looking ahead, she hopes to help students explore their identities and find community, just as she did during her first year at 乱伦视频. After graduation, she plans to teach in the classroom before pursuing a graduate degree and a career in higher education.

Her first-year experiences have shaped not only her career aspirations but also her understanding of belonging and what pride looks like in everyday life.

“Belonging means knowing you’re loved in a space and that space makes you feel welcome,” she said. “You being you is an act of everyday pride.”

乱伦视频 honors Pride Month stories

As part of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, 乱伦视频 is sharing stories through Today at 乱伦视频 that highlight students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month and year, 乱伦视频 also offers resources and events听to support the LGBTQ+ community.

June was officially recognized by the U.S. government as Pride Month in 1999 when President Bill Clinton proclaimed June 鈥淕ay and Lesbian Pride Month.鈥� Learn more about the history of the month听.

The GLC also hosts a Pride Month Community Coffee event on June 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Irazu Coffee. Attendees can get one medium iced or hot drink. .

Resources at 乱伦视频

• Gender and LGBTQIA Center听(GLC) in Moseley 209 provides support to LGBTQIA students, provides confidential support for survivors of gender-based violence, and presents on gender and LGBTQIA-related topics. The GLC is open during the summer, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on holidays. Feel free to stop by the office, email (glc@elon.edu) or call at 336.278.6228
• The Gender and Sexuality Living Learning Community听is a residential community open to any student wishing to explore topics around gender and sexual orientation.
• 听is a queer-straight student alliance ensuring a safe space for all queer people, existing for over 20 years.
• OutLaw听is a social and educational organization that fosters a supportive and accepting environment for LGBT students, faculty, staff and professionals at 乱伦视频 Law.
• LGBTQIA Alumni Network celebrates听and connects LGBTQIA alumni by fostering belonging and advocating for our community.
• The Spirit and Pride Initiative听is a grant-funded initiative supported by The Carpenter Foundation and in collaboration with the GLC and Truitt Center to support LGBTQIA students of faith.
• RISE, a QTPOC student initiative, supports LGBTQIA students of color through affirmation, celebration, and elevation.
• CLEAR听(Coalition of Learning, Empowerment & Anti-violence Resources) is a听student-directed initiative supervised by the GLC that coordinates events and presentations on gender-based violence awareness and prevention.
• The GAP Fund听provides financial support to currently enrolled 乱伦视频 students who are supported by the mission and programs of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center. The GAP Fund is made possible by generous donations to the GLC from LGBTQIA alumni, allies, faculty, staff, current students, and community members.

Community Resources

• 听is a nonprofit organization serving the LGBTQ communities of Alamance County by organizing an annual Pride festival.
• 听provides support for families and friends of LGBTQ people through educational materials and advocacy against harassment and bullying.
• 听is a community-led initiative created to form opportunities that inspire a sense of belonging for LGBTQIA+ and gender expansive people of any age, race and ability in Alamance County.
• 听(Greensboro) creates unity through programming and philanthropy that advances equality and inclusion for LGBTQ communities.
• 听works to to serve, empower, and advocate for the well-being of our diverse LGBTQ+ communities.
• 听supports LGBTQ+ people through services, programming, resources, and support networks that center their wellbeing and allows them to thrive.

Allyship Tips from the GLC

• Connect with any of the organizations in this article.
• Give听to the Gender and LGBTQIA Center to provide financial support for LGBTQIA students who are experiencing food insecurity, to have access to gender-affirming clothing and to make educational experiences financially accessible.
• Learn the history of the LGBTQIA communities from The Society for Human Rights to the Compton鈥檚 Cafeteria Riot and to the Stonewall Riots and subsequent Pride Parades.

Reach out to the staff at the Gender and LGBTQIA Center about other ways to get involved or if you are interested in volunteering with the GLC.

Related Articles

• The Month in Photos: April 2026
• The Month in Photos: March 2026
• The Month in Photos: February 2026

As the 2025-26 academic year drew to a close, May was marked by celebration, reflection and new beginnings across 乱伦视频. From Commencement festivities and awards ceremonies to end-of-year traditions, performances, and moments of community, the month showcased the accomplishments and experiences that defined another successful year on campus. These photos highlight some of the memorable scenes and milestones that made May a special month at 乱伦视频.

Engineering excellence

Students in 乱伦视频’s Department of Engineering听put their classroom learning into practice through six capstone projects showcased May 8 in Founders Hall as part of the Engineering Senior Design course.

Coolin’ on the Commons

乱伦视频’s Black Student Union held Coolin’ on the Commons in May, which featured live music, games and fun.

‘乱伦视频 will never leave you.’

The Class of 2026 gathered Under the Oaks on May 19 for Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate, a time for reflection on the light students will take into the world. During the event, Jana Lynn Patterson,听associate vice-president for student life, dean of student health & well-being, and assistant professor, reminded graduates about the importance of the relationships they’ve built at 乱伦视频. Patterson will retire from the university this summer after 40 years.

Think critically, lead empathetically

Candidates from graduate-level programs in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and Martha and Spencer Love School of Business received their diplomas during a joint Commencement ceremony on May 20 in Alumni Gym.

In her address, journalist and author Katherine Blunt 鈥�15 acknowledged a challenging reality 鈥� that today鈥檚 graduates are leaving institutions of higher learning across the country and embarking on professional journeys in a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how people work, learn and think.

But she reminded the graduates that听while many people may be tempted by the path of least resistance, 乱伦视频 cultivates leaders who are deeply rooted in collaboration, communication and, most importantly, the ability to think critically.

Celebrating community

Ahead of and during Commencement Week, 乱伦视频 held a variety of affinity celebrations celebrating and engaging graduates who share common identities, passions and connections that exist throughout various affinities. Those include Lavender Celebration, , Celebremos: Graduates Take Flight and Donning of the Kente.

‘Be-possible-ists’

During the 136th Commencement Ceremonies in Schar Center on May 22, President Connie Ledoux Book asked the Class of 2026 to look back on their听New Student Convocation in 2022,听1,371 days prior.

During their first year, the Class of 2026 all read the Common Reading book听鈥淔actfulness鈥� by Hans Rosling. In his book, Rosling described the word 鈥減ossible-ist:鈥� someone who looks honestly at the world鈥檚 problems and still believes, based on evidence, that things can get better, and that they are getting better. Book asked the graduates to be “possible-ists” as they enter the world.

乱伦视频 celebrated graduates in two ceremonies 鈥� the morning event for the School of Communications and the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, and the afternoon event for 乱伦视频 College, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the School of Health Sciences.