How can an NFL franchise use merchandise to connect with a new generation of fans while strengthening its identity and traditions?

That was the challenge facing 20 university teams at the 2026 , held Oct. 28-30 during the association’s annual conference in Baltimore. Students were tasked with developing innovative merchandise and marketing strategies to engage Washington Commanders fans ages 13 to 27.

A four-member team from �鶹��Ƶ’s Department of Sport Management rose to the occasion, advancing to the competition’s final round and earning a place among the nation’s top four teams.

Representing �鶹��Ƶ were , Jack Griffin ’27, and , who competed against finalist teams from Simpson College, Syracuse University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The case study required teams to analyze consumer preferences and emerging merchandise trends, identify target audiences, develop original product collections, establish pricing strategies, and create digital marketing campaigns.

�鶹��Ƶ’s presentation centered on six merchandise concepts designed to celebrate the franchise’s traditions, strengthen regional pride, and foster a sense of community among supporters.

Among the team’s proposals was “The 1932,” a customizable work jacket featuring commemorative patches as part of a proposed collaboration with Carhartt. Another concept, “Dawg Tag,” envisioned collectible military-style dog tags engraved with game records and available exclusively at the stadium following Commanders victories.

The students also developed “Major Tuddy’s Military Hat,” a novelty item inspired by the Green Bay Packers’ recognizable Cheesehead tradition, and “The Take the W Flag,” a victory flag designed to build fan pride. Additional concepts included “Take Command Bands,” wristbands intended to connect younger supporters, and the “Triple Star Jersey,” a special-edition design celebrating the shared identity of fans across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

Using Adobe Photoshop, Canva and ChatGPT, the students created professional-quality merchandise mockups to support their data-driven marketing recommendations and pricing strategies.

Associate Professor of Sport Management Young Do Kim, who accompanied the team to Baltimore, said the students’ previous industry experiences helped shape their approach to the competition.

“The team members’ sport industry internship experiences played a critical role in their success,” Kim said. “Through their professional experiences, the students developed practical knowledge of sport marketing, strategic communications, fan engagement, event operations, and current merchandise trends. They applied these insights to develop creative merchandise concepts and evidence-based marketing strategies for the Commanders.”

The students brought experience from professional sports organizations, marketing agencies and major sporting events.

Cook previously interned with Portland Hearts of Pine, a professional soccer club in Maine, and the Atlantic Coast Conference, while Griffin gained experience with the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour and Carolina Core FC. Selikoff completed an internship with JONESWORKS, a marketing and management agency, and Smith worked with the American Cornhole Association and at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Beyond the competition, the students connected with �鶹��Ƶ alumni working for professional sports organizations in Baltimore. The team met with Gabrielle Chambers ’22, client services coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens; Ryan Harper ’25, a Baltimore Ravens retail supervisor for Fanatics; and Nick Ullian ’23, senior coordinator of game presentation for the Baltimore Orioles.

The students also toured M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Ravens, and attended a panel discussion featuring Orioles front office executives and staff at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Hovering over a stormwater management pond behind �鶹��Ƶ’s Schar Center, an agricultural drone demonstrated how unmanned aircraft are changing the way farmers manage their fields.

Capable of carrying more than 10 gallons of liquid, the aircraft was presented by Preston Cave of PAC Aerial Applications during the 2026 �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day on Oct. 30. From crop spraying and fertilizer applications to autonomous navigation powered by artificial intelligence, the annual gathering highlighted the diverse uses of drone technology.

Nearly 160 people registered for the School of Communications event, which brought together industry professionals, educators, students and drone enthusiasts for presentations, demonstrations and networking.

Since 2021, �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day has become an annual gathering for North Carolina’s drone community. Organized by Teaching Professor of Visual Communication Randy Piland in partnership with the North Carolina chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (NC AUVSI), the event welcomed representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, North Carolina Department of Transportation, several universities and private companies.

This year’s program emphasized artificial intelligence, with Sambit Bhattacharya, professor of computer science and director of the Intelligent Systems Lab at Fayetteville State University, delivering the keynote address, “Preflight Checks for Intelligent Machines: What Drones Can Teach Us �鶹��Ƶ Trustworthy AI.”

Bhattacharya explained that aviation’s emphasis on safety, testing and accountability offers lessons for the responsible development of AI. Drawing on research involving autonomous navigation, confined-space inspections and wildfire detection, he demonstrated how intelligent machines can perform complex tasks without direct human control, while cautioning that these advances require rigorous testing and human oversight.

“Aviation did not get saved by building the perfect aircraft,” Bhattacharya said. “It got saved by assuming things will fail, and it builds a culture – checklists, recorders, investigations, reporting – that learns from every failure.”

He also highlighted �鶹��Ƶ’s “Human Wisdom for the Age of AI” initiative, emphasizing that human judgment remains essential for evaluating evidence, verifying results and ensuring accountability.

Beyond the keynote, a panel featuring Cave, Maddy Gastler and Seth Nagy examined agricultural applications, including crop spraying, seeding and multispectral imaging. Other presentations addressed drone mapping for disaster response, invasive plant species detection, and advances in flight planning technology.

Afternoon demonstrations behind Schar Center gave attendees an opportunity to see the technology in action. Among the three participating organizations was Raven Advisory, a Fayetteville-based company specializing in drone training, testing and autonomous technologies.

Wearing first-person-view (FPV) goggles and gripping a handheld controller, Raven Advisory operator James Stougaard piloted a drone at seemingly warp speed. The goggles provided a live video feed from the aircraft’s camera, allowing him to navigate from the drone’s perspective.

The event also featured a drone soccer demonstration by students from Asheboro City Schools, who showcased their piloting skills during the fast-paced competition.

This year’s participants ranged from FAA-certified drone operators to newcomers with no previous drone experience. Students from Hillside High School in Durham and Asheboro High School joined representatives from �鶹��Ƶ, Fayetteville State University, Guilford Technical Community College, N.C. A&T State University, N.C. State University and Wake Technical Community College.

“What makes �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day special is the diversity of people it brings together,” Piland said. “We had everyone from experienced commercial pilots to students just beginning to explore drone technology, all sharing ideas and learning from one another. Seeing that kind of enthusiasm and collaboration is exactly what this event is about.”

Traditionally observed beginning at sunset on Oct. 31, Samhain marks a seasonal transition and holds significance for many Pagan and other Earth-based spiritual communities.

The celebration transformed McBride Gathering Space and the Sacred Space into a welcoming setting for the occasion. Students participated in a variety of activities, including painting small pumpkins, creating seasonal simmer pots with fruits and spices, exploring tarot and oracle cards, and writing messages honoring ancestors. “Scrappy” fall-themed foods to help prevent food waste on campus, and s’mores from �鶹��Ƶ Outdoors offered another opportunity to gather and enjoy the season.

The program opened with an educational presentation by Multifaith Interns Alana Moss Caldwell and Priyal Sanartha, who introduced the history and significance of Samhain. Hillary Zaken, director of Multifaith Programming and Engagement, and Multifaith Intern Aeiris Faloni also shared reflections on the meaning of the holiday. Faloni then led a brief meditation, inviting participants to pause and reflect on the changing season.

Organized by the Earth-Based Spirituality branch of the Truitt Center, the celebration builds on growing opportunities for students to explore Pagan traditions and other forms of nontraditional spirituality at �鶹��Ƶ.

“Over the past few years, we have seen an increasing number of community members interested in celebrating and learning about earth-based traditions,” said Zaken, “So we are meeting students where they are, and ensuring that they have a vibrant and diverse community where they belong. Events like Samhain provide opportunities for students to learn about Earth-based traditions while participating in hands-on activities.”

For Aeiris Faloni, the growing interest in Earth-based spirituality reflects a desire among students to find community and explore spiritual practices outside more traditional religious structures.

“Samhain celebration gave us an incredible opportunity to create community – facilitating deep conversations about the things we wish for ourselves, the stories of those who came before us, and the ways we can support each other now,” said Faloni. “It also gave us a chance to gauge interest in an upcoming new student organization, FERN (Folk, Earth-Based Religions and Nontraditional Spiritualities), which will hopefully be officially hosting events in the spring semester!”

The Truitt Center’s multifaith celebrations create opportunities for the �鶹��Ƶ community to learn about religious, spiritual and cultural traditions through experiences that combine education, participation and celebration. Members of the Multifaith Intern cohort develop and lead many of these programs, helping create spaces where students can encounter traditions beyond their own.

Through its first Samhain celebration, the Truitt Center invited students to consider the meaning of seasonal transitions, the importance of community, and the many ways people find connection with the natural world. As the season turns toward winter, the gathering offered an opportunity to slow down and reflect.

“Samhain marks a time when the veil between the world of the living and deceased is thin, and many take it as an opportunity to honor those who came before us and those who surround us now,” Faloni explained. “We embraced this topic at the Truitt Center’s celebration, allowing space for folks to write messages to loved ones, and wishes for themselves as we head into the season of winter.”

Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory offered a candid assessment of modern political campaigns and President Donald Trump’s influence on the Republican Party during an Oct. 27 conversation with students in Assistant Professor Israel Balderas‘ Politics and Mass Media class.

The virtual classroom discussion came just two days after McCrory appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” giving students an opportunity to continue a national political conversation with a former governor who has spent more than two decades in elected office.

Drawing on that experience, including seven terms as Charlotte’s mayor and one term as governor, McCrory criticized candidates from both major political parties for emphasizing campaign promises while avoiding substantive discussions about the issues they would confront in office. He pointed to North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, arguing that Republican Michael Whatley and Democrat Roy Cooper have focused on issues outside a senator’s direct responsibilities rather than outlining their positions on foreign policy, Social Security and other federal matters.

“What you do as a politician now to get the votes is you state what the problem is over and over, and then you say you’re going to solve it, or you say I’m going to have a plan to fix it without giving any of the details of the plan,” McCrory said.

The criticism prompted a question from Miri Pottebaum ’27, a visual communication major, who asked whether candidates could capture voters’ attention by discussing substantive national issues rather than familiar campaign themes. McCrory reasoned that candidates deliberately avoid taking positions on difficult issues because doing so could alienate independent voters and provide ammunition for political opponents.

No president, no presidential candidate in ’28, Republican or Democrat, will tell you what they plan to do on Social Security. Mark my word.

–��Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory

For Pottebaum, the exchange reinforced the importance of engaging with differing political perspectives, a central theme of the course.

“While he didn’t change my opinion on anything, I feel it’s always important to be in conversation with people who share different opinions,” she said. “I appreciated that he was open with us and criticized both parties.”

The former governor also reflected on his complicated relationship with Trump, whom he accompanied on the campaign trail in 2016. Responding to a question about Trump’s impact on the reputation of the Republican Party, McCrory credited the president with attracting blue-collar voters who historically supported Democrats. But he also criticized Trump’s confrontational style, contrasting it with the approach of earlier Republican leaders.

“Where he’s hurt the Republican Party is his crassness and his principles,” McCrory said, describing himself as more of a Reagan Republican. “He brought in a crassness that we’ve seen in politics, but never at the presidential level.”

Despite those criticisms, McCrory acknowledged Trump’s personal appeal and recalled finding him surprisingly courteous and attentive during private conversations. He also described how Trump’s endorsement of Ted Budd dramatically altered the trajectory of McCrory’s unsuccessful 2022 U.S. Senate campaign, illustrating the president’s considerable influence.

For Balderas, who previously covered McCrory as a television journalist for FOX Charlotte, the Zoom visit offered students an opportunity to examine the complexities of political communication beyond headlines and campaign sound bites. He structured the conversation like a gubernatorial news conference, asking each of his 12 students to develop a substantive question for the former governor.

“Whether students agree or disagree with a political figure, there is tremendous educational value in hearing directly from someone who has governed, made difficult decisions, navigated political controversies and experienced the scrutiny of the news media,” Balderas said.

Balderas praised the students for their thoughtful questions and willingness to engage directly with difficult political issues.

“They weren’t simply asking questions to fulfill an assignment,” he said. “They were genuinely engaging with some of the most consequential issues facing American politics today. These students approached that responsibility with confidence and intellectual curiosity.”

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October brought the sights and sounds of fall to �鶹��Ƶ, with a month full of celebrations, traditions and opportunities for connection. From welcoming alumni back to campus for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, launching the new School of Engineering, to the changing colors of autumn, the �鶹��Ƶ community embraced all that the season had to offer.

Take a look back at some of the memorable moments from October through the lenses of staff in the Office of University Communications.

‘Everybody’

�鶹��Ƶ Performing Arts presented “Everybody,”����a modern adaptation of the 15th-century morality play Everyman, one of the first recorded plays in the English language.

A transformational education

An opening celebration for the Roberts Academy, the university’s new elementary school for children with dyslexia, featured a special student performance on Oct. 2, and a ribbon-cutting with Marjorie and Hal Roberts, whose generosity helped establish the school in 2025.

The Roberts Academy at �鶹��Ƶ is the fourth private school established by the couple, joining Vanderbilt University, Mercer University, and Florida Southern College in a network of programs committed to the advancement of education for children with dyslexia and related conditions.

Tiny shelf concert

�鶹��Ƶ’s Musical Theatre department hosted a “Tiny Shelf Concert on Oct. 2 in Belk Library.

The ‘biggest’ Rock the Block yet

The Office of Alumni��Engagement��and��the��Student Union Board collaborated once again to��host��the Homecoming concert with DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal) bringing approximately 5,000 attendees to the annual Rock the Block concert on Oct. 9.

Learning everywhere

Assistant Professor of Management Jose Cerecedo Lopez teaches a class outside near the Koury Business Center.

Engineering excellence

Dozens of university leaders, faculty, staff and students were joined on Oct. 30, 2026, by the CEO of the world’s leading accrediting body for engineering education programs, as well as North Carolina’s secretary of commerce, for a morning of reflection on the rise of �鶹��Ƶ’s new School of Engineering and Computing.

Pumpkin playfulness

The �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden Club and the Garden Studio course hosted the 18th annual��Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 30, uniting students, organizations, faculty, staff and��community members with fall festivities, including��live music, fun crafting activities and food at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden.

Participants were met with stew and chili options with apple cider to match. Tables lined the garden, hosted by different organizations at �鶹��Ƶ, including WSOE, Milk Club and �鶹��Ƶ Dining.����

Claire Moorhead, vice-president of Phoenix Free, was tabling a tie-dye activity for the festival. It was her second year tabling for the event, and she noted the positive effect it has on campus.��

“The main goal is just to spread joy and happiness,” she said. “It’s so nice, it’s so sweet, but on a personal level, the point of any tabling event for Phoenix Free is just kind of get the name out. If there’s anybody ever struggling, just knowing that there’s a place on campus for them.”��

Michael Strickland, director of the Center for Environmental Studies and assistant teaching professor of English and environmental studies,��teaches the Garden Studio class. He helped start the garden in 2006 and the festival in 2008, watching it grow throughout the years.��Students from his garden studio class work to maintain the garden and create vital aspects of the garden.��For the festival, his students tabled a food section featuring Brunswick stew, a traditional North Carolinian harvest stew.����

“It’s the end of the season; you just throw everything in a pot,” he said. “Typically in North Carolina, you can throw alligator, turtle, possum, whatever you got. We don’t do that here, but we throw all the different fall vegetables in there.”��

Sophia Barnes, an eco-rep for Loy Center with the Office of Sustainability��tabled a��craft-making activity. Barnes promoted sustainability by offering thrifted cloth, string, and recycled newspaper to make little ghost figures. ��

For Barnes, events like the Pumpkin Festival make sustainability and their goals all the more enjoyable. ��

“I think that it’s a really good vibe with all of the sustainable clubs together at once,” she said. “I like when we do events like this and we have Garden Club and Farm Club and the Office of Sustainability, and we can all kind of collaborate.”��

Barnes’ table also offered thrifted Halloween costumes that were free to take, offering a sustainable alternative to costume hunting.������

For attendees, they explored free activities, crafts, food items and desserts. Pumpkin carving, however, was the most popular activity. Three large tables were filled with students carving unique designs.����

One attendee,��Eadaoin Bourgerie ’30, was carving a pumpkin into a jack-o’-lantern.��

“I just really wanted to carve a pumpkin, so gotta so I got to get into the holiday spirit,” she said. “I like all the little treats and stuff, and it’s also just really homely here.”��

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Gardens on October 30, 2026

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival the the Community Gardens on October 30, 2026

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival the the Community Gardens on October 30, 2026

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival the the Community Gardens on October 30, 2026

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival the the Community Gardens on October 30, 2026

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival the the Community Gardens on October 30, 2026

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival the the Community Gardens on October 30, 2026

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival the the Community Gardens on October 30, 2026

Dozens of university leaders, faculty, staff and students were joined on Oct. 30, 2026, by the CEO of the world’s leading accrediting body for engineering education programs, as well as North Carolina’s secretary of commerce, for a morning of reflection on the rise of �鶹��Ƶ’s new School of Engineering and Computing.

After years of being housed within �鶹��Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences, the university’s longtime engineering and computer science departments combined this fall to formally launch the university’s seventh school, a response to the growing importance of technology and innovative problem-solving across numerous professions.

“Establishing a School of Engineering and Computing reflects �鶹��Ƶ’s commitment to preparing students to be leaders, innovators and problem-solvers,” said �鶹��Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book. “In today’s rapidly changing world, it is important to blend a superior technical education with opportunities for interdisciplinary thinking and experiential learning. �鶹��Ƶ students embrace these opportunities. By doing so, they easily demonstrate how to apply what they learn in the classroom to finding solutions for real clients, with real needs, even before graduating with the skills needed for fulfilling careers and lives of meaning.”

“The opening of �鶹��Ƶ’s School of Engineering and Computing marks an important milestone in the university’s continued growth��in national prominence,” added �鶹��Ƶ Provost Rebecca Kohn. “Faculty from two distinct disciplines are now better positioned to��identify and expand��opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, creativity, and leadership that are critical to addressing society’s most pressing obstacles. This��school will serve as a��new��model for preparing engineers, developers, game designers, cybersecurity experts and more who will advance their fields while making a difference to so many future clients and communities.”

Michael K.J. Milligan, chief executive officer of , delivered keynote remarks at a morning address. North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley shared additional perspectives on the economic impact of engineering and computer science when he offered remarks at a campus luncheon.

“I’m excited to showcase what we’re doing here at �鶹��Ƶ,” said John Walz, the inaugural dean of the School of Engineering and Computing. “Students who choose to come to �鶹��Ƶ will receive not only a strong engineering or computer science education but also a great foundation in the liberal arts. Our students will graduate with technical skills, the ability to work in teams and communicate effectively, and the potential to quickly serve as leaders in the field.”

The celebration opened with an address from Milligan in which he impressed upon those in attendance the importance of lifelong learning. He also spoke to the need to continuously develop technical skills, interpersonal communication and relationship building.

A panel discussion titled “How �鶹��Ƶ is Educating Engineers and Computer Scientists to Meet the Challenges of Today and Tomorrow” followed. Moderated by Walz, the discussion featured faculty members Professor Shannon Duvall, Professor Sirena Hargrove-Leak, Alex Strassberg ’26, and Kelly Little of Tryon Solutions.

Among the highlights from the panel was advice for students on looking for the right academic fit if pursuing a career in engineering or computing, how �鶹��Ƶ faculty work with students, and what employers are looking for from recent graduates.

“One of the biggest things for me as to why I came to �鶹��Ƶ, was the idea that I could do things beyond just my strict major and be able to engage in things that weren’t just theory,” said Strassberg. “When I worked on campus in the theater department, I came up with different ideas for stage lights. And I came (to the Engineering facilities) and built that.”

Following the panel discussion, guests discovered work from �鶹��Ƶ students through a showcase that featured projects, research, and innovations from both engineering and computer science, a demonstration of the school’s impact and outcomes from hands-on learning experiences.

The celebration concluded with lunch and Lilley’s message of the role and economic impact of engineering and computing jobs throughout North Carolina. The state’s investment in attracting advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, software development, and other tech industries creates a strong demand for highly skilled graduates, he said.

Lilley spoke about the importance of engineering and computing jobs to the state’s future.

“These professionals drive innovation, improve productivity and keep our state competitive,” he said. “They develop technologies, improve manufacturing processes, solve complex problems and their work helps companies turn ideas into reality. These skills influence where businesses choose to locate and where they choose to expand.”

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�鶹��Ƶ is one of 76 undergraduate institutions nationwide that the education services company ^® has named to its for 2027.

The Honor Roll recognition is part of an annual project—now in its third year—that The Princeton Review conducts in partnership with the , an internationally recognized organization that works to end the stigma associated with mental health.

Schools that earn the Honor Roll designation are those that demonstrate a strong commitment to their students’ mental health and well-being. The selections for 2027 were based on data from The Princeton Review’s 2026 . It asked administrators at 739 colleges 77 questions about their school’s counseling, mental health, and wellness services for students. The Princeton Review also surveyed 56,000 students across 300 colleges about their awareness of their school’s mental health services.

The Princeton Review Mental Health Services Honor Roll list for 2027 is on PrincetonReview.com in alphabetical order. The for Honor Roll designation(s) are described .

The Princeton Review profile on �鶹��Ƶ highlights three main ways the university approaches student mental health:

• Mental health services: Counseling Services��offers free, campus-based mental health support, including prevention and educational workshops and individual counseling. Health Promotion complements these services with education and programs on topics such as aromatherapy, substance use, and risk reduction, as well as a Collegiate Recovery Community.
• Wellness quality of life: The Princeton Review highlights the university’s HealthEU initiative, including HealthEU courses, which��incorporate mental health topics, with several sections taught by clinicians, while other for-credit courses address one or more dimensions of wellness.��It also noted that �鶹��Ƶ became��the first North Carolina institution to adopt the Okanagan Charter, joining an international effort to advance health-promoting colleges and universities.
• Peer-to-peer resources: The Princeton Review highlights��Peer EARS, a student-to-student emotional support program that uses empathy, affirmation, reflection and support. SOS for Higher Education also offers suicide prevention training on campus for students, faculty and staff, and is required for many student leaders and student employees.

“I am so proud of and grateful for the Counseling Services team, comprised of tremendously smart and dedicated mental health clinicians, whose expertise, compassion and commitment help ensure that students have access to high-quality mental health services and programs,” said Anita Hodnett, interim dean of student health and well-being. “Their efforts, alongside those of our colleagues in Health Promotion, student leadership and peer education programs, academic partnerships, and countless others across the university, reflect a shared understanding that student well-being is everyone’s responsibility.”

The Princeton Review project also works to promote awareness of campus mental health services among college applicants and students attending colleges. The company reports information about the surveyed school’s mental health services in its profiles of the schools on PrincetonReview.com as well as in its annual guidebook.

“We are honored to recognize �鶹��Ƶ for the many ways it prioritizes the mental health of �鶹��Ƶ students and its exceptional commitment to their well-being,” said , The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief. “When it comes to student success in college, well-being is everything.”

Read the release on The Princeton Review 2026 Campus Mental Health Services Survey project

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

�鶹��Ƶ The Princeton Review

��is a leading tutoring, test prep, and college admissions services company. Every year, it helps millions of college- and graduate school–bound students as well as working professionals achieve their education and career goals through its many education services and products. These include online and in-person courses delivered by a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors; online resources; a of more than 150 print and digital books published by Penguin Random House; and dozens of categories of school rankings. Founded in 1981, the company is now in its 45th year. The company’s brand, now in its 25th year, is one of the largest online tutoring services in the U.S. It comprises a community of thousands of tutors who have delivered more than 29 million tutoring sessions. The Princeton Review, headquartered in New York, NY, is not affiliated with Princeton University. For more information, visit Follow the company on Facebook (), (@theprincetonreview), (the-princeton-review), (@ThePrincetonReview), and . Subscribe to The Princeton Review’s twice-weekly newsletter, Brick & Mortarboard, .

“An acute stroke transforms a person’s life almost instantly, and nurses are positioned to provide holistic, restorative care throughout the recovery process,” said Brittany Kirby, �鶹��Ƶ’s director of nursing simulation.��“This simulation experience presents a formative opportunity for developing nursing students to interact with a person recovering from stroke and take action to promote comfort, dignity, and safety in a vulnerable care environment.”

This hands-on learning opportunity allowed students to work one-on-one with simulated participants and develop and strengthen essential clinical skills. Among the skills that were practiced were focused assessment, clinical judgment, therapeutic communication and clinical documentation.

“Our simulated participants truly bring the textbook to life, helping nursing students bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world patient care,” added Bethany Fearnow, �鶹��Ƶ’s simulation coordinator. “Through experiences like this stroke recovery simulation, students strengthen their clinical judgment, communication, and confidence while learning to provide compassionate, patient-centered care. We’re proud to play a part in preparing the next generation of nurses.”

In focused assessment, students provided a targeted evaluation of the patient’s condition. Through clinical judgment, they were able to identify both expected and unexpected findings from that assessment. Students were then able to practice effective and compassionate communication with a patient who was experiencing mild expressive aphasia. Finally, the exercise allowed students to accurately document their findings and communications in the patient’s medical record.

By participating in an engaged learning opportunity, nursing students can apply knowledge they have gained in a classroom setting within a supportive learning environment. At the same time, they are able to continue the development of the required skills and build the confidence needed to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

Exercises such as this one highlight the dedication of the IPSC staff and Department of Nursing faculty members to provide meaningful educational experiences that prepare students for real-world patient care.

With more than 250 clubs and organizations at �鶹��Ƶ, students have countless opportunities to find purpose and meaning in life – and Alexa Nigriny ’28 may be one of the most actively involved in helping classmates do just that.

The psychology and human service studies major is involved in Yarn Arts, the Super Smash Bros. team for Club Esports, Music for Dementia, Psychology Club, �鶹��Ƶ Volunteers, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Sustainability Volunteers, the Student Union Board and even the Milk Club.

Beyond her clubs and organizations, Nigriny is a senior resident assistant in the Historic Neighborhood, a peer educator for �鶹��Ƶ 1010 and a SMART mentor in the Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education. In each of those jobs, she says, it’s important to build community.

As a senior resident assistant, Nigriny helps first-year students navigate their transition to college. What takes a floor in a residence hall and makes it into a community where all feel welcomed? The short answer: Get to really know the people you live and work next to rather than just passing them by.

“‘You have a place here. We need you here.’ Nurturing that feeling of being needed and being wanted in a place is so important,” Nigriny said. “That’s what makes and breaks a community. If you know you belong and that you were needed, you will stay.”

For Nigriny, community is about more than making connections. It’s about finding a place and purpose within those relationships. At �鶹��Ƶ, students take on many roles, from friends and classmates to mentors and leaders, each contributing to their sense of belonging.

“It is through the positions that we have here that give us our place and purposes and is one of the many things that make �鶹��Ƶ feel like home,” Nigriny said. “When you take time to get to know someone and realize how much you have in common or how similar you are, human connection is forged and community is built.”

But what Nigriny finds most rewarding is watching others discover where they belong. She sees a change in her friends, residents and classmates as they find their passions and begin to understand what they want from their college experience.

And in helping others find their place, Nigriny has discovered something about herself.

“For me being able to play even a small role in that is what makes me feel like I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do,” she said, “helping people find their purposes, and helping people discover who they want to be – that is one of my purposes.”

Alexa Nigriny ’28 is part of Huemanity of People, a series by the Division of Inclusive Excellence highlighting the people, paradigms and praxis of inclusive excellence that shape �鶹��Ƶ’s community. Learn more on the Inclusive Excellence website.