Bethanny Sudibyo, assistant teaching professor of Spanish in �鶹��Ƶ’s Department of World Languages and Cultures, is building a bridge between comprehension and community.

Sudibyo’s community engagement (CE) course, Spanish for Healthcare, lets students learn and use Spanish in a practical setting through a partnership with Open Door Clinic in Burlington, North Carolina.

“It was always one of my goals to have a community engagement component,” said Sudibyo. “I didn’t want students to simply learn in the classroom because I think if we are thinking about language as a way to connect with people and to help the community, we should also put that into practice.”

The purpose of the course is to prepare students to interact with patients who may not be comfortable communicating in English in a healthcare setting. After a few weeks of preparation, students are required to volunteer for two sessions, doing tasks such as shadowing a Spanish translator, translating promotional materials into Spanish and supporting patients who may be more comfortable speaking Spanish while acting as an interpreter between the patient and healthcare professional.

“I honestly didn’t know what to expect,” said Hannah Nunez ’28, a public health major, who took Spanish for Healthcare in the fall of 2025. “But I really liked connecting with patients and having one-on-one conversations with them. You could tell that they were very appreciative.
It is very nerve-wracking. But honestly, they don’t care if you mess up.
It’s more so that you’re trying.”

The course was pitched to make language learning a more hands-on skill. �鶹��Ƶ as an institution is passionate about professional experience, especially healthcare-focused programming such as nursing or physician assistant. By combining this with language learning, Sudibyo turns Spanish into a skill that can be utilized directly, strengthening practical skills and community building before students even enter the professional world. And the Open Door Clinic was open to facilitating that learning.

At first, Sudibyo was hesitant to establish a partnership due to possible ethical concerns within the medical field. However, one of her students in the first cohort of the class was a student coordinator for Open Door Clinic and was able to connect Sudibyo with the clinic, which assured her that the clinic itself was a learning space where students could build real-life experience and help patients in any capacity.

“I think the beautiful thing about the clinic is that it’s very community-centered. Everyone is volunteering,” said Sudibyo. “If you’re working in the healthcare professions, you’re serving a community, and you need to know who the community members are.”

Currently, the class is only offered at one intermediate level of Spanish in the fall semesters. In the future, Sudibyo hopes that she can get a second level to keep volunteers connected with the Open Door Clinic during the spring semester, both further building the students’ language skills and growing their connection to �鶹��Ƶ’s surrounding community.

“A university as an institution can sometimes feel very disconnected with the community that it is in,” said Sudibyo. “I think it is important for students to know the stories of the people who are living around campus. It’s an important thing to bridge that gap between higher education and the community.”

For Spanish students interested in connecting their language learning with service in the local Alamance area but may be intimidated by using the language in hands-on situations, this class offers a supportive and connected environment and strongly emphasizes its two meaningful purposes: serving the surrounding community and learning to utilize the Spanish language.

“If you struggle with speaking up and speaking Spanish to other people, it can be difficult, but at the same time, it’s difficult for a reason. Learning a language is always difficult,” said Nunez. “It’s okay to be nervous, but you’re gonna do a lot better than you think. There’s people there supporting you.”

To find out the location of your polling place on Election Day in Alamance County, simply go to the and confirm your polling place before you leave to vote. Note that the �鶹��Ƶ campus is divided into two precincts, so this is especially important.

Later that evening, the �鶹��Ƶ community is invited to come together and watch Election results come in from across the country during a watch event on the First Floor of the Moseley Center from 8 to 11 p.m.

For additional information about voting and Election Day resources, please visit the �鶹��Ƶ Votes! Website.

“The program’s nice for STEM students who typically have very busy schedules but are looking for ways to volunteer” said Kyle Anderson, associate director of the Kernodle Center for Civic life and supervisor of Imagine Science. “There could be some sense of connection between what those students are doing in the classroom here, or interests they might have, or maybe they really liked science class when they were younger. So it’s a way to apply things they’re interested in and then benefit kids that we work with.”

Imagine Science runs workshops twice a month on Thursdays, with spots for five volunteers, along with the two student coordinators, Julia Polen ’28 and Peyton Kalan ’27. Both coordinators are in STEM majors, Polen being a nursing student and Kalan studying biochemistry on the pre-med track and share a deep passion for watching kids get excited about learning science.

“It all just feels very meaningful. Some volunteer experiences, you don’t really know what the bigger picture is,” said Kalan. “But for Imagine Science, we really try to tell our volunteers why we’re doing this. These kids might not have a lot of experiences like this. Having a science presence is so important not just for �鶹��Ƶ, but for little kids as well, because not a lot of kids who come from lower income families think of science as an option for them.”

Community engagement within Alamance County is an essential part of �鶹��Ƶ Volunteers!, and by working with the students at Red Shield Youth Center, �鶹��Ƶ students are able to see just how great an impact their enthusiasm for STEM can have. As a newer program, Imagine Science has a lot of potential for growth, expanding to more community partners or holding more frequent workshops in the future. Already, however, the impact it has on local K-12 students in the community is great.

“The kids are very passionate,” said Polen. “All of them are really interactive and they’re all really friendly. So I think it’s honestly a really great thing to do. The kids all really enjoy doing these experiments and they enjoy everything �鶹��Ƶ.”

During early voting, you can register to vote and immediately cast your ballot in the same visit. The South Gym on �鶹��Ƶ’s campus is one of five early voting sites in Alamance County. Visit for specifics on days and times for early voting.

Next Steps to Cast Your Ballot Using your University �������������

1. North Carolina voters must show an acceptable photo ID to vote. You can obtain a special �鶹��Ƶ Phoenix Voter Card, provided at no cost by �鶹��Ƶ, from the Phoenix Card office in Oaks McCoy Commons (Room 201). Once you obtain this card, it will serve as your Phoenix Card and full-time student ID. Obtaining this voter card does not automatically register you to vote .

2. Students who live off-campus may need to provide proof of an Alamance County address – a list of items can be found here.

For more information, visit the �鶹��Ƶ Votes! Website. In addition, you are always welcome to visit the Kernodle Center for Civic Life located in the Moseley Center, Room 232, email elonvols@elon.edu, or call 336-278-7250 for assistance.

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September brought the �鶹��Ƶ community fully into the rhythm of a new academic year, with classrooms bustling, fall traditions returning and opportunities for learning and connection unfolding across campus. From thought-provoking speakers and engaging performances to Phoenix athletics and everyday moments of campus life, the month offered plenty to capture.

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

One and done

�鶹��Ƶ School of Law Dean Zak Kramer challenged the Class of 2025 to achieve an overall first-time bar passage rate of 83%, a mark that would have been the highest in �鶹��Ƶ Law history.

The class’s Student Bar Association president had a counterproposal: What if they reached 85%? Would the dean get a tattoo? Kramer said yes.

The Class of 2025 responded with a 90.9% overall first-time bar passage rate across North Carolina and 11 other states. On Sept. 4, Kramer responded by rolling up his sleeve.

Lab learning

As the fall semester gets fully underway, students are in the classroom learning through hands-on experience.

Feline fun

�鶹��Ƶ Volunteers!, through the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, provides all members of the �鶹��Ƶ campus the opportunity to develop an ethic of service by connecting campus and community through service experiences. In Sepetember, students had some feline fun with animals at Burlington Animal Services.

Hispanic Heritage Month

�鶹��Ƶ kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a kick-off event. The month-long celebration features the theme “Floreciendo Juntos (Blooming Together): Honoring Identity, Culture and Well-being, ” highlighting the diverse backgrounds, unique stories and rich history that shape Hispanic and Latino communities.

Green Tara Sand Mandala

An annual tradition through the Truitt Center for Relgious and Spiritual Life, Tibetan Buddhist monk Geshe Palden Sangpo constructs a Green Tara sand mandala for healing and peace during a period of three days.

‘Skills of the heart’

New York Times columnist and bestselling author David Brooks spoke to a sold-out crowd in Alumni Gym for Fall Convocation on Sept. 25, part of Family Weekend and the �鶹��Ƶ Speaker Series. He reminded the audience of two important skills needed for success — two skills that have taken him time to learn: how to see people and how to have an impact on the world.

Family fun

�鶹��Ƶ hosted Family Weekend on Sept. 25-27 with a variety of activites, including a football game as the Phoenix took on the University of Maine Bears.

‘There’s Always This Year’

Author Hanif Abdurraqib reflected on mentorship, home and storytelling during his Common Reading lecture on Sept. 29. His book, part poetry, memoir and meditation on history and modern culture, “There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension” was selected as �鶹��Ƶ’s 2026-27 Common Reading. Incoming first-year students read the book over the summer before exploring it from a variety of perspectives with their First-Year Foundations instructors during their first year at �鶹��Ƶ.

The student coordinators of the program, Nastassia Harrison ’28 and Ella Russo ’28, were excited to get involved.

“Starting something that we then get to build on is really special,” said Russo. “I’m looking forward to seeing how this program flourishes as a whole. Not just my time here, but after my time, and seeing how it will grow or how it will change to adapt however it needs to.”

Before COVID, �鶹��Ƶ Volunteers! had a similar program, but it was dissolved during the pandemic. Andrew Moffa, assistant director of �鶹��Ƶ’s Kernodle Center for Civic Life, decided it was a good time to revisit the program.

“We found that there are students who really enjoy doing that type of work,” said Moffa. “We’ll see how this semester goes. I would love for it to expand to more visits, and also just incorporate more students.”

�鶹��Ƶ Volunteers! has another program working with Twin Lakes called Music for Dementia, facilitating individualized and personal music activities for residents to help to cope with dementia. The close and continuous partnership with Twin Lakes through �鶹��Ƶ Volunteers! emphasizes the value of community bonds and the genuine relationships that come from service towards one’s community.

“The seniors just get so excited to interact with �鶹��Ƶ in any way,” said Moffa about Linking Generations. “A new perspective, the ability to talk to someone who has different life experiences, maybe holds different identities from a different generation. That’s always valuable.”

While Linking Generations is still in its first semester with a limited number of students meeting with their residents monthly, there is hope for the program to expand in future years, strengthening bonds with more student participants and conversations to connect people from all walks of life.

“This program bridges that generational gap, and you can understand each other, which I think we need more of in the world,” Harrison said.

In the latest U.S. News and World Report “Best Colleges” guide, �鶹��Ƶ was ranked No. 100 among national universities and, among private universities, �鶹��Ƶ is ranked No. 55. The National Universities category includes institutions across the country with a broad range of undergraduate majors as well as master’s and doctoral programs, with many also producing significant academic research.

�鶹��Ƶ joined the National Universities category in 2019 and has steadily strengthened its position while maintaining national leadership in undergraduate teaching and high-impact educational experiences.

In addition to being ranked No. 1 for undergraduate teaching for the sixth straight year, �鶹��Ƶ is the only school ranked in the Top 15 across all eight categories included in U.S. News’ “Programs that Enhance Student Experience” rankings. The categories highlight academic and cocurricular programs that are closely linked to student success and positive learning outcomes.

�鶹��Ƶ was again recognized as one of the country’s most innovative schools, earning a No. 8 ranking in the category. The Most Innovative national universities list includes those making innovative improvements in curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities.

The university earned three No. 1 rankings, for Undergraduate Teaching, Learning Communities and First-Year Experiences, while also placing among the nation’s top five for Study Abroad, Service Learning and Senior Capstone experiences.

�鶹��Ƶ’s rankings include:

• #1 – Undergraduate Teaching
• #1 – Learning Communities
• #1 – First-Year Experiences
• #4 (tied) – Study Abroad
• #4 – Senior Capstone
• #5 – Service Learning
• #8 (tied) – Most Innovative
• #11 (tied) – Co-ops/Internships
• #12 (tied) – Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects
• #13 (tied) – Writing in the Disciplines

�鶹��Ƶ’s continued success across the rankings reflects the university’s longstanding emphasis on engaged and experiential learning, close relationships among students, faculty and staff, and a comprehensive educational experience that extends beyond the classroom.

“This year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings reflect what �鶹��Ƶ has long known: exceptional teaching and student success go hand in hand,” said �鶹��Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book. “The rankings are a powerful affirmation of the value and outcomes of an �鶹��Ƶ education and the university’s teacher-scholar-mentor model. From an �鶹��Ƶ student’s first year, when they are immediately engaged and empowered, to the moment they walk across the graduation stage and beyond, �鶹��Ƶ faculty are intentional about creating opportunities that prepare students to be leaders of impact in this ever-changing world.”

U.S. News & World Report has been producing college rankings since 1983. The rankings are based on an extensive annual data survey of institutions along with opinion surveys of university faculty and administrators. 

Every first Saturday in September, �鶹��Ƶ’s Campus Kitchen partners with Rise Against Hunger, packaging shelf-stable food for ten countries worldwide. Since 2008, �鶹��Ƶ has partnered with Rise Against Hunger to build over 552,000 meals, with 3,551 total volunteers engaged in 22 packaging events.
This year’s Rise Against Hunger event was even more special than usual, as the organization gifted �鶹��Ƶ Volunteers! their own gong for packaging 0.5 million meals total. As a staple of the event, the gong is rung for every 1,000 meals packaged and marks a major achievement for �鶹��Ƶ Volunteers! to receive a personal gong as an indicator of the work that they have done through Rise Against Hunger over the years.

“We specifically partner with Rise Against Hunger because their organization as a whole is aiming to address food insecurity and hunger internationally, which I feel like really boosts our program because with Campus Kitchen…we’re very focused on the local area. And with Rise Against Hunger, it connects us internationally,” said Anna Grace Gilbert ‘27, director of Campus Kitchen.

Campus Kitchen is the only �鶹��Ƶ Volunteers! program focusing on food security and justice in the local �鶹��Ƶ, Burlington and Alamance County communities. Gilbert has been a part of Campus Kitchen and �鶹��Ƶ Volunteers! since her sophomore year, and has built a strong sense of love for the surrounding community through service.

“�鶹��Ƶ Volunteers! is just an incredible place to work,” said Gilbert. “And I think it’s really a different and unique college experience to be so engaged with the local community.”

The partnership between �鶹��Ƶ Volunteers! and Rise Against Hunger exemplifies how a shared passion and service to others can bring people together. Other members of the �鶹��Ƶ community volunteered at the event, creating connection and accomplishment as they packaged meals for people in the Philippines.

“I’m part of the National Council of Negro Women, so a couple of us on the executive board did [Rise Against Hunger] this year,” said Sydney Griffin ‘29, a volunteer at the event, “I just thought it was really cool how people in �鶹��Ƶ can pack all these bags that are sent around the world to help a bunch of people.”

The impact of this event — with over 552,000 total meals achieved by �鶹��Ƶ — demonstrates the community’s continuous love of service and commitment to helping others.

“A lot of students might not know what it’s like to not have all of their necessities, so I think it’s good that we can give our time and give back to communities that don’t have the same privilege that we do,” said Griffin. “It’s amazing that we can learn from that experience and help others, and make an impact around the world.”

�鶹��Ƶ is deeply committed to civic and political engagement. The university’s Commitment to the Values of Freedom of Expression and Inclusivity is available on the Council on Civic Engagement website and included in student, staff and faculty handbooks. �鶹��Ƶ also provides guidelines for political activities and demonstrations.

Throughout election season, �鶹��Ƶ will offer a range of resources, programs and events designed to support informed participation and constructive dialogue.

Pre-Election Day Events and Resources

Several events and voter registration drives are planned leading into Election Day, including:

�鶹��Ƶ Votes! Student Voter Registration Drives

�鶹��Ƶ Votes! will host several voter registration drives to help students register to vote and prepare to cast their ballots in the upcoming election. Drive dates include:

• Monday, Sept. 21, 3-5 p.m., Moseley Center First Floor
• Wednesday, Sept. 30, 3-5 p.m., Moseley Center First Floor
• Monday, Oct. 5, Noon-3 p.m., Moseley Center First Floor

Students are invited to attend a voter registration drive, stop by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life (Moseley 232), or visit the for additional information.

Fall Convocation with David Brooks

Friday, Sept. 25, 3:30 p.m., Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center

As part of the 2026-27 �鶹��Ƶ Speaker Series: Exploring Bold Leadership, David Brooks will deliver the keynote address during Fall Convocation. A best-selling author and longtime New York Times columnist, Brooks is a leading observer of American culture, politics and civic life. He serves as a staff writer at The Atlantic, a commentator on PBS NewsHour and a senior fellow at Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs. Over decades in journalism, his columns have become some of the most widely read in the nation, offering insight into political dynamics, social trends and the challenges facing modern democracy. Admission is $15 or free with a valid �鶹��Ƶ ID. Tickets can be purchased on the .

Active Citizen Series: Deliberative Dialogue – Selecting Candidates on Your Election Ballot

Monday, Sept. 28, 4:30 p.m., Lakeside 212

When you cast your ballot during the midterm elections, how will you decide whom to vote for? How will you decide what makes an effective elected official? Elections provide an opportunity for voters to select the leaders who will shape how our municipalities, counties, states and nations are governed. Making informed decisions about who we vote for directly affects our daily lives and the lives of our fellow citizens. This dialogue will provide an opportunity to explore the issues that matter most to you and to consider how you might select candidates who best represent your values and your needs. Sponsored by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Political Engagement Work Group, and �鶹��Ƶ Votes!

Alamance-Burlington School System Board of Education Candidate Forum

Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m., Hugh M. Cummings High School Auditorium, 2200 N. Mebane Street, Burlington, NC

This forum will offer local voters the opportunity to hear from candidates for the Alamance-Burlington School System Board of Education. Sponsored by Alamance Chamber, �鶹��Ƶ and Impact Alamance with support from �鶹��Ƶ News Network

Alamance County Board of Commissioners Candidate Forum

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m., Hugh M. Cummings High School Auditorium, 2200 N. Mebane Street, Burlington, NC

This forum will offer local voters the opportunity to hear from candidates for the Alamance County Commissioners. Sponsored by Alamance Chamber, �鶹��Ƶ, and Impact Alamance with support from �鶹��Ƶ News Network.

Facilitating Meaningful Discussion in the Classroom

Monday, Oct. 5, 4-5:30 p.m., Belk 208

Why are so many of us hesitant to bring difficult or timely conversations into the classroom, and what might we be missing when we avoid them? Using the Chronicle of Higher Education article “Why Higher Ed Won’t Look Itself in the Mirror” as a starting point, this session explores the value of facilitating dialogue around challenging, unexpected or unplanned topics. Participants will learn practical strategies to recognize opportunities for deeper engagement and bring dialogue more intentionally into their teaching. . Sponsored by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life and the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning.

North Carolina House and Senate Candidate Forum

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6 p.m., Lakeside 212 and 213

This forum will offer local voters the opportunity to hear from candidates for North Carolina House of Representatives District 63 (Ian Baltutis and Ryan Moffitt), North Carolina House of Representatives District 64 (Levon Barnes and Dennis Riddell), and North Carolina Senate District 25 (John Blanton and Amy Galey).

A Stronger, Safer, More Resilient North Carolina with Kathie Dello

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m., McKinnon Hall

As part of Campus Sustainability Week, Kathie Dello will deliver the keynote address. Drawing on her experience as both North Carolina’s former State Climatologist and her current role as the Assistant Secretary for Resilience at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Dello will explain how resilience moves beyond disaster response to reduce risk before disasters occur, especially in the wake of the three damaging hurricanes that hit North Carolina in less than a decade. She will highlight the state’s resilience work through the Flood Resiliency Blueprint and community-based programs that help local governments identify vulnerabilities and invest in long-term solutions. She will also discuss how partnerships with universities and local leaders contribute to stronger, safer communities across North Carolina. Sponsored by the Office of Sustainability.

Election Day

Information about voting and Election Day resources is available on the �鶹��Ƶ Votes! website.

Election Day Shuttle

Students already registered to vote in Alamance County are invited to use the Election Day shuttle throughout the day. A shuttle will run from the Center for the Arts to two local polling places from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To find your polling place in Alamance County on Election Day, visit the and confirm your polling place before you leave to vote.

Note: The �鶹��Ƶ campus is divided into two precincts.

Active Citizen Series: Election Night Watch Event

The �鶹��Ƶ community is invited to watch history unfold as election results come in from across the nation from 8 to 11 p.m. on the first floor of the Moseley Center. Sponsored by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, �鶹��Ƶ Votes!, Council on Civic Engagement, and �鶹��Ƶ Political Engagement Work Group.

Post-election Events

Several events are planned for the days and weeks after the election, including:

After the Vote Panel

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 4:15 p.m., LaRose Student Commons

The Department of Political Science and Phoenix Policy Institute sponsor a faculty panel to unpack the 2026 midterm elections. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about what the local, state and national results mean for you, your friends and family, and our country. Sponsored by the Department of Political Science and Phoenix Policy Institute.

Carole Ann Walker International Lectureship with Kyle Carpenter

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m., McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts

As part of the 2026–27 �鶹��Ƶ Speaker Series: Exploring Bold Leadership, the Carole Ann Walker International Lectureship will feature Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter, a United States Marine and the youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor. Carpenter is recognized for extraordinary heroism during his service in Afghanistan. In 2010, he sustained life-threatening injuries after throwing himself on a grenade to protect a fellow Marine, an act of valor that led to years of recovery and more than 40 surgeries. Following his recovery, Carpenter set and achieved ambitious personal goals, including completing a college degree, running a marathon and traveling internationally. He is the author of the memoir “You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For,” which chronicles his journey of resilience and purpose. Today, he speaks widely about leadership, perseverance and finding meaning in adversity, encouraging others to overcome challenges and pursue lives of impact. Admission is $15 or free with a valid �鶹��Ƶ ID. Tickets can be purchased on the .

When you cast your ballot during the midterm elections, how will you decide whom to vote for? How will you decide what makes an effective elected official? Elections provide an opportunity for voters to select the leaders who will shape how our municipalities, counties, states and nation are governed. Making informed decisions about who we vote for has a direct impact on our daily lives and the lives of our fellow citizens. This dialogue will provide an opportunity to explore the issues that matter most to you and to consider how you might select candidates who best represent your values and needs.

Sponsored by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Political Engagement Work Group and �鶹��Ƶ Votes!