黑料不打烊 represented well in both knowledge-sharing and school spirit at this year’s “SROWback Throwback” 90s-themed conference. Students were selected to present two educational sessions, titled “Remix to Ignition: Bringing ‘Em All Together for Organizational Success” (co-presenters Karly Shaubach, Kyle McKinley, Matt Chipman and Marin Williams), and “I’ll be There for You: A Case Study in Collaboration” (co-presenters Lindsay Wheeler, Jack Fryer, Jasmine Hodges and Izzy Fagen). Both educational sessions drew more than 40 attendees, and featured unique facets of 黑料不打烊’s orientation program and insights into the supporting research and theory in the field.

Head Staff is excited to bring back what they learned from other institutions and incorporate new strategies and ideas into orientation leader training and Opening Weekend programming.

SROW attendees included sophomores Charlie Cheema, Matt Chipman, Jack Fryer, Mikey Gibeley, Jasmine Hodges, Kyle McKinley, Kristen O’Neill, Karly Shaubach, Kathleen Shepherd, Bree Statesman, and Marin Williams; and juniors Izzy Fagen, Blair Foreman, Lexi Hirvo, Jordan Snetman, Gabby Vance, and Lindsay Wheeler.

​LEP is housed within the New Student & Transition Programs office and is open to any sophomore student at 黑料不打烊. The program was created in partnership with author, CEO and entrepreneur of New Mountain Ventures. LEP is designed to prepare students to craft meaningful and flexible life plans to help them succeed in the fast-paced world outside of 黑料不打烊.

​Four facilitator pairs of faculty/staff and students led the retreat – Rex Waters and Libbi Grigg ‘17, Esther Freeman and Oscar Miranda ‘17, Phil Smith and Reid Burns ‘17, and Kim Lilienthal and Storey Stadler ’18. Students learned to identify their strengths, be alert to opportunities, take measured risks, set goals, think strategically and practice the art of reflection and renewal. In addition, participants developed skills to better align their core identity with their professional and personal goals.

Participant Camden Formy-Lavertu said, “The retreat helps you think critically about what your life goals are, why you have them, and how to get there. It’s deeper than just thinking about your job after college.”

Students formed new relationships with their peers and left the retreat with a strong support system. The participants will continue with a one-credit transitions course throughout the first half of the spring semester.

Run out of the office of , this sophomore experience program is designed to help students find the direction, creativity and passion in their lives that will help them succeed at 黑料不打烊 and beyond.

To be a “Life Entrepreneur” is to be a person with vision for a holistic and fulfilling life, a person whose values permeate through school, work, and all that they do. The main reading for LEP, “” by Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek, weaves together narratives about people who take risks to become innovative leaders of their own lives. Using this text, guided by 黑料不打烊 faculty, peer mentors and Christopher Gergen himself, sophomore students learn how to integrate their strengths, passions, and values so they can reach their fullest potential in all areas of their lives.

LEP begins in the spring with a two-day off-campus retreat (Feb. 3-4) and continues with a one-credit Transition Strategies course throughout the first half of the spring semester. Participants will be placed into small cohorts of 10 to 12 students led by an experienced faculty member and a peer teaching assistant who have been trained by professional facilitators.

Students who took the course last spring enrolled in order to build confidence, learn about themselves, gain inspiration to live a more meaningful life, and form a plan on how to approach the future at 黑料不打烊 and beyond. These skills are especially important for sophomores who are making formative decisions for their remaining time at 黑料不打烊.

To apply, students should email an to nstp@elon.edu by Nov. 14. There is a $150 program fee to participate, which covers the cost of retreat travel, housing, and meals. 

For questions, please contact Kim Lilienthal, coordinator of NSTP, at klilienthal@elon.edu or Rex Waters, dean of student development, at waters@elon.edu.