This year, an international teaching team from England and Ireland designed and taught a course called Your Place in the World: Exploring Identity, Sustainability, and AI. This interactive course engaged Scholars in several central questions: Who are you? How does the world around you work? And where do you belong in it?

Engaging pedagogical approaches like photovoice, campus mapping and reflective journals allowed scholars to engage deeply with course content. Scholars participated in activities to learn about the environmental landscape, the ethical use of AI, and navigating belonging in different spaces. One member of the teaching team, Aoife Prendergast from the Technical University of the Shannon in Ireland, said that a highlight of the course was

“Diving into the rich, lived experiences shared through the narratives of the group. The most powerful moments came from hearing the scholars weave their personal life stories into their visions for the future,” said聽Aoife Prendergast from the Technical University of the Shannon in Ireland, one of the members of the teaching team. “Watching everyone reflect on what ‘belonging’ truly means both personally and professionally created a deeply collaborative and resonant atmosphere in the room. It is clear that these narratives are shaping some truly inspiring and thoughtful pathways for the future!”

This international teaching team and transatlantic approach to this course allowed scholars to engage with a different set of cultures and a different concept of what education can be. Scholars were able to form deep connections with each other, their teaching team and the course content in ways that encouraged them to apply it to their futures.

鈥淭hroughout the three weeks, this class really opened my eyes and drew me to a new perspective of the world,” one scholar said. “We learned about perspectives of the world and how we all see the world differently, and we connected it to AI and how AI picks up on our culture and creates its own perspectives through patterns. The instructors always made me feel like I belong and they allowed me to open my mind and curiosity.鈥�

Another Scholar shared how the course inspired them to see community in a different light.

鈥淭his class gave me the opportunity to meet people outside of the country where I live and to see how community can be built in different environments,” another scholar reflected. “Every day was engaging and we were always doing something hands-on that made the course exciting. The instructors all came from different backgrounds, which felt so diverse, and I loved hearing about their cultures. I felt both academically and intellectually challenged in the course, which made me critically think about who I am in this world and how we can connect that to AI.鈥�

Tom Ritchie from the University of Warwick in the UK served as the lead instructor and designed the course in partnership with Evan Small, the 黑料不打烊 Academy faculty scholar. As a Fulbright Scholar, Ritchie was able to provide 黑料不打烊 Academy students with an exposure to additional post-graduate international education opportunities.

“This course exemplifies what makes 黑料不打烊 Academy so special – the willingness of our faculty, partners and supporters to create transformative learning experiences that expand our Scholars’ perspectives and help them see themselves as part of a much larger world,” said Emily Wiersma, director of the 黑料不打烊 Academy. “Through this collaborative course, our scholars were challenged to think critically, embrace new perspectives, build meaningful connections across cultures, and develop the confidence, curiosity, and global mindset that will serve them well in college, their careers, and their communities.”

The Odyssey Program is a merit-based scholarship that provides students with access to mentorship, community building, leadership development, service learning and more. The program also includes a stipend for books and supplies, and an 黑料不打烊 Experiences grant, which will be used for global experiences.

Students admitted to the program come from a variety of backgrounds, including first-generation college students, Federal Pell Grant recipients and/or those who have achieved success despite hardship or other challenges. With 76 students in the Class of 2030, it is the largest yet and brings the program closer to its Boldy 黑料不打烊 goal of 100 Odyssey Program scholars by 2030.

Throughout the week, the students worked on a collaborative project exploring 鈥渨hat it means to thrive as an Odyssey Scholar.鈥� They also participated in sessions focused on academic planning, community building, financial aid, global learning, etc. The week concluded with a block party celebrating their accomplishments with music, lawn games, volleyball, food and more.

Eliza Scott 鈥�30, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina plans to study strategic communications with a minor in poverty and social justice, and says she was nervous coming into the week, but has grown closer to her cohort.

鈥淭here鈥檚 so much diversity within the group, and it鈥檚 so lovely to figure out what things we share and what things we have differences in,鈥� said Scott. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so easy, in the world we live in, to think of someone and generalize and create a wall of division 鈥� It鈥檚 been so beautiful to connect as a cohort and a family.鈥�

On Thursday, July 16, the cohort came together with 黑料不打烊 faculty and staff for 鈥淧izza with the Pros,鈥� an opportunity to network and also hear from and ask questions of a professional panel. Panelists included聽Luis Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center; Brandy Propst, director of 黑料不打烊 1010; Abdul-Malik Harrison 鈥�21, assistant director in the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education; Alaina Mills, community director for the Historic Neighborhood; John Moses Brownson, associate director of career advising pre-professional health; and Stephanie Baker, associate professor of public health studies.

The panelists gave a range of advice on topics including what they would tell their past self in college, how to build relationships with faculty/staff and how to manage social and academic life in college. They all emphasized that students should use the resources available to them at the university.

鈥淎sk for help, even when it’s the most difficult thing for you to do; make sure you reach out to all the resources that we’re sharing with you,鈥� Probst said.

The panelists advised the students that, while structure is important, college is also meant to be a time for exploration, and you shouldn鈥檛 be so strict that you miss out. Harrison, who graduated from 黑料不打烊 in 2021, noted that it鈥檚 important to be flexible and also accept failure as a learning opportunity.

鈥淵ou’re going to fall flat on your face a couple of times, but it鈥檚 how you get back up,鈥� Harrison said. 鈥淵ou have this plan, either written down, physically or in your head. Take it, ball it up, throw it away because it’s not going to necessarily turn out like that. Now, the end goal might look kind of like what you wanted it to be, but how you got there, it’s not going to look like that.鈥�

Brandy Davis 鈥�30, from Charlotte, North Carolina, plans to study accounting and says she鈥檚 enjoyed meeting new people and 鈥渃reating a sense of community and family鈥� throughout Odyssey Week.

鈥淓ven though we have differences, everyone respects each other and, if anything happens at the end of the day, I can always come back to Odyssey,鈥� said Davis.

To kick off聽the summer,聽Beyond聽12 welcomed聽50聽rising sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students to 黑料不打烊 for a hands-on exploration of career聽pathways and聽interests.聽Throughout two days, students traveled across聽campus,聽participated聽in interactive learning experiences, and engaged with 黑料不打烊 faculty, staff, and community聽members聽representing聽a variety of professional fields.

Each session聽offered聽a unique聽learning聽experience for the students.聽During an introduction to cinema and television arts led by Bryan Baker, director of technology, operations and multimedia projects in the School of Communications, students explored the university’s live television studio and聽viewed聽student made聽productions. Participants also gained hands-on聽experience聽such as with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Interprofessional Simulation Center, where Nita Skillman, director of the ISC, and Bethany Fearnow, simulation coordinator, introduced students to聽using聽healthcare simulation technology.聽In addition to exploring聽careers, students were able to聽observe聽different facilities on聽黑料不打烊鈥檚聽campus. During a sports management session led by Jenn Strawley, director of athletics, participants stepped into the world of collegiate athletics with a visit to the Schar Center, where they聽got a behind the scenes look at 黑料不打烊 Athletics.

“Spending time with the Beyond 12 program was such a rewarding experience. I appreciated聽their curiosity and loved their questions,鈥� said聽Strawley.聽鈥淚 hope that hearing about my journey and learning about career pathways in college athletics opened their minds to new possibilities and inspired them to continue to dream.鈥�

Students also had the opportunity to engage in thoughtful conversations with presenters, asking questions, and gaining deeper insight into different fields.

鈥淚 spoke with the students about what finance, corporate finance, and investment really are, and I was genuinely surprised by how interested they were,鈥� said Feng Dong, director of the Reed Finance Center. 鈥淢any asked great questions, and even the teachers were engaged. Beyond 12 gives students an early, hands-on look at fields they may not have considered,聽exactly the kind of exposure that can shape where they go next.鈥�

The program had an equally聽meaningful impact on聽the聽presenters聽involved. Dr. Janine A. Scott, founder of聽TriUnity聽Healthcare Inc., shared her story of overcoming adversity and creating positive change through her work in healthcare, and found herself thinking about the impact of programs such as Beyond 12.

鈥淚 really enjoyed myself during my interaction with both the students and staff,鈥� Scott said. 鈥淛ust hearing what they were doing prior to coming to our session made me wish I was a student again and able to participate.鈥�

Through experiences like these,聽Beyond聽12聽is聽helping聽students recognize聽a wide range of聽opportunities聽within their reach.

鈥淚 remarked to someone that I wish I had the opportunity to attend a program like this back in my day.聽I聽truly believe聽that exposure and representation聽matters, and that is exactly what these students gained from being part of the Beyond 12 program,鈥� said Scott.

Following the summer session,聽participating聽students from Turrentine Middle School and Broadview Middle School will聽attend聽monthly Beyond 12 sessions throughout the academic year, where they聽will continue聽to focus on career readiness and聽developing essential life skills.聽Beyond 12 programming is made possible through the generous support of NC Glaxo Smith Kline.

黑料不打烊 Academy, housed in 黑料不打烊’s聽Center for Access and Success, is a multi-phase program for academically promising high school students in Alamance County with a financial need and/or no family history of college.聽The Summer Academy, happening now, includes three consecutive summer residential experiences before the sophomore, junior and senior years of high school, as well as year-round Saturday programs for students and families.

The program is now entering its 20th year and welcoming the largest cohort in its history: the Phi cohort.聽

As students mingled with 黑料不打烊 faculty, staff and friends of the university, they reflected on their experiences on campus and in the 黑料不打烊 Academy program.

Jeffrey Johnson

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics / 黑料不打烊 Academy Upsilon cohort

鈥淚f I wasn鈥檛 here, I would not be talking to this many people. (The program) forces you to, in the best way possible, foster relationships with people and get to know one another,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淚 think my favorite part is the support systems that it offers you because when I applied, I knew I wanted to go to college, but I didn鈥檛 know if it would be as easy as it would be. Even though it鈥檒l probably still be hard, working with 黑料不打烊 Academy makes it feel possible.鈥�

Jean Carlos

Western High School / 黑料不打烊 Academy Phi Cohort

鈥淢y favorite part is definitely the community. I鈥檝e made so many friends just in the first week here, and everyone is so supportive. I have so many resources here, so I feel like that鈥檚 definitely the best part of being in 黑料不打烊 Academy,鈥� Carlos said. 鈥淢y favorite part of the programming is all the collaborative activities they have us doing. They usually have us do something that involves all of us together, and that really helps with involvement. No one gets left out.鈥�

Dylan Giordano

River Mill Academy / 黑料不打烊 Academy Phi Cohort

鈥淢y cohort is full of really great people. They鈥檙e all here for a reason, and everybody I interact with makes it a really good experience,鈥� Giordano said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of collaboration between different cohorts, staff and mentors. It feels like everybody is equal and we鈥檙e all working toward preparing us for college. It doesn鈥檛 feel like the teachers are above us. They鈥檙e supportive instead of authoritative.鈥�

Xavier Chavez

River Mill Academy / 黑料不打烊 Academy Phi cohort

鈥淓veryone here is amazing. It鈥檚 not just our cohort. It鈥檚 the staff, the mentors 鈥� they do an amazing job, and it鈥檚 truly amazing. We all work together. We鈥檙e all in this together,鈥� Chavez said. 鈥淢y favorite part of the programming is the EA 101 class. It鈥檚 not just about preparing us for college. It鈥檚 helping us find ourselves 鈥� our values, our purpose, our likes and dislikes. I like how they help us find ourselves before they put us out into the real world.鈥�

Alexa DeAlto

Clover Garden School / 黑料不打烊 Academy Upsilon cohort

鈥淢y favorite part is the opportunities, both with school and meeting people. I wouldn鈥檛 have met the people I鈥檝e met if it wasn鈥檛 for 黑料不打烊,鈥� DeAlton said. 鈥淢y favorite part of 黑料不打烊 Academy is how much we鈥檙e able to give back to the community through community service and the resources we have. It shows people that we鈥檙e thankful for what they do for us.鈥�

Zipporah Freeman

Southeast Alamance High School / 黑料不打烊 Academy Tau cohort

鈥淢y favorite part of 黑料不打烊 Academy right now is seeing our cohort come together. We struggled with that during the first two years, but this year everybody is communicating and working together,鈥� Freeman said. 鈥淚鈥檓 a very extroverted person, so I love talking to people and meeting new people in the community.鈥�

Ruby Elgin

Clover Garden Charter School / 黑料不打烊 Academy Tau cohort

鈥淏eing here on campus is great because it鈥檚 such a beautiful campus. I love getting the opportunity to explore all the amenities and see what the campus has to offer. Every year feels like a new tour because I get to see different buildings and learn something new,鈥� said Elgin. 鈥淢y favorite part of 黑料不打烊 Academy is being able to expand socially and academically at the same time. We get to do community service, network with people and get a jump start on the college process. Not everybody gets an opportunity like this, so I鈥檓 really thankful to be able to take advantage of a program like this.鈥�

Alongside this infographic, these stories highlight some of the positive impact across campus through community partnerships during the past academic year:

• 黑料不打烊 receives Carnegie classification for community engagement
• 黑料不打烊 recognized for advancing nonpartisan student civic engagement
• 黑料不打烊 creates community through Special Olympics and 黑料不打烊 Athletics partnership
• Turning service into impact: How an 黑料不打烊 alumna is bringing Alamance County together
• Literary Journalism class engages Town of 黑料不打烊 mayor in civic dialogue
• Writing for Impact students secure funding for local nonprofit
• Showing up, growing together: Inside KING/PINK Academy鈥檚 power of mentorship
• Students reflect on service, community and connection during Fall Break
• New HealthEU course encourages students to go 鈥榖eyond the 黑料不打烊 bubble鈥�
• 黑料不打烊 empowers staff to make an impact in the community through paid volunteer leave

For 黑料不打烊 student Berenice Sanchez Rosaldo, the event marked a full-circle moment.

Berenice Sanchez Rosaldo 鈥�29, a political science major who is in the 黑料不打烊 Academy and The Mac Mahon Family Scholar in the聽Odyssey Program, participated as a first-time presenter. She presented alongside Danielle Lake, director of the Center for Design Thinking, and Shannice Sellars, executive director of the African American Cultural Arts and History Center.

Their presentation, 鈥淧articipatory Place-shaping: How Community-led Counter Storying Encourages Civic Engagement,鈥� highlighted Sanchez Rosaldo鈥檚 work with the Center for Design Thinking. It focused on developing counter-stories that reflect participants鈥� communities and environments as a form of civic engagement.

Sanchez Rosaldo drew from personal experiences, including her high school, her father鈥檚 workplace, and the Dream Center 鈥� spaces she identified as influential in her development as a student, athlete and individual.

鈥淪eeing Berenice present her story was such a proud moment,鈥� said Melissa Chacon Villalobos, coordinator for well-being with 黑料不打烊 Academy. 鈥淲atching her grow from a high school freshman to a first-year student at 黑料不打烊, and seeing the impact she is already making in Alamance County, is incredibly meaningful.鈥�

Sanchez Rosaldo began this work before enrolling at 黑料不打烊, first connecting with Danielle Lake while attending Alamance Burlington Early College at ACC, where she completed a summer internship with local summer camps across Alamance County, creating lesson plans for kids ages 6-12 during her junior year of High School.

She also credits 黑料不打烊 Academy as instrumental in shaping her college journey.
鈥満诹喜淮蜢� Academy opened my eyes to the idea of college and created many opportunities for me,鈥� Sanchez Rosaldo said.

Now an Odyssey Scholar, Sanchez Rosaldo continues her work with the Center for Design Thinking through the Power + Place Collaborative and by leading design thinking workshops across campus.

The Center for Design Thinking focuses on creative, structured approaches to problem-solving. Its Power + Place Collaborative works with Alamance County leaders and community members to document and share stories that reflect the county鈥檚 diverse communities.

黑料不打烊 Academy supports academically promising, limited-income, and first-generation students, while the Odyssey Program provides merit-based scholarships and enrichment opportunities for students with demonstrated financial need.

鈥淲hat Berenice represents is exactly why 黑料不打烊 Academy exists – talented students who, with the right support and opportunities, go on to lead, contribute, and create change in their communities,鈥� said Emily Wiersma, director of the 黑料不打烊 Academy.

Together, the 黑料不打烊 Academy and Odyssey Scholars Program reflect 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to civic engagement and to supporting students and communities in Alamance County.

For Sanchez Rosaldo, the experience also carried personal and generational significance. Her mother attended the presentation, marking a milestone as she watched her daughter present at her first conference.

Her story reflects the broader impact of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 programs on students, their families, and their communities.

It also mirrors a larger, statewide commitment to civic engagement, as institutions across North Carolina continue this work through initiatives like the , which will take place in June 2026 and is hosted by North Carolina Campus Engagement. Together, these efforts highlight how experiences like the PACE conference are not just singular moments, but part of an ongoing cycle of learning, leadership and community impact.

This spring, members of the 黑料不打烊 Academy team traveled to schools across Alamance County to celebrate the milestone moment with 30 ninth-grade students: their admission into 黑料不打烊 Academy’s newest cohort. Gathered alongside family members, teachers, counselors, and school advocates who had supported them throughout their educational journeys, students learned they had been selected to join the largest incoming class in 黑料不打烊 Academy’s聽nearly 20-year聽history.

The celebrations marked the culmination of a redesigned recruitment and selection process that emphasized accessibility, family engagement, collaboration, and student-centered experiences. As 黑料不打烊 Academy enters its twentieth year, the expanded cohort reflects both the program’s continued growth and its enduring commitment to creating pathways to college access and success for students across Alamance County.

Led by Assistant Director Briston Whitt, 黑料不打烊 Academy’s revised聽recruitment聽and selection model introduced several significant enhancements, including a streamlined application process, redesigned group interview experiences, expanded family engagement opportunities, and increased collaboration with school, university, and community partners.

“Every aspect of the process was designed to create a more meaningful experience for students and families while ensuring we were able to identify Scholars who would聽really benefit from and聽thrive in the 黑料不打烊聽Academy community,” said Whitt. “We wanted students聽and their families聽to feel seen, supported, and connected to the program from their very first interaction with us.”

The recruitment cycle began with intentional collaboration between 黑料不打烊 Academy and its network of school-based advocates. Serving as liaisons between the聽黑料不打烊 Academy聽program and local schools, advocates聽provided聽valuable insight into the unique needs of their school communities and helped connect prospective students and families with information, resources and opportunities to learn more about the program.

Building on those partnerships, 黑料不打烊 Academy launched an extensive outreach effort that included school presentations, family information sessions, community events, social media campaigns and direct outreach to students throughout the Alamance-Burlington School System. The team also聽participated聽in events such as the ABSS Options Fair and school-based orientation programs, helping students and families begin exploring college access opportunities early in their high school careers.

The result was a strong and diverse applicant pool聽representing聽schools from across Alamance County.

Students advancing in the selection process聽submitted聽an essay and teacher recommendation, before聽participating聽in a redesigned group interview experience hosted聽for the first time ever聽on 黑料不打烊’s campus. Over three days, prospective scholars engaged in collaborative activities designed to assess communication, critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills while giving students an opportunity to experience 黑料不打烊 firsthand.

The campus-based format also created new opportunities for family engagement. While students聽participated聽in interviews and activities, family members were invited to remain on campus for programming focused on student success, wellbeing, and navigating the college preparation journey. Families learned more about the program’s expectations and connected with 黑料不打烊 Academy staff in a welcoming and supportive environment.

The redesigned model also expanded participation from university and community partners. Faculty and staff members, 黑料不打烊 Academy student leaders, College Scholars,聽and supporters joined the process as evaluators, providing prospective Scholars with meaningful interactions while gaining a firsthand understanding of the intentionality behind the selection process.聽Following the group interview phase, finalists聽participated聽in individual interviews conducted at their schools聽to complete the selection process.

The result was the selection of 30 exceptional students who will聽comprise聽the Phi Cohort, officially making it the largest incoming class in 黑料不打烊 Academy history.

“Expanding to聽30 Scholars represents more than a larger cohort size,” said Director Emily Wiersma. “It represents more students, more families, and more futures that will be impacted through the power of education, mentorship and opportunity. As we approach our twentieth year, it is exciting to see 黑料不打烊 Academy continuing to grow while remaining deeply committed to the mission that has guided us from the beginning.”

In early May, the newest scholars and their families returned to campus for New Scholar Orientation, an immersive introduction to 黑料不打烊 Academy and 黑料不打烊. Throughout the day, students聽participated聽in community-building activities, learned about program expectations, explored campus, connected with peers, and began building relationships that will support them throughout their 黑料不打烊 Academy journey.

Families聽participated聽in their own programming focused on building connections, learning about available resources and hearing directly from current Scholars and families about their experiences in the program. The orientation concluded with 黑料不打烊 Academy’s traditional Honors Ceremony, during which聽current 黑料不打烊 Academy College Scholars led聽students聽in聽formally committing themselves to the values and expectations of the program and received honor coins commemorating their official welcome into the 黑料不打烊 Academy family.

While orientation marked an important milestone, the Phi Cohort’s journey is just beginning.

Next week, scholars will return to campus for Summer Academy, one of 黑料不打烊 Academy’s signature experiences. During the program, students will live in residence halls,聽participate聽in academic enrichment opportunities, build relationships with mentors and peers and gain firsthand experience navigating a college environment. For many scholars, Summer Academy serves as the moment when 黑料不打烊 Academy truly comes to life聽–聽transforming a group of newly admitted students into a supportive community united by shared goals, aspirations, and opportunity.

Members of the 黑料不打烊 community will have several opportunities to engage with the newest cohort throughout the summer, including the annual 黑料不打烊 Academy Ice Cream Social. This beloved tradition brings together scholars, families, alumni, faculty, staff, donors and community supporters to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter and welcome the Phi Cohort into the broader 黑料不打烊 Academy community.聽Interested guests can .

As 黑料不打烊 Academy enters its twentieth year, the Phi Cohort聽represents聽more than a record-breaking class size. These 30 students embody the promise, potential, and perseverance that have defined 黑料不打烊 Academy since its founding. Their journey is just beginning, and the 黑料不打烊 community is invited to join in celebrating, supporting, and welcoming the newest generation of 黑料不打烊 Academy Scholars.

• 136 college acceptances from 38 different universities
• $2.5 million in merit scholarships and grants awarded to scholars
• Seven will join the Class of 2030 this fall at 黑料不打烊, three are headed to UNC Chapel Hill, and three more to UNC Charlotte, among other top schools
• Several earned some of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships North Carolina offers, including a Carolina Covenant Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill, an 黑料不打烊 Teaching Fellow, and a North Carolina Teaching Fellow

And for 黑料不打烊 President Connie Book, who addressed the 17th class of the 黑料不打烊 Academy at a recent dinner reception to recognize graduates of the university鈥檚 college access and success program, scholarships and college acceptances are more than a reflection of academic achievement. They鈥檙e a harbinger of future success.

鈥淭hese accomplishments, impressive as they are, are only a glimpse of the bright path that lies ahead of you,鈥� Book said. 鈥淭he 黑料不打烊 Academy was founded on a simple and powerful belief 鈥� that talent and potential exist in every community, and when that talent is matched with opportunity and support, there is no limit to what a young person can achieve. Each of you is living proof of that belief.鈥�

Book was joined by family members, mentors, program alumni and other university leaders on May 28, 2026, in celebration of the Sigma Class during the 黑料不打烊 Academy鈥檚 annual President鈥檚 Reception.

The 黑料不打烊 Academy is an intensive, comprehensive opportunity for academically promising high school students in Alamance County with a financial need and/or no family history of college. The 黑料不打烊 Academy Summer Academy program includes three consecutive summer residential experiences prior to the sophomore, junior and senior years, as well as year-round Saturday Academy programs for students and families.

As part of the ceremony in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms, Shawn Means, a member of the Alamance Burlington Early College Class of 2026, delivered the Sigma Scholar Speech to his 24 classmates. Means reflected at length on the ways 黑料不打烊 Academy shaped their development beyond academics.

鈥淲hen people talk about 黑料不打烊 Academy, they鈥檇 most likely give you a polished answer,鈥� Means said. 鈥淭hey talk about college preparation, leadership, and academic growth. All the things you can put on paper. And they wouldn鈥檛 be wrong. But they wouldn鈥檛 be telling the whole story.鈥�

Means emphasized how the program transformed participants not only as students but as people. 鈥淣ow we understand responsibility. Now we understand balance,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow we understand that freedom isn鈥檛 just given, it鈥檚 something you learn how to handle.鈥�

The reception was also the first in the 黑料不打烊 Academy鈥檚 nearly two decades of operation where alumni returned to be honored for their own graduations from college. Four 黑料不打烊 Academy College Scholars were applauded and presented with certificates commemorating their own recent college graduations.

Reception guests heard from Shiv Patel, a member of the Xi Class that graduated from high school in 2022. Now a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Patel encouraged members of the Sigma Class to stay true to themselves as they head to college.

鈥淪omeone told me that I did college right, and while I appreciated the notion, it鈥檚 not that I did college right, it鈥檚 that I led with my values,鈥� Patel said. 鈥淚 wanted the choices I made in college to be choices that reflected who I was and the background I came from. I never wanted to pretend to be someone I was not or do things that went against who I was.鈥�

The program concluded with another first for the 黑料不打烊 Academy – a presentation of scholarships to four Sigma Class graduates made possible through the philanthropy of those who recognized the power of the academy to change lives.

Mariam Rosales 鈥�17, a member of the Delta Class and an 黑料不打烊 graduate who today works in real estate, joined with Julio Santiago to create the awards. Honored in 2026 were:

• Lexie Bennett, River Mill Academy
• Jaime Carranza-Navarrete, Graham High School
• Shawn Means, Alamance Burlington Early College
• Naje Gray, Walter M. Williams High School

The reception was a final opportunity for scholars before leaving high school to be encouraged with support from mentors who have been with them over the past three years.

鈥淎s you step into this next chapter, know this: you are ready,鈥� said 黑料不打烊 Academy Director Emily Wiersma. 鈥淵ou have the tools, the resilience, and the heart to thrive. Life will bring challenges, yes, but it will also bring new mentors, new questions, and new opportunities to grow. Embrace it all. Stay curious. Stay connected to this community. Support from the 黑料不打烊 Academy does not end here today 鈥� most of all, continue to believe in yourself as fiercely as we believe in you.鈥�

黑料不打烊 Academy Assistant Director of College Success Manny Campos emphasized the same point in closing the program.

鈥淏elieve in yourself. Believe that all the struggles you鈥檝e faced prepared you and taught you what you need to succeed,鈥� he said. 鈥淵our college acceptances and your college degrees were no mistakes, you did that. Now let鈥檚 be real. It may get difficult. Life won鈥檛 always be rainbows and butterflies.

“On those days that feel heavy and you feel like giving up, because those days will come, remember everyone here, remember the journey, and remember why you stayed. You did the work and you are more than capable of succeeding.鈥�

As 黑料不打烊 honored its first-generation graduates during the annual stole ceremony on May 20 in McKinnon Hall, Assistant Director of First-Generation Student Support Services Kenneth Brown Jr. 鈥�19 turned to the words of American poet Lucille Clifton to capture the significance of the moment.

鈥溾�榃on鈥檛 you celebrate with me what I have shaped into a kind of life? I had no model,鈥欌�� Brown recited from Clifton鈥檚 poem, 鈥淲on鈥檛 you celebrate with me,鈥� using the passage to reflect on the journeys of the 70 students 鈥撀爄ncluding 10 graduate students 鈥撀爎ecognized during this year鈥檚 ceremony.

In his welcome, Brown explained to the soon-to-be graduates that the university was honoring not only their academic accomplishments, but also their spirit, commitment and resiliency.

鈥淭oday, we celebrate the paths each of these students has created 鈥撀燼 path that took shape as they walked on it,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e celebrate the legacy they are leaving on this campus as remarkable leaders and scholars, a beacon of light in a dark world. We celebrate all they have given to 黑料不打烊 and how they have made us a stronger, more inclusive institution.鈥�

Organized by First-Generation Student Support Services, an initiative within the Center for Access and Success, the ceremony marked the largest group recognized since the stole ceremony was established in 2020. The milestone served as a point of pride for participants, their families and the university.

Brown thanked gathered faculty, staff, mentors, family members and friends for supporting the students throughout their 黑料不打烊 journeys, emphasizing that the celebration reflected a shared commitment to first-generation student success.

Following Brown鈥檚 introduction, the ceremony transitioned to reflections from student keynote speaker Asia Green 鈥�26, a presentation of the first-generation stoles, a charge from Luis H. Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, and the announcement of this year鈥檚 1891 Awards recipients.

Finding the perseverance

During her keynote remarks, Green reminded fellow first-generation graduates that every student鈥檚 route to Commencement looked different 鈥� and that those differences deserved to be celebrated.

鈥淓very person in this room has a different story, a different struggle, and a different journey that brought them to this moment,鈥� said the exercise science major. 鈥淪ome of us barely made it through certain courses. Well, we鈥檙e here today! No matter what your journey looked like, you made it here, and that alone is something to be proud of.鈥�

The La Crosse, Virginia, native spoke candidly about overcoming fear and uncertainty throughout her college experience, urging students to move forward with confidence even when the future feels intimidating.

鈥淭o be a first-generation student means more to me than I can fully explain because it’s more than receiving a degree 鈥� it’s about traveling without a road map,鈥� she said.

Despite moments of self-doubt, Green flourished at 黑料不打烊, carving her own way. She built an impressive record of academic achievement and campus involvement while pursuing undergraduate research opportunities, leadership roles, and a study abroad experience in Costa Rica. Following graduation, Green said she will continue her education after being accepted into a doctoral occupational therapy program in Florida.

鈥淪uccess does not always require knowing all the answers or having everything planned,鈥� Green said. 鈥淔or me, it often meant intentionally choosing to stay despite significant challenges. Many of us have experienced times of uncertainty when giving up felt easier than continuing. However, by persevering through these difficult moments, we find new opportunities and directions that redefine our paths.鈥�

鈥淢y time at 黑料不打烊 taught me that where you come from does not define where you are going.鈥�

After Green鈥檚 keynote, graduates crossed the stage to receive their first-generation stoles from mentors, family members and supporters who shaped their 黑料不打烊 experiences.

Fittingly, the stole was designed by first-generation student Daisy Martinez-Jimenez 鈥�26, and 鈥渟ymbolizes the unique and complex journey that you all have taken to be in this moment,鈥� Brown said.

Along with the stole, students received an 黑料不打烊 lapel pin, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement, signifying their entry into the 黑料不打烊 alumni family.

Pay it forward

The event continued with an inspirational charge from Garay, drawing from their own experiences as a first-generation college student and current doctoral student.

Garay reflected on the significance of the moment not only for the students being recognized, but also for the families and communities who supported them along the way.

鈥淢y cultural roots are in the ranchos of Zacatecas, Mexico,鈥� Garay said. 鈥淢y family, like many immigrants, came to this country for the opportunity and a better life for their kids. So, my college graduation was not only mine but my parents’ and my family鈥檚 graduation, too. Maybe this is something some of you relate to as well.鈥�

Garay structured their remarks around three invitations for graduates as they move into the next chapter of their lives: honoring mentors, sharing knowledge, and paying it forward.

As part of their remarks, Garay encouraged graduates to recognize the mentors who helped them reach Commencement. Garay recalled a former supervisor who encouraged them early in their career and challenged graduates to think about the people whose support and encouragement sustained them throughout college. Garay even paused their remarks to invite graduates to send a text message thanking a mentor, family member or friend who helped guide them to graduation day.

鈥淢y last invitation to you all … take the knowledge you have gained and pay it forward,鈥� Garay said. 鈥淏y paying it forward, I mean using your knowledge, skills, expertise, social connections, or financial means to shift the reality for someone. As you go and leave 黑料不打烊 and enter your careers, I want to encourage you to find ways to give back to those who are coming after you.鈥�

Recognizing this year’s 1891 Awards recipients

Following the stole presentations, organizers recognized the recipients of the 2026 1891 Awards, honoring individuals who have advanced first-generation student success at 黑料不打烊.

Named in honor of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 first graduating class in 1891, the awards celebrate members of the campus community who embody the values of First-Generation Initiatives: empowerment, celebration, community, passion and authenticity.

This year鈥檚 recipients included:

• 1891 Award of Community: Emily Menjivar 鈥�26
• 1891 Award of Celebratory: Jana Lynn Patterson, associate vice president for student life/dean of student health and well-being, and Paula DiBiasio, associate professor of physical therapy education
• 1891 Award of Passion: Selma Mari膰 鈥�26
• 1891 Award of Empowerment: Daniella Alonzo Lopez 鈥�28
• 1891 Award of Authenticity: Jo-Rae Jennings G鈥�26, associate director of communications for Student Professional Development Center

Closing the ceremony, Cici Salazar 鈥�23, G鈥�26, encouraged graduates to reflect on the resilience and determination that carried them throughout their time at 黑料不打烊. The graduate apprentice for First-Generation Initiatives reminded students that the challenges they faced throughout college had already prepared them for the uncertainties that lie ahead.

鈥淭ake a moment to reflect on how far you鈥檝e come,鈥� Salazar said. 鈥淓ach challenge, setback and moment of uncertainty has shaped the strength and resilience that you brought to the stage today.鈥�

Salazar emphasized that graduates鈥� journeys at 黑料不打烊 were marked not only by personal achievement, but also by resilience, community and the responsibility to support future generations.

鈥淎s first-generation students, we have already proven that we can do hard things,鈥� Salazar said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e broken barriers, created opportunities, and paved the paths for ourselves and those who will follow after us. More now than ever, we must continue showing up for one another with compassion, strength and authenticity.鈥�

Supported by a grant from Alamance Arts, CREATE (Cultivating Rhythm, Expression, Art, Theatre and Engagement) launched its pilot program this spring with weekly sessions hosted on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus. Over the course of nine weeks, students in second through fifth grade rotated through three artistic disciplines: theatre arts, dance and visual arts. Each discipline was led by experienced instructors who developed an engaging curriculum designed to encourage creativity, collaboration and self-expression.

Briston Whitt 鈥�23 led theatre arts instruction throughout the semester. Whitt, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in acting from 黑料不打烊, introduced students to physical expression, improvisation and scene work. By the end of the semester, students could perform short scenes that showcased the skills and confidence they developed throughout the program.

“I absolutely enjoyed working with CREATE as聽a聽drama instructor this spring. My favorite part was watching students step聽further and further聽out of their comfort zones each week and truly begin to see themselves as actors and performers.聽Each week聽they committed to stepping into the imaginary world and聽embodying the courage to try new things no matter how聽new and silly they felt.聽It was also really cool to see how involved the volunteers became throughout the process.聽They聽fully聽committed聽to the activities聽as well and聽modeled the same courage聽and energy聽we were looking for in聽the students,” said Whitt.

“Seeing how immersed everyone became in the experience was such a reminder of the timelessness and magic of theatre,” Whitt said. “It reaches people of every age and has a unique way of bringing us聽all聽together. For the students, it created a space to be creative, build confidence, and step outside the box. For the volunteers and聽myself, it was a reminder of the power of play聽even in seasons of life that can feel聽more serious.”

Kate Gunter, an art teacher at Woodlawn Middle School, led visual arts instruction for the program. Through lessons inspired by artists including Frank Stella, Claude Monet and Minnie Evans, students explored a variety of artistic concepts and mediums. Activities focused on geometry, symmetry and watercolor painting left students with an improved understanding of how they can advance their artistic skillset.

鈥淪tudents loved learning about different artists and how they were inspired to create. These insights encouraged our young artists to discover their own inspirations as they emulated the techniques and styles of established artists,” said Gunther.

Furthermore, the program has been able to provide a mentorship experience for 黑料不打烊 students. With the opportunity to volunteer with one of the disciplines across nine weeks of programming, volunteers fostered connections with the students and worked alongside them at each session.

鈥淚 loved working with the students in CREATE,鈥� said Kennedy Williams, a finance and business analytics major and The Susan scholarship recipient in the Odyssey Program who volunteered with the theatre arts program. 鈥淚t was so rewarding to watch them grow artistically and open up more as the weeks progressed.鈥�

Additionally, several 黑料不打烊 student organizations partnered with CREATE throughout the semester by leading activities connected to their organization鈥檚 mission and artistic focus. Participating groups included Divine Embers, Muses Show Choir, Dance Lab, Alpha Xi Delta, Colonnades Literary and Art Journal, WSOE 89.3 FM, NewWorks and the Yarn Arts Club. Student organizations introduced students to a variety of artistic experiences, from crochet lessons to choreography workshops, and built upon the foundations of the curriculum.

Natalie Dixon 鈥�26, a senior double majoring in dance science and dance

performance and choreography, had the opportunity to lead dance instruction through her involvement with Dance Lab, a student organization focused on integrating dance and STEM disciplines. Through a collaboration with CREATE, Dixon applied her undergraduate research during the session to assist students with understanding different ways they can move.

鈥淚 really enjoyed working with the kids through the CREATE program,鈥� Dixon said. 鈥淭hey were all very enthusiastic and open to learning new things, which made the experience especially rewarding. You could tell that the program created a very positive and encouraging environment for them, and it was great to see everyone engaged and excited to participate.鈥�

The CREATE program reflects the Village Project鈥檚 mission of strengthening connections between Alamance-Burlington families and 黑料不打烊 through collaborative learning experiences. The initiative will continue expanding in the coming academic year through a $5,000 Community Grant from the Alamance Community Foundation, which will support future CREATE programming and continue to broaden access to arts education for local students.

Interested in joining the impact? Help support future Village programming .