黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book offered her insight on the implications of artificial intelligence during an expert panel hosted by The Conference Board, a global, nonprofit think tank and business membership organization.

The virtual panel on May 21 featured Book; Anand Eswaran, chief executive officer of Veeam; and Joe Sutherland, director of the Center for AI Learning at Emory University, and it focused on five issues:

1. How leading companies are prioritizing AI use cases that deliver measurable ROI
2. How organizations are building AI governance – risk management, privacy, security and compliance – without slowing innovation
3. What “scaling AI” looks like in practice across key functions
4. How policy can support an AI innovation ecosystem while managing potential risks
5. How policymakers could help prepare employees to succeed in firms using AI

All of the panelists were asked about one development they think people underestimate about the way AI may reshape business, work or daily life. For Book, it’s the “deepening value of humanness.”

“Most people are asking this question … about which jobs AI will replace, but the bigger story is what human capabilities will become newly scarce and newly valuable,” she said. “I think of those as judgments, and the ability to build trust, mentor, and ask better questions are all human capabilities. The institutions and organizations that invest in that are going to be the leaders in five years.”

Book was asked about 黑料不打烊’s research on AI in higher education, including聽a November 2025 survey of 1,057 faculty by the聽American Association of Colleges and Universities聽and聽黑料不打烊’s Imagining the Digital Future Center. The survey found widespread concern and skepticism about generative artificial intelligence affecting their teaching and student performance across academic disciplines.

“Faculty are not, by majority, anti-AI. They are deeply concerned that we get it right, that we get it right in our universe, and they’re looking for leadership on that,” Book said. “A majority of faculty already said they’re teaching AI literacy … They’re teaching things about bias, hallucinations, ethics and integrity. You see this unfold across universities.”

The survey also found concern over the over-reliance on AI by students. Book noted that it’s important to differentiate “over-reliance” from cheating.

“This is an over-reliance where they’re diminishing critical thinking,” she said. “They’re ‘AI dependent’ on what the answer is, rather than ‘human dominant,’ which is where we want them to take all of those liberal arts and learning skills, and really be human dominant through the technology.”

Eswaran said that adaptability to AI will be key for the workforce, and Book said that AI could even lead to more room for a liberal arts education and better workforce preparation for students.

“I think it creates even more demand for a liberal arts background,” she said. “We tend to think of ‘either or’ 鈥� either you’re a technical skills person, a STEM person, or a liberal arts person. I do think the ‘and’ is going to be even more critical in our understanding.”

When arrived at 黑料不打烊 as a first-year student, she envisioned a future in physical therapy.

Four years later, the graduating senior leaves 黑料不打烊 not only with two majors, but with published scholarship, national conference presentations, and a growing passion for research that ultimately reshaped her career ambitions.

This winter, the native of Walnut Creek, California, served as lead author on a research publication in the , collaborating with 黑料不打烊 faculty members Alex Traugutt, Caroline Ketcham and Eric Hall. The publication represents the latest milestone in a research journey that began during her sophomore year, when she approached Ketcham about becoming involved with 黑料不打烊 BrainCARE.

鈥淎t the time, I was an exercise science major planning to apply to physical therapy school, so while I was genuinely interested in concussions and brain health, I also saw research as a way to deepen my involvement at 黑料不打烊 and strengthen my future applications,鈥� McAfee said.

As she became more involved with research, McAfee鈥檚 interests evolved beyond concussions and brain injuries. While reviewing existing scholarship, she became increasingly interested in the ways athletics influence student-athletes off the playing field.

鈥淥ne article in particular sparked my curiosity about how sports shape athletes beyond their playing careers,鈥� McAfee said. 鈥淭his led me to explore whether competitive sports help develop career readiness and how athlete identity may influence academic performance.鈥�

Those experiences ultimately inspired McAfee to add sport management as a second major, where she met Traugutt during her first course in the department.

鈥淟ucy is an intellectually driven student researcher who, over nearly three years of collaboration, led data collection, identified research topics and conducted analyses that resulted in two first-author peer-reviewed publications before completing her undergraduate degree,鈥� said Traugutt, assistant professor of sport management.

Traugutt explained that McAfee distinguished herself through both her intellectual curiosity and her ability to connect research with practical application.

鈥淲hat sets Lucy apart is her ability to bridge scholarship and practice,鈥� Traugutt said, noting that she has presented research twice at the Applied Sport Management Conference and participated in multiple SURF and SURE programs.

McAfee said that working closely with Traugutt, Ketcham and Hall helped strengthen both her confidence and critical-thinking skills.

鈥淲hen I first started doing research, I felt uncertain about my future and my own abilities,鈥� McAfee said. 鈥淒r. Alex Traugutt, Dr. Caroline Ketcham and Dr. Eric Hall each played a key role in guiding me, giving me direction, and helping me build confidence in my research skills.鈥�

She especially valued the collaborative nature of the work.

鈥淚 particularly enjoyed our meetings 鈥撀爀specially the ones at The Oak House 鈥撀爓here we would dissect the data together,鈥� McAfee said. 鈥淐onsistently learning and discussing research with such knowledgeable professors pushed me to think more critically and challenged me to contribute insights of my own.鈥�

McAfee鈥檚 recent publication is not expected to be her last contribution to the field. In addition to a forthcoming publication in Case Studies in Sport Management examining career readiness programming for student-athletes, she and Traugutt recently submitted a third research paper examining the NCAA transfer portal and high school recruiting opportunities in college football to the Journal of Applied Sport Management.

That research grew out of McAfee鈥檚 desire to better understand the rapidly changing dynamics of college athletics.

鈥淢y interest in the transfer portal stemmed from conversations during my time at the ACC, where its impact on various stakeholders was frequently discussed,鈥� said McAfee, who completed an internship with the Power 4 conference last summer. 鈥淗owever, I noticed there was limited research regarding its effects on high school athletes. I saw that as an opportunity to contribute meaningful new knowledge to the field of sport management.鈥�

Traugutt said McAfee鈥檚 work stands out for both its academic rigor and its broader relevance within athletics and higher education.

鈥淗er work examining athletic identity, career readiness and student-athlete development is not only carefully designed and executed, but deeply meaningful, directly addressing questions that matter to practitioners and institutions alike,鈥� Traugutt said.

McAfee also served as an executive intern with 黑料不打烊 Athletics, an experience Traugutt said complemented the practical focus of her research.

After graduation, McAfee will pursue a master鈥檚 degree in higher education at Boston College, where she will hold two graduate assistantships 鈥� one as a student-athlete academic adviser within Boston College Athletics and another with Tufts Medical School鈥檚 graduate student services department.

Traugutt said those opportunities speak to both McAfee鈥檚 academic growth and the practical focus she brought to her research throughout her time at 黑料不打烊.

鈥淭hese achievements reflect a student who takes her work seriously and understands its real-world implications,鈥� Traugutt said. 鈥淚 have no doubt she will carry that same curiosity, independence and commitment into her graduate studies at Boston College and beyond.鈥�

As Commencement approaches, McAfee said her undergraduate research experiences transformed her 黑料不打烊 journey in ways she never anticipated.

鈥淲hen I received my acorn at convocation, I never imagined I would be doing research at this level,鈥� McAfee said. 鈥淣ow, as I prepare to receive my sapling at Baccalaureate, I鈥檓 incredibly grateful for the opportunities and support that made that possible.鈥�

On Dec. 6, 2025, day started not in 黑料不打烊, but Charlotte.

By 8 a.m., the 黑料不打烊 senior was already at the Spectrum Center, one of the Queen City鈥檚 marquee entertainment venues, helping with operations for a neutral-site college basketball matchup between Dayton and Virginia. Hours later, she was darting through the tunnels of Bank of America Stadium as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship Game staff, helping coordinate pregame activities, managing an on-field photo experience for youth teams, and assisting with postgame celebrations after Duke鈥檚 dramatic victory over Virginia.

In between, there were meetings, setup responsibilities, logistics and constant communication. The football championship game eventually stretched beyond regulation, adding even more chaos to an already packed day.

For Selikoff, though, the day never felt overwhelming.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 really feel like work because I love what I鈥檓 doing,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding because you ultimately get to see the experience that it brings at the end of the day.鈥�

That whirlwind Saturday last fall captured much of Selikoff鈥檚 黑料不打烊 experience 鈥� ambitious, hands-on and deeply connected to the sport industry she hopes to build a career in after graduation.

A double major in cinema and television arts and sport management, Selikoff arrived at 黑料不打烊 from northern New Jersey already knowing she wanted a university where relationships with professors and classmates grew naturally. After visiting campus during her senior year of high school, the decision came quickly.

鈥淭he second we drove through campus, I told my parents, 鈥業鈥檓 done,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淚 knew this was where I wanted to be.鈥�

Once at 黑料不打烊, she wasted little time getting involved.

Selikoff joined 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision during her first semester and directed her first broadcast before fall break. She also became involved with the Sport Management Society, an organization that shaped much of her college experience, and Women Influencers in Sports. After serving in various leadership roles, she now leads the society as president, helping connect students with industry professionals through networking events, facility tours and guest speakers.

鈥淲hat stands out most about Abby is her ability to pair intellectual curiosity with real-world execution,鈥� said Shaina Dabbs, associate professor and chair in the Department of Sport Management. 鈥淪he is someone who doesn鈥檛 just show up, she fully invests in every opportunity in front of her. Simply put, she says 鈥榶es.鈥� Whether in the classroom, in research, or in the industry, Abby consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a genuine desire to learn.鈥�

Selikoff鈥檚 willingness to embrace opportunity eventually led her to participate in The Sport Experience in Charlotte during fall 2024, where she balanced 18 credit hours with internships at both NASCAR and the ACC.

At NASCAR, she worked with digital products, supporting the organization鈥檚 website, app, fantasy platform and fan rewards program. Simultaneously, she served as a Football Game Day Operations Center intern with the ACC, monitoring games and helping ensure smooth coordination between on-site officials and conference staff in Charlotte.

By the end of the semester, Selikoff had completed more than 500 internship hours.

The experience 鈥撀燼nd her work ethic 鈥撀爋pened the door to additional opportunities with the ACC. Over the next two years, Selikoff worked more than 25 football games while also supporting conference championships and events in basketball, gymnastics, baseball and tennis.

One of her favorite experiences came when the ACC sent her on-site to shadow replay officials during football games at North Carolina and N.C. State, attending pre- and post-game meetings in the process.

鈥淏eing part of those big-game environments was incredible,鈥� Selikoff said. 鈥淚 got to see firsthand the communication between the game officials and Charlotte, and then bring what I learned back into the office.鈥�

Dabbs said Selikoff fully embraced 黑料不打烊鈥檚 experiential learning model.

鈥淎bby is a great example of a student who maximized the 黑料不打烊 experience by intentionally connecting academics with industry opportunities,鈥� Dabbs said. 鈥淲hat is particularly impressive is how she did not treat these as isolated experiences 鈥撀爏he built a cohesive skillset across operations, media and fan engagement.鈥�

Alongside her internships and leadership roles, Selikoff also immersed herself in undergraduate research under the mentorship of Young Do Kim, associate professor of sport management, and Tony Weaver, associate dean in the School of Communications.

Since fall 2023, she has investigated how professional sports organizations market sustainability initiatives and how those efforts shape consumer perceptions, gaining valuable insights into sustainability, marketing and environmental communications. The research led her to complete IRB approval and CITI certification, present at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, and share her findings at the Sport Marketing Association Conference in Arizona. Additionally, she is currently working on a manuscript based on her results.

鈥淚 never thought I would be doing undergraduate research,鈥� Selikoff admitted. 鈥淏ut I鈥檝e loved it throughout the entire process.鈥�

Beyond academics and internships, Selikoff credits 黑料不打烊鈥檚 faculty mentors with helping her grow personally and professionally.

She points to Kim, Dabbs, Weaver and Staci Saltz, chair of the Department of Cinema and Television Arts, as key influences throughout her four years on campus.

鈥淭he Sport Management Department is incredibly close-knit,鈥� Selikoff said. 鈥淚t feels kind of like a family. I can go to professors for anything 鈥撀爓hether it鈥檚 personal or academic 鈥撀燼nd they鈥檝e all had a strong impact on me.鈥�

Fittingly, Selikoff鈥檚 黑料不打烊 experience actually became a family affair when her younger sister, Emily, enrolled at the university two years ago. The two regularly meet for meals, cross paths in the School of Communications, and share many of the same academic interests.

鈥淚t鈥檚 honestly been really great having her here,鈥� Selikoff said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like having an extra piece of home.鈥�

After graduation, Selikoff hopes to return to Charlotte and continue building a career in sports media, communications or event operations. Whatever path she ultimately takes, she leaves 黑料不打烊 with the kind of hands-on experience many young professionals spend years trying to find.

Drawn by the strength of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 student life program and the opportunity to grow professionally, Patterson arrived in 1986 planning to stay only a short time.

鈥淭he student life program at 黑料不打烊 was well-regarded at the state and in the region and in the country even back in 1986,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 saw it as an opportunity to be a part of that staff and to grow professionally. And then 黑料不打烊 just grew into our home.鈥�

Over the years, Patterson witnessed 黑料不打烊鈥檚 transformation from a small college into a nationally recognized university.

鈥淲hat I didn鈥檛 appreciate at the beginning was how the physical transformation was really the precursor for the cultural transformation of the institution,鈥� she said.

That cultural transformation is most visible in her work with students. Known affectionately as 鈥淒ean P,鈥� Patterson built her leadership approach through relationships grounded in accessibility, respect and authenticity. She emphasized servant leadership, encouraging students to see leadership not as personal elevation, but as a contribution to a larger community.

鈥淚 was going to be a good listener with them, but also going to ask them the tough questions so that the decisions that they made were aligned with both their values and the values of the institution,鈥� she said.

This approach also shaped her work with student government. Patterson balanced openness with accountability, pushing students to slow down, ask better questions and fully understand the implications of their ideas. Rather than reacting in the moment, students were expected to research, refine and sometimes rethink their positions.

“Before you bring this for legislation, I want you to do your homework,鈥� she said. 鈥淏e thoughtful and be a critical thinker.鈥�

For Patterson, the most enduring measure of her work is what students carry forward. Watching alumni grow into leaders, mentors and engaged citizens has reinforced her belief in higher education as both a space for learning and transformation.

As she steps into retirement, Patterson remains optimistic about 黑料不打烊鈥檚 future. She points to the university鈥檚 ability to balance tradition with innovation while staying grounded in its values.

鈥淚鈥檓 in my jubilee year, as we call it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 get a little emotional at 黑料不打烊 Day and those things, but I鈥檝e received the gift to be able to reflect in a place that has been such an integral part of my life and my family鈥檚 lives.鈥�

For all of Patterson鈥檚 contributions over her 40-year career, from mentoring generations of students to strengthening the university鈥檚 focus on student health and well-being, her service reflects what President Book described as 鈥渁 job well done.鈥�

Learn more about the podcast and listen to the episode here.

For Mirai, her short film shoot was an opportunity to both produce her original script and bring together several 黑料不打烊 alumni for a Hollywood reunion. Serving in various production capacities on her 鈥�#StopAsianKate鈥� were Lauren Gadd 鈥�06, who worked camera, Katie Laurence 鈥�24, who worked as assistant camera, Alicia Reynolds 鈥�07, who acted in the film, Stevie Kloeber 鈥�07, who traveled to Los Angeles from Minnesota to serve as script supervisor, and Dean Karasinski 鈥�06, who worked in production design, art department, craft services and as producer.

All three short films, Boyd鈥檚 鈥淭he Life and Time of …,鈥� Evans鈥檚 鈥淪hadow Dusk鈥� and Mirai鈥檚 鈥�#StopAsianKate,鈥� will have their world premieres at the first 黑料不打烊 Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Festival, in late July.

The next week at the annual Org Fair, while visiting tables and, as he puts it, 鈥渇eeling kind of sarcastic,鈥� Jacob got out a piece of notebook paper, wrote at the top 鈥淢ilk Club Interest Form鈥� and began asking for support. Within two hours, he had 68 signatures.

The pressure was on. As president of the potential new group, Jacob had to create a fully formed concept and structure. That night he reconvened his friends. His suitemate and club vice president, exercise science major Jonathan Loeb 鈥�27, says people were drawn to the idea because it was 鈥渓ow stakes鈥� and invited people of all interests and backgrounds to come together.

鈥淢aybe what we鈥檙e doing is silly for a lot of people, but at the end of the day we鈥檙e giving a sense of belonging,鈥� Jonathan says, 鈥渋ncluding those who don鈥檛 fit into traditional campus organizations.鈥�

What began as whimsy has grown into one of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 most engaged student organizations, with more than 160 active members and recognition as the outstanding new student organization for 2025. The Milk Club has hosted trivia and karaoke nights, the 鈥淪pilled Milk Poetry Night,鈥� scavenger hunts, trips to Ran-Lew Dairy Farm and a formal 鈥淢ilk Soir茅e鈥� that drew about 300 students.

The group also collaborates with others across campus, organizing events like 鈥淭he Cownival,鈥� 鈥淢oovin鈥� to Beat Blood Cancer鈥� and 鈥淪ip of Sunnah鈥� during Ramadan.

Jacob and Jonathan love the fun nature of the group, but they鈥檝e also reflected on its impact.

鈥淸During COVID], students joined professional organizations for their careers, but sometimes forgot what was good for their mental and social well-being,鈥� Jacob says. 鈥淭his club helps people connect on a different level.鈥�

They are now using the experience as the basis for an undergraduate research project, 鈥淢ore Than a Glass of Milk: Building Belonging Through Joy.鈥� Associate Teaching Professor Marna Winter, the club鈥檚 adviser, says what started as a joke has a meaningful purpose.

鈥淢y research centers on relational and joy-centered pedagogy,鈥� Marna says. 鈥淲hen students feel like they belong, they have more resilience, more academic success and greater retention. There鈥檚 a direct correlation.鈥�

The spontaneous success of the Milk Club captures something essential about 黑料不打烊. Students can follow their passions with creativity and gusto, learn lessons about leadership and success, and practice joy alongside hard work. I am so proud of these students for showing us the whey to make our university healthier and more connected.

Connie Ledoux Book
President

Kari Taylor ’09 will be transitioning from her current role in the President’s Office to a new position as 黑料不打烊’s Deputy Chief Integration Officer, based in Charlotte. Beginning June 1, Kari will play a pivotal role in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 integration efforts, bringing the relationship-building expertise, collaborative efforts and strategic vision she has demonstrated through her extensive leadership at 黑料不打烊.

An 黑料不打烊 alumna who earned both her undergraduate degree and MBA, Kari joined the President’s staff in 2018 and has been instrumental in amplifying campus engagement through innovative strategies and meaningful initiatives, such as the 1923 Commemoration, fostering trust and building community.

Director of New Student Programs Emily Krechel will transition to the President’s Office as Deputy Chief of Staff for Campus Engagement and Strategic Initiatives, also effective June 1. Emily joined the 黑料不打烊 community in 2017 and holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from UNC Greensboro, where her research focused on equity and student success, and her career includes leadership roles at UC Berkeley, Earlham College, and now 黑料不打烊.

As co-chair of the university’s Mentoring Initiative Design Team and former chair of Staff Advisory Council, Emily is a dedicated advocate for meaningful relationships on campus and embodies our commitment to student-centered excellence. Her deep belief in our mission, passion for student development, and proven ability to build transformative programs make her an outstanding addition to our team.

“These transitions reflect the strength of 黑料不打烊’s leadership pipeline and our commitment to positioning talented colleagues where they can have the greatest impact,” said President Connie Ledoux Book in an email to the university community. “Please join me in congratulating Kari on her new opportunity and welcoming Emily to her expanded role.”

The story focuses on how Alamance County is preparing for long-term economic shifts, including an aging workforce and the increasing integration of AI across industries. During the summit, Book emphasized the importance of taking a forward-looking approach to these challenges.

鈥淲e actually have five generations in the workplace working side by side for the first time in history right now in the United States,鈥� Book said. 鈥淚 believe that the businesses that thrive in the future will be the ones who can put a lot of brain power behind that and leverage it for the future of their business.鈥�

**

I am deeply saddened to share news of the death of Janice J. Ratliff, a beloved former staff member whose life and work shaped the heart of this institution for more than three decades. She died Wednesday, March 25 at the age of 82. A native of 黑料不打烊, Janice served the university with insight, affection, and unwavering dedication for 35 years, leaving an enduring legacy of care, mentorship, and service.

Janice joined the 黑料不打烊 community in 1981 as an administrative assistant in the Office of Cooperative Education. Over the course of her career, she went on to serve in the Office of the Vice President and Dean of Students, the Office of Student Development, the Office of Auxiliary Services, and ultimately the Office of Student Health and Wellness. In every role she held, Janice brought compassion, professionalism and a listening ear鈥攑roviding essential support to faculty and staff while offering reassurance and comfort to students and their families, often far from home.

With her ever-present smile and gentle strength, Janice was a trusted mentor and role model, particularly for Black students and first-generation students. At a time when there were few Black staff members on campus, she became a vital and visible source of encouragement, belonging and advocacy. She served as a devoted adviser to the Black Cultural Society (now the Black Student Union), the Gospel Choir, and 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Finest, and she was an indispensable presence at the Phillips-Perry Black Excellence Awards Celebration, serving on its awards committee and faithfully supporting the annual event. Her commitment also extended to more than a decade of service to the Student Government Association, further reflecting her belief in empowering students and helping them thrive.

In 1999, she received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, followed by recognition as Professional Hourly Staff Member of the Year in 2006. In 2010, the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network honored her for her dedication to the success of Black students. Student organizations further ensured her legacy by naming two awards in her honor: the Black Student Union Janice Ratliff Community Service Award and the Student Government Association鈥檚 Janice J. Ratliff Award for Organization Volunteer of the Year.

Janice retired in 2016 and in 2017 she received the 黑料不打烊 Medallion, the university鈥檚 highest honor. One of the most profound tributes to Janice鈥檚 impact came with the naming of the Janice Ratliff Building in 2021, making her the first Black staff member in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 history to have a campus building named in her honor.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Ratliff, who passed away in 2005. She is survived by her daughters, Karla Leath and Kandace Wright, granddaughters Aiesha Leath and Imani Leath and great-granddaughter, Niyah Deberry.

Services will be held on the 黑料不打烊 campus in the Alumni Gym in the Koury Center on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Service arrangements are being handled by聽Sharpe Funeral Home聽and are as follows:

• Funeral Services will begin at 12:30 p.m.
• Burial will be in Alamance Memorial Park immediately following the service
• Parking is available in the Oaks Parking Lot on Williamson Avenue

Cards and condolences may be sent to:
The Family of Janice Ratliff
Office of the University Chaplain
Campus Box 2960
黑料不打烊, NC 27244

This new, customized workshop also presented an opportunity for 黑料不打烊 LA students to learn from and share the creative process with a group of students from other study-away LA colleges and universities, who, along with 黑料不打烊 Los Angeles, are members of a coalition of nearly 20 schools that offer semester-in-LA programs. Each semester, 黑料不打烊 LA and these other schools share professional development opportunities for students, allowing them to mix, mingle, network and learn together.

Each semester, 黑料不打烊 students explore and discover Los Angeles and the diversity of professional career opportunities that await them through academic classes with professors who work in the industries that align with their courses, immersive, site-based experiential learning, alumni engagement and community service.

Applications for the Study USA Los Angeles spring 2027 Creative Industries & Community Experience open on April 1. Students can visit the聽 to learn more and to begin the application process.