Originally a left-handed pitcher recruited to play baseball, Mooney鈥檚 plans shifted overnight when an injury sidelined him before he ever took the field. The setback pushed him into new experiences: student government, leadership fellows, Sigma Chi and a community of mentors who helped him recognize his potential beyond athletics.

鈥淚 was also very fortunate to have some amazing mentors on campus,” he said. “Whether that was, Fred Young and Ron Klepcyk, Gerald Gibson, Gerald Francis, Jana Lynn Patterson, Rex Waters, Dr. Jo Williams鈥� these were people that spoke into me that said, 鈥榃e want you to learn.鈥欌��

Mooney carried that growth mindset into motorsports, eventually working with agencies, global brands, race teams and major sponsors. His roles gave him a rare 360-degree view of the business behind the sport in communications, partnerships, crisis management, and team operations across more than 850 races. He describes motorsports as a living case study in teamwork and continuous improvement.

鈥淓ven if you won on Sunday, Monday morning was, 鈥極kay, what are we going to do differently? What are we going to improve on?鈥欌�� he said.

After 25 years, Mooney made another shift by leaving the constant travel of racing to launch Mooney Consulting Group and support the development of Pocono Organics. He describes the transition as both the most challenging and most necessary chapter of his life, driven by a need for sustainable pace, deeper family presence, and renewed purpose.

鈥淲hat if the last ten, 15, 20 years of your life were the setup for the next 20, 25 years of your life?鈥� he asked.

Much of Mooney鈥檚 current work centers on values-based leadership and proactive reputation building, themes that anchor his book鈥�淩eputation Shift.鈥� Drawing on years of crisis response inside motorsports, he encourages leaders to live their values out loud, strengthening reputation before it is tested.

鈥淚t hit me that, you know, reputation was always reactive. It was a, 鈥榃hat now?鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淚f we could live our values out loud, you probably wouldn鈥檛 have an issue with reputation because it鈥檚 coming from a place that鈥檚 truly yours.鈥�

President Book and Mooney also reflect on defining early experiences, which include their shared memories of working at Kmart as teenagers, and how small moments of integrity and decision-making become early milestones in a leadership journey.

This episode captures the energy, humility, and clarity that have guided Mooney鈥檚 work. His path from unexpected change to purposeful leadership serves as a reminder that transformation begins the moment you decide to change lanes.

Listen to the full episode on , or .

鈥淓xcellent public schools create meaningful opportunity for every North Carolinian to succeed,鈥澨齭aid Governor Josh Stein.听鈥淭his commission represents a bipartisan commitment and an opportunity to make North Carolina鈥檚 public schools the best in the nation.鈥�

The Blue Ribbon Commission is tasked with examining teacher training and student advancement, administrative operations, educational leadership and accountability. Members of the Blue Ribbon Commission were jointly appointed by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

“The educational opportunities in North Carolina open a world of possibilities for our citizens,”听said Senate Leader Phil Berger.听鈥淚t鈥檚 imperative that we continue to work collaboratively to ensure North Carolinians have the skills they need to enter the workforce. We need everyone 鈥� business leaders, educators, and policymakers 鈥� to come together to meet the real-world needs of our students. I look forward to seeing the proposals this group suggests to improve educational outcomes for all students.鈥�

黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book was featured in a on how college administrators are confronting major disruptions in the higher education landscape, including international enrollment challenges and artificial intelligence adoption.

The article, 鈥�How 3 college administrators are tackling higher education disruption,鈥� highlights remarks Book made during a panel at the American Council on Education鈥檚 annual conference in Washington, D.C.听

Book pointed to tightening visa policies and shifting global student flows as key pressures facing institutions nationwide. She noted that even colleges not heavily dependent on international enrollment are feeling the effects of broader declines in traditional student populations.

鈥淚f you rely on immigration and international students as the primary driver of your enrollment strategy, you are vulnerable,鈥� Book said.

Reflecting on how disruptions beyond 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus could affect the national higher education ecosystem, Book added, 鈥淲e鈥檙e losing domestic students because of the hole that other schools are filling,鈥� signaling that competitive pressures ripple across institutions when one segment of the student market contracts.听

On the topic of artificial intelligence, Book noted that a liberal arts education could help students use AI in their work.

鈥淭his is going to breathe life into skill sets around philosophy, religion, problem-solving, history,鈥澨鼴ook听said. 鈥淭he human side is going to get a new burst of energy because that鈥檚 where the skill sets of connecting the dots and critical thinking live.鈥�

The event will take place on听Thursday, April 16, at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi.听A reception including a hosted bar and hors d鈥檕euvres will begin at 6:30 p.m.,听followed by a program featuring remarks by President Connie Ledoux Book.听A dessert reception will听conclude听the evening.

6:30听p.m.听听Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
7:30听p.m.听听Program with remarks by President Connie L. Book
8 p.m.听听Dessert reception
The event will conclude at 9 p.m.

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi
Vertigo Room
10400 NE听4th听St.听Suite 3100
Bellevue,听WA听98004

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

Register at听 or contact听advancement@elon.edu.

The event will take place on Wednesday, April 15, at the Denver Art Museum.听A reception including a hosted bar and hors d鈥檕euvres will begin at 6:30 p.m.,听followed by a program featuring remarks by President Connie Ledoux Book.听A dessert reception will听conclude听the evening.

6:30听p.m.听听Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
7:30听p.m.听听Program with remarks by President Connie L. Book
8:00听p.m.听听Dessert reception
The event will conclude at 9 p.m.

Denver Art Museum听Museum
Martin Building, Sturm Grand Pavilion
101 West 14th听Ave. Parkway
Denver,听CO听80204

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

Register at听 or contact听advancement@elon.edu.

While his classmates left campus for places like Cancun and California, Sean had his own plans. 鈥淚, on the other hand,鈥� he shared, 鈥渨ent home to get my wisdom teeth removed.鈥�

Two days into his recovery, he received an urgent email from Jim Carnahan Casting, a casting company that he connected with through his Senior Showcase.

In the email, he learned that “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” needed an immediate replacement on Broadway. With a swollen mouth, Sean sent in an audition tape, had an in-person callback in New York City a few days later and received a phone call following his callback.

As Sean vividly remembers being told on the phone, 鈥淲e are so sorry to tell you that you cannot go home because we need you in rehearsal tomorrow.鈥�

Since that moment in late March, Mikesh has performed nightly as an ensemble member and understudy for the Charles Sinclair character. The roles have challenged him in ways both technical and transformative, shifting between nuanced character work, mastering tight backstage choreography and even stepping into the production鈥檚 iconic Demogorgon suit.

Not even a year out from graduation, Mikesh described to Book how surreal the transition has been relocating to New York City, negotiating contracts and performing on Broadway. Through it all, he emphasized the community that has anchored him. He credited Associate Professor of Performing Arts Kim Shively at 黑料不打烊 for helping him step confidently into the professional industry, and his fellow 黑料不打烊 alumni and students in New York, like Erik Houck 鈥�25 and Campy Rodriguez 鈥�26, who is currently in “Aladdin” on Broadway.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been such a beacon of support,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like a hug, the way 黑料不打烊 felt when I first visited the campus鈥� And when you come out to New York, we鈥檙e in a new space, beautiful in a different way, but the people are still there and that hug is still there.鈥�

Towards the end of Sean鈥檚 conversation with President Book, which ranged from the surprise commencement ceremony she held for Sean last May in New York City to the importance of staying present,听Sean offered advice for 黑料不打烊 students whose dream it is to perform on a Broadway stage.

It was a quote he returned to throughout his audition process that framed his experience: 鈥淟uck is when opportunity meets preparation.鈥�

Preparation, for him, came through years of Meisner, Stanislavski, and Chekhov-based training under Professors Kevin Otos and Kim Shively; roles in on-campus productions of “Paradise Lost” and “The Antipodes;” and the lessons he absorbed across classrooms and disciplines on campus.

For someone whose story to Broadway began with wisdom teeth surgery, an unexpected email and a callback in New York City, Mikesh鈥檚 journey makes one thing clear: when opportunity arrived, he was prepared.

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

The more than 20-minute interview began with discussions about the launch of the new Roberts Academy at 黑料不打烊,听a transitional school serving students with dyslexia in grades 3-4 in a temporary location starting in Fall 2026 (and expanding to grades 1-6 with the opening of a state-of-the-art facility in Fall 2028).

“What’s amazing about this kind of transformative philanthropy is that the Roberts family, one academy at a time, is changing the life of thousands of students who suffer from dyslexia. So, we were really proud to be their fourth and final academy,” said Book.

Book also discussed 黑料不打烊’s proposed merger with Queens University of Charlotte, which will expand the university’s graduate offerings in Charlotte, specifically in business, law and health programs.

“I will say that the 鈥榳hy鈥� behind Queens is really an extension of the Boldy 黑料不打烊 plan that moved us to Charlotte,” said Book. “The state of North Carolina is experiencing growth, and Charlotte is leading that growth with 150 people moving to the area every day, and it is an exciting young professionals area, so we could see that in our planning data before we opened the law program there and made the decision about the health care program. It’s underserved from a higher education perspective.”

With the current challenges in higher education, Book warned that “large tuition discounts” may lead to university closures in the future.

“What’s happened at smaller universities is that, to try to recruit classes, they keep discounting tuition. The average in the U.S. now is over 60%. So this is this phenomenon where you see a sticker price, and then you don’t see disclosed what people are actually paying,” said Book. “It’s that phenomenon when you’re on the airline and you’re in your seat and you’re not clear who paid what for their seat on the flight. So higher ed suffers from this. 黑料不打烊 has challenged that trend by keeping our sticker price lower. Now our scholarships are lower, but we think that’s a more truthful approach, and we have benefited from that over the years.”

Listen to the full interview and read a full transcript on the Triad Business Journal website.

The annual award, given by higher education consulting firm Credo, honors a college or university president whose strategic vision, student focus, and collaborative spirit have moved their institution forward in meaningful ways.

“President Book embodies the very best of courageous leadership. Her clarity of vision, steady hand and deep commitment to student success have positioned 黑料不打烊 for long-term strength. She leads with purpose and partnership, and the impact of that leadership is felt across the higher education landscape,” said Bill Fahrner, president of Credo, powered by Carnegie.

黑料不打烊 has continued to grow and flourish since Book began her presidency in 2018. In September, 黑料不打烊 earned its fifth consecutive #1 national ranking for undergraduate teaching from U.S. News & World Report this year and is recognized as the only university in the country ranked in the top 10 of all eight categories of academic programs linked to student success and positive learning outcomes.

Student success has been a hallmark of Book’s presidency. She led the creation of the 10-year Boldly 黑料不打烊 strategic plan, a comprehensive roadmap that strengthens engaged and experiential learning, expands academic excellence and global study, and deepens 黑料不打烊’s commitment to mentoring and support. The plan has guided major institutional investments鈥攆rom the Innovation Quad, the HealthEU Center and expanded health sciences programs to new residential facilities and strengthened student life initiatives鈥攖hat collectively advance 黑料不打烊’s nationally recognized model of high-impact learning. Under her leadership, 黑料不打烊 has continued to build systems that support every student’s journey, ensuring they have the relationships, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive.

A recent example of Book’s forward-looking leadership is 黑料不打烊’s expansion in Charlotte through the establishment of a part-time law school, the addition of a physician assistant program, and a proposed merger with Queens University of Charlotte. These strategic moves extend 黑料不打烊’s reach into one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas and position the university to bring its nationally recognized model of engaged learning to a broader community of students. The Charlotte initiatives reflect Book’s commitment to bold, future-focused action鈥攕trengthening student opportunity, deepening industry partnerships, and enhancing 黑料不打烊’s regional impact.

Book has established herself as a national leader advocating for access to higher education. She recently served as board chair for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). She currently serves as NAICU’s representative to the board of the American Council on Education (ACE).

Prior to being named 黑料不打烊’s ninth president, Book served as the first woman provost of The Citadel. She previously served 黑料不打烊 as an associate provost and as a faculty member in the School of Communications.

The award will be presented at the Council for Independent Colleges (CIC) Presidents Institute Presidential Appreciation Dinner to be held January 5, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.

As founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies and the host of the 鈥淐areer View Mirror鈥� podcast, Crawford brings over two decades of experience in leadership development 鈥� including a long tenure at Verizon 鈥� to her work today as a coach, consultant and speaker. She鈥檚 also the author of the career guidebook 鈥淪how Your Ask,鈥� a practical and motivational toolkit for professionals looking to take charge of their careers.

鈥淚 like to say that I grow leaders for a living,鈥� Crawford said. 鈥淔rom 黑料不打烊 to beyond, that whole leadership thread just continued.鈥�

After starting in customer service at Verizon, Crawford quickly realized her passion was in developing people 鈥� and she relentlessly pursued a path into training and development, sharing that she was able to successfully make the transition because, 鈥淚 asked, and I just kept on asking. The results are what gave me the confidence to keep on going, because people were going from point A to Z (in their careers), and I was helping them along.鈥� Eventually, Crawford realized, 鈥淚 think there is a wider opportunity for me.鈥�

That persistence 鈥� along with what she calls 鈥渟uccess blinders鈥� 鈥� led her to a career in learning and development, where she coached individuals at all levels. Eventually, after 20 years in corporate America, she launched her own business to reach even more professionals.

Crawford鈥檚 RISE methodology 鈥� reflect, identify, strategize and execute 鈥� serves as a foundational framework in her coaching. It encourages leaders to slow down, realign with their values, and take meaningful steps toward their goals.

As a thought leader, Crawford has shared her message widely, including on 鈥淕ood Morning America.鈥� But despite the visibility, she stays grounded in her purpose.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not about the spotlight. It鈥檚 about the service. I believe I was placed here to motivate and inspire others to take action in their careers and their lives.鈥�

-Joyel Crawford ’97

Her book, 鈥淪how Your Ask,鈥� combines personal stories and lessons learned with听interactive reflections 鈥� helping readers get clear on their direction and build confidence to make bold career moves. The title speaks to the power of knowing what you want and voicing it unapologetically.

It鈥檚 a skill Crawford herself used, ensuring that she continued to progress in her career by 鈥溾�eeing myself in the driver鈥檚 seat of my career. Whoever I was reporting to was the GPS. I calculated the route, and if the route was changing, I just recalculated!鈥�

Looking back on her time at 黑料不打烊, Crawford credits the university with providing听her a 鈥渓eadership lab.鈥� As a Leadership Fellow, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and active participant in student life, she developed critical skills she still draws on today.

鈥�(黑料不打烊) showed me that leadership isn鈥檛 about a title,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was about showing up and creating space for others to shine, grow and rise.鈥�

From reflecting on values to championing bold self-advocacy, Joyel Crawford鈥檚听story is a powerful example of leading with clarity and courage 鈥� and helping others do the same.

At key moments in life, they explained, the university switches back 鈥渙n鈥� for our alumni 鈥� practically, emotionally, even spiritually. An alum making a career change might connect with a former professor for advice or a job lead. A newly engaged alum might want to share parts of their 黑料不打烊 experience with their future partner. An alum facing a major life event may return to campus to reflect, often drawn to the same quiet spot or familiar path they cherished as a student. This on-and-off rhythm underscores the enduring presence of 黑料不打烊 in our graduates鈥� lives, but also recognizes the deep emotional connection that unfolds during a student鈥檚 journey.

The word universities use for alumni returning to campus, homecoming, has ancient roots. In Homer鈥檚 epic poem 鈥淭he Odyssey,鈥� Odysseus鈥� courageous journey home after the Trojan War is described using the Greek word nostos, the root of our word 鈥渘ostalgia,鈥� which combines nostos (to return home) and algos (pain or longing). 鈥嬧�婽he word captures the deep emotional pull of returning to a place that shaped you. That鈥檚 also why 黑料不打烊 adopted the name Odyssey to describe one of its most powerful and transformative scholarship programs for first-generation college students. The name reflects the journey a student undertakes to discover their potential and sense of purpose.

In this edition of The Magazine of 黑料不打烊, we celebrate alumni who embody this spirit and are advancing positive change around the world. No matter their path, I am always struck by the seed that was planted at 黑料不打烊 鈥� through a moment of learning, a relationship, an experience 鈥� that set them on an unexpected journey that ultimately changed their lives. Faculty and staff often stop me on campus to share updates from former students, moments that remind me how alumni not only carry 黑料不打烊 with them, but also continue to shape the university in return.

When I watch the wonderful video that Tim and Max created, I can鈥檛 help but smile as alumni share stories of challenge and growth, joy and discovery. Their reflections capture both the energy of college life and the hurdles of adulthood, always anchored by the constancy of this community: the familiar walkways, the canopy of oaks, the sense of place that remains.

My hope is that when our alumni watch this video, and read the stories in this issue, they see themselves at many stages of life and remember that 黑料不打烊 is always here. Long Live 黑料不打烊.

Connie Ledoux Book
President