Headshot of Chanece Bigelow.

Chanece Bigelow

Graduate Apprentice for Event and Space Management

Chanece Bigelow is from Maryland. Chanece is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. At A&T, Chanece held several leadership positions in the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society, including Vice President of Administration and later, President. She was also the Mentor Program Lead and Treasurer for the Metropolitan Aggie Club and the Scheduling Manager for the University Event Center. Chanece developed a leadership program entitled, Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) Liaisons, which focuses on mentoring and hosting college-readiness development programs for students in grades K-11. Chanece’s decision to pursue a degree in higher education stems from her desire to “proceed a step further by learning ways to assist students in college retention, college success, and finding their career path thereafter with resources outside the classroom.” Chanece chose Elon’s MHE program because of the cohort-based model and the abundance of opportunities including an apprenticeship, internships, and a study abroad experience.

Headshot of Nicholas Boudreau.

Nicholas Boudreau

Graduate Apprentice for Residence Life (Global Neighborhood)

Nick Boudreau is from New Hampshire. Nick is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in history. At the University of Rhode Island, Nick was a supervisor in two departments of Campus Recreation, including Intramural Sports and the Campus Fitness Centers. Nick is pursuing a degree in higher education because he would like to provide as many opportunities as possible for students from marginalized communities to succeed. He states, “I hope to bridge the gap between access and success for a more diverse student population.” Nick chose to continue his education in Elon’s MHE program because of its comprehensive nature in combining classroom learning with apprenticeships, internships, and a study abroad component.

Headshot of Casey Enright.

Casey Enright

Graduate Apprentice for Residence Life (Historic Neighborhood)

Casey Enright is from Brentwood, TN. Casey is a graduate of Belmont University with a bachelor’s degree in faith and social justice. At Belmont, Casey was a Resident Assistant for three years, two of which she spent working in a residence hall with first-year students. Her passion for empowering and working with college students was born from her RA experience. Casey says, “While for the last few years I have not worked on a college campus, I have always found ways to stay connected with students, whether through working with college interns at my place of work, speaking to undergraduate classes, or simply visiting a college campus.” Casey decided to pursue her degree in Elon’s MHE program because of its student-centered approach, the expertise of Elon’s faculty/staff, and the entrepreneurial nature of the program.

Headshot of Corinna Fonseca.

Corinna Fonseca

Graduate Apprentice for Academic Advising

Corinna Fonseca is from Jacksonville, NC. Corinna is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. At UNC, Corinna was the chapter president for Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority and a mentor in LatinxEd, where she mentored a high school student in professional and personal development. Corinna also served as a Delta Advocate in the Delta Advocates organization, where she provided resources and support for gender-based violence and harassment for the entire student population. Corinna’s undergraduate education was a transformative experience, but there were barriers and obstacles she had to overcome. Corinna feels driven to pursue a degree in higher education because, “there is work to be done in making the academic environment an empowering and comfortable space for all.” Corinna chose Elon’s MHE program for its close-knit community and the high level of care that is extended to students, personally and professionally.

Headshot of Jenna Gibilisco.

Jenna Gibilisco

Graduate Apprentice for Residence Life (Danieley Neighborhood)

Jenna Gibilisco is from Newtown, PA. Jenna is a graduate of Wagner College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. At Wagner, Jenna was heavily involved in Residence Life, first as a Resident Assistant and later as a Head Resident Assistant. Jenna also served as a Finite Math, Statistics, and Logical Reasoning peer tutor in the Academic and Career Engagement Center. As a junior, Jenna was captain for the women’s track and field team. Her leadership and involvement experiences, as well as the mentors she had in college, contributed to her interest in pursuing a degree in higher education. “The mentors that I had in college helped me find my way to a career that I know I will love. I want to be that mentor to students who are heading into the ‘real world.’” Jenna decided to continue her education in Elon’s MHE program because of the small cohort model, the apprenticeship and internship opportunities, and the study abroad experience.

Headshot of Allie Mannai.

Allie Mannai

Graduate Apprentice for Alumni Engagement

Allie Mannai is from Massachusetts. Allie is a graduate of Elon University with a bachelor’s degree in public health studies. At Elon, Allie served as an Orientation Leader with Elon’s New Student and Transition Programs and was a mentor with Alamance Girls in Motion, a program that works to instill healthy values in young girls. Allie was also heavily involved in the Kappa Zeta chapter of Sigma Kappa Sorority, where she held the title of Activities Chairman from 2017-2018 and Chapter President from 2018-2019. Allie’s decision to pursue a degree in higher education is a result of the positive impact that her college experience made on the person she is today. Allie wants to help students access the same opportunities she had while in college.

Headshot of Emilie Newman.

Emilie Newman

Graduate Apprentice for the President’s Office

Emilie Newman is from Southport, NC. Emilie is a graduate of Babson College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. At Babson, Emilie was a Writing Center peer tutor for two years and served as a student leader for the Cru Christian Community, where she worked with students seeking or fostering a spiritual journey. Through her leadership roles at Babson, Emilie’s passion for serving at a post-secondary education was sparked. Emilie states, “I want to take on a position that allows me to positively influence the lives of students and help them thrive in a college setting, while also preparing them for continuous career and personal success after college.” Emilie chose Elon’s MHE program for its holistic and experiential approach to higher education.

Headshot of Norma Rodriguez.

Norma Rodriguez

Graduate Apprentice for Learning Assistance

Norma Rodriguez is from North Carolina. Norma is a graduate of UNC Greensboro with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and park management. During undergrad and thereafter, Norma worked with the Beyond Academics team, an Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) program for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Norma began working with IPSE as a part-time Campus and Community Support her sophomore year. After graduating from UNCG, Norma worked full-time as a Student Life Advisor and Licensed Recreation Therapist (LRT/CTRS) for two years. She was also a fitness instructor at the campus recreation center, where she taught barre and aquatics. Norma chose to pursue a career in higher education to increase inclusion and access for students of varying abilities and backgrounds. Norma says, “I hope to be a resource or mentor to students who grew up believing college was not an option for them or feel they do not have the tools to succeed.” Norma chose Elon’s MHE program because of the faculty’s willingness and interest to actively collaborate with students.

Headshot of Brianna Torres.

Brianna Torres

Graduate Apprentice for Student Life, Elon University School of Law

Brianna Torres is from North Carolina. Briana is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. At UNC, Brianna was the co-director of UNC’s Catalyst Conference, a 3-day exploration of social justice topics for high school students across North Carolina. Brianna also served as the Box Office supervisor in the Carolina Union her senior year. Brianna’s interest in pursuing a career in higher education stems from her desire to help shift the culture of the field, by prioritizing a commitment to equity and social justice. She states, “I want to invite students to sit at the table when it comes to constructing their experiences, and I want to create programs, workshops, and events that engage students in critical thought, challenges them, and ultimately facilitates learning.” Briana chose Elon’s MHE program for the depth of opportunities offered and the intentional, comprehensive hands-on experience.

Headshot of Mal Williams.

Mal Williams

Graduate Apprentice for Student Conduct

Mal Williams is from Chino Hills, CA. Mal is a graduate of Xavier University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, digital media, and advertising. At Xavier, Mal served two years as a Resident Assistant for first-year students and held positions in the Student Center, the Veteran Center, and the on-campus bookstore. Mal attributes her passion for higher education to her experience as an undergraduate Resident Assistant and the personal growth she experienced at Xavier. Mal says, “I love supporting students through everything they experience their first year on campus all the way through their last.” Mal chose Elon’s MHE program because of the community cohort model as well as the apprenticeship opportunity.

Headshot of Jamie Wire.

Jamie Wire

Graduate Apprentice for the Gender and LGBTQIA Center

Jamie Wire is from Fayetteville, NC. Jamie is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a master’s degree in liberal studies. After graduating from NCSU, Jamie worked for two years as a high school special education teacher and also co-advised the student LGBT+ group, H.O.P.E. (Helping Other Promote Equality). Jamie’s interest in pursuing a career in higher education stems from the belief that everyone deserves to feel at home and accepted in a college community. “Students carry the transformative experience of college with them for life and I firmly believe that each student we help achieve personal growth will go on to do the same for others in their local communities.” Jamie chose Elon’s MHE program because of the extensive work experiences offered and the opportunity to engage in a global experience.

Headshot of Nelson Ysabel.

Nelson Ysabel

Graduate Apprentice for the Center for Leadership

Nelson Ysabel is from Coral Springs, FL. Nelson is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree is music studies and international studies. At USF, Nelson was heavily involved in the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement. On the leadership side, he was a facilitator for the Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI). On the civic engagement side, Nelson was a committee member and committee coordinator for Stampede of Service. Since graduating from USF, Nelson has spent the last four years living in Japan. For two of those years, he served as a volunteer leader with Stonewall Japan, an organization that supports the international LGBTQIA+ community. Nelson is interested in pursuing a career in higher education because, “I believe in education’s power to transform and inspire us and I think working in a college/university environment would allow for so many opportunities for hands-on learning.” Nelson chose Elon’s MHE program for its cohort model, apprenticeship and internship opportunities, and the study abroad component.