Class of 2023

Graduate Apprentice for New Student Programs

Jordan Ballantyne is from Poughkeepsie, New York. Jordan is a 2018 graduate of Bentley University with a degree in Information Systems and Audit Control. While at Bentley, Jordan assisted in the planning and execution of the undergraduate orientation program, worked as an undergraduate admissions fellow, a peer educator for gender equity and healthy relationships, as well as a member of the varsity softball team. After graduating, Jordan worked as a risk and audit consultant in Boston for three years before pursuing her passion of higher education. Reflecting on her participation during her undergraduate career and reconnecting with mentors at Bentley pushed Jordan to realize her true passion of helping students transition to university life. Elon stood out to Jordan because of its small cohort model and copious opportunities to implement theory-to-practice via internships and her apprenticeship.

Graduate Apprentice for Student Wellness

Kelsey Baron is from Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. Kelsey graduated from Siena College in 2021 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies that focused on Healthy and Intimate Relationships. At her undergraduate institution, Kelsey became very involved in Student Life work when she assisted in the opening of the Office of Health Promotion during her freshman year. In the years following, she worked as the Student Wellness Coordinator to build a Peer Educator program, facilitate weekly holistic wellness programming, and create a new role to bring wellness into residence halls through peer-to-peer support. She enjoyed her three years as a residential advisor for Freshman and found her passion for Higher Education in the opportunity to create meaningful change on campus for those in need of support. Kelsey chose Elon because of the theory to practice model that the Graduate Apprenticeships supply and because of the theme of social justice that runs throughout the program.

Graduate Apprentice for the Global Education Center

Ivy Breivogel is from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. She graduated from Warren Wilson College in 2021 with a degree in Sociology and Anthropology. While a student at Warren Wilson, Ivy worked as a student employee in the Global Engagement Office, a resident assistant and peer group leader for the First Year Experience Office. She was involved with her campus Spiritual Life and Interfaith community. With an existing interest in higher education before arriving at her undergraduate institution, the support and mentorship Ivy experienced at the Global Engagement Office solidified her desire to pursue a degree in Higher Education and to learn more about international work. Elon’s unique focus on global education and university support for unique experiences is what stood out to Ivy. Also, the emphasis and opportunity of theory-to-practice is something she is excited to navigate and incorporate into her education and apprenticeship.

Graduate Apprentice for Student Recreation (Club Sports)

Toni Formato is from Asheboro, North Carolina. Toni graduated from Randolph Community College with an associate’s degree before transferring to UNC Chapel Hill to receive her degree in Psychology in 2021. In her two years at Randolph Community College, Toni served as the Student Government President, as well as North Carolina Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association (N4CSGA) President. She held leadership positions in Phi Theta Kappa, the Fountain Luria-Student Leadership Academy, and the NC Student Leadership Development Program. Once transferring to Chapel Hill, Toni worked as an Admissions Assistant in the Office of Admissions. As a student who had a non-traditional college experience, Toni wants to encourage and mentor students, affecting the lives of students in a positive way to ensure they have an uplifting experience. Toni wanted to continue her education at Elon because of the chance to work closely with students and create impactful experiences. She is most excited to take the valuable information she is learning from her classes and apply it to her apprenticeship.

Graduate Apprentice for the Student Professional Development Center

Mackenzie Hahn is from Hunterdon County, New Jersey. She graduated from Elon University in 2020 with a degree in International Studies and Political Science. During her undergraduate experience, Mackenzie was involved across campus, with campus jobs in Advancement, Center For Design Thinking, and Elon Dining and volunteer positions in the Global Education Center and Elon Volunteers. She was also a member of the Elon Orchestra, Kappa Delta Sorority, and Model UN. Her interest in Higher education was cemented through her work at the Center for Design Thinking, as she facilitated workshops for classes and departments across campus and got the chance to hear what the hot button topics in Higher Education were. When looking for an graduate program, Elon was the clear choice both due to the apprentice embedded model and the rich and diverse experience of the faculty.

Graduate Apprentice for Student Involvement

Charlie Presar is from Buckhannon, West Virginia. He is a 2021 graduate of Valparaiso University with a degree in History. While an undergraduate, Charlie was the President of Member Development of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, he worked in the Student Organization Suite, he served as a Member of the University Chorale, became the Director of Logistics for Dance Marathon Philanthropy Event, and was the Director of Event Experience for TEDxValparaisoUniversity. Throwing himself into student involvement during his undergraduate career solidified his desire to pursue Higher Education as a career. Developing close relationships with his supervisor and fraternity mentors, Charlie discovered the vast opportunities that Higher Education had to offer. Dr. Whittier, who previously worked with the Fraternity and Sorority Community at Elon, pushed and encouraged Charlie to discover what Elon had to offer.

Graduate Apprentice for the Kernodle Center of Civic Life

Sadie Richey is from Asheboro, North Carolina. She graduated from Clemson University in 2020 with a degree in Religious Studies and Sociology. During her undergraduate career, Sadie was involved in many areas of both student involvement and community engagement on campus. She was a volunteer Young Life leader, serving at a nearby middle school. She also was an executive member of Clemson’s sociology club, and worked for the Athletic Academic Services Department as both a content tutor for student-athletes and mentor for new tutors. Sadie’s interest in higher education stems from her desire to foster a nurturing relationship with students that she had with faculty and staff while at Clemson. She hopes that as a higher education professional she is able to serve as a mentor, advocate, and advisor to students with a wide range of identities, worldviews, and life experiences. Sadie chose to attend Elon because of the program’s social justice lens, its experiential learning component, and its emphasis on relationship building.

Graduate Apprentice for the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education (CREDE)

Odaly Rivas is from Charlotte, North Carolina. She is a 2020 graduate from UNC Chapel Hill, with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. This past year, Odaly served as an advisor to high school students with the Carolina College Advising Corps. While at Chapel Hill, Odaly participated in LatinxEd, a non-profit educational initiative in North Carolina, Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority where she served as secretary, acted as the Special Events Coordinator for the Multicultural Greek Council, and took part in the Latinx organization, Mi Pueblo. Odaly’s interest in higher education stemmed from evaluating her own experiences as a Latina first-generation student pursuing higher education in a public and predominantly white education system. Her time as a College Adviser served as her final push, as she got to work with primarily ALANAM first-generation students to navigate the college application process. What truly pushed Odaly to pursue Elon was the graduate apprentices tied to the program. She liked the idea of getting to apply her education to her work and analyze in real-time the work she would be doing with the material she would be learning.

Graduate Apprentice for Graduate Admissions and the School of Education

Amy Smith is from Sunbury, Ohio. She is a 2021 graduate from The Ohio State University with a degree in History. While at Ohio State, she participated in the Humanities Scholars Learning Community, took part in BUCK-I-SERV alternative break program, served as a Pay It Forward Service Cohort Member, and worked at Kuhn Honors and Scholars Center as a Student Assistant Manager. Amy’s experience working with prospective students and families about the college experience and being their point of comfort motivated her desire to help students, with various identities and experiences, make higher education a reality and provide support in their university journey. Elon offered a new institutional experience that Amy had yet to participate in. She could feel the support and strong relationships between all people on campus, that they all wanted for one another to succeed. That prominent compassion and care Amy felt was not visible anywhere else.

Graduate Apprentice for Residence Life (Loy Neighborhood)

Rebecca Wiles is from Frederick, Maryland. She graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2020 with a degree in Sociology and Political Science. After graduation, Rebecca served as a Community Coordinator and Fraternity and Sorority Life Liaison at Denison University in Ohio. During her time at St. Mary’s, Rebecca was a Residential Advisor to underclassmen for three years. Rebecca’s undergraduate experience as a first-generation student, as well as her experience this past year at as a Community Coordinator and Fraternity and Sorority Life Liaison served as an opportunity to discover her passion for supporting students through various aspects of their college experience. The cohort style of the MHE program drew Rebecca to Elon, as well as the feeling that she got from individuals that she spoke to. It always seemed like Elon was excited to have her here and in turn was excited to teach her and other young professionals.