The June 20 event reinforced the connection between past, present and future generations of the Elon community studying and succeeding on the West Coast.
The Elon in Los Angeles program took a nostalgic turn on June 20, inviting five Elon University alumni to share their insights and experiences with students currently studying in the entertainment capital of the world. As part of the alumni wisdom session, hosted at Second Home Hollywood, a co-working space and the academic hub for the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center program, the Elon graduates discussed their professional journeys and offered advice and encouragement to current students.
The alumni panel featured:
- Diego Pineda Davila ’19, deputy editor at The Independent en Español
- Julia Buckingham ’15, vice president at Outerbanks Entertainment
- Marissa Mahoney ’21, creative coordinator at NBCUniversal
- Jordan Roman ’15, writer and director at Ominous Entertainment and story/editorial coordinator at Netflix Animation
- Emily Merlin ’14, development manager of original programming at Hallmark Media
Organized by Jen Guy Metcalf, associate professor of dance and interim director for the Elon in Los Angeles program, the wisdom session offered a unique platform for students to gain practical industry knowledge from individuals currently working and succeeding professionally.
The strategic communications panel, moderated by Kevin Siczek ’23, Elon in Los Angeles program assistant, provided crucial insights into the intricacies of the media industries. The cinema and television arts panel, moderated by Kai Swanson, assistant professor of cinema and television arts, offered students an opportunity to learn more about the creative and logistical aspects of the entertainment world. Swanson, who leads an annual Winter Term course that travels to Hollywood and the Sundance Film Festival, is serving this summer as interim academic support and project coordinator for the Los Angeles-based program.
Afterward, several student attendees shared their appreciation for the alumni event, noting that the graduates were students—and aspiring professionals—themselves not too long ago.
“I loved getting the opportunity to connect and talk to alums about their professional experiences within the industry and bond over our shared Elon experiences that we all have in common,” said Julia Lissy ’24, a strategic communications major who attended the panel.
Ellie Schmidt ’24, a cinema and television arts major, echoed Lissy’s sentiments.
“Getting to hear from LA-based Elon alumni who are working in my desired field of employment was a great opportunity to learn more about what makes my educational skills unique,” Schmidt said.
She explained that Roman’s advice about anticipating tasks and staying ahead really resonated with her. Schmidt added she now better understands why those skills are highly valued in a fast-paced work environment.
For Tyler Rydson ’24, a journalism and cinema and television arts double major, the breadth of advice made the panels especially valuable.
“The alumni gave a lot of great advice for both our careers and how to juggle our personal lives with them,” he said. “The range in graduation years was also useful because each of them had a different experience they were able to share, whether it be getting hired during COVID, or keeping their work throughout the pandemic.”
The Elon in Los Angeles program, known for its immersive experiences, continues to bridge the gap between students and alumni, fostering a community that learns, grows and supports one another. According to Swanson, the recent alumni panel reinforced the connection between past, present and future generations of the Elon community, offering an enriching and unforgettable experience for the students.
“Through intimate events like these, Elon continues to foster a sense of community and shared experience, encouraging students to learn from the past while shaping the future of the entertainment industry,” Swanson said. “It’s a testament to the enduring value of the Elon experience, where learning continues far beyond graduation, and every alumnus is a potential mentor.”