Gilgo graduated with a double major in journalism and strategic communications and a double minor in psychology and leadership studies.
Madison Gilgo ’23 graduated with a double major in journalism and strategic communications and a double minor in psychology and leadership studies.
At Elon, she served as executive director of leadership and development at the Kernodle Center for Civic Life. It’s a role that saw her building new training and community-building opportunities for more than 70 student leaders in Elon Volunteers! and directing peer mentorship programs in the office. During summer 2022, she served as a promotions and entertainment intern with the Burlington Sock Puppets baseball team and on campus, she was a student representative on the Leadership Studies Minor Advisory Board.
She is currently an Elon Year of Service Fellow who is working with the Harwood Initiative in Alamance County. Her role as an Elon professional staff member stationed at Impact Alamance has allowed her to stay connected to the Elon community while becoming immersed in another. The two main goals of the Harwood Initiative in Alamance County are to generate community-led transformation on concerns that t matter to community members and to strengthen the civic culture of Alamance County so the community can take effective and sustainable action.
Gilgo states how her presence in the Kernodle Center gave her many skills that she has taken with her work with the Harwood Institute.
“As a student leader I improved my public speaking, facilitation, leadership, delegation, problem-solving, and countless other skills,” Gilgo said.
To just say she was involved in the Kernodle Center would be an understatement. Her vibrant and kind presence brought so much joy into the Kernodle Center’s office. She held two important leadership roles in her time at Elon. Those roles included LINCS Coordinator for Alamance Community College and the executive director of leadership and development. When asked about her role as the executive director of leadership, Madison states “that role molded me into the leader and person I am today.” She expresses great gratitude for the Kernodle Center for Civic Life and the tight-knit relationships it has brought into her life.
Gilgo described her favorite service experience at Elon to be the Special Olympics Games that were hosted on Elon’s campus in April 2023. Special Olympics is a global organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. She was one of the many of helped advise and plan this huge community event.
“It was beyond rewarding to see so many smiling faces, happy athletes, and the community come together. I was reminded of the power of community at that event and carry that feeling with me,” Gilgo said.