Laké Laosebikan-Buggs named Triad Business Journal ‘Leader in Diversity’

When she isn’t teaching or innovating programs at Elon’s graduate schools, you’ll find Laké Laosebikan-Buggs surrounded by students.

She circulates halls and common areas, smiling and waving at familiar faces, sparking new relationships with her easy humor and boisterous laugh. She welcomes them in, counsels them, hears and advocates for them. Elon’s inaugural director of inclusive excellence for graduate and professional programs recognizes the simple fact: We all want to belong. And she has the magic touch to foster that belonging.

“Dr. Buggs truly has a way with people. When you see her in the halls, there is rarely a time when she doesn’t stop to talk to a student, professor or staff member. She isn’t just talking to make light conversation, but cares about all the interactions she has,” said Gianna Landrum L’25, an Elon Law Diversity Fellow — a program Buggs established to enhance inclusive excellence at the law school and in the legal profession. “I’m in awe of her ability to connect with those whose identities she does not share because she makes the effort to learn.”

This month, Buggs was recognized with a Triad Business Journal 2025 Leaders in Diversity Award. The annual awards honor professionals who champion inclusive excellence in workplaces, across the community and beyond. She will join other honorees and their guests at a June 12 reception at the N.C. A&T University Student Center ballroom and be featured in a June 27 special issue.

To those who’ve worked closely with Buggs — in the Division of Inclusive Excellence, at Elon Law, the School of Health Sciences, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the Love School of Business — Buggs’ recognition is no surprise.

“Laké is a wonderful resource and provides valuable support for Elon’s graduate students,” said Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “She creates an environment where they are welcomed and heard, and we all benefit from her perspectives. Through vital conversations in graduate programs across Elon University, students are prepared to serve the communities and clients they will engage with during their careers.”

She creates an environment where they are welcomed and heard, and we all benefit from her perspectives. Through vital conversations in graduate programs across Elon University, students are prepared to serve the communities and clients they will engage with during their careers.

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn

Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence and associate professor of education, said Buggs’ effective advocacy for graduate and professional students allowed the university to be more conscious of their needs, “positioning Elon to make decisions that enable them to flourish.” Williams was a 2021 Leader in Diversity honoree.

“Laké exudes genuine warmth and empathy, which are powerful tools for engaging those whom she encounters. In turn, people are quick to trust her in guiding their decisions and accessing the many resources Elon University offers,” Williams said.

Passionate advocacy, unwavering support

To hear Buggs tell it, there’s no secret to what she does.

“Everybody can do this work. You don’t need a title,” she reflected recently. “We change the whole experience for our students when each of us is invested in their well-being and belonging.”

Listening goes a long way. Buggs watches for areas where students may struggle, attends to the challenges they face entering professional life or preparing for a career change, and searches for ways to support them in and out of the classroom. She is especially cognizant of obstacles students from marginalized communities may face as they pursue advancement in their careers.

Beneath her warm exterior lies a passionate commitment to changing and challenging systems. Students discover this when they seek mentorship in profoundly difficult and traumatic experiences. Buggs not only supports them, but elevates critical issues for transformational conversations among faculty, staff and students that lead to reconciliation and growth.

She inspires others to take up this work by modeling what inclusive leadership looks like. Through her example, she makes equity work feel not just necessary, but possible and worthwhile.

Zac Ormond G’23, assistant professor of physical therapy

In her teaching, she encourages interdisciplinary work that centers inclusive excellence across professions and is “committed to providing classroom experiences that are inclusive by design and in application.”

Students feel that support and gain valuable insights from her guidance.

Zac Ormond G’23 first met Buggs as a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program on the school of Health Science’s Diversity Committee. Later chairing that committee, Buggs “helped me refine my leadership skills, and her example showed me what it means to lead with both conviction and compassion,” he said. Now an assistant professor of physical therapy in Elon’s program and a Northwestern University Sports Division 1 Fellow, he continues to seek her wisdom.

“She inspires others to take up this work by modeling what inclusive leadership looks like. Through her example, she makes equity work feel not just necessary, but possible and worthwhile,” Ormond said.

Since arriving at Elon in 2021, some of Buggs’ achievements include:

• Creating opportunity for Elon’s graduate students to participate in affinity celebrations around commencement ceremonies, including Lavender Graduation and ¡Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight.
• Initiating programs for graduate and professional students interested in building skills in inclusion and belonging, including Elon Law’s Diversity Fellows Program and the School of Health Sciences’ Student DEI Committee.

• Innovating and contributing to professional identity workshops that aid graduate and professional students in establishing themselves within their chosen fields, such as Acorn to Oak at Elon Law and Confronting Bias in the Clinical Learning Environment at the School of Health Sciences.
• Working with students, faculty and staff to establish the Elon Law Professional Closet for access to business attire for interviews and early careers, as well as prayer rooms for various faiths and a lactation room for new mothers.
• Spearheading book clubs that spark reflection and discussion among students around timely subjects and diverse perspectives of the world.
• Developing and teaching courses that investigate how society grapples with different identities and how individuals can effect change.
• Creating social events and networking activities that create community among graduate students that include game nights, cultural outings and meetings with President Connie Ledoux Book.

What others say about Buggs’ impact on the Elon community:

“Laké is a passionate advocate for students, with a deep commitment to creating the types of inclusive environments that are essential for the success and thriving of all students. The graduate student population at Elon is spread across multiple academic programs with very different schedules and student needs. Laké offers a common touchpoint for all of them in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.” – Jon Dooley, vice president for student life and associate professor of education

“Within the first week of her arrival at Elon, Laké took on the charge to increase visibility and services for graduate and professional students. As a faculty advisor to the School of Health Sciences’ Student Diversity Committee, she helps them create meaningful events for supporting and educating healthcare students in the care of diverse patients and colleagues.” –Melissa Scales, associate professor of physical therapy education

“Laké has a huge capacity to bring people in and bring people together. She loves people, loves to see them thrive and be successful, and that motivates her. She challenges students to recognize their own agency and power to make change.” – Stacie Dooley, Elon Law assistant dean of career and student development

“She builds trust and relationships by making herself available, being her authentic self and empowering students to use their voice. I have seen her give solid counsel to students who were struggling or who needed direction. The nature of her position as a student affairs professional rather than their program chair or advisor gives her the opportunity to be a true safe space for students.” – Kim Stokes, associate professor of physician assistant studies and department chair/program director for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies