As he begins his career in artificial intelligence and data at Ernst & Young in New York City, Emmanuel Omari ’26 will bring his leadership experiences, academic achievements and commitment to civic engagement at Queens to a term on the university’s governing board.
A recent graduate of Queens University of Charlotte has been elected to serve as a youth trustee for Elon University, bringing to the role his record of student leadership on campus with a commitment to service across the community.
Emmanuel Omari ’26 will serve a three-year term as Youth Trustee, joining Elizabeth “Liz” Kwon L’23 and Rafi Dahdal ’24 G’24 in youth leadership roles for the university’s governing body.
The Board of Trustees has ultimate corporate and fiduciary responsibility for Elon University. It oversees Elon’s long-term health and strategic direction, educational policy, finances and operations, and overall advancement of the university’s mission.
As a Presidential Fellow in the Office of the President at Queens, Omari supported executive leadership through institutional research, governance analysis for the Board of Trustees, strategic benchmarking of peer institutions, coordinated executive-level events, and board communications.
Omari, who described his youth trustee appointment as “truly an honor,” also served as senior class president, a four-term international representative in the Student Government Association, president of the iBelong Mentoring Program and co-president of the Health Equity Alliance.
Additional leadership roles include service on the Student Alumni Council, the Data Analytics Student Association executive board and as an admissions ambassador. In recognition of his achievements, Omari was recognized in May with the 2026 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the most prestigious undergraduate award bestowed at Queens.
Originally from Accra, Ghana, Omari came to Queens as an international student and Presidential Scholar. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in data analytics and minors in finance and mathematics. He begins work in September as an artificial intelligence and data associate consultant at Ernst & Young in New York City.
With experience spanning data, artificial intelligence, institutional governance and student leadership, Omari said he looks forward to joining the Elon University Board of Trustees as a youth trustee and contributing his recent student perspective informed by academic achievement, public service and cross-campus leadership.
“My role as a youth trustee presents an opportunity to help shape a historic moment for both institutions,” Omari said. “I’m excited to contribute a recent student perspective to conversations about how the traditions of both institutions might be honored while creating a stronger future together.”
About Elon University
Elon University is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture.
At Elon, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 80 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. Elon is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.
Elon’s academic divisions include Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Engineering and Computing; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.
In 2025, Elon University and Queens University of Charlotte announced plans to merge, pending final approval from SACSCOC and the U.S. Department of Education by 2028.