Students participating in the fall Study USA Charlotte program have had a semester packed with professional development opportunities and place-based learning experiences.
Elon University students visited the Charlotte Motor Speedway to watch an Xfinity race in October, but that wasn’t all. They were greeted by Teddy Morgan ‘25 and Derek Thomas, who gave students an up-close look at the operations of the facility.
Morgan previously participated in the Study USA Charlotte program himself in 2023. As a participant, he interned at NASCAR, and since graduating, he has returned to NASCAR as a full-time employee.
“It was a really cool full-circle moment to be back at Charlotte Motor Speedway two years after my first NASCAR race for the 2023 Roval Xfinity Race. The events like that race and other site visits were what made my semester in Charlotte stand out, and since I was a NASCAR intern, that stuck out the most. Getting such an immersive tour and unparalleled access to the track was one of the things that hooked me about NASCAR then, so it was exciting to share that with a new group of Elon students in the same shoes I was in just two years ago,” Morgan said. “I am very grateful for all the sports industry professionals that I was able to connect with in my semester in Charlotte with our site visits, events and guest lecturers, so I am happy to pay it forward to the next generation of Elon students in Charlotte.”
Two current students, Jack Gill ‘27 and Anthony Eppolito ‘27, are interning with NASCAR. They were beneficial in explaining the rules to other members of the cohort who were less familiar with the sport.
Gill grew up going to NASCAR races. For him, guiding the other students to the merchandise tents was like walking down memory lane.
“Through Study USA Charlotte, I have been able to gain access to opportunities that I could only have dreamed of,” he said of the experience.
Students are also encouraged to engage with their excursion sites as they relate to their classes. When attending a Charlotte Knights baseball game, students were tasked by professor Young Do Kim, instructor of Event and Venue Management to identify strengths and weaknesses of Truist Field. The students and faculty are able to incorporate Charlotte spaces into their homework, which provides an experience unique to the program, as opposed to classes on the central campus.
Last week, the cohort spent a portion of their class time touring Bank of America Stadium, where they learned all about the recent renovations, and what exactly goes into getting the stadium ready for a Panthers game, Charlotte FC match, a Beyoncé concert or a corporate event. They met current employees and listened as they explained the many different paths they took to work at the stadium. The tour was motivating, as students were able to envision themselves working there in the near future.
“The ability to learn from my favorite professors in a big city while working a part-time internship is so rewarding,” said Aaron Shyer ’26. “It really helps me feel more prepared for the real world as I get ready to graduate.”
The Study USA Charlotte program aims to immerse students in the city, not by simply placing them there, but by weaving the people, places, and events of Charlotte into every facet of their educational experience.
Applications are open for the summer and fall Study USA Charlotte programs. Students can learn more and apply on the Study USA website.
The summer deadline is Dec. 1, and the fall deadline is Feb. 15.