The recent Elon alum is working to implement change in the local community through her work with Impact Alamance
With a degree in public health studies and political science, Abby Lee ’25 has always been civically minded. Now, as an Elon Year of Service Fellow, she’s continuing that civic engagement with Impact Alamance.
“Living in Alamance County for four years, I just thought it would be really beneficial to give back to the community that gave me so much,” said Lee. “This position sounded exactly like what I wanted to do.”
The Year of Service Fellows Program is an opportunity through the university’s Student Professional Development Center that allows recent graduates to work at local organizations to improve health, education and economic development in the Alamance County community. Lee is one of six Fellows in the program, with three working at Impact Alamance.
Impact Alamance has three focus areas: healthier (focusing on improving community health), smarter (focusing on education) and stronger (focusing on strengthening community partnerships).
As an employee for “healthier,” Lee has worked on a variety of different grant projects, including installing a local basketball court in the town of Mebane, North Carolina, funding a mobile recreational unit and planning Impact Alamance’s annual wellness summit.
“I’ve worked on smaller projects, but it means so much to the people that we help,” Lee said. “That’s probably my favorite part; just seeing how much Impact Alamance truly does.”
Since beginning her year of service for Impact Alamance, Lee has been able to draw on her experiences within her coursework at Elon, in addition to her previous internships.
“My last internship was with my public health practicum class with the Women’s Resource Center of Alamance County,” Lee said. “That was my first local internship and really shaped my path, showing how great it was to work for and help the people of Alamance. I think ultimately, that’s what led me to decide and apply.”
Additionally, Lee credits different professors from both public health and political science for igniting her interest to double major, as well as shaping her world view on the healthcare system.
“Dr. Yanika Faustin was the reason I decided to double major in public health after taking one of her courses, Reproductive Justice,” Lee explained. “She definitely shaped my time at Elon, as well as Dr. Stephanie Baker who was my senior seminar professor for public health. She really showed me that this is what I wanted to do.”
Lee has been able to reap the benefits of the Year of Service Fellows program, as it has provided her real-world experience before beginning a post-graduate degree. Since her first undergraduate internship was also with Alamance County, she has been able to continue honing her relationships and making an impact in the community.
This story is part of a series of features on the 2025-26 Year of Service Fellows, highlighting the work they are doing in the Alamance County community.