From her first-year residential experience to her current leadership in campus organizations, Autumn Parish ’28 has built a life at Elon rooted in mentorship, service and a commitment to helping others thrive.
Elon students find belonging in different places: with friends in clubs and organizations, in classrooms or labs with faculty mentors, or competing against opponents on the athletic fields.
Autumn Parish ’28 found her place in the African Diaspora Living-Learning Community, located on the fourth floor of Jackson Hall in the Global Neighborhood. On that hall during her first year, she discovered best friends and built the foundation of her Elon experience.
“It’s important where you live,” Parish said. “You have to feel at home when you’re not home.”
While the African Diaspora LLC is her safe space on campus, the human service studies major is deeply involved in campus life. Parish serves as a member of the Student Government Association, a SMART mentor, an Elon College Fellow, a fall 2025 initiate of Alpha Kappa Alapa Sorority, Inc., a Renaissance Scholar and secretary for the National Council of Negro Women.
She also works as a student coordinator for the Black Student Success team, helping plan events centered on the Black community at Elon.
“I find planning events fulfilling because it lets students know that their community is here,” Parish said.
Mentorship
Mentorship is woven into the culture at Elon. Professors, staff and students alike step into mentorship roles, helping others navigate their college experience.
Parish serves as a SMART mentor, which feels natural. She’d always tried to be a positive role model for her younger siblings back home, and she now extends that same energy to first-year students finding their footing at Elon.
Sandra Reid, a professor of human service studies and Parish’s research adviser, inspires Parish’s approach to mentoring. Reid first made an impression at an admissions event when she led a mock class that ultimately swayed Parish’s decision to choose Elon.
“I know I can be successful in a small classroom environment where professors don’t see me as a number, but they know who I am,” Parish said. “They know my name, and they care about my well-being.”
Now working alongside Reid for her research, Parish continues to grow academically and personally.
“Autumn is a caring, inquisitive and highly focused research student who consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to learning,” Reid said. “She soaks up new information and engages thoughtfully with complex material, applying strong critical thinking skills to her work.”
The culture of mentorship at Elon has been one of the university’s defining characteristics.
“I love when people help me help the world,” Parish said. “I love that it’s part of the culture. The professors want you to succeed. The advisers want you to succeed. Even someone who doesn’t even know who you are, they want to see you succeed.”
History in the Making
For Parish, Black History Month is about understanding where you come from and honoring those who paved the way.
Growing up, her parents emphasized that the opportunities she has today exist because of sacrifices made by generations before her.
“And just to think that was only a couple of generations away — my grandparents protested,” Parish said. “They showed us how important it was and the sacrifices they made for the opportunity for me to get a scholarship at a school I didn’t even think I could go to.”
That perspective shapes how she approaches her work on campus. Parish believes history is not confined to the past. It is unfolding every day.
“Black history is happening all the time, and you are living Black history because everything that you do is history in the making,” she said.
Parish views her involvement at Elon as preparation for a life centered on service and impact. The sense of belonging she found in her first year and the mentors who guided her continue to shape how she shows up for others.
“Everything that you do makes an impact on future things to come,” Parish said. “Every decision you make can make a positive impact if you let it.”
Black History Month
As part of Black History Month, Elon University is sharing stories through Today at Elon that highlight Black students, faculty and staff who actively contribute to a campus environment where cultural histories and identities are celebrated year-round. In February, Elon is also recognizing the month through a series of events and programming.