The Periclean Scholars Program inducted 16 rising sophomores into its 22nd cohort as students begin a three-year journey focused on ethical community engagement, global partnership, and food sovereignty.
The Periclean Scholars Program welcomed 15 rising sophomores who were officially inducted into the Periclean Scholars Class of 2029.
During the next three years, the Periclean Scholars Class of 2029 will work with faculty mentor Vanessa Drew-Branch, associate professor in the Department of Human Service Studies.
During an event on April 30 in Sato Commons, Drew-Branch, welcomed the Class of 2029 by introducing the cohort’s theme of food sovereignty at Elon University and in St. Kitts and Nevis. Drawing connections between local and global food systems, Drew-Branch encouraged Scholars to think critically about issues of food insecurity, food apartheid, justice, dignity and sustainability. She highlighted how colonial legacies, climate change and inequitable systems continue to shape access to healthy and culturally appropriate food while emphasizing the importance of community-centered, sustainable agricultural practices. Through her remarks, students were challenged to approach this work with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to building authentic partnerships rooted in reciprocity and social justice.
The newly inducted members of the Periclean Scholars Class of 2029:
- Melanie Alarcon
- Katherine Banker
- Autumn Boyce
- Kimara delRosario
- Willow Evans
- Travis Greene
- Simone Lewis-Abdeen
- Mason Marks
- Tia Nelson
- Jazline Rogel Sanchez
- Ally Rotenberg
- Kylie Rukavina
- Gabriella Shew
- Hazel Silverstein
- Shukri Siraji
- Caleb Slosberg
The Periclean Scholars Program provides students with a distinctive three-year educational experience focused on global engagement, interdisciplinary learning and ethical community partnership. Each cohort studies a specific country or region, collaborating with local and global partners to gain a deeper understanding of complex social challenges and develop sustainable, justice-centered initiatives.
Throughout the program, acholars complete 18 semester hours of coursework during their sophomore, junior, and senior years under the guidance of their faculty mentor. Through these courses and experiential learning opportunities, students explore best practices in community engagement, examine the critical distinction between charity and partnership, and learn to approach social change through collaboration, reciprocity, and long-term relationship building.
As the Periclean Scholars Class of 2026 prepares to graduate, the induction of the Class of 2029 reflects the continued legacy of student leadership, ethical partnership, and community-engaged global learning that defines the program.