Hyemin Im ’27 didn't know Elon University existed until a friend suggested she take a tour. It was the promise of hands-on experience that drew her in, and a life-changing scholarship that made her stay.
A friend’s offhand recommendation led to a campus tour at Elon that changed Hyemin Im’s plans. The tour had nearly ended when the guide stopped in front of the gear room. For Im, that moment was enough. She had found her school.
“The tour guide explained that from the first day of freshman year, you can have hands-on experience,” Im recalled. “Many other schools I toured said that the first couple of years were mainly theory-based classes and less hands-on experience. I find a lot of value in having access to the resources all four years.”
That promise of hands-on experience was kept. Within her first week as a freshman, Im was already behind a Sony 4K camera through Elon’s Fresh TV program. Now a junior majoring in cinema and television arts with minors in leadership studies and psychology, she recalled, “The CTA program was the biggest reason I loved Elon.”
Im grew up in South Korea, where her father still lives, before moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her mother and siblings for high school. She said that her transition from high school to Elon was comfortable, and that compared to her previous experience, she had more opportunities for interaction with her peers.
“When I came to Elon, I had more of a chance to share my culture and interact with people who have different backgrounds,” she recalled. “It made my perspective change in general. I learned more about how other people from different cultures think and see the world.”
Much of her growth in her freshman year happened in her International Living-Learning Community residence hall. She remembered connecting with the people living in her residence hall who spoke different languages and carried distinct cultural perspectives that they shared freely — sometimes in unconventional ways.
“We taught each other how to swear in our languages,” Im laughed. “That was one of my core memories, and still, I hear my friends cursing in Korean once in a while. I think it’s very funny; the freshman dorm experience was so much fun.”
Her energy to share and inspire carried forward. Im is very involved on campus through being an Orientation Leader, Residence Assistant, a Leadership Fellow and a member of Women’s Club Rugby.
She recalled two examples that solidified what it meant to her to be a positive mentor at Elon. Feeling proud of the work she is involved with, Im shared the personal meaning behind her drive to improve Elon’s campus.
“When I get respect, I feel that I am doing well,” she said. During Fellows Weekend, a student walked up to her, “He said, ‘I don’t think you remember me, but you gave me a tour two years ago, and that tour made me excited to come to Elon.’”
Not long after, in her sophomore summer, she was recognized for being an engaging leader again by a former orientation student who had become an RA, just like her. He sought her out to thank her for being an engaging leader. For Im, the pattern was clear.
“I’m happy that I’m doing well in mentorship and getting appreciated in many different ways, but also I’m proud that my mentees are doing well on campus. And that brings me joy in many different ways,” she added.
In the classroom and production studio, Im has been equally determined to succeed. She is currently the producer for Elon After Hours, the student-run late-night talk show under Elon Student Television. As a freshman, she earned the program’s Rookie of the Year award, recognition she said she hadn’t seen coming.
“I did not know that the upperclassmen were appreciating my help until I got that award, and that’s when I realized they think I’m doing my job well,” she said.
Im also received the highest academic achievement award from CREDE, the university’s Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, though she is quick to express what achievement means to her. “Getting a good grade is important, but what I do and what I learn is more important than just getting a grade.”
This semester, her focus is on an advanced documentary class where her group is producing a live-broadcast game show, complete with original graphics. Her group plans to produce a live broadcast of the game show when it is being filmed, and the final cut will be a highlight reel of the show’s best moments. “I’m so excited for that,” she added.
Even though Im received awards and worked well with her mentees, she was conflicted between staying at Elon, and carrying the financial weight of tuition, or leaving.
“I was considering dropping out of college or transferring, even though I value and appreciate the education I get at Elon, because financial troubles are inevitable,” she expressed.
Through her Reverend Dr. William J. Andes ’35 Endowed Scholarship changed that. The scholarship was not just supportive financially, but also supported what her values as a student meant to the Elon community. To her, it felt like someone had seen what she was doing and decided it mattered. It proved to her that her talents are worth investing in.
With the scholarship, Im was able to expand her reach beyond Elon’s campus and enroll in the Study USA New York City program.
“If I were not enrolled with Elon, and supported through a scholarship, I would not have had the experience to meet alumni and connect with people based on our interests in New York City,” said Im.
Im is now one year from finishing her degree and acknowledged how close she came to never reaching this point.
“Thank you so much. I cannot explain how much of an impact they made on my life and my family’s lives,” Im said of her scholarship donors.” The fact that I can tell my family that I received money as recognition of my skills is a huge help. I have the opportunity to make this campus a better space, and the fact that I have that privilege –I’m so thankful for that. Sincerely, the scholarship changed my life, and now I can contribute to the community.”