School of Communications

Through a new partnership with Pistoia Basket, a top professional basketball organization in Italy, and the Accademia Europea di Firenze, Elon students will explore the intersection of sport, culture and education.

Lily Barker ’25, a sport management major and former women’s volleyball player, collaborated with Assistant Professor Alex Traugutt on a study published in the Journal of Amateur Sport exploring what influences NCAA Division I volleyball match attendance. Their findings highlight the key roles of scheduling, opponent quality, and promotional efforts in attracting fans to games.

As part of its 25th anniversary celebration during Homecoming Weekend, the School of Communications honored Wilson for her accomplishments as a showrunner and writer in Hollywood. The milestone event also reflected on the school’s transformation over 25 years – from its early beginnings to a nationally respected program known for producing industry-ready graduates.

For Karla Estrada Perez, learning about and celebrating cultures and identities builds communities and relationships.

The strategic communications and sport management double major impacted the NHL team with an idea that benefited fans.

The Elon alumnus’ passion for “America’s pastime” and flair for storytelling have made him one of the brightest rising voices in professional baseball.

The Elon News Network executive director will be part of a handpicked team of student journalists covering the Society of Professional Journalists’ MediaFest25 in Washington, D.C.

The 2025 Sport Management Internship Forum, held Sept. 29 in Turner Theatre, brought together Elon students to share their summer experiences with organizations across the sport industry, from NBC Universal to the New York Islanders.

Elon junior Ethan Wu worked alongside School of Communications faculty members Amanda Sturgill and Randy Piland in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of a production team documenting one of the world’s most prestigious programming competitions.

From investigating illegal shark fishing in Costa Rica to mentoring scholars in the Odyssey Program and celebrating Hispanic heritage, Lilliana Molina ’27 is making her Elon journey one of impact and connection.