School of Communications

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.

The new course, offered by Associate Teaching Professor of Communication Design Randy Piland, blends hands-on projects and flight simulations with discussions about ethics, privacy and the broader impact of drone use.

The assistant professor of sport management explores how the International Volleyball Federation enforced decades of sex testing after the 1972 Olympics – finding no fraud yet reinforcing rigid gender norms that shape current debates on fairness and inclusion.

Israel Balderas, assistant professor of journalism at Elon University, has been interviewed by several television news outlets about First Amendment concerns that have arisen following the death of Charlie Kirk.

Throughout her time at Elon, Assistant Dean Vanessa Bravo, an administrator and professor in the School of Communications, not only studies relationships but has worked to foster them and a sense of belonging at the university.

The Army West Point Athletics staff member – and former sport management major – collaborated with School of Communications faculty members Young Do Kim and Cara Lucia to offer marketing-based strategies, case challenges, and teaching resources to help sports-related organizations meet evolving audience expectations.

The new assistant professor of sport management brings extensive experience as an author, researcher and former department chair.