My higher education professional journey began in 2010 at Elon University as the Assistant Director in the Center for Leadership.  And what a journey it was!  The video below was given to me when I left in October 2012 and catalogs many of the wonderful experiences and people I met while in North Carolina!  During the two and a half years at Elon, I grew tremendously as a professional and a person.  

I am humbled at the final line in the video, "Thank you for teaching us how to fail forward and develop into something beautiful."  Elon University, North Carolina, and my first higher education experience, I say the same to you!

I wore many different hats at Elon and you can see them all listed on my resume.  However, I would like to highlight what made this experience so positive.  In this role, my commitment to innovation and creativity shone.  I was one of two professionals responsible for the creation of the Intersect: Diversity and Leadership Conference, a highly successful conference inviting faculty, staff, and students from twelve area institutions into a mutual space for engaging conversations, keynotes, and workshops.  I also redesigned and executed the four-year co-curricular leadership program into the Leadership Education and Development Program, a multi-tiered, flexible leadership program open to all students.  This redesign more than doubled enrollment numbers in the program!

I learned of my love for curricular leadership experiences when I managed the leadership experiential learning requirement, developed the leadership themed first-year seminar course, and guest lectured for the Foundations in Leadership course in the Leadership Studies minor.

And I would be remiss if I did not mention the students that made me want to be a better professional every day.  Who gave of themselves for the betterment of the Center and who inspired me to do the same!  

Recommendations from LinkedIn:

• “During the two years I had the opportunity to work with Michelle, it was apparent that her presence, work, and dedication to her role transformed the projects of which she was a part. The individuals that worked under Michelle were inspired by her passion and drive to enact positive change and they too accomplished a great deal. Michelle was highly instrumental in the creation and implementation of the LEAD Program - a certificate program for undergraduate students seeking to engage in and learn about leadership. Without her hard work and passion for leadership, I believe that the program would not be in existence today. She made lasting and meaningful personal connections with the students that worked closely with her as well as students that were a part of the Elon community as a whole. In my relationship with Michelle, I found her to be a role model and individual that consciously and unconsciously pushed me to strive for the greatest heights. Her advice and authentic interactions with others and me shaped my development as a leader and individual. I feel truly blessed to have worked with and formed a relationship with Michelle and know that she will be a phenomenal addition to any group or organization that she seeks to be a part of.”

• “I've had the opportunity to work with Michelle on several projects, and she has always been extremely professional, collaborative, creative, kind, and student focused. Last year Michelle and I collaborated on a workshop focused on "ethical leadership and the career/internship search". Michelle's experience and expertise in HR/recruiting and leadership was incredibly helpful as we crafted a program focused on how to be ethical when completing the job search, and how to think about and process all of those "gray areas" when it comes to accepting or declining an offer. The students (and I) gained so much useful information from Michelle. I highly recommend Michelle for any position based on her high level of integrity, experience, and general awesome'ness!”

• “During my two years working with Michelle, I found that every day I came in for work she gave me a new reason to stay inspired and motivated. She constantly pushed me to be the best leader that I could be by taking responsibility for my actions and truly understanding the importance of integrity. Michelle is not only responsible for helping shape my identity as a leader, she is also responsible for helping me grow as an individual. She is one of the most genuine individuals I have ever met, and I truly respect her honesty and openness with everyone she encounters. I look to her not only as a role model, but as a mentor and friend. It is truly an honor to have had the opportunity to work with and know an individual like Michelle.”​

• ​"Michelle is a mentor and a friend. I've known Michelle since the start of my freshman year and since then I have trusted, respected and listened to her advice, teachings and helpful hints about life. Michelle has changed my college experience for the better, empowering me to be a leader and believe in myself. She has given me the opportunity to face my fear of public speaking, putting me in front of people every chance she could have had. Moreover, with her guidance I learned to work in ambiguity, understanding the role of versatility and flexibility. Something I have always admired and striven to emulate about Michelle's character, is her commitment to lead a transparent and authentic life, aligning her actions and beliefs together. I first learned this from Michelle's conscious use of inclusive language and her willingness to engage in difficult conversations. There are countless examples to name from, but the most jarring for me was when she talked about her husband with the word for partner. This experience signified her commitment to equal marriage, but challenged me to shift my paradigm and expand my views. In addition to Michelle's resolution to model the way and lead a life she can be proud of, she also demonstrates remarkable leadership skills through her efforts to challenge the norm and build meaningful relationships with others. These skills were exemplified by her position at Elon where she led the transformation of our leadership program. Overall, her presence has helped shape my Elon experience for the better and given students the resources, knowledge and confidence to develop and grow.”

• “I had the honor of working with Michelle at the Center for Leadership at Elon University and could not have asked for a better mentor, coach, or close confidant to learn and grow from. Michelle served as my advisor for my final leadership legacy capstone project, and always helped me stay focused, inspired, and committed. She was empathetic and always knew when and how to reach out - whether it be through a thoughtful, hand written card, a lunch, or an acknowledgement to make those around her feel appreciated and valued. Michelle goes the extra mile in everything that she does and I know she will find continued success in her career. I am thankful to have met her and continue to learn from her everyday.”