Global ambassadors are peer mentors, inspiration leaders, and expert travelers who have participated in various global engagement programs around the world. If this sounds like you, learn more about how to apply to become a global ambassador.

Many global ambassadors have had multiple experiences, including semester and short-term programs, and every global ambassador has been trained in how to help other students. If you have questions about global engagement at Elon, start by asking a global ambassador.

Ways to get connected:

  1. Use the Google Map to find Global Ambassadors by location of their program.
  2. Find a global ambassador by major, Fellows or Scholar program, or lived experience and advice by scrolling through the profiles below or doing a keyword search (control/command + F) for terms relevant to you. For instance, if you want to contact a finance major, keyword search “finance.”
  3. Email globalambassadors@elon.edu about being paired with a global ambassador, or email any specific questions only students can answer.

If you attended a Global Engagement 101 session, complete this survey!

2024-25 Global Ambassadors

Rece Raju

rraju@elon.edu

Who I am:

My Experience:

  • Copenhagen, Denmark, DIS, Fall 2023
  • Future Abroad Experience: Japan and South Korea
  • Business Fellows Winter Term to Paris & Dubai 2023
  • Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Traveling to Budapest, Hungary for a weekend with my friends abroad!”

Ask Me About:

  • What countries or cities in Europe to travel to
  • Public transportation
  • Making new friends abroad
  • Maintaining health and wellness abroad

Jillian Dolman

jdolman@elon.edu

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2025
  • Major(s): Exercise Science and Spanish
  • Minor(s): Biology
  • Alpha Xi Delta
  • Club Volleyball
  • Biomechanics Research
  • Elon Pre-Health Society

My Experience:

Ask Me About:

  • Living with a host family
  • Taking classes in a new language
  • Balancing travel and academics
  • How to pack efficiently

Anna Grupp

agrupp@elon.edu

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2025
  • Major(s): Psychology
  • Minor(s): Spanish, Communications
  • Kappa Delta
  • Sigma Delta Pi
  • Elon 1010 Peer Mentor
  • Office of History & Geography (Student Assistant)

My Experience:

Ask Me About:

  • Packing efficiently
  • Managing expectations
  • Staying energized
  • Choosing the right abroad program for you

Michaela Shapiro

mshapiro7@elon.edu

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2026
  • Major(s): International and Global Studies: Europe, Environmental and Sustainability Studies
  • Minor(s): Geography
  • Elon Hillel
  • Elon Residence Life

My Experience:

Ask Me About:

  • Solo Travel
  • Living with a host family
  • Budgeting for travelling
  • Learning a new language
  • Cultural adjustments

Collette Lynch

clynch27@elon.edu

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2025
  • Major(s): Elementary Education
  • Kappa Delta
  • Admissions (Records Department)

My Experience:

Ask Me About:

  • Living with new people abroad
  • Making the most out of your time abroad
  • Being a flexible traveler
  • Cooking for the first time

Anya Bratic

abratic@elon.edu

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2026
  • Major(s): International & Global Studies, Public Health Studies
  • Minor(s): Policy Studies
  • Team Lead for the Center for Design Thinking
  • Periclean Scholar
  • Elon College Fellow
  • Alpha Xi Delta
  • Class of 2026 Senator in Student Government Association

My Experience:

Ask Me About:

  • Living with a homestay family
  • Internships abroad
  • Solo Travel
  • Eastern Europe
  • Being a heritage student
  • SIT programs

Payton Snead

psnead@elon.edu

 

Who I am:

  • Class: 2025
  • Major(s): Exercise Science
  • Minor(s): Public Health, Food Studies
  • Twisted Measure Acapella
  • Team Lead for Moseley Center Front Desk
  • Alpha Omicron Pi

My Experience:

Ask Me About:

  • Developing a routine abroad
  • Ways to connect with fellow exchange students and locals
  • Solo Travel
  • Travel throughout Australia

Gabby Nagel

gnagel@elon.edu

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2025
  • Major(s): Elementary Education
  • Minor(s): Environmental Education
  • Kappa Delta
  • Chabad
  • Elon Teaching Fellows
  • Undergraduate Research Student Association (URSA)

My Experience:

Ask Me About:

  • Teaching abroad
  • Maintaining religious traditions while abroad
  • Culture shock
  • Living with new people
  • FOMO

Ashley Josey

ajosey3@elon.edu

Who I am:

  • Class: 2025
  • Major(s): Communication Design
  • Minor(s): Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • Truitt Center Multifaith Intern
  • Elon University Innovation Fellow
  • Communications Fellow
  • Kernodle Center Alternative Breaks Coordinator

My Experience:

  • New Zealand, Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington (Arcadia), Fall, 2023
  • Favorite Elon Global Experience: “I lived with 17 students from all over the world while studying in Wellington. We had a blast cooking up meals together and exploring the city. It was a beautiful experience of living in an international community, while forming some incredible friendships (often over takeout Indian food).”

Ask Me About:

  • Solo Travel
  • Forming new friendships abroad
  • Exploring local cultures
  • LGBTQIA+ community abroad

Olivia Rosen

orosen@elon.edu

 

Who I am:

  • Class: 2025
  • Major(s): Policy Studies
  • Minor(s): Sociology
  • West Coast Admissions Ambassador
  • Koury Gym Operation Assistant
  • Omicron Delta Kappa

My Experience:

  • CET Prague, Spring 2024
  • Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Traveling with my program on our two traveling seminars to places that were more niche and solo traveling to Sardinia.”

Ask Me About:

  • Living in a city where English isn’t the primary language
  • Personal travel budgeting
  • Developing a routine abroad
  • Solo Travel

Kaitlyn Hannan

khannan@elon.edu

 

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2025
  • Major(s): Cinema and Television Arts
  • Minor(s): Creative Writing
  • Cinelon Productions
  • Elon Student Televison
  • The President’s Student Leadership Advisory Council

My Experience:

Ask Me About:

  • Finding an internship
  • Budgeting your time and money
  • Hidden gems in Los Angeles
  • Amusement Parks

Noelle Drummonds

ndrummonds@elon.edu

 

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2027
  • Major(s): International Global Studies, Dance Performance & Choreography
  • Minor(s): German Studies, Political Science
  • German Club
  • Sigma Kappa
  • Tour Guide for Elon Admissions

My Experience:

  • Germany, Heidelberg: University of Heidelberg, Summer 2024
  • Favorite Elon Global Experience: “I lived with a host mom for six weeks where she made me authentic German meals and we watched the UEFA Euro Football cup together! She also had other exchange students living with us from Slovakia, Japan, and France whom I still talk to!”

Ask Me About:

  • Learning German
  • Living with a host family
  • Finding your independence
  • Solo travel

Jack Halpern

jhalpern3@elon.edu

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2025
  • Major(s): Business Analytics and Entrepreneurship
  • Founder of Phoenix Fight Blood Cancer

My Experience:

Ask Me About:

  • Traveling abroad for the first time
  • Short-term and summer programs
  • Internships
  • Best Restaurants in Charlotte

Kylie Leyda

kleyda@elon.edu

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2025
  • Major(s): Computer Science, Public Health
  • Minor(s): Engineering Design, Statistics, Data Science
  • Elon Women’s Club Volleyball
  • Public Health Society

My Experience:

Ask Me About:

  • Studying in India or NYC
  • How to choose a program
  • Adjusting to different cultural practices
  • Navigating a language barrier while abroad
  • Work/life balance while interning in NYC

Lauren Bedell

lbedell@elon.edu

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2026
  • Major(s): Political Science, Policy Studies
  • Truitt Center Multifaith Intern
  • Racquetball Club
  • Elon Alzheimer’s Initiative
  • Alpha Phi Omega
  • LEAF (Lutherans, Episcopalians, And Friends)

My Experience:

Ask Me About:

  • Solo Travel
  • Living with a homestay family
  • Finding local volunteer opportunities
  • Adjusting to new environments and cultures abroad
  • Core courses vs. Elective courses with DIS

Annika Benander

abenander@elon.edu

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2027
  • Major(s): BFA Acting, Arts Administration
  • Minor(s): Dance, Business, Communications
  • Renegade Student Productions
  • CinElon

My Experience:

  • Ghana Performing Arts in Cultural Context, Winter 2024
  • Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Canopy walk through the rainforest of Kakum National Park suspended 160 feet above ground. “

Ask Me About:

  • West African Dance at Elon
  • Exploring beyond your comfort zone
  • Navigating long distance with friends and family

Jill Waggoner

jwaggoner2@elon.edu

 

Who I Am:

  • Class: 2025
  • Major(s): Sociology
  • Minor(s): Criminal Justice
  • Sociology Club
  • Boys and Girls Club Burlington volunteer

My Experience:

  • Florence, Italy, Spring 2024
  • Favorite Elon Global Experience: “Opening up my horizons to new foods, cultures, countries and people while abroad.”

Ask Me About:

  • Going abroad without knowing anyone in your program
  • Traveling in Europe
  • Budgeting while abroad
  • Navigating language barriers
  • Adapting to new cultures and environments