Elon University fosters connections with the local community through faculty like Elizabeth Bailey, who engages students in community-based learning and leads programs promoting physical and emotional well-being in local youth.
Being part of the Elon community means fostering a sense of belonging. Elon University is committed to building connections not only within its campus but also with the Alamance County community. This dedication is exemplified by the work of faculty and staff, like exercise science lecturer Elizabeth Bailey.
Bailey is involved in far more than being a faculty member at Elon; she is deeply immersed in Alamance County. As a Burlington resident, she takes priority in making sure she and her family are engaged in the community and are regular volunteers at numerous programs.
“Volunteering gives me a sense of fulfillment,” said Bailey. “It not only helps others but also supports my own social and emotional well-being, keeping me grounded and joyful.”
As an Elon faculty member, Bailey believes it is important for Elon students to become engaged in the local community and work with them to find their sense of fulfillment. Bridging these two communities is a value Bailey finds important as she teaches Community-Based Learning (CBL) courses at Elon.
Students have the opportunity to learn about the community they’re in, recognizing that North Carolina offers much more nuance than just Elon,” Bailey said. “Elon is not all of North Carolina. It’s crucial to gain a better understanding of the privilege of being here and to engage with the environment in a way that fosters respect.”
In addition to learning more about the community, Bailey believes her students learn valuable clinical skills within the community that enhance their education.
“Give them the opportunity to put their learning into practice, learn how to be flexible, think on their feet, (teach them about) leadership, confidence and make the content they are learning more real.”
Along with teaching CBL courses at Elon, Bailey also works with the Kernodle Center for Civic Life with two programs: Alamance Girls in Motion and Coaching Health and Mentoring Positive Students (CHAMPS). Launched in 2005, Alamance Girls in Motion was originally based on a program designed by the psychology faculty at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Initially using SMU’s materials, Bailey tailored the program to meet the needs of Alamance County. The focus of the program is to intervene and prevent eating disorders in young girls by promoting healthy body image and self-esteem.
Participants are matched one-on-one with mentors, typically students, and engaged in physical activities alongside health education focused on body image and fueling the body properly. The program saw positive outcomes, with improvements in perceived body image and self-esteem.
CHAMPS is a similar program that is designed similarly, but for boys. The program’s main focus is to address the issues of bullying, handling emotions, and team building by implementing the same mentor-style bonding. Both participants and their parents, as well as the mentors, recognize the program as beneficial.