Nicole McGinity '24, an Elon Year of Service Fellow, is finding rewarding work with Impact Alamance.
Nicole McGinity ’23, an Elon University alumna, is participating in the Elon Year of Service Fellows program, working with Impact Alamance, a local organization focused on creating a healthier, more connected Alamance County.
The Elon Year of Service Fellows program is a collaboration designed to lend support to community partners while delivering a valuable professional experience to the fellows. The program is jointly funded by the university and Cone Health and is co-chaired by Laurie Judge, senior associate director of career services in Elon’s Student Professional Development Center, and Marcy Green, vice president of programs at Impact Alamance.
Her work aligns with Impact Alamance’s mission of building a “healthier, smarter, stronger” community. McGinity is part of the initiatives that advance wellness, strengthen community ties and expand opportunities for healthy living across the region. One of her main focuses has been supporting the foundation’s grant cycle; she recently applied for a Honda grant to secure additional funding.
Through her internship, McGinity helped organized the Wellness Summit, an event hosted at the Dream Center, that brought together panelists and community members to promote a culture of well-being and belonging. She finds it fulfilling to see these initiatives take shape and celebrate the community’s progress toward a healthier future.
“Serving on the Wellness Summit planning subcommittee was incredibly rewarding and one of my favorite memories from my year of service so far,” said McGinity, who holds a degree in public health. “Seeing over 80 people attend and feeling the positive energy during the event was truly inspiring. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful event and connect with so many incredible local leaders.”
Reflecting on her journey, Nicole credits her role in Elon’s Kernodle Center for Civic Life as pivotal in her professional development. Working as the executive director of education and community engagement, she honed skills in public speaking, collaboration and community outreach that are essential in her current work. This experience also gave her a foundational understanding of the community she now serves, fostering relationships with local organizations and inspiring her commitment to social justice and equity.
Nicole plans to pursue graduate school in the coming years, potentially in the parks and recreation field, where she hopes to continue building community-focused initiatives. She’s especially grateful for the mentorship she’s received, which has helped her transition smoothly into her service role and opened her eyes to the diverse career paths available in community health and development.