Listening sessions, town halls and a feedback form have generated hundreds of comments and ideas that inspire the administrators creating a formal agreement to unify resources and expand student learning opportunities at both institutions.
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Members of the Sprint Team joined with Queens University of Charlotte Acting President Jesse Cureton and Elon University President Connie Ledoux Book on Oct. 1, 2025, during a daylong meeting in Charlotte.
As progress continues toward a formal merger agreement between Elon University and Queens University of Charlotte, leaders of the Sprint Team shaping those merger plans credit input from stakeholders in both communities for informing their work.
To date, more than 140 comments and questions have been received through an online form created to seek community feedback on the proposed merger. That online form remains open for additional perspectives and suggestions.
Hundreds of people – employees, students, alumni, parents and more – have also attended town halls and listening sessions with upcoming opportunities to provide additional ideas.
Jim Piatt, Elon University’s senior vice president for advancement and external affairs, and Pamela Davies, Queens University of Charlotte’s president emerita and senior strategy and integration executive, are co-chairing the Sprint Team comprised of five administrators from each institution working on the academic, administrative, facilities and athletic integration of both schools.
Feedback, they say, has been as impressive as it has been informative.
The Sprint Team working on the merger between Elon University and Queens University of Charlotte worked in small groups on the Elon University campus on Oct. 8, 2025, alongside advisers from Boston Consulting Group.
“It is very clear, not just from alums, but from students, friends and parents involved in both institutions, that they feel very passionate about the relational nature of both universities, which just reinforces what a great idea it is to consider this merger,” Piatt said. “These are two institutions that share values in deeply felt and meaningful ways.”
Piatt and Davies emphasized that mentoring relationships between students and faculty are a defining trait of both universities, with stories from each campus feeling “like they’re talking about the same place.”
“Both our alumni bases have shared clearly that our histories and our legacies unequivocally need to be retained in some way, but many see the potential of our combined universities – it presents a whole new set of possibilities,” Davies said.
Both our alumni bases have shared clearly that our histories and our legacies unequivocally need to be retained in some way, but many see the potential of our combined universities – it presents a whole new set of possibilities.
– Pamela Davies, Queens University of Charlotte’s president emerita and senior strategy and integration executive
Administrators say their approach isn’t symbolic. It’s rooted in experience.
“As a community here at Elon, we believe that ideas get better the more input you have,” Piatt said. “When people have a chance to ask questions or offer personal reflections, it strengthens everything about a decision. It’s been that way through our university’s strategic plans for many years.”
Toward the end of a recent daylong visit to Elon University, where members of the Sprint Team met with advisers from Boston Consulting Group, Davies reflected on the feedback she’s received from members of the Queens community.
It’s been full of pride, emotion, reason and, from many people, perspective.
“It’s human nature to want to protect and preserve what we have, but, you know, I’ve heard from alumni who have described the evolution of Queens from its beginnings as a small Presbyterian school to its status today as a coeducational, comprehensive university serving both undergraduates and graduate students,” she said. “They see this as the next evolution for Queens: to partner with the institution that has shared values around student success and transformative education – and they are now dreaming of all the possibilities that brings.”
Jim Piatt, Elon University’s senior vice president for advancement and external affairs, leads an Elon University campus tour past Whitley Auditorium on Oct. 8, 2025, for members of the Sprint Team from both Elon and Queens University of Charlotte.
What’s Next
The Sprint Team is launching a first round of “side-by-side” conversations with leaders of academic and non-academic units across both institutions over the next several weeks. These discussions will highlight strengths, surface opportunities for collaboration and identify areas where thoughtful planning will be required.
Elon University will host a listening session for alumni returning to campus for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend. That conversation takes place Friday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m. in the LaRose Student Commons.
Elon University will also host a town hall for employees on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m. in LaRose Digital Theatre inside the Koury Business Center.
A joint meeting of the boards of trustees for both Queens University and Elon University will take place at the end of October.