Queens University faculty and staff gathered on Aug. 24 for the start of the 2026-2027 academic year inside the Sandra Levine Theatre. Updates on institutional strategy were shared. Reflections on the merger with Elon University took center stage.
Acting President and CEO Jesse Cureton discussed key administrative shifts. The Queens Advisory Board was created. Pamela Davies moved into a new role as Strategic Advisor to the President. He introduced the Campus Core Team, which connects senior leadership with shared services leaders across departments.
“I want you to know that I’m proud of all that you’ve done, your commitment to this university, your commitment to Queens, and your commitment to Elon,” Cureton said, per elon.edu. “It’s powerful.”
Cureton praised employees from both campuses. Their work helped secure SACSCOC regulatory approval. Nicole Tarr, executive director of institutional effectiveness and institutional research, received the Queens Leadership Award. Derrick Everhart, director of financial aid, also earned this recognition.
President Connie Ledoux Book spoke to faculty and staff with her thoughts on the merger’s impact. “I am confident that… in 100 years, people are going to look back at this decision and point to it as a turning point for our institutions as we become one,” Book said.
Chief Operating Officer Kenitra Horsley described how campus operations connect with the Boldly Elon 2030 vision. She introduced the Campus Master Planning Committee led by Chief Integration Officer Jeff Stein. “This is not just about combining institutions – it’s about building something stronger, more agile, and more relevant for the next generation of students,” Horsley shared.
Amber Slack, vice president of campus life and dean of students, shared student engagement updates. Students logged nearly 8,500 total community service hours last year. Night and weekend events increased.
Provost Sarah Fatherly talked about summertime achievements. Seventeen faculty-student research pairs worked through the seventh year of the James Rogers Summer Institute for Research. The institution will host the National Learning Communities Conference in November, which recognizes the school’s decade-long thought leadership in course-based learning communities.
Fatherly talked about the academic calendar harmonization taking effect with the return of Winter Term in January 2027. The three-and-a-half-week term aims to drive retention through faculty mentoring.
Breakout sessions covered SOAR Strategic Planning, Winter Term details, cohorted Fellows programs, and campus master plan updates. Attendees praised campus renovations. The Sykes Learning Center received positive feedback. Queens Hall and residence halls did too.
The afternoon wrapped up at Tyson House for the Opening of School Reception.