An entirely new school, an enrollment cliff and a merger. These were just some of the topics Elon University president Connie Book focused on during the University Update Sept. 27 in Alumni Gym.
Taking place over Elon’s Family Weekend, Book updated visiting parents on new steps the university will be taking and new projects that are currently underway. These new developments include the intended merger between Elon and Queens University of Charlotte.
“Elon will operate at the end of the merger,” Book said during the event. “This was so critical to Elon as we are launching graduate programs and we do have many students who intern in Charlotte.”
According to Book, if the merger is approved later in the year, Queens will have its own operational budget to sustain itself.
In addition to the merger, Book also spoke about new majors such as neuroscience, digital content management and cybersecurity, as well as the new school of engineering and computing, which will open in spring 2026.
“This was a decision we made back when we launched the plan in 2020, that when we had 400 students, we were going to spin it off into its own school,” Book said.
Book also took questions regarding tuition and enrollment. Book said that the university is aiming for moderate growth in graduate programs and emphasizing fields that are experiencing shortages, such as nursing.
Elon parent Anne Trumbore, who works in higher education, said she has always been pleased with Elon.
“I’ve always been super impressed with how Elon conducts itself in the higher-ed landscape,” Trumbore said. “I’ve always felt it was one of the reasons we chose Elon, because I felt like Elon punches well above its weight.”
Trumbore also said she is looking forward to the merger with Queens.
“This merger is strategically very smart and very forward looking,” Trumbore said. “I really appreciate how they still keep a focus on the undergraduate population.”
Family weekend events will continue throughout Sept. 27 and 28.