From her first-year residential experience to her current leadership in campus organizations, Autumn Parish ’28 has built a life at Elon rooted in mentorship, service, and a commitment to helping others thrive.
Elon University students discover their sense of belonging in various environments: some find it among friends in clubs, others in classrooms alongside devoted faculty, or competing on the athletic fields. For Autumn Parish ’28, her community blossomed within the African Diaspora Living-Learning Community on the fourth floor of Jackson Hall, where she not only formed lasting friendships but also laid the groundwork for a transformative college experience. “It’s important where you live,” Parish expresses. “You have to feel at home when you’re not home.”
Beyond her residential community, Autumn deeply immerses herself in campus life as a human service studies major. She holds multiple roles: a member of the Student Government Association, a SMART mentor, an Elon College Fellow, a fall 2025 initiate of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a Renaissance Scholar, and secretary for the National Council of Negro Women. Additionally, she plays a pivotal role as a student coordinator for the Black Student Success team, orchestrating events to bolster the Black community at Elon. “I find planning events fulfilling because it lets students know that their community is here,” she states.
Mentorship
At Elon, mentorship is interwoven throughout the university’s culture. It encompasses interactions with professors, staff, and fellow students who step into supportive roles to help others navigate their college experiences. Autumn’s position as a SMART mentor feels like a natural fit—she has always aspired to be a positive role model for her younger siblings and now extends that nurturing energy to first-year students finding their way at Elon.
Influenced by her research adviser, Professor Sandra Reid, Parish embraces mentorship as a fundamental aspect of her own journey. Reid initially sparked Parish’s interest during an admissions event with a mock class that helped solidify her decision to attend Elon. “I know I can be successful in a small classroom environment where professors don’t see me as a number but actually know who I am,” she shares. “They care about my well-being.” Now working closely with Reid on her research, Parish is continuously evolving both academically and personally.
“Autumn is a caring, inquisitive, and highly focused research student who consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to learning,” praises Reid. “She soaks up new information and engages thoughtfully with complex material, applying strong critical thinking skills to her work.” Parish values this culture of mentorship that thrives at Elon. “I love when people help me help the world,” she explains. “I love that it’s part of the culture. The professors want you to succeed. The advisers want you to succeed. Even someone who doesn’t know you wants to see you succeed.”
History in the Making
For Parish, Black History Month signifies a time to reflect on one’s roots and honor those who have paved the path for future opportunities. Growing up, her parents instilled the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices made by earlier generations to create the possibilities she enjoys today. “Just to think that was only a couple of generations away—my grandparents protested,” she recalls. “They showed us how important it was, the sacrifices they made for me to earn a scholarship at a school I didn’t even think I could go to.”
This perspective shapes how she engages with her work at Elon. She perceives history not as a relic of the past but as an ongoing narrative, ever-evolving. “Black history is happening all the time, and you are living Black history because everything that you do is history in the making,” she articulates. Autumn views her active participation on campus as preparation for a life dedicated to service and impact, influenced by the sense of belonging she cultivated in her first year and the mentors who guided her journey.
“Everything that you do makes an impact on future things to come,” Parish emphasizes. “Every decision you make can make a positive impact if you let it.”
Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, Elon University shares stories through “Today at Elon” that highlight Black students, faculty, and staff contributing to a vibrant campus community where cultural histories and identities are recognized throughout the year. February also witnesses a series of events and programming dedicated to commemorating this important month.
