Guilford names Presidential Fellows for 2026-27

Four 2026 Guilford graduates are continuing their connection to the College this fall as Presidential Fellows, combining graduate study with hands-on experience working in Guilford’s administrative offices.

Malakie Harris ’26, Trent Torraine ’26, Janet Ngo ’26 and Maribeth VanHook ’26 have begun pursuing master’s degrees in Business Administration while serving in roles designed to connect their academic interests and leadership skills with the work of the College.

Malakie, who earned a bachelor's degree in Cyber & Network Security, is working in the Advancement Department. Trent, a Business grad, is working in Admission. Janet, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Music, is working with the Global Academy. Maribeth, an English and Media Studies grad, is serving in the Office of the President.

The Presidential Fellows program gives graduate students an opportunity to continue their education at Guilford while gaining practical experience in higher-education administration.

Twenty students have participated in the program, which was established in 2022. Previous fellows worked in additional areas including Communications, Finance and Student Leadership & Engagement.

Fellows typically work up to 20 hours each week in their administrative assignments while pursuing their graduate degrees. The fellowship provides financial support for graduate study along with opportunities for mentorship, professional development, service and campus leadership.

For Malakie, Trent, Janet and Maribeth, the fellowship offers a chance to move from being students who contribute to the Guilford community to graduate students who help shape the institution from inside its administrative offices.

Their MBA studies will also give them an opportunity to build on the leadership and professional skills developed through their undergraduate experiences. Guilford’s MBA is a 12-month, ethics-focused program designed to prepare students for leadership across a wide range of organizations.