When leadership meets purpose

When Avelyn Paulino ’26, MBA ’27, came to Lenoir-Rhyne University for her first college tour, she didn’t expect the decision to feel so immediate. But the small, welcoming campus and the close faculty-student connections made a lasting impression.

“I just fell in love with it here,” she said. “I didn’t look at any other colleges after that.”

Since that day, Paulino has become one of Lenoir-Rhyne’s most visible student leaders — balancing academics, professional roles and campus involvement with an impressive sense of purpose. A first-generation student and LR Scholar, she maintains a 4.0 GPA with a major in human resource management. She has also earned consistent recognition on both the dean’s list and president’s list and this year began pursuing an accelerated MBA in executive management.

Paulino enjoys coursework that challenges her to think critically and apply concepts directly to workplace settings. Classes in total compensation, business law, and employment and labor law have grounded her understanding of how policies shape the employee experience. Project-based assignments, such as creating compensation plans and analyzing payroll and labor regulations, have helped her connect theory to real-life cases. 

“I love being challenged,” she said. “I don’t like doing easy work.”

That mindset carries into her professional roles. Paulino works as a student assistant in LR’s Office of Human Resources, assisting with policies, processing forms and welcoming campus visitors. She also interns with the Office of Alumni Engagement and Development, where she helps coordinate events, reunions and outreach efforts. 

“I love both jobs,” she said. “They’ve helped me grow, meet new people and see how much the LR staff cares about students.”

Her leadership presence is equally strong. Paulino serves as president of Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, executive vice president of the Student Government Association, a resident assistant and a member of both Mortar Board honor society and the University Academic Integrity Committee. She is also active with Gathering House Ministries. These roles have made her a familiar, trusted figure on campus — someone students and staff alike recognize as a resource.

That visibility reflects a transformation Paulino experienced early in her college journey. As a first-year student, she wasn’t sure how involved she wanted to be. Then she received an invitation to join the Broyhill Institute for Leadership, a campus organization dedicated to providing students with guidance and opportunities to develop their leadership skills in ways that benefit others. 

“That invitation brought me out of my shell,” she said. “The honor of being recognized for my academic achievements and leadership potential made me want to do more and make more of myself.” In addition to her other campus commitments, Paulino currently serves as president of the Broyhill Institute.

Whether she’s assisting a department, supporting alumni, leading a student organization or lending a hand wherever it’s needed, Paulino approaches every responsibility with energy and intention. 

Paulino’s drive is also grounded in something deeply personal. She draws motivation from her family, especially her 5-year-old sister, whom she hopes may one day follow the path she’s forging at Lenoir-Rhyne. “I want her to look up to me,” she said. “I want her to see me as a resource — to be someone she can emulate, too.”