From Confidence to Courage: Elin Prifti’s Journey Beyond College LAUNCH
Alumni Spotlight | Elin Prifti | Winston-Salem College LAUNCH ’26
For Elin Prifti, a member of the Winston-Salem College LAUNCH 2025–26 cohort, the program helped build more than academic and leadership skills. It gave her the confidence to pursue new opportunities, step outside her comfort zone, and take on challenges she may not have considered before.
Since participating in College LAUNCH, Elin has continued putting those skills into practice through academic enrichment, research, and leadership experiences. From spending four weeks exploring scientific research at the University of North Carolina Wilmington to serving as a summer camp counselor, she credits College LAUNCH with helping her develop the courage to pursue her interests and take on new responsibilities.
Exploring New Opportunities Through Research
Following her time in College LAUNCH, Elin applied to the Summer Ventures program through the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM). After being accepted, she spent four weeks on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus, learning about the research process and gaining hands-on experience in an academic environment.
For Elin, applying to the program was an important step toward becoming more confident in pursuing her interests.
“I think LAUNCH really helped me have the courage to apply to that,” she shared.
The experience allowed her to explore research while building on the confidence and skills she developed during College LAUNCH.
Putting Leadership Skills into Practice
Elin’s summer also included an opportunity to serve as a camp counselor at her school, where she was responsible for supervising and leading groups of children throughout the day.
The position required communication, decision-making, and the ability to take initiative. As she adjusted to these responsibilities, Elin recognized how College LAUNCH had helped prepare her to take on leadership roles.
“I feel like LAUNCH helped me kind of build my leadership skills and become more confident in myself,”
Through this experience, Elin learned to trust her abilities and approach new responsibilities with greater self-assurance. She emphasized that having confidence in herself made a difference in her ability to lead others and handle challenges.
Finding the Courage to Pursue Her Goals
Reflecting on her experiences, Elin identified courage as one of the most meaningful things she gained from College LAUNCH.
From applying to a summer research program to accepting a leadership position as a camp counselor, she has continued challenging herself to explore new opportunities and pursue her interests.
“I would just say courage overall to do the things that I wanted to do and have the confidence to kind of go towards my goals,” she reflected.
Elin’s journey highlights how the lessons learned through College LAUNCH extend beyond the program itself. By developing confidence in her abilities and a willingness to embrace new challenges, she continues to build on the foundation she established as a LAUNCH scholar.
Her experiences serve as an example of how College LAUNCH empowers students to recognize their potential, pursue their goals, and approach new opportunities with courage and confidence.