Hixon is a 2013 graduate of UMA who earned a bachelors in Business Administration. She later went on to earn her master's degree in business at Plymouth State University. Hixon came to UMA in the fall of 2008 and wanted to be as involved as possible. She played soccer and basketball for four years, became part of the honors program, served as Student Government Association budget coordinator for one year and President for two years, and also served as the General Assembly chair in her senior year. Elora was also involved in every aspect of athletics through team bonding, fundraising, and volunteering at men’s games. She took part in many student life activities and really enjoyed the campus community. “I really like the family atmosphere at UMA,” Hixon reflects. “Everyone knew everyone and we always had a good time. It was always great being in Student Life or down in the Fitness Center and spending time with everyone.” Elora also reflected on a few of her favorite moments being an athlete stating, “Bus rides were my favorite team bonding moments. We always had so much fun!” Elora says she really enjoyed being an athlete here at UMA and it also helped her success in the classroom. “Being an athlete helped me become better at managing my time. I always wanted to focus on school work so that I could be eligible to play.”“Elora is a true leader in every sense of the word,” says her former coach, Jennifer Laney. “Every role that I, or anyone else had asked Elora to fill, she did without question. Elora had been a manager, a player, a motivator, a leader, and most of all, an amazing teammate. Her contributions to the UMA community will always be remembered and Elora continues to be a success in everything she does.”