BOONE, N.C. — How can universities help thousands of new students feel at home in their new surroundings? At Appalachian State University, the answer this fall is the Trailhead Experience, a newly reimagined orientation and leadership development program designed to help students learn how to create connections, build community and navigate the many changes to university life necessitated by the novel coronavirus.
In past years, the Trailhead Experience was a three-day program held off campus for 200 incoming students. This year, as a part of a newly conceptualized Welcome to App Week, more than 2,400 incoming first-year students participated in a two-day version of the program during their first days on campus.
“Trailhead is an important bridge between the virtual orientation sessions in the summer and the start of classes for first-year students,” said Courtney Holder, associate director of leadership education and development in Appalachian’s Department of Student Engagement and Leadership. “All students need additional support in navigating the changes we’ll see this academic year, which is why Trailhead was expanded and changed.”
This fall’s Trailhead Experience — which was a coordinated effort between the Department of Student Engagement and Leadership, Orientation, and the Division of Student Affairs — is designed to help students make friends, learn to access campus resources, get involved in student organizations and succeed in new class formats, Holder said.
Julia Connell, a sophomore chemistry major from Burlington who is pictured in front of the Lucky 8 sculpture on Appalachian State University’s campus, was one of 140 upper-level students who served as Trailhead Guides. These student leaders helped guide first-year students participating in Appalachian’s fall 2020 Trailhead Experience orientation and leadership development program. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian State University’s fall 2020 Trailhead Experience orientation and leadership development program featured upper-level students who served as Trailhead Guides. These students, including Bianca Ramos, a senior majoring in communication, public relations from Charlotte, pictured second from left, were nominated for this role based on their prior leadership experience and interest in welcoming students to Appalachian. Photo by Marie Freeman
More than 2,400 first-year Appalachian State University students participated in the fall 2020 Trailhead Experience orientation and leadership development program. Small groups of students, such as the one pictured, engaged in activities, dialogues and sessions, many of which guided them to evaluate their own identities and experiences and consider how they can enrich the Appalachian Community. Photo by Marie Freeman
In their first days on campus, first-year Appalachian State University students gathered in small groups — such as the ones pictured in the Fred Webb Jr. Outdoor Geology Laboratory/Interactive Rock Garden — for an orientation and leadership development program known as the Trailhead Experience. Photo by Marie Freeman
First-year Appalachian State University students — such as the ones pictured near the Fred Webb Jr. Outdoor Geology Laboratory/Interactive Rock Garden — participated in a fall 2020 orientation and leadership development program known as the Trailhead Experience. The program gave them the opportunity to practice and discuss important, required behaviors related to COVID-19, such as wearing face coverings, respecting physical distancing guidelines and practicing good hygiene to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus. Photo by Marie Freeman
Learning about university life
First-year students met in small groups of approximately 10–12 peers to engage in activities, dialogues and sessions, many of which guided them to evaluate their own identities and experiences and consider how they can enrich the Appalachian Community.
Steven Cromartie, a first-year Trailhead participant from Concord who plans to major in instrumental music education (K–12), said he learned about the “locations and uses of buildings around campus” as well as “what to do and what not to do while I’m here at my new home.” He said his favorite part of the experience was meeting new people.
“We were all strangers meeting for the first time, but we talked as if we were really close friends,” Cromartie said. “I feel like I gained some new friends through my group.”
Two upper-level students serving as Trailhead Guides led each group of first-year students. The program had 140 Trailhead Guides, who were nominated by staff and faculty across campus based on their “prior leadership experience and roles on campus, as well as their interest in helping to welcome new students to App,” Holder said.
Throughout the Trailhead Experience, students had the opportunity to practice and discuss important, required behaviors related to COVID-19 — such as wearing face coverings, respecting physical distancing guidelines and practicing good hygiene to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.
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About Student Affairs at App State
Student Affairs at App State supports student success and well-being by fostering a culture of care, inclusion and engagement. Its mission is to develop lifelong learners and dynamic leaders through meaningful experiences that challenge and support students. Grounded in a commitment to care, engage and transform, Student Affairs creates a student-centered environment that encourages resilience, leadership, service and global learning. Student Affairs encompasses the following units: Campus Activities, Case Management, the Child Development Center, Community-Engaged Leadership, Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of the Dean of Students, New Mountaineer and Family Engagement, Off-Campus Student Services, Plemmons Student Union, Student Conduct, M.S. Shook Student Health Service, Student Legal Services, Student Veteran Services, University Recreation, and Wellness and Prevention Services. Learn more at https://studentaffairs.appstate.edu.
About University College
Formed in 2007, University College consists of the university’s general education program, faculty and student support, and co-curricular programming and support – all designed to support the work of students both inside and outside the classroom. All students at Appalachian begin their education in University College and benefit from its programs until they graduate. Learn more at https://universitycollege.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
