App State senior Reagan Norman, a chemistry major from Lincolnton, right, holds an animal skull that she found while cleaning a trail during the spring 2025 App State Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
BOONE, N.C. — Each spring break, college students from across the nation head to the beaches to enjoy a week off from school — but for many Appalachian State University students, that annual trip to the coast serves a much bigger purpose.
During spring break 2025, 10 App State students participated in the Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience (ASE) at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. The refuge, which spans more than 66,000 acres and encompasses several barrier islands, is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System — a network of protected lands and waters managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Barrier islands provide essential habitats for a wide range of species and act as natural buffers for coastal communities, helping to mitigate the impacts of flooding and storm damage.
“Because the barrier islands are so affected by the climate, that was our main theme and focus for the trip,” said App State alumna Devin Axtell, who graduated in fall 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in ecology, evolution and environmental biology. “We got to see the impacts of environmental changes firsthand, and this program gives students an opportunity to physically combat these issues.”
The ASE students volunteered nearly a week of their time, with the main tasks consisting of trail work to keep beach paths clear and to preserve wildlife and plant environments. Other work included cleaning, weatherproofing and building benches for island visitors, as well as spring cleaning on public lands and at the historic Dominick House where the group stayed.
The program was coordinated by certified ASE peer leaders Axtell and Krista Martinez, a junior commercial recreation and tourism management major from Raleigh, and Frances Keel, director of App State’s Conference and Event Services, who served as the program’s learning partner — the professional staff advisor for the trip. This was Axtell’s fifth ASE trip and her fourth time as a peer leader, and it was Martinez’s first trip.
App State alumnus Lucas Parente ’25, right in foreground, carries tools with a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteer, left in foreground, to help clear debris from trails at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina as part of the App State’s spring 2025 Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Throughout the week, outside of volunteer work, students enjoyed many meaningful social experiences together, such as cooking meals, playing games, exploring the island or bird watching. Each night, the group gathered for a reflection period led by Axtell and Martinez.
“The reflection is a time to talk about why the work we’re doing is important and to get a full scope about what service looks like,” said Axtell. “It gives us a safe space and opens up a lot of conversations about a lot of different things, and it gives us something positive to bring back home to our own communities.”
Martinez echoed that sentiment, adding, “When I got back home, I started to incorporate what I learned into my own life. I even started incorporating vegetarian meals into my diet, because we had to be vegetarian for the week. I left feeling better and healthier in many different ways.”
For Axtell, this was her last ASE trip, and she said it was an emotional one, having been a regular program participant since she was a first-year student — but she’s excited to continue to pass the torch to the next generation of student leaders, like Martinez.
“ASE has given me some of my best friends,” said Axtell. “It has surrounded me with a lot of genuine people who want to make a difference, and it has opened me up to other perspectives of the world. I strongly encourage any student to take advantage of these opportunities.”
Restoration and Exploration at the Coast is one of four spring break programs offered through ASE. The other programs:
- Seaside Sustainability — where students volunteer with The Nature Conservancy to clean up and preserve the beaches and animal habitats of Nags Head Woods Preserve in North Carolina, which was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974.
- The Elephant Sanctuary — where students volunteer at the nation’s largest habitat refuge for elephants in Hohenwald, Tennessee, helping to paint walls, gather food and complete other hands-on services.
- Youth Outreach — where students volunteer at Murphy-Harpst Children’s Center, an independent nonprofit organization in Cedartown, Georgia, committed to meeting the needs of abused and neglected youth.
“I’ve always felt called to take initiative and step into a leadership role in all aspects of my life,” said Martinez. “I think a lot of people might be turned off by a service-based spring break trip, but I saw so many friendships and connections being made and we all had so much fun. The whole group dynamic was super awesome.”
Students can take part in ASE programs in the spring, fall and winter, and App State faculty and staff, as well as graduate assistants, are eligible to serve as learning partners for ASE programs. In addition to volunteering and learning alongside students, learning partners support student leaders with program logistics. For more information or to join the interest list, visit ase.appstate.edu.
As part of their spring break 2025 Alternative Service Experience, App State alumna Vennice Rondinelli-Albarran ’25, left, and Georgia Roney, a senior building sciences major from Hillsborough, build a bench for visitors to enjoy at the beaches of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Over spring break 2025, 10 App State students and one staff member participated in the Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. Pictured, from left to right, are alumnus Lucas Parente ’25; alumna Devin Axtell ’25; Lindsey Chisholm, a senior psychology major from Charlotte; Georgia Roney, a senior building sciences major from Hillsborough; Frances Keel, director of App State’s Conference and Event Services; alumna Vennice Rondinelli-Albarran ’25; Kaylyn Newman, a senior biology major from Charlotte; McKenzie Heald, a senior biology major from Rockwell; Krista Martinez, a junior recreation management major from Raleigh; Reagan Norman, a senior chemistry major from Lincolnton; and Hailey Studdard, a senior environmental science major from Cary. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Pictured, from left to right: App State students Kaylyn Newman, a senior from Charlotte, alumna Devin Axtell ’25, and McKenzie Heald, a senior from Rockwell — all biology majors — ride a boat to Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge on the South Carolina coast for the start of their spring break 2025 Alternative Service Experience. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State alumna Vennice Rondinelli-Albarran ’25, left, takes a photo of App State senior Georgia Roney, a building sciences major from Hillsborough, in front of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge sign ahead of their group’s spring 2025 Alternative Service Experience on the island. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Alumna Devin Axtell ’25, left, and Krista Martinez, a junior recreation management major from Raleigh, were the peer leaders for App State’s Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience program over spring break 2025. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State student Kaylyn Newman, a senior biology major from Charlotte, right, participates in spring cleaning at the historic Dominick House where her group stayed during the university’s Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, which took place over spring break 2025. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State student Lindsey Chisholm, a senior psychology major from Charlotte, left, participates in spring cleaning at the historic Dominick House where her group stayed during the university’s Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, which took place over spring break 2025. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State students McKenzie Heald, a senior biology major from Rockwell, left, and Hailey Studdard, a senior environmental studies major from Cary, help clean public bathrooms at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina during their spring break 2025 Alternative Service Experience. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State senior McKenzie Heald, a biology major from Rockwell, cleans a weather shelter near the Dominick House where her group stayed during a spring break 2025 Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State alumna Devin Axtell ’25 prepares a meal for the student group participating in the spring 2025 Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. Axtell was one of two peer leaders on the trip. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State alumna Vennice Rondinelli-Albarran ’25 takes a moment to relax on the beach during the spring 2025 Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge on the coast of South Carolina. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State senior Lindsey Chisholm, a psychology major from Charlotte, takes a moment to enjoy bird watching at the beach during the spring 2025 Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge on the coast of South Carolina. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State junior Krista Martinez, a recreation management major from Raleigh, weatherproofs a bench for visitors to enjoy at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, as part of the spring break Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience. Martinez was one of two peer leaders on the trip. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State students Reagan Norman, a senior chemistry major from Lincolnton, left, and Hailey Studdard, a senior environmental studies major from Cary, help remove fire pits from public spaces as part of their volunteer work during App State’s Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, which took place over spring break 2025. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State senior McKenzie Heald, a biology major from Rockwell, operates a tractor to help remove fire pits from public spaces during App State’s Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, which took place over spring break 2025. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State senior Georgia Roney, a building sciences major from Hillsborough, left, and Frances Keel, director of App State’s Conference and Event Services, handle a rat snake found by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteer during App State’s Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, which took place over spring break 2025. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State alumna Vennice Rondinelli-Albarran ’25, pictured in the foreground, clears debris on a trail at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, as part of the university’s spring break 2025 Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State senior Georgia Roney, a building sciences major from Hillsborough, uses a weed eater to clear a trail at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, as part of the university’s spring break 2025 Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
App State senior Lindsey Chisholm, a psychology major from Charlotte, right in foreground, and other App State students use loppers to clear a trail at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, as part of the university’s spring break 2025 Restoration and Exploration at the Coast Alternative Service Experience. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Serve, learn, explore and make a difference — more about App State ASE programs
App State ASE programs provide students with an opportunity to serve, learn, explore and make a difference in communities on a local, national or global level during their breaks from school.
“ASE programs provide such a unique opportunity for college students,” said Elayna Coleman, assistant director of App State’s Office of Community-Engaged Leadership (CEL). “You have the chance to connect with peers whom you might not otherwise come into contact with, while also learning about real issues that impact communities. At the same time, you’re getting the chance to have a lot of fun and explore a new place.”
ASE also encourages students to step into leadership roles, with each program planned and led by student peer leaders and student coordinators, with support from the CEL office.
Peer leaders work in pairs to coordinate the logistics of ASE programs and run pretravel meetings. They are also responsible for many of the details upon arriving at the group’s destination, as well as facilitating nightly reflections. Student coordinators — a paid student employment position — take on additional responsibilities to support all ASE programs, assisting with peer leader training, planning events, marketing and more.
“Students often walk away from an ASE program with a lot of fun memories, new friendships and a spark to continue looking for ways to contribute to the world around them,” said Coleman. “I’d argue that the most valuable part of the program is all the positive change and action that a student might pursue after they get home, and the ripple effect that can have.”
Coleman added that App State’s ASE programs are particularly special because of the long-standing community partnerships they create.
“We have some community partner organizations that we’ve been working with for 10 to 15 years,” said Coleman. “This means we’ve had the chance to develop very real relationships with our partners, and students who participate are not only contributing to the service project but a larger legacy of service and community engagement at App State.”
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About the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership
The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership at Appalachian State University engages students in academic, experiential and community-oriented programs that enhance their capacity to serve and lead in socially responsible ways for the benefit of their local and global communities. The office comprises the former Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) and Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) offices. Learn more at https://cel.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.
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