Summer Start: A Season of Transition

Summer Start at NC State is an opportunity for incoming students to jump-start their transition to college. The five-week program runs in conjunction with Summer Session II and is a way for incoming students to become acclimated with college courses, staff, other students and the NC State community. The program allows students to enroll in up to eight credit hours and utilize student facilities such as the gym, dining halls and the library. The program also enables students to become accustomed to campus living.

Michael Coombes is the Director of New Student Programs. He is responsible for a variety of programs including Orientation, Summer Start and Wolfpack Welcome Week. Carly Edwards is the Assistant Director of New Student Programs. In her current role as the coordinator for Summer Start, she is responsible for managing logistics, working to reach set goals and maintain the staff responsible for the program’s success.

[pullquote cite=”Carly Edwards” color=”wolfpackred”]Summer Start is a smaller environment for students. The program is designed for students to interact with each other through facilitated events with peer mentors and lead mentors. The goal is for students to succeed in their classes but also feel more connected to campus
and the community,[/pullquote]

Peer mentors are undergraduate students who live in residence halls and take classes alongside the incoming Summer Start students. These peer mentors are supervised by a lead mentor, someone who has previously participated in the peer mentor program. The mentor team works to facilitate connections, offer assistance and create memories for the students involved in Summer Start.

The benefits of Summer Start include getting ahead on degree credits, making the transition to a college environment, learning how to navigate campus, utilizing resources offered and creating an opportunity for a possible study abroad or co-op experience at a later time.

Another unique aspect of the Summer Start program includes various workshops, programs and events for students. Events occur seven days a week during the five-week program. The need for energy and passion for student involvement is a must for Coombes and Edwards, who have worked tirelessly to create a memorable adventure for the Summer Start students and staff.

“The biggest challenge of Summer Start is creating an individualized experience for students, while also trying to connect these students to a larger sense of the NC State community. You have students with different backgrounds and a variety of wants and needs. We work to meet the expectations of students and also our staff. We want to give everyone a meaningful, customized experience,” said Coombes.

“Ultimately, your college experience is what you make of it. This is a chance to take ownership of what you want. Summer Start is an opportunity to begin experiencing friendships, community, connections and the benefits that NC State offers,” said Edwards.

Learn more about Summer Start online.