Wolfpack Pick Up Gives Campus Community a Lift

One of the key factors in fostering success within the Wolfpack community is ensuring that everyone can navigate NC State’s 2,099-acre campus to attend classes, engage in extracurricular activities and participate in organizations, events and work on campus. 

For many campus community members, getting around can be as simple as walking through campus, or hopping on a bike, scooter or Wolfline bus. However, those facing short- or long-term impairments can face significant obstacles. Fortunately, Wolfpack Pick Up is here to offer a lift. 

This free ride service operates a fleet of golf carts, providing convenient transportation for NC State students, faculty and staff who need assistance traveling between locations within both main campus and Centennial Campus. Rides can be easily scheduled in advance through the Acuity app.

“It’s important to help them safely get to where they’re going in navigating a campus that has a lot of brick and infrastructure that, on their own, may not be accessible for them,” said Erin Breiner, the Office of Student Life and Advocacy’s program director for community support. “It’s a widely used service. Demand increases every year, because there’s certainly a need for it.” 

Under the Office of Student Life and Advocacy, the Resiliency and Community Support unit, which houses Wolfpack Pick Up, aims to “support student well-being, sense of belonging and promote a supportive, safe campus environment.”

Among the most important ways to promote an accessible campus environment is to ensure community members have a safe way to navigate campus. 

“I think it’s of the utmost importance,” said Megan Thomas, a fourth-year student studying crop and soil science and one of Wolfpack Pick Up’s student drivers. “If this service didn’t exist, it would certainly affect people’s school work and might even impact their ability to attend school.” 

All drivers employed by Wolfpack Pick Up are either full- or part-time NC State students. Breiner explained that these students must have valid drivers licenses, education on safety procedures and go through extensive training prior to starting their roles. 

The students who drive for the program gain valuable organization and communication skills, and often form relationships with their riders. 

“It’s been so rewarding,” Thomas said. “We have a lot of regulars who use the service. I’ve made friends with the riders, I talk with them all the time. It’s so nice to hear about everyone’s lives. Without this service, they wouldn’t be able to get to class. It’s very rewarding to know we can help.” 

Moving forward, Wolfpack Pick Up hopes to continue expanding its services and driver pool, with Breiner saying the program’s usage has increased each year since 2020. 

“My hope is that students will learn more about this program, and also understand that it’s not limited to mobility impairments,” Breiner said. “There are a variety of reasons why someone would need a particular ride.”

Wolfpack Pick Up currently employs 12 drivers, with 10 working primarily on main campus and two on Centennial Campus. The golf carts aren’t permitted to travel between the campuses across Western Blvd. 

Among the program’s most important goals going forward is expanding awareness of the service on Centennial Campus, and ensuring the needs of that campus community are met. 

“I think it’s really important for people on Centennial Campus to know this is available,” Thomas said. “We have a lot of students who are over there for classes. If you need to get to class, it’s just as large as main campus, so you should utilize this service if you need to.”