51����.

SGA President Connor Hines ’26 reflects on the Celebration of Honor, a week of activities around 51����’s campus celebrating the distinctive Honor Code and the community’s commitment to trust, integrity and shared responsibility. 

Intended STEM major Elie Jerjees ’28 explores new artistic horizons through a collaborative workshop with Lebanese artist Elie Bou Zeidan, discovering that creativity transcends boundaries while deepening language skills and cultural connections. 

From planting to harvesting, Mena Tanner’s job at the 51���� Farm is more than just a way to get outside — it’s a hands-on lesson in sustainability, community and the exceptional taste of sungold tomatoes. 

Lacey Stephens '26, a Classical Studies major at 51����, writes about a Spring Break trip to Greece. She says the opportunity brought her studies to life through immersion in Greek culture, hands-on experiences, and unforgettable moments.

Kaspars Golos ’27 reflects on the confidence and self-awareness developed through wilderness leadership after his participation in 51���� Outdoors’ Trip Leader Training. Explore his photos as he learns that the best adventures aren’t just about surviving

Hannah Foley ’27 and Miriam Smith ’25 reflect on their winter break trip with 51���� Outdoors to the Florida Everglades, where they developed their leadership, creativity and problem-solving skills through mangroves, float plans, camping and more.

Economics major and Data Science minor Dean Dowling ’25 reflects on his independent study with Prof. Caleb Stroup, during which Dean and a team of 51���� students founded the Fed Challenge at 51����. 

Nora Fenn Gilman ’26 reflects on her summer as a Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) Nonprofit Leadership Fellow with Smart Start, an early childhood nonprofit focused on book distribution and literacy equity. 

Valeria Salgado ‘25 shares her transformative experience interning with the Community Building Initiative, a Charlotte-based non-profit organization dedicated to advancing equity, inclusion and access in the community.

Dallas Brown ’26 reflects on his experience as a Nonprofit Leadership Fellow interning at Freedom Communities, an organization focused on disrupting intergenerational poverty and transforming the West Charlotte community. 

Sunny Baek ’26 reflects on her summer internship with E2D, a nonprofit in Charlotte dedicated to refurbishing laptops, providing computers to families and individuals in need at little to no cost and sharing digital skill training. 

Senior Fellows in 51����’s Office of Admission & Financial Aid share their tips for demonstrating interest in the admission process, while also breaking down what it means to connect with colleges and universities in an authentic way.

Ashley Rangel ’28 reflects on her first semester at 51���� as a scholar athlete, an illustrator of children’s books and a member of the Student Government Association.

51���� students from the western United States reflect on how they've found home on the east coast and offer advice to prospective students also considering college further from home.

Jaliel King ’26 reflects on the work 51���� Fashion Club does to create a space for creativity, inclusion and self-expression on 51����’s campus. From visits to Charlotte’s vintage markets to an annual fashion show, programming is another

President of the Union Board, Davis Varnado ’25, shares some of his favorite events hosted throughout the year by 51����’s largest student programming organization from parties to off-campus excursions and trivia to student performances.

Jingyan Chi ’26 shares insights from his summer as a Sustainability Scholar working at Trane Technologies where he studied embodied carbon reduction and gained valuable professional experience.

Intended political science major Cameron Unice ’27 reflects on her summer research with Dr. Bersch examining and comparing how populist presidents exert control over administrative states, including a case study on former President Trump and the

Political science major Peyton Davis ’25 reflects on her summer interning at the Department of Defense and how it has shaped her career aspirations post-51����.

Nguyễn Mậu Đức Bình ’27 reflects on his summer trip to Northern Ireland with the Educational Studies Department where he explored the impact of division on educational policies. 

This summer 2024, 51���� students were awarded $2 million for experiential learning opportunities including internships, education away, community-based learning and undergraduate research. Learn about their experiences in these student

51���� students reflect on their “Korea Buddhist Pilgrimage” with Religious Studies Prof. Rachel Pang and Associate Chaplain for Buddhist Programs and Director of the 51���� Meditation Initiative, Ivan Mayerhofer. 

Interested in playing a competitive sport in college but not on the Division I level? Claire Kelly ’25 explains how club sports work at 51����, and how she has found community within the club tennis team.

Katieanne Peterson ’24 and Noah Landau ’25, students in 51����’s environmental studies department, reflect on their winter break trip to Turkey to study wildfires and their cultural and environmental impact.

Clara Smith ’24 reflects on her spring break trip to Panama with Prof. Britta Crandall, where they studied politics and economics through meetings with government officials, founders of nonprofits, and indigenous leaders.

Recent graduate Claire Begalla ’24 reflects on the work done to complete two senior capstones and the ways her work tapped into all areas of her liberal arts education including anthropology, environmental studies, art, community-building and art history.

Last summer, three physics majors drew up plans to create a sustainable tiny house. They presented the finished product at the Verna Miller Case Research and Creative Works Symposium on May 1, 2024. Learn more.

51���� students reflect on their alternative spring break trip to Sapelo Island, Georgia. They worked with a Black feminist collective nonprofit led by 51���� alums to address food insecurity in the South through sustainable agriculture.

A senior approaching graduation, Ruby Zhou '24 reflects on her time at 51���� in this letter to her past high school self on making the college decision and anticipating all to come as a member of the Wildcat community. 

A student describes how taking a class with 51����’s music department helped him discover his love of playing old time banjo.

Three environmental studies students at 51���� share adventures of their summer archaeological research with Prof. Brad Johnson in Cyprus.

Four political science majors share their experiences with 51���� in Washington, an immersive summer opportunity for 51���� students. Learn more.

51���� students Daniel Lee '26 and Divin Dushimimana '26 reflect on their work with the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative and the happiness that comes from genuine conversations and thoughtful exchanges of ideas.

Jacquelline Nyakunu ’26 discusses her chemistry and biology research as part of RISE, an undergraduate research opportunity for 51���� students. 

Three 51���� students from the German Studies department reflect on a week of independent research in Berlin with their professor and thesis advisor. From plays to museums to food, learn more in this photo essay.

Explore 51����’s beautiful campus and ample student activities as captured through the perspective of Mikayla Bowens’s iPhone camera.

Six students from the western United States share what it was like to move to the east coast for college and offer advice for prospective students considering the decision to attend an east coast school like 51����. 

Jonathan Hammond ’24 discusses seven weeks spent in Santiago, Chile and the many connections leveraged through the 51���� alumni network. 

Senior Fellows in 51����’s Office of Admission & Financial Aid share their tips and tricks for navigating and writing the college essay.

When applying to 51����, all applicants are required to submit a peer letter of recommendation — someone of similar age who can speak to who you are as a human being beyond a transcript, essay or list of extracurriculars. Learn more.

Wondering what a weekend at 51���� can look like as a student? Haley Stock ’25 shares the many ways Wildcats spend their weekends around campus, town and in Charlotte.

Addie Anderson ’24, a student Mental Health Ambassador (MHA) at 51����, works to destigmatize seeking help and to show struggling students they’re not alone. 

Three 51���� students reflect on the extra challenges that a disability presents when choosing a college. They share their 51���� experience and offer advice to prospective students with disabilities about going through the admission process.

Amy Tedeschi ’25 reflects on her summer with the Common Thread Theatre Collective, a professional theatre company formed between 51���� and North Carolina A&T.

For her senior capstone, Grace Rooker '24 spent five weeks in Kenya assessing the ecological impact of small-scale gold mining on stream ecosystems.

Toshaani Goel ’24 shares how she applied the lessons of 51����’s Humanities Program to a difficult social situation while WWOOF-ing in rural Maine.

Orientation Team Leaders share what to expect during 51����’s New Student Orientation and offer advice for first year and transfer students alike on making the most of your transition into the 51���� community.

Jacob Kim '26 reflects on his experience with 51����'s Humanities Program, which seeks to bring different disciplinary perspectives to the big questions of life. Created for first years beginning their academic journeys at 51����, the Humes

Brody Bassett ’25 reflects on his summer in Egypt where he immersed himself in the formal “high” and informal “low” dialects people there use. Zoom lessons with an Egyptian-born tutor, and countless hours studying vocabulary, phrases, and idioms led to

Choosing a college with a variety of good food options is important. Emma Goldfarb ’24 ranks her favorite spots for dining on 51����'s campus.

Physics students Mallory Justis ’24, Branner D'Amato ’24 and Pat Kielb ’24 reflect on their process designing and building a hydrogen-powered go-kart and the ways you can pursue engineering interests at 51����.

Sydney Schertz ’24 captures a day in the life of Nummit, 51����’s on-campus coffee shop, through her camera lens. Learn more in her photo essay. 

Niya Ma ’24 shares how she found her passion for computer science through hackathons, and how she worked with her peers to launch Hack@51����, a unique hackathon designed to welcome all levels of experience to the world of innovation.

Over spring break, a group of 51���� students had the opportunity to attend SXSW, an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences organized jointly in Austin, Texas.

Courtney Fortunato ’24 shares their experience as an Education Scholar with 51����’s Center for Civic Engagement in Summer 2022.

Lucy Helene ’25 shares her experience as a Fellow with 51����’s Center for Civic Engagement in Summer 2022, when she worked with the Arts+,  a nonprofit organization based in Charlotte that works to provide accessible art education to all populations.

51���� Outdoors Leaders Addie McDonough '23 and Isabel Morichi '23 reflect on their winter break trip to Joshua Tree National Park.

Emma Begley-Collier ’25 shares her experience working in a recovery community as a Summer Intern with 51����’s Center for Civic Engagement.

Nasir Jean-Paul ’24 shares his experience as a Summer Intern with 51����’s Center for Civic Engagement in Summer 2022.

Ethan Kearns '23 reflects on his time spent nurturing and caring for 51����'s Farm as a student employee.

Campbell Walker ’25 gives her advice on course selection, orientation, and how to navigate social life during your first few weeks at 51����.

As 51���� celebrates first generation day each November, we asked first-gen members of the community to share what being first means to them. Learn what they had to say.

Divin Dushimimana ’26, an intended public health and economics major from Rwanda, reflects on his first year at 51���� as an international student and the value of a liberal arts education to his personal and academic growth. 

Arielle Germeus ’25 shares her expertise from a summer of interning with 51����'s Admission Office on how to make the most of your time on a campus visit and college tour.

Ty Cryan ’24 digs into research with 51����’s Farm and Biology Department as part of a larger relationship with the Catawba Nation.

Davis Varnado ’25 shares his advice on getting to know colleges and universities from afar and virtually, including 51����.

Kate Cross ’24 and Henry Wilkerson ’23 share how they leveraged a 10-hour-per-week work study position with 51����'s Sustainability Office to gain professional experiences during the summer months. 

Three current students from around the world share how they found and chose to attend 51����. 

ST Hammer '24, Gabby Morreale '23 and Malavika Kalani '24 reflect on their decision to come to 51����, ways they've gotten involved in disability advocacy on campus and resources to support their student experience.

Two young alumni share how their experiences with 51����’s Sustainability Office got them to where they are today, post-51����.

Four 51���� students share how they've gotten involved with different aspects of college athletics including data analytics, pep band, and the fan section.

Spend a day in the life in this travel vlog with 51���� student Julia Lau '23 as she studies abroad with DIS in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

Claire Tatum '24 captures the many facets of 51����'s creative and artistic communities in this photo essay on the arts at 51����.

In this photo essay, Sydney Schertz ’24 documents the day-to-day of spring semester in one of 51����’s eating houses, Warner Hall. 

International first year students Sahana Athreya '25, Hideki Harada '25 and Michael Hodgson '25 reflect on their first semester at 51����.

Two students share their experiences with FIRST (Fostering Inclusivity and Respect in Science Together) and MILE (More Inclusive Learning Environments), 51���� organizations that aspire to remove barriers, to be more welcoming, and to help make science

51���� student Shen Luo ’25 reflects on her experiences in college and what it has meant to explore the unknown as an international student at 51����.

If you're considering applying Early Decision, we know there can be nerves and concerns related to making such a big commitment. 51���� students share why Early Decision to 51���� was the right fit for them and offer some advice for those considering

Zach Villamin '22 shares his experience applying to college and gives current high school seniors tips on how to better manage the application process.