The 乱伦视频 Academy Summer Academy program is a three-week residential program, that models day-to-day life on a college campus. Scholars attend classes taught by various 乱伦视频 faculty and staff, eat in a dining hall and build connections amongst cohorts.

乱伦视频 Academy fosters a supportive culture rooted in the mentorship that EA staff, student leaders and 乱伦视频 faculty/staff provide to scholars. The holistic support 乱伦视频 Academy has cultivated has been further strengthened through the incorporation of 乱伦视频鈥檚 health and well-being initiative, HealthEU.

During the Summer Academy, scholars take academic, life skills and college-prep courses. An important aspect of the program includes Evening Sessions, which have historically served as the scholars’ extracurricular programming ranging from cooking and art to physical activity like soccer, yoga and martial arts. This summer, 乱伦视频 Academy committed to a new approach, intentionally infusing the HealthEU framework into Evening Session planning and development. This was executed through the collaboration of 乱伦视频 Academy鈥檚 Faculty Scholar Evan Small and Coordinator for Well-Being, Melissa Chacon Villalobos.

All Summer Academy instructors participated in a four-part instructor development series in the spring facilitated by Small. During the first session, instructors received an overview of the 乱伦视频 Academy, as well as insights into Alamance County and Alamance-Burlington School System.聽 During the remaining sessions, instructors received information related to 乱伦视频 Academy鈥檚 new learning framework, course development and assessment resources. Evening Session instructors, which include 乱伦视频 faculty, staff and connected community members, received an additional piece of training that gave them an overview of HealthEU, its six dimensions of well-being, and insight into how to enact the HealthEU and Wellness-Centered Pedagogy Frameworks.

The goal of this training was to give evening instructors additional resources to support them in infusing well-being into their sessions. Instructors鈥� reflections from their overall experience of teaching evening sessions and how it influenced their own professional growth or perspective as an educator included feeling prepared to embrace new challenges like teaching new subjects, working with new student populations and stepping beyond their comfort zones.

鈥�(The training) helped me step outside of my comfort zone and learn how to teach a new subject to ages that I have never taught before,” said one Evening Session instructor.

In addition, they shared having a deepened understanding of diverse student populations and strengthening their commitment to outreach, particularly in supporting first-generation and low-income (FGLI) students.

鈥淚t is a humbling experience, and provides a more diverse lens of Alamance County,” said an Evening Session instructor.

“Well-being isn’t something we teach in a single session. It’s something we intentionally weave throughout the 乱伦视频 Academy experience,” said Emily Wiersma, director of the 乱伦视频 Academy. “Dr. Evan Small and Melissa Chacon Villalobos played a key role in translating that commitment into meaningful learning experiences by equipping and supporting our Evening Session instructors. Together, our faculty, staff, and community partners created opportunities for scholars to explore their purpose, build community and develop habits that will support them in college and beyond.”

Through several weeks of diverse sessions, scholars were empowered to align their values, skills and goals to their holistic well-being. Evening Sessions allowed scholars to connect career and personal interests such as entrepreneurship, health professions, and culinary arts, while learning how to infuse well-being into their day-to-day life. For example, one Evening Session encompassing the connection between career and personal interests was Introduction to Esports. In this session, Scholars were able to play games and expand the styles of games they play, while also learning about different career paths they can take with Esports. In another course, Introduction to Sports Medicine, scholars were able to blend their interest in sports and or/ medicine with the potential career routes of being an athletic trainer in the 乱伦视频 Athletic Training Room.

The intentional instructor development and integration of the HealthEU framework have further deepened the experiences and takeaways of the Summer Academy for scholars. The Summer Academy fosters independence within scholars to take ownership of their learning and goals for college, while fostering a sense of community and belonging.

When asked to describe the most important takeaways from their evening sessions as it relates to the specific dimension of well-being, scholars shared:

• 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to work together as a team and find something that makes you happy.鈥�
• 鈥淚 learned about myself, what I value, and how I can help others.鈥�
• 鈥淭he evening sessions taught me that everyday physical activity, even if it’s just an hour or thirty minutes, can help a lot.鈥�
• 鈥淜nowing how to grow and make my own food, and how to use that as a way to escape to focus on my own well-being.鈥�

Evening Sessions in particular, model the multidimensional aspect of well-being and convey to scholars the importance of taking initiative of their well-being. Scholars experienced firsthand how career interests can intersect with personal interests and purpose. The culminating outcome of Evening Sessions is that scholars feel empowered to actively explore and make intentional decisions about how they use their time that support their values, goals and well-being.

For 乱伦视频 student Berenice Sanchez Rosaldo, the event marked a full-circle moment.

Berenice Sanchez Rosaldo 鈥�29, a political science major who is in the 乱伦视频 Academy and The Mac Mahon Family Scholar in the聽Odyssey Program, participated as a first-time presenter. She presented alongside Danielle Lake, director of the Center for Design Thinking, and Shannice Sellars, executive director of the African American Cultural Arts and History Center.

Their presentation, 鈥淧articipatory Place-shaping: How Community-led Counter Storying Encourages Civic Engagement,鈥� highlighted Sanchez Rosaldo鈥檚 work with the Center for Design Thinking. It focused on developing counter-stories that reflect participants鈥� communities and environments as a form of civic engagement.

Sanchez Rosaldo drew from personal experiences, including her high school, her father鈥檚 workplace, and the Dream Center 鈥� spaces she identified as influential in her development as a student, athlete and individual.

鈥淪eeing Berenice present her story was such a proud moment,鈥� said Melissa Chacon Villalobos, coordinator for well-being with 乱伦视频 Academy. 鈥淲atching her grow from a high school freshman to a first-year student at 乱伦视频, and seeing the impact she is already making in Alamance County, is incredibly meaningful.鈥�

Sanchez Rosaldo began this work before enrolling at 乱伦视频, first connecting with Danielle Lake while attending Alamance Burlington Early College at ACC, where she completed a summer internship with local summer camps across Alamance County, creating lesson plans for kids ages 6-12 during her junior year of High School.

She also credits 乱伦视频 Academy as instrumental in shaping her college journey.
鈥溌衣资悠� Academy opened my eyes to the idea of college and created many opportunities for me,鈥� Sanchez Rosaldo said.

Now an Odyssey Scholar, Sanchez Rosaldo continues her work with the Center for Design Thinking through the Power + Place Collaborative and by leading design thinking workshops across campus.

The Center for Design Thinking focuses on creative, structured approaches to problem-solving. Its Power + Place Collaborative works with Alamance County leaders and community members to document and share stories that reflect the county鈥檚 diverse communities.

乱伦视频 Academy supports academically promising, limited-income, and first-generation students, while the Odyssey Program provides merit-based scholarships and enrichment opportunities for students with demonstrated financial need.

鈥淲hat Berenice represents is exactly why 乱伦视频 Academy exists – talented students who, with the right support and opportunities, go on to lead, contribute, and create change in their communities,鈥� said Emily Wiersma, director of the 乱伦视频 Academy.

Together, the 乱伦视频 Academy and Odyssey Scholars Program reflect 乱伦视频鈥檚 commitment to civic engagement and to supporting students and communities in Alamance County.

For Sanchez Rosaldo, the experience also carried personal and generational significance. Her mother attended the presentation, marking a milestone as she watched her daughter present at her first conference.

Her story reflects the broader impact of 乱伦视频鈥檚 programs on students, their families, and their communities.

It also mirrors a larger, statewide commitment to civic engagement, as institutions across North Carolina continue this work through initiatives like the , which will take place in June 2026 and is hosted by North Carolina Campus Engagement. Together, these efforts highlight how experiences like the PACE conference are not just singular moments, but part of an ongoing cycle of learning, leadership and community impact.

Designed to foster connection, belonging and care, Break Buddies pairs students with 乱伦视频 faculty and staff hosts for a shared Thanksgiving meal and experience. The initiative responds to national data and CAS student feedback indicating that feelings of loneliness and isolation often increase during university breaks, particularly for out-of-state students, international students and those without close familial ties.

鈥淭hese moments of disconnect can significantly impact student well-being and academic persistence,鈥� Collins said. 鈥淏reak Buddies was created to ensure students feel seen, supported and connected during a time that can be especially difficult.鈥�

Through the program, faculty and staff hosts opened their homes and shared a Thanksgiving meal with matched students, creating space for conversation, mentorship and community during the November break.

The initiative aligns with 乱伦视频鈥檚 HealthEU pillars of community and social well-being, as well as Academic Affairs鈥� commitment to mentoring and relationship-building. By centering relationships and care, Break Buddies reflects a simple but intentional approach to supporting student well-being during vulnerable moments in the academic year.

CAS received strong interest from faculty and staff, while student participation was more limited. In response, CAS plans to modify future iterations of the program by increasing student agency in the matching process, including offering students more choice in selecting hosts. These changes are intended to build trust and increase participation over time.

Matches were made successfully, and hosts and students gathered throughout Thanksgiving week to share meals and meaningful experiences.

Participant feedback highlighted the program鈥檚 impact on students鈥� sense of belonging and connection to the 乱伦视频 community. Student reflections, though brief, emphasized feelings of ease, welcome and connection. One student shared, 鈥淚 had a great time!鈥� after spending Thanksgiving with their faculty host and other students. The experience also created opportunities to connect with faculty mentors and peers, strengthening the student鈥檚 sense of belonging at 乱伦视频.

Faculty feedback reflected similar sentiments. One host shared that living abroad had made holidays away from family especially difficult, even when those holidays were not personally celebrated. The host described being able to provide that experience to an international student as meaningful and expressed a desire to continue creating opportunities for connection.

Early reflections suggest the program strengthened relationships across campus while offering students a sense of stability and care during a period that can feel isolating.

Building on the pilot, Chacon Villalobos plans to expand Break Buddies with additional programming and resources.

鈥淚 am excited to see Break Buddies grow to include future workshops and events focused on navigating family dynamics, identity-based challenges and self-care during academic breaks,鈥� she said.

Chacon Villalobos also plans to develop a digital toolkit, which may take the form of a newsletter or web-based resource hub. The toolkit will include tips for coping with homesickness and stress, journaling prompts, mental health and academic planning tools, and reflections from CAS staff and peer leaders.

Looking ahead, CAS hopes to increase student participation and expand the number of matches during future breaks, continuing to build a culture of care, trust and connection across the 乱伦视频 community. CAS also plans to extend Break Buddies to other academic and holiday breaks.

鈥淏reak Buddies reflects our belief that well-being is built through relationships, not just resources,鈥� Collins said. 鈥淲hen we intentionally create spaces for connection, especially when students may feel most alone, we strengthen both individual well-being and our campus community.鈥�

The project aimed to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness during the winter months and holiday season. Scholars designed handmade cards for encouragement and stuffed care packages for community members that included a toboggan and glove set, hand warmers, chapstick and a non-perishable food item.

This initiative aligns with one of the goals set by the new 乱伦视频 Academy team: a renewed commitment to integrating community service into the 乱伦视频 Academy experience. Using 乱伦视频’s HealthEU Dimensions of Wellbeing to guide her efforts, Melissa Chacon Villalobos partners with members of the 乱伦视频 Academy team to integrate intentional well-being into their programming with scholars as a key part of her role as the coordinator for well-being.

鈥淚ntegrating service into our overall framework reflects our commitment to holistic Scholar development and their well-being,” said Emily Wiersma, director of the 乱伦视频 Academy. “As the coordinator for well-being, Melissa plays a key role in supporting intentional service experiences that help Scholars connect community engagement with their own well-being skills they can carry with them well beyond 乱伦视频 Academy.鈥�

Chacon Villalobos was also a part of the fourth cohort of 乱伦视频 Academy when she was in high school, bringing firsthand knowledge of the impact service had on her career journey/trajectory.

鈥淧articipating in service during summers at 乱伦视频 Academy ingrained service as a part of my core values early on,” said Chacon Villalobos.

Assistant Director Briston Whitt, also has a rich history with the program. As an 乱伦视频 alum, Whitt worked with the 乱伦视频 Academy as a mentor throughout her entire collegiate career. During her first year as a Summer Mentor, Whitt recalls supporting the Scholars as they volunteered with Twin Lakes Retirement Home and held a food drive outside of Walmart for families.

“Now as a leader in the program in a different capacity, I want to ensure our scholars are exposed to the valuable benefits of community service as well,” Whitt said.

It was this collective understanding of how service can shape identity, leadership and belonging that led Whitt and Chacon Villalobos to coordinate the opportunity for sophomore scholars.聽 In reflections following the project, Scholars emphasized the value of helping others not for recognition, but because service, no matter how small, can positively impact someone鈥檚 day, week or even year. Others described it as meaningful, enjoyable experience and a reminder that supporting their community plays an important role in emotional, community and purpose well-being.

The 乱伦视频 Academy is a college access program supporting local first-generation and/or Scholars from limited-income backgrounds as they prepare for and persist through higher education. The program begins working with scholars at the end of their freshman year of high school and continues support and programming until college graduation. Housed within 乱伦视频’s Center for Access and Success, 乱伦视频 Academy advances the Center鈥檚 broader strategies of equipping scholars and their families with tools, relationships and opportunities to support success throughout their education and beyond.

This project builds off a pilot service project scholars participated in during the Summer Academy as part of their well-being activities and community service experiences. Their summer project included a park cleanup experience with Burlington Parks and Recreation.

General feedback from scholars indicated that 79% were satisfied with their community service experience.

鈥淚 found community service at the park to be very fun, but it also helped out the community,” shared one scholar.

These examples marked the beginning of a renewed, ongoing commitment to community service, with more opportunities planned for scholars. Chacon Villalobos is working to establish a student-led community service club to support sustained involvement and further integrate well-being into 乱伦视频 Academy programming starting in 2026. The goal is to equip Scholars with skills to maintain and advocate for their well-being and the well-being of others throughout their academic journeys and beyond.

Key benefits of community service include connection and belonging, general mental health and happiness, career exploration and advancement, and fulfillment. Program leaders hope that scholars will experience long-term benefits from service participation and carry a commitment to well-being into their future academic, professional and personal lives.

To learn more about 乱伦视频 Academy鈥檚 key programs, visit their website: /u/academics/access-and-success/elon-academy/