The first year of college is an experience like no other. It brings feelings of excitement and independence, but it might also make students feel anxious and lonely when they start their journey. The EDGE Leadership Experience is a unique NAU program founded more than a decade ago that helps first-year students, including those who are the first in their families to attend a university, transition from high school to college by providing them with a sense of connection and belonging.
“We invite approximately 100 students to join The EDGE Leadership Experience each year,” said Salvador Lopez, assistant director of the Office of Leadership and Engagement. “It’s a four-day experience where freshmen are able to interact with peers, learn about the campus and resources we have and about different leadership competencies like communication and strategy.”
The program also introduces students to engagement and leadership opportunities within the university, providing an opportunity for them to develop leadership skills as they transition to life in college.
Lopez said the students are divided into groups of seven-to10 individuals and are paired up with EDGE Leaders who are upper class volunteers with the program. Some are previous participants, while others have leadership roles at NAU.
“The leaders share their personal perspectives with the students and in post-surveys we have seen how much students have learned from them,” Lopez said. “It is good to see how they make friends with each other as they share their social media and phone numbers. You can see when that connection is taking place.”
Students enrolled in The EDGE Leadership Experience move to campus one week before classes begin, thanks to a partnership with Campus Living that allows students to move in early if they work a Welcome Jacks shift that compensates for the early moving fee.
Participants pay a $100 enrollment fee, which covers their materials, food and other expenses. Lopez said that should not stop future students from applying, since they are willing to work with families for whom this fee is a hardship.
The application process is simple and is open until July 18, or until the program fills up—whichever happens first. Lopez said if the program gets more applications, they will work to accommodate extra students.
After all, Lopez said, NAU staff and student volunteers would never pass up the opportunity to provide more future Lumberjacks with the tools they’ll need to start their college journeys off on the right foot—all while helping the entire university community. “Students learn how to keep their home clean and how to support those around them,” Lopez said. “The program also executes subprograms that benefit the community; we do a trash pick-up session and help other students move into their new homes.”
But one of the main elements Lopez said they get while participating in the program is a sense of belonging, one that is evident as they connect with each other through activities—like a scavenger hunt around campus and Flagstaff.
“You can see their joy and connection as they participate in all the scheduled activities,” Lopez said. “All while they learn the leadership pillars of following your path, following your heart and including others on campus. They learn how leadership works and how they can implement these tools not just as incoming freshmen, but as individuals in the real world.”
The EDGE Leadership Experience is scheduled for the week of Aug.18. For more information, visit The EDGE Leadership page or send an email to TheEdge@nau.edu
See the highlights of last year’s program.
Mariana Laas | NAU Communications
(928) 523-5050 | mariana.laas@nau.edu