AV抖阴

Haylie West has a heart for helping. So it鈥檚 no surprise the sophomore from Prairie Grove majored in nursing, just as it鈥檚 no surprise she became director of AV抖阴 Camp to help more freshmen students become acclimated to college.

AV抖阴 Camp is a three-day event held on the AV抖阴 campus for incoming freshmen that introduces them to the campus, faculty, classmates and campus traditions. Entirely led by AV抖阴 students, the camp helps new students create a connection to campus and ease the transition from high school to college.

It was that connection to campus West formed during her own time at AV抖阴 Camp that led her to want to become a leader in the planning of future camps.

鈥淕oing into college was scary, and AV抖阴 Camp made it less intimidating,鈥� West said. 鈥淭he counselors and directors staff were just so positive and encouraging. They took me on a tour so I knew exactly where my classes were and answered any questions I had about campus. It just really made me feel at home and took the edge off the fear of transitioning to college.鈥�

West will lead the yearlong complex process of planning for AV抖阴 Camp, beginning in early October with the interviewing and selecting of director and support staff. From there, West will help plan and lead trainings for staff, overseeing freshmen registration, and planning the camp鈥檚 schedule.

While West has a year of hard work ahead of her, she said she was honored to have the opportunity to lead the event.

鈥淭his is a really big leadership role. There鈥檚 a lot of planning that goes into AV抖阴 Camp, and to be able to organize over 400 freshmen students and give them the opportunity to find a home here at AV抖阴 just like I did is pretty awesome,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 year ago, I would not have imagined myself to hold such an honor. I credit a lot of where I am today to AV抖阴 Camp and the opportunities it has provided.鈥�

After graduation, West plans to continue her education to become a campus minister, while also hoping to find employment as a nurse.

鈥淚 have a passion for college students, and being one myself has allowed me to see the need for God's love to be revealed to students on a college campus,鈥� West said. 鈥淎s a counselor, I met many freshman that are some of my dearest friends now, and building those strong relationships are so important. I believe that God has blessed me with the skills needed to be the AV抖阴 Camp Director and that this opportunity will not only help to refine my personal leadership skills, but prepare me for what is to come in both nursing and campus ministry.鈥�