MHU President, Dr. Dan Lunsford (front center), joins students and teachers from HCAM.

HCAM Students Visit Mars Hill University High school students from Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High School (HCAM) who are members of the school’s AVID team (Advancement Via Individual Determination), recently visited the campus of Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC. The visit was not only the first to MHU, but for most of the HCAM students, the visit was their first time to set foot on a college or university campus. The organized experience, which captured a snapshot of college life, kicked-off with opening remarks from MHU President, Dr. Dan Lunsford who provided a warm welcome and joined students for group and individual photographs. Meeting a university president was a surprise bonus for the students—and many of the students jumped at the chance to take personal “celebrity photos” with Lunsford. MHU Student Ambassadors provided tours of the campus for the HCAM students, followed by lunch in the dining hall with college students. In addition to an admissions presentation and visit to the campus bookstore, the HCAM students were provided the opportunity to share dialogue with college students—as they inquired about the diverse opportunities offered through higher education. HCAM students who visited Mars Hill University include: Aleshia Dula, Sunshine Clark, Trevon McGlone, Yulisa Carmona, Sydney Jones, Megan Shook, Samaria Davis, Jessica Cabrera, Cassidy Hamill, Amber Smith, Victoria Connor, Destiny Conley, Jaquelyn Galvez, Thalia Carson, Tavian Mason, Zaveon McCluney, Samantha Stansell, Summer Walsh, Justice Wardrick, Tori Woods, Katherine Cabrera, Jessica Borowski, Jaylyn Pope, Emily Booker, Sabrina Blackwell, Taylor Wright and TyAsia Tracy.

Joining the AVID students from HCAM were their instructors, Rachel Crosby, AVID coordinator/ biology instructor, Alex Ward, AVID instructor/ social studies instructor, and Derrick Malbon, STAY program manager (Sustained Training All Year) at HCAM. AVID is a college readiness system for elementary through higher education that is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. The AVID College Readiness System (ACRS) accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional learning, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change. HCAM offers eight career academies including Acting, Advertising & Graphic Design, Cosmetology, Culinary, Dance, Forensics, Photography, and Public Safety (firefighting and EMT). For additional details, call HCAM: 828-328-6738

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Photos provided by the Communications Department at Mars Hill University Posting by Beverly Snowden, HPS public information