Honors Students Andrew and Jackson White Mentor New Students as Summer SOULs
By Melanie Kershaw
Brothers Andrew and Jackson White spent their summer working as Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders (SOULs), guiding new students into the App State community while honing the leadership skills central to their Honors College education.
The Honors College encourages students to engage with their community and collaborate across different backgrounds, goals that the Whites practiced daily while helping incoming first-year students navigate the transition into a new environment.
Jackson White, a public relations major with a minor in political science, who plans to graduate in May 2028, served as the SOUL for incoming Honors College students. He said,
I loved my position! I was the Honors College SOUL, allowing me to meet nearly 200 incoming Honors students and share with them why I love the community.
He found the impact of his work fulfilling, noting, "The most rewarding part of the job for me was hearing from my students that they enjoyed orientation and felt excited for this fall.”
Andrew White, a political science major with a concentration in pre-legal studies and a history minor, who plans to graduate in May 2028, added,
I also really enjoyed providing information and a good first experience in the University environment, while helping students become comfortable, knowledgeable, and more acclimated to their new home.
Andrew related how the role broadened his understanding of the campus. "The position allowed me to learn more information about the University, including our departments, offices, and programs offered," he said.
Beyond learning campus logistics, the brothers built professional networks, forming friendships and working relationships with University administrators and staff.
Jackson highlighted these bonds as a major aspect of his summer, stating, "Another meaningful part was the connections that I made with my coworkers and the staff of New Mountaineer & Family Engagement unit under the Division of Student Affairs. I know I have cultivated many friendships that will last far into the future."
The experience also served as an opportunity for personal growth, a key pillar of the Honors College experience. Both brothers entered the summer with a fear of public speaking, but working in the SOUL role helped them grow in these challenges. Andrew shared,
Becoming a SOUL allowed me to overcome barriers such as social anxiety and general nervousness. This was particularly true in giving presentations, as I now feel more confident than ever in public speaking and presenting to a room full of people.
Jackson added, “Now that the summer has concluded, I am happy to say that I have grown so much, and I had so much fun every day in this role!”
The brothers credit the Honors College with providing the foundation for their success as student leaders. Jackson shared,
The Honors College has helped me in several ways, including improving my communication skills and in my ability to build meaningful connections.
Andrew reinforced the impact of Honors, saying, "The Honors College experience and community is something I will never regret."
The leadership skills the White brothers developed this summer serve as a foundation for their future careers, embodying the Honors College's commitment to empowering students to lead with integrity in their communities.
For more information on becoming a SOUL, contact New Mountaineer & Family Engagement.