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Hartwick College’s First THRIVE Students Build Community Ahead of First Year

Eight first-year students formed the inaugural cohort of Hartwick College’s THRIVE program, an experience designed to help students build community, recognize their strengths and develop the skills and connections needed for a successful first year.

The students moved in early on Aug. 25 and spent the following three days participating in activities designed to help them become familiar with
Hartwick and the Oneonta community. With THRIVE peer mentors alongside them, students explored campus resources, met support staff, worked on organizational and time management skills, learned about Hartwick’s technology platforms, discussed wellness and well-being strategies and connected with alumni. The group also visited downtown Oneonta businesses and eateries and spent time together at Pine Lake.

Hartwick College’s Dean for Strategic Engagement and Belonging Alicia Richardson said the program was designed to help students recognize the strengths they already bring to college while learning how to access the resources available to support them.

Portrait of Alicia Richardson

“Our overarching goal is to help the students recognize the strengths and skills they already have that will make them successful as Hawks, and offer them additional information about the many supportive programs and learning opportunities that will aid in their continued success.”

Alicia Richardson

Dean for Strategic Engagement and Belonging

“We wanted them to start the first week of classes knowing they belong at Hartwick, knowing they have the skills and resources to be successful, but also knowing who to contact when they hit a roadblock,” Richardson said.

THRIVE Coordinator Kamylle Blackwell-Clark said the students responded positively to having an opportunity to build connections before the first day of classes.

Portrait of Kamylle Blackwell-Clark

“Overall, the feedback from students was very positive. A lot of the students seemed to appreciate having a smaller community to connect with before the larger first-year experience began.”

Kamylle Blackwell-Clark

THRIVE Coordinator

The program also created opportunities for THRIVE participants to connect with students in START, Hartwick’s separate two-day program focused on helping students transition to college. The programs collaborated on activities including executive functioning strategies, followed by informal opportunities for students from both programs to get to know one another, including a campfire and s’mores at Pine Lake.

For THRIVE student Kya Whitbeck ’30 of Stamford, N.Y., the program provided an opportunity to ease some of the nerves that can come with starting college.

“It’s actually a really cool program if you’re kind of nervous about coming to college,” Whitbeck said. “Honestly, I’m really happy I joined it. I’ve met a lot of nice people. I’ve gone to a lot of cool places and you really settle into campus when you know you have something to do.”

Hartwick College THRIVE students in blue t-shirts smiling in front of a brick building with a sign for Willard E. Yager Hall.
Hartwick College Thrive students and program coordinator stand in a line in front of a deli counter.
Three smiling young women stand outdoors. One wears a white headscarf and green jacket, another a black top, and the third a blue 'Thrive Hartwick College' t-shirt. A van with 'Hartwick Hawks' is in the background.
Four Hartwick College students in a kayak and a canoe on a lake covered with lily pads, with a forest in the background.

THRIVE will continue throughout the academic year with group sessions, workshops and opportunities for students to build community, develop leadership skills and connect with campus resources. Richardson said planning is already underway for the program’s second cohort, with adjustments intended to enhance the student experience and support the program’s long-term goals.

September 21, 2026
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