Bringing FlightPath Close
FlightPath grew out of both a critical review of Hartwick’s strengths and an objective assessment of what today’s students want and need. Community was one such strength; a sense of belonging was a widespread need. And so the program identified ways to extend and operationalize student support.
To be sure, Hartwick offers what many colleges do: health services, wellness staff, counseling services, residence life professionals, student activities, and more. But FlightPath investments take this attention and intervention to the next level—with strategic hires and student-centered programming to build a vibrant campus life.
FlightPath offers support in inclusive, accepting, and caring ways. Each Hartwick student now has a personal Guidance Team: four staff members in different roles who know them personally and care about them deeply. This is their foundation of support: the people who will always listen, who have an answer or will help find it, who push when that’s needed, and step back when that’s appropriate.
Yet as FlightPath has grown and evolved, those on campus have found even more opportunities to actively reach out in support. And that’s exactly what students are doing—stepping forward for each other. Their motivation? To make sure every Hartwick student understands: they are not alone, they are part of a community here.
"My first semester I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I stayed in my room a lot,” Coco recalls. “Becoming a DIB Advocate has changed me. I have so many connections now, and I know I can help other students understand that people are here for them."
Julia Collado '22
