Volunteers roll out the blue carpet during on-campus move-in 

Augusta University welcomed more than 12,600 students to campus, with around 1,600 of those students living in on-campus housing. Preparation for their arrival began months in advance, with teams across Enrollment and Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Auxiliary Services, Facilities Services and other areas working to ensure a seamless start to the year. From coordinating campus logistics to planning move-in operations, teams worked together to support students before, during and after their on-campus move-in.  

To help carry out this effort, more than 450 volunteers stepped in to meet the demand, serving in many roles from traffic control to move-in unloading. Each volunteer helped create a memorable arrival on campus, whether that meant welcoming students for their first day on campus or welcoming students back for another school year. 

 Volunteers who answered the call 

Staff, faculty and administration from across the university volunteered to welcome first-year and returning students. 

“First impressions matter, and I was honored to play a small role in helping students feel welcomed, supported, and excited about the opportunities ahead,” said Teresa Waters, PhD, dean of the School of Public Health and member of the President’s Cabinet. “As someone who hopes to welcome our first undergraduate public health students in fall 2027, it was especially meaningful to see students beginning their educational journey at Augusta University.” 

Waters described move-in as one of AU’s most exciting traditions, marking the beginning of a new chapter for students and families. For her, volunteering also reflects the university’s shared commitment to creating a community where all students feel supported.  

“The campuswide support demonstrates that student success is everyone’s responsibility,” Waters said. “It reflects a culture of collaboration, service and belonging. We want students to know that they are joining a community that is invested in their growth, well-being and achievements both inside and outside the classroom.”  

That spirit of service extended to students as well. Nicholas Linder, a first-year Doctor of Dental Medicine student at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, welcomed returning students back to campus during move-in. While he initially signed up to earn professional service hours required during his first year of dental school, the experience quickly became more meaningful.  

“Once I started actively helping move students in, I quickly realized the impact I was having, and I wanted to help as much as possible and help as many people and families as possible,” he said. 

Linder hopes that interacting with each student, making sure they felt welcomed and valued, would serve as a reminder that no Jaguar is truly alone as they are surrounded by a supportive community.  

“As a DCG student helping with a larger campuswide event, I felt my first feeling of being connected to the overall Augusta University community,” Linder said. “I had already been in school for six weeks before the undergraduate class started, and campus was quiet and empty. Getting to see the students and learning their majors and aspirations helped to fill the ‘silence’ on campus and made me feel like a small part of a bigger community.” 

A memorable first impression

Carolyn Alex, an undergraduate first-year cell and molecular biology major and BSMD Professional Scholar, aspires to combine her passion for clinical medicine with research and advocacy to serve communities facing health disparities and inequities. She felt called to attend AU after shadowing physicians and participating in cancer research at the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University. 

“Working and existing in these areas of Augusta, I knew I was experiencing something that went deeper than just a medical environment,” said Alex. “There was a profound sense of heart within the medical community here. Every single physician I had the opportunity to work with was truly, genuinely invested in my success, even to a student they had just met.” 

Those early experiences showed Alex that AU was more than a place to pursue medicine; it was a place that could shape her into the physician she aspired to become. Moving onto campus marked the beginning of that journey.  

Looking back at move-in, she recalls the distinct feeling of knowing that she was finally home.  

“I had just arrived and didn’t know most of the people around me yet, but there was kindness in every space on campus,” Alex said. “Everyone was thrilled to welcome us. Though they were carrying heavy stacks of boxes that towered over their heads, they stopped to wave and wish us a smooth move-in. Although we were navigating through the chaos of hundreds of students, I was included in the community of it all.” 

The move-in volunteers established a secure and reassuring environment that helped Alex and her family feel confident about the transition to college. She looks forward to meeting new friends and embracing all the unexpected opportunities and blessings along the way. 

Why showing up matters  

Housing and Residence Life spends months preparing for move-in, heavily relying on campus partners to help piece together the many shifting parts that make move-in possible.  

“Our volunteers make such a difference,” said Ariel Leary, director of Housing and Residence Life. “Trey Harrison and Matt Davis are incredible partners to Residence Life and have been helping us with move-in year after year. Trey leads our outside operations and really reimagined that process this year, while Matt is his right-hand man and does an amazing job organizing how cars come in, unload and move through the process. Morgan Davis and Annie Carr worked hand-in-hand managing our volunteers, which is no easy task. They kept everyone organized, where they needed to be and moving throughout the day.” 

Move-in marks a time of transition for both the campus and students. As the university shifts to a new academic year filled with classes and on-campus events, the first few days on campus set the tone for the exciting months ahead. 

“Move-In really shows what can happen when Augusta University comes together,” said Leary. “I am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make Move-In successful.”