The Trailblazers program at Tennessee Tech giving prospective students a first hand look at campus life through the lens of current students.
The program puts visitors on a one-on-one campus tour with another student in their desired area of study. Campus Visits Coordinator Peyton Land said the program allows students to connect with another student and make them feel more at home.
“[The program] really puts a face to the university,” Land said. “Whereas you can hear all these things about Tech. Those students, our trailblazers give that face to the university and show how successful we can be, how you can experience Tech, and all the things you can do while you’re here.”
Land said the Trailblazers Program was instituted by President Phil Oldham in 2021, who came up with the idea to add a more personalized recruiting experience. Land said the program has grown from just a few volunteers to over 65 Trailblazers.
Land said the school hires Trailblazers for both semesters. The postings are advertised in the school newspaper and through student emails. Land said there is an interview process to ensure that the most energetic and involved students are selected.
Land said it is important for prospective students to have connections and relationships when visiting a college.
“You go some places and you can feel like a number,” Land said. “But here at Tech, that kind of takes that away from you. You don’t feel that as a student but, that gives you an immediate connection to the campus. You have somebody that I know, this Trailblazer, they took me around and they showed me and told me about their experiences.”
Land said the Trailblazers are able to continue that connection with the students they meet through things like hand written postcards. Land said the visitor and Trailblazer pairings are made with intention.
“It’s made it where we can make that experience where they come on campus that more personal,” Land said. “They can meet someone specifically from their major because we have so many different ones from so many backgrounds. So we’re able to match them a lot closer.”
Land said sometimes the students are better sellers for Tech than faculty members because they experience student life every day. Land said the Trailblazers are very helpful, and he encourages anyone interested in meeting them to take a VIP Campus tour.
