UNIV 100: CU Foundation

UNIV 100: CU Foundation is a 8 week class designed to assist you with a successful transition to your undergraduate studies and Concord University. Through the lens of an engaging interdisciplinary topic chosen by your instructor, you’ll explore resources and practice academic skills you need to succeed at Concord and beyond.

Learning outcomes for this course focus on the application of foundational transferrable academic skills to real-world problem solving as well as academic, professional, and personal development. Students apply the academic skills and knowledge they gain from course content and assignments to articulate and plan for their future academic, research, and professional experiences while leveraging and becoming familiar with university resources. An appreciation for the holistic and multimodal breadth of scholarly knowledge across disciplines is emphasized along with the transcendental qualities of learning to living. Institutional resources available to support students’ lifelong learning and professional development are identified and utilized by students.

Learning objectives for this category are as follows:

Successful students will explain how newly acquired or practiced transferrable academic skills will apply to their future academic studies, research opportunities, and career development.
Successful students will accurately identify and articulate how they can utilize institutional resources for career development and future scholarly activity.

Concord University Educational Goal(s)

Critical Thinking – Students will demonstrate the ability to access, analyze, and interpret information, respond and adapt to changing situations, make complex decisions, solve problems, and evaluate actions.
Communication – Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
Personal, Civic, Cultural, and Global Competence – Students will demonstrate awareness and understanding of the skills necessary to live and work in a diverse world.

Meet Our UNIV 100 Instructors

Ashford, Lesley
Academic Program Associate
304-384-5256

Bean, Allison
Assistant Professor of Business / Chair, Department of Business
304-384-5263

Browning, Logan R.
Associate Professor of Accounting / VITA Co-Coordinator / Director, MBA Program
304-384-5296

Brown-Lusk, Peyton
Bonner Program Coordinator
304-384-6080

Burdekar, Manjunath
Associate Professor of Psychology / UNIV 100 Program Director
304-384-5176

Hatzis, Katherine
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
304-384-5169

King, Tricia
Director of Student Support Services
304-384-5326

Ladner, Dara
Data Analyst
304-384-6257

Mann, Kelli
Assistant Professor of Health Science
304-384-5103

Mitchell, Morgan
Assistant Women's Basketball Coach

Scott, Darrick
Director for Student Success
304-384-6074

Shepherd, Heather
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
304-384-6339

Sullivan, Andrea
Upward Bound Director / Title IX Deputy Coordinator
304-384-5195

Talbert, Maizy
Resident Director
304-384-6280

Williams, Susan
Distinguished Professor of Marketing
304-384-5247

Wood, Jeremy
GEAR UP SWV Partnership Coordinator
304-384-5245

Student Service Days

Projects listed in BLUE will require more physical activity. Students with any limitations should self-identify and choose other service options requiring less physical exertion. Also, for projects listed in BLUE, students should wear old clothing suitable for getting dirty and/or paint splattered.
Projects listed in PURPLE are not physically difficult but require the use of paint or dye. Be sure to wear old clothing suitable for getting paint or dye splattered.
Projects listed in GREEN should only be shared with students who are considered fully remote. All other students should select an in-person service option.
Projects with GOLD STARS [**] will require students to use some of their own creative abilities to complete the project. Students should not choose these projects if they’re not willing to make the effort to complete the project in a satisfactory manner.
The number in parentheses beside each listing is the maximum number of students who can participate in that project. Please, no exceptions, as we’ll be purchasing supplies and materials for the number of students listed.
We will not have any rain dates. If outdoor projects must be canceled due to weather, other projects will be made available for students.

Day 1, Session 1: Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 9:00 to 11:00 am

Registration @ 8:30 am at the Gazebo in the valley

Paint the Paw Prints (10)

Show your Mountain Lion spirit! Help us repaint and touch-up the white paw prints that lead from the main entrance of campus to the athletic complex.

Sign-up for Painting Paw Prints: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1PaintPawPrints

Paint the Maroon Lion Cub Paw Prints (5)

Show your Mountain Lion spirit! Help us repaint and touch-up the maroon paw prints at and around the Carter Center.

Sign-up for Painting Mountain Lion Cub Paw Prints: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1LionCubPrints

Kindness Rocks (10) **

We’ll be painting rocks with fun and positive messages! The rocks will then be placed/given out around campus to share with our Concord community for World Kindness Day 2026.

Sign-up for Kindness Rocks: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1KindnessRocks

Painting Canvases for the Elderly (10) **

Use your artistic ability to brighten someone’s day! Be creative and use your talents to make a canvas to be shared with one of our local senior citizens.

Sign-up for Painting Canvases: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1PaintingCanvasesAM

Beanbeanbean.com (20)

Help others with just a few clicks on your phone! Answer the questions correctly in the online quizzes, and you’ll earn “beans” for charities such as Feeding America and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Sign-up for the on-campus beanbeanbean.com project: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1BeanAM

Beanbeanbean.com (15)

Zoom link: https://concorduniv.zoom.us/j/97024245972

Sign up for the remote-students only beanbeanbean.com project: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1BeanRemoteAM

Paracord Lanyards (25)

Let’s show some gratitude! We’ll be making paracord lanyards to be donated to Operation Gratitude. They will distribute them in care packages to troops and first responders. We will also create notes and cards to be sent with the lanyards.

Sign-up to make Paracord Lanyards: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1LanyardsAM

Sock Cupcakes (10)

Take a pair of fuzzy socks, cardstock, and a pompom and turn them into a cute cupcake! These adorable little (non-edible) treats will be donated to a local nursing home/senior center.

Sign-up to make Sock Cupcakes: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1CupcakesAM

No Sew Hats (15)

Spread some warmth by creating hats out of fleece material! The hats will be donated to the Bluefield Union Mission for distribution to their clients during the winter months.

Sign-up to make no sew hats: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1NoSewHats

Day 1, Session 2: Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm

Registration @ 1:30 pm at the Gazebo in the valley

Charity Miles (28)

Do you enjoy physical activity and supporting important causes? This project is for you! We’ll be downloading the Charity Miles app and walking/running around campus. For each mile completed, Charity Miles will donate .10 cents to a selected charity. This project will require physical activity and access to a smartphone, so students should carefully self-identify themselves for participation in this project.

Sign-up for Charity Miles: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1Miles

Painting Canvases for the Elderly (10)

Use your artistic ability to brighten someone’s day! Be creative and use your talents to make a canvas to be shared with one of our local senior citizens.

Sign-up for Painting Canvases: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1PaintingCanvasesPM

Painting Canvases for the Elderly (10) **

Use your artistic ability to brighten someone’s day! Be creative and use your talents to make a canvas to be shared with one of our local senior citizens.

Sign-up for Painting Canvases: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1PaintingCanvasesAM

Christmas Clay Ornaments (10) **

Let’s celebrate Christmas in August! We’ll be using air-dry clay, cookie cutters, and pretty paper to make holiday ornaments to share with residents of local nursing homes and senior centers.

Sign up to make Christmas clay ornaments: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1Ornaments

T-shirt Bags for Kids (10)

Make some cool bags out of t-shirts! Bags will be donated to local agencies to benefit children in foster care.

Sign up to make T-shirt Bags: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1T-shirtBags

Beanbeanbean.com (20)

Sign-up for the on-campus beanbeanbean.com project: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1BeanPM

Beanbeanbean.com (15)

Zoom link: https://concorduniv.zoom.us/j/97024245972

Sign up for the remote-students only beanbeanbean.com project: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1BeanRemotePM

Paracord Lanyards (25)

Sign-up to make Paracord Lanyards: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1ParacordsPM

Sock Cupcakes (10)

Take a pair of fuzzy socks, cardstock, and a pompom and turn them into a cute cupcake! These adorable little (non-edible) treats will be donated to a local nursing home/senior center.

Sign-up to make Sock Cupcakes: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1CupcakesPM

Cat Toys (5)

Every cat loves a tease toy, so let’s CU help our furry friends! We’ll be creating catnip and wand toys that will be sent to local shelters and rescue organizations.

Sign up to make cat toys: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1CatToys

Fidget Sticks and Beaded Bracelets (5)

Help us make fidget sticks and bracelets for the elementary students in the Mercer County Schools. All the kids love them!

Sign up to make fidget sticks and beaded bracelets: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D1Fidgets&Bracelets

Day 2: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm

Registration @ 11:30 am at the Gazebo in the valley

Charity Miles (28)

Sign up for the Charity Miles project: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D2Miles

Tie-Dye Pillowcases for Kids (10)

We’ll be making colorful pillowcases to donate to the Enchanted Makeovers organization. It is their mission to “bring inspiring and empowering programs to women and children who are re-building their lives in shelters.”

Sign up to make tie-dye pillowcases: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D2Pillowcases

Christmas Clay Ornaments (5) **

Let’s celebrate Christmas in August! We’ll be using air-dry clay, cookie cutters, and pretty paper to make ornaments to share with residents of local nursing homes and senior centers during the holiday season.

Sign up to make Christmas clay ornaments: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D2Ornaments

Dollar Tree Dinners (5)

Help us feed local residents in need! We’ll be decorating and packaging easy meal kits and adding inspirational messages for our neighbors who suffer from food insecurity.

Sign up to package Dollar Tree dinners: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D2Dinners

Day 3: Friday, September 18, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Registration @ 4:30 pm in the Student Center Ballroom

Hope Walks (10)

Help children who suffer from clubfoot! This is a common foot deformity that is present at birth and totally curable. We’ll be painting braces for children in Ethiopia, Kenya or Rwanda who suffer from this condition.

Sign up to paint braces: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D3HopeWalks

Placemats for Elderly Citizens (15)

Use your artistic ability to brighten someone’s day! Come and help by cutting, decorating, and laminating placemats. The mats will be given to local agencies who feed elderly citizens in our community either at a senior center or in their home.

Sign up for decorating placemats: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D3Placemats

Diamond Painting and Denim Bookmarks (10)

Children in the Mercer County schools love getting these fun items! Join us to make diamond art bag tags and fidget toys. We’ll also be recycling denim into some cool book markers the kiddos, too.

Sign up to make diamond art bag tags and fidget toys: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D3Diamond&Denim

Fleece Baby Blankets (10)

Knots are a good thing! Make knotted blankets for babies and toddlers. They will be donated to various local agencies that serve mothers and children in our local community.

Sign up for making fleece baby blankets: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D3BabyBlankets

Day 4: Saturday, September 26, 2026 9:00 to 11:00 am

Registration @ 8:30 am at the Gazebo in the valley

Football Stadium Clean-Up (15)

Let’s get ready to ROAR! Help sweep the bleachers and clean up the CU football stadium to keep it looking in great shape for all the Mountain Lion home games.

Sign up to clean the football stadium: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D4StadiumClean-up

Athens Clean-Up (7)

Let’s be good neighbors and help keep Athens clean! This group will walk around town picking up trash along the sidewalks and in the public areas.

Sign up to clean up around town: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D4AthensClean-up

Flowers for the Elderly (15)

Flowers are always in season! Paint and decorate your pots, plant your flowers, and write a nice, senior-friendly note. They’ll be donated to a local nursing home/senior center.

Sign up to decorate flower pots & plant flowers: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D4Flowers

Placemats for Elderly Citizens (15)

Use your artistic ability to brighten someone’s day! Come and help by cutting, decorating, and laminating placemats. The mats will be given to the WV Commission on Aging to distribute to elderly citizens in our community who receive meals at home or at the senior center.

Sign up for decorating placemats: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D4Placemats

T-shirt Bags for Kids (10)

Make some cool bags out of t-shirts! Bags will be donated to local agencies to benefit children in foster care.

Sign up to make T-shirt bags: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D4T-shirtBags

Fidget Sticks and Beaded Bracelets (5)

Help us make fidget sticks and bracelets for the elementary students in the Mercer County Schools. All the kids love them!

Sign up to make fidget sticks and beaded bracelets: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D4Fidgets&Bracelets

Freerice.com (20)

Help others with just a click of your phone! You’ll answer questions and, with each correct answer, the banner ad generates enough money for the United Nations World Food Program to buy 10 grains of rice to help reach Zero Hunger. See how many grains of rice you can provide!

Sign up for the on-campus freerice.com project: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D4Freerice

Freerice.com (25)

Zoom link: https://concorduniv.zoom.us/j/97024245972

Sign up for the remote- students only freerice.com project: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D4FreericeRemote

No Sew Hats (15)

Spread some warmth by creating hats out of fleece material! The hats will be donated to the Bluefield Union Mission for distribution to their clients during the winter months.

Sign up to make no-sew hats: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D4NoSewHats

Cat Beds (10)

Every kitty needs a soft bed! We’ll be using warm fleece to cut out, tie, and stuff pet beds to be donated to local shelters and rescue organizations.

Sign up to make cat beds: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D4CatBeds

Day 5: Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Registration @ 5:30 pm in the Student Center Ballroom

Diamond Painting and Denim Bookmarks (12)

Children in the Mercer County schools love getting these fun items! Join us to make diamond art bag tags and fidget toys. We’ll also be recycling denim into some cool book markers the kiddos, too.

Sign up to make diamond art bag tags and fidget toys: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D5Diamond&Denim

Capes for Kids (10)

Make a child feel like a superhero! Help us make fun and empowering capes to be donated to children through the Enchanted Makeovers: Capes for Kids program. [No sewing required.]

Sign up to make capes for kids: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D5Capes

Freerice.com (20)

Zoom link: https://concorduniv.zoom.us/j/97024245972

Sign up for the remote-students-only freerice.com project: https://apply.concord.edu/register/D5FreericeRemote