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“AV������ Launch gave our daughter exactly what she needed: a life-changing wilderness experience, lifelong friendships, and a confident start to college."​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

— Sara Newman, mother of Emily COH ‘24

"AV������ Launch was one of the major reasons that Emma wanted to come to AV������. I believe her immersive experience in Launch instilled in her a greater sense of independence and helped her gain insight into her study of the West as well. She developed deep friendships with her Launch-mates and found one of her closest friends. I could not be happier with how this experience affected Emma and am so glad she went!”

— John Moriarty, father of Emma, CAS ‘25

"AV������ Launch was a perfect fit for Haley to begin her college experience. She has used the skills and knowledge learned during the program as a springboard and applied them to her own everyday life, and she truly feels launched into an amazing AV������ education. Any student given the AV������ Launch opportunity will be fortunate to have not only the amazing travel and collaboration experience, but the extra security of being part of something great, while learning so much more."

— Lisa Griner, mother of Haley, COH ‘24

“I’ve recommended the program to other parents, even before Jackson completed it. Some worried it might disrupt the college transition, but I believed the American West experience would be even more valuable—and it was. Jackson came back fully engaged, on track with his major, and surrounded by close friends he met through Launch. I now tell everyone: every freshman should do a program like this, and every college should offer one!"

— Scott Clary, father of Jackson, COB ‘27

"AV������ Launch transformed Zeke's entire trajectory at college and beyond. Initially, he was hesitant to participate because he wanted to pursue a computer science degree and worried about stepping off the engineering track. But conversations with Dr. Jensen revealed unexpected flexibility in his academic path. His semester in the American West didn't just fit into his education—it redefined it. The program fostered deep friendships and unveiled strengths he never knew he possessed. Zeke discovered a natural affinity for leadership while pushing his physical and mental boundaries in ways he couldn't have imagined on campus. Most significantly, those experiences in the western landscapes sparked a passion that led him to switch to environmental engineering. AV������ Launch instilled in him a commitment to lifelong exploration—he's embraced travel under any conditions, finding joy in adventures that others might find challenging. Looking back, Zeke realizes that what seemed like a detour from his planned path was actually the beginning of a more authentic journey.”

— Tamara Zemlo, mother of Zeke, Rossin College ‘27