East Tennessee State University’s College of Business and Technology (CBAT) is committed to supporting students at every stage of their academic journey, offering programs that help students transition into college, develop as leaders, and prepare for their futures. CBAT has created a pathway of support that grows with students, with BucGuide Academy (BGA) serving as the newest support system alongside First-Year Experience (FYE) and the Andrew Leadership Academy.

As students move into their sophomore year, BGA fills an important gap in support. Designed specifically for second-year students, the program focuses on mentorship, professional development, and personal growth during a key stage of college, when many students begin thinking more seriously about internships, networking, and career preparation.

Through BGA, students are placed on teams with peers, faculty and industry mentors who help guide them through goal setting, leadership development, and professional growth. The program emphasizes that success is not only about academic achievement, but also about showing up, building confidence, and learning through community.

One of the biggest strengths of BucGuide Academy is the sense of belonging it creates for students who may still be finding their place. For sophomore economics major Colt Reese, the program had a lasting impact.

“BGA taught me not only to be confident in myself, but also to trust others to give me a chance,” Reese said. “BGA showed me that I’m a natural-born leader and that I can take charge in a room just through my presence alone.”

Reese said the program also taught him the value of networking, mentorship, and professional connections, adding that BucGuide Academy changed both his perspective and the trajectory of his college career.

BGA comes at an important moment in students’ academic journeys, complementing and bridging the gap between the support systems of FYE and the Andrew Leadership Academy.

For first-year students, the FYE program helps ease the transition into college life. Through courses, mentorship, and engagement opportunities, students build a strong foundation academically, professionally, and personally while connecting with faculty, peers, and the broader CBAT community.

For upperclassmen ready to take the next step, the Andrew Leadership Academy offers advanced leadership development for rising seniors and graduate students. Through mentorship, service opportunities and engagement with business leaders, students strengthen the skills needed to lead both on campus and in their careers.

Together, these programs demonstrate how CBAT supports students from the moment they arrive on campus through graduation. First-Year Experience helps students get started, BucGuide Academy helps them grow, and the Andrew Leadership Academy helps them lead.

By creating this progression of support, CBAT is doing more than helping students succeed in the classroom. It is helping develop confident professionals and future leaders.