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When Kylie Golden-Appleton graduated from high school, she wasn’t sure she even wanted to go to college at all. It wasn’t that she was worried about being able to handle the academics; she was a great student at Ithaca High who excelled and graduated half a year early. She could have chosen from many colleges, but her high school years had coincided with a unique time in history - a time that had Kylie, along with much of the world, asking herself big questions. 

“I was on a pretty good academic path and had options on where I went, but the pandemic and all the reckonings that came about around that time really shifted my priorities,” said Golden-Appleton. “I think the direction things have been moving, in this country and globally has definitely shaken me up and made me question my priorities.”

After graduating high school in January 2023, she decided to step back from school, instead working at Fort Baptist Farm in Ithaca. She followed her passion for the environment and food systems, and during this time, she connected with Todd McLane, the director of the TC3 Farm. This connection sparked her interest in TC3, and the more she thought about it, the more it made sense for her.

“Part of it was wanting to have the space to really figure out what I wanted to do and not be locked in and committed to some really expensive school when I’m not sure what direction I’m going in,” she explained. She decided to start at TC3 in the fall of 2023. “Part of it was the land, the space here, the community, the caring. When I came to visit, it just seemed like everyone I met with was really special and good-hearted. And it’s just such a beautiful place to be and live; that felt really appealing.” 

Once she moved into her own room in the residence halls, things started to happen quickly for Kylie.  “I was undecided on my major from the beginning because I wasn’t really sure,” she said. She started as a sustainable farming and food systems major, a logical choice given her passion for the environment and experiences at Fort Baptist Farms. “My first semester I took the learning communities class with Professors Kerry Curran and Kelly Wessell. It was really transformative for me. I was also taking a food systems ethics class, and from those two classes I realized I was interested in food systems, but more from a relationships-focused perspective.”  

I wanted to get a better sense of what mattered to me, what I wanted to study, and what my academic path would be. Now, a year later, I feel way more clear and I’m reminded of the specialness of learning - the enjoyment and engagement of it.

She changed her major to social science, and is once again on track to graduate early, finishing her degree in December 2024. She’s likely to stick around through the spring, however, for the opportunity to take another study abroad trip with TC3. After experiencing the Dominican Republic in the spring of 2024 with McLane and Chef Amanda Bissen, she’s looking to take part in the trip to Ireland led by Professors Curran and Wessell in the spring of 2025. 

Golden-Appleton is the President of the TC3 Student Government Association. She joined the SGA in her first semester on campus.

Some friends pulled me in. I started going to meetings with them, but I always knew I was interested in politics and governance. I wanted to make a difference, so getting involved made sense. They recruited me for a position that was opening in January, and I went full throttle and decided I wanted to become president.

The SGA experience – the practice of leadership and the weekly meetings with Leah �첥��Ƶ (assistant director of student activities) and Cheyenne Gorton Woodard (director of student activities) - has been transformative. They really bring students under their wings. It’s like an internship in many ways, because you gain so much experience, from event planning to meeting facilitation.

What was your first day like? 

I remember move-in day. There was a lot of overwhelming stuff. I remember my mom driving away and just feeling so happy to be on this land, and so many beautiful trees and forest, and it felt like a really good fit. Right away I met really good people. It felt meant to be.

Who are some of those people that made a difference?

Every single professor I’ve had here has really made a difference for me. Raychon Gillis (student �첥��Ƶ advisor) was one of the first people I worked with to set up my schedule. Travis Vande Berg (sociology professor), for sure, has let me bounce off so many ideas and has been super approachable.

What are you long-range dreams/plans beyond TC3?

I’m planning on transferring to a four-year school next year. I could be convinced on the major, but it will be focusing on relationships. 

What have you learned during your time here that you wish you knew when you started/what advice would you give yourself if you could back in time to your first day at TC3?

Show up with an open mind and heart. This is a small campus, you have to give to get back in terms of community and college experience. It’s important for people to know that your experience is what you make it, but if you give to the community it gives back ten-fold.

I’ve been transformed so much by my experience here and I’m very grateful for that.