The trail provides easy access to the many restaurants, cafes, shops and public art installations in the South End neighborhood, explains Angela Hosking, the regional dean and CEO of Northeastern’s Charlotte campus.
Every day during her lunch hour, Angela Hosking takes a walk on the 3.5-mile South End Rail Trail just a short distance from her office at the Center for Health Sciences on Northeastern University’s Charlotte campus.
The trail provides easy access to the many restaurants, cafes, shops and public art installations in the bustling metropolitan South End neighborhood, explains Hosking, the regional dean and CEO.
“Being situated on the rail trail in South End offers a unique blend of benefits for our students at the Center for Health Sciences,” Hosking says. “Not only does it provide easy access to top-tier clinical and research facilities, but it also places them close to where they work and live.”
The neighborhood is said to be home to the nation’s first gold rush when a local farmer in 1825 found a nugget of gold on his property. Over the past few decades, it has undoubtedly become one of the city’s most vibrant and growing communities, quickly becoming an arts and technology hub, Hoskins explains.
That’s precisely why in 2022, the university decided to expand its Charlotte campus and lay down roots in the neighborhood. Hosking says “the proximity to local businesses fosters strong connections and real-world learning opportunities.”
“Additionally, walking the rail trail during their breaks allows students to refresh and recharge, enhancing their well-being and encouraging a holistic approach to self-care,” she says.