Wolfpack in Appalachia: Returning to ASP

Hello! My name is Coralys Rivera Soto, and I am one of your Marketing and Merchandising interns for this ASP summer of 2026.

A bit about me: I am a 20-year-old rising senior studying Business Administration at North Carolina State University. My journey to becoming a business major was not linear; I started out as an industrial design major in the College of Design at NCSU. Creativity is a massive part of who I am, which is why even though I changed my major, I continue to pursue personal projects like photography and videography.

Beyond my creative hobbies, I consider myself a well-rounded person. I’m a dancer, a singer, a musician, and a follower of Jesus. Throughout the week, I balance being a full-time student with leading younger girls on their journeys to following Jesus. On the weekends, you can usually find me swing dancing with my friends, and on Sundays, I love serving on my church’s worship team. I am very much an extrovert, so please never hesitate to strike up a conversation and share a bit about yourself with me!

Believe it or not, this is actually not my first summer at The Porch! In the summer of 2025, I was a staffer for Fayette County, West Virginia, where I served the community by leading volunteers on various construction projects. After such an awesome experience, I decided to return this year in pursuit of a more creative role. But why ASP? Truly, it stems from a personal experience from when I lived in Puerto Rico. I witnessed one of the most devastating hurricanes to ever hit the island, and I saw firsthand how my community suffered from severe housing and accessibility challenges in the aftermath. Here in Appalachia, people face very similar hardships, often over an extended period. ASP’s work has brought so many families back to safe, comfortable living conditions, supporting the Appalachian community as a whole. I am incredibly moved to be part of a mission that lets me connect with, understand, and share the stories of people from different walks of life.

I am very excited and expectant for this summer. Excited to meet every staffer and visit multiple counties across the Appalachians. And finally, I’m ending this introduction with a much-needed “GO PACK!”.