To kick off the spring semester, the Young Professionals on Campus student organization will host “A Taste of Johnson City.” The event will take place on Jan. 30th at 7 p.m. and feature local favorites.
YPOC is a new organization that first appeared on campus in August 2024 and has grown since. This student organization, led by Director Em Hatcher and Co-Directors Alex Battle and Macy Miller, focuses on ensuring that students are connected to a bigger community outside of campus in terms of career goals. YPOC helps students develop leadership, service and networking skills, which are its three pillars.
“Our goal is to make sure that students feel like they know their place in Johnson City and they know how to be connected. Hopefully, that will lead to job opportunities. That is ultimately what we’re looking for,” Hatcher said.
Battle described “A Taste of Johnson City” as an event that allows participants to get to know Johnson City and everything it has to offer. This event is open to everyone and will allow people to try different local restaurants, along with getting to know different people and members of YPOC.
“It’s an opportunity for them to get out and see the local places that we love. Getting people connected with not only a different style of food or local business, but the importance of supporting our local places too,” Miller said.
YPOC has reached out to local places that would be willing to help with this event. Participating vendors include The Black Olive, Rico’s Portobello’s, Groovy Grovers, Dawn Treader Bakery Kitchen, Pepper’s and many more.
This is the beginning of many activities and events that YPOC will be holding this year. The organization has been planning, ensuring that it reaches everyone on campus, and can help students carry these connections and skills outside of college. Be sure to check them out on Instagram for updates and events.
“Johnson City is diverse, and there are all sorts of places that you can go and mingle and meet people. Johnson City is not just ETSU — it’s downtown, the mall and all the areas we do not see that often. I don’t want anyone to come to ETSU, be a Buc, leave, and they don’t experience what this town has to offer,” said Hatcher.
