Appalachian Today

High-quality academics, innovation and value secure App State’s spot among America’s top schools for 2025–26

US News names App State a top 5 regional university for innovation, undergraduate teaching and veterans support

Sept. 29, 2025

Six national publications — including U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes magazine — have recognized App State among the best schools in the nation, and the Southeast, for 2025–26. The publications lauded the university for its academics, innovation and value, among other aspects.

126 years strong: Founders Day honors App State’s enduring legacy as a higher education leader
7 new members inducted into App State’s Bell Ringers Society
Oct. 21, 2025
App State celebrated its eighth annual Founders Day on Oct. 2 to commemorate its founders, B.B., D.D. and Lillie Shull Dougherty, and the first day of classes held at Watauga Academy in 1899. Seven new members were inducted into the university’s Bell Ringers Society as part of the day’s events.
App State Police Officer Cashae Cook earns NC’s highest award for women in law enforcement
Oct. 16, 2025
App State Police Officer Cashae Cook ’14 has been named Woman of the Year by the North Carolina Law Enforcement Women’s Association. The annual award — the state’s highest honor for women in law enforcement — recognizes Cook’s outstanding contributions and service to NCLEWA and her leadership and service in the App State Community.
App State’s Jennifer Schroeder Tyson named 2025 Sun Belt Conference Faculty Member of the Year
Oct. 15, 2025
App State research assistant professor Jennifer Schroeder Tyson ’07 has been named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Faculty Member of the Year. The award recognizes Schroeder Tyson for her ability to inspire, promote and sustain the academic and athletic development of Mountaineer student-athletes.
App State joins FirstGen Forward Network, boosting support for first-generation students
TRIO Student Support Services receives $1.7M federal grant to continue student success programming
Oct. 13, 2025
App State is among 60 schools selected to join the national FirstGen Forward Network, with schools chosen based on their demonstrated commitment to advancing success for first-generation students. Network schools gain access to professional development opportunities, a community of practice, and tools to assess and improve their support for first-gen students.
Dr. Heather Norris installed as 8th chancellor of App State
Oct. 8, 2025
On Oct. 3, Dr. Heather H. Norris was formally installed as the eighth chancellor in App State’s 126-year history. UNC System President Peter Hans presided over the installation ceremony, which was held on the Boone campus and attended by hundreds of Mountaineers and community members, as well as state education and community leaders.
App State Reflects: One Year After Helene
Learn more about App State's role in the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene, and discover how our community is building back stronger, together.

21,798 Mountaineers enroll at App State for fall 2025

Online and transfer enrollment records drive strategic growth across university, while Boone enrollment remains steady

Sept. 5, 2025

This fall, App State enrolls 21,798 Mountaineer students, a 1.1% increase over last fall and its largest undergraduate population to date. Fall 2025 enrollment at App State was boosted by a 28% rise in online students and the highest-ever number of transfer students.

Events

Oct
25
Fall 2025 Open House (Hickory campus)
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025
Open House is your opportunity to learn more about App State. Meet faculty and current students, tour campus, and learn more about financial aid, scholarships, the admissions process, and what student life at App State is really like.
Oct
25
Day of Service
Community-Engaged Leadership
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Please join us for our monthly Day of Service as we continue our longer-term cleanup efforts around the High Country and other work. Get to know the High Country by stepping out into the Boone community and donating a few hours of your time at a local non-profit. Lunch and transportation will be provided.
Oct
28
“The Cigarette Surfboard” – Film Screening w/Discussion and Q and A to follow
University Forum Lecture Series
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025
5:30 p.m.
This documentary focuses on creative solutions to environmental issues and climate change, while offering hope and student empowerment through individual action toward global protection. After a young designer realizes that a surfboard – which he crafted from thousands of littered cigarette butts picked up off California beaches – could captivate the eyes of millions across the globe, he decides to use it as the impetus to do something more.
Oct
29
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Nov
7
Orlando
Department of Theatre and Dance
Oct. 29 - Nov. 7, 2025
An adaptation of the “longest and most charming love letter in literature,” written by Virginia Woolf for her lover, Vita Sackville-West, “Orlando” is a theatrical, wild, fantastical trip through space, time and gender. Orlando’s adventures begin as a young man, when he serves as courtier to Queen Elizabeth. Adapted by Sarah Ruhl.
Oct
30
Christy Shi Day: Listening for the Path: How Nervous Systems Shape the Way We Lead, Learn, & Live
University Forum Lecture Series
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025
4 p.m.
Join us for an inspiring talk with Christy Shi Day, trauma-informed disaster response advocate and strategic facilitator, on how nervous system awareness shapes leadership, resilience and meaningful change. This event is free and open to all faculty, staff, students and the WNC community.
Oct
31
Boone BOO!
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
Friday, Oct. 31, 2025
5 - 7 p.m.
Visual artist and Professor of Drawing at Clemson University, Kathleen Thum whose exhibition, “Considering Carbon,” is on view at the Turchin Center, will be joined by Tom Hansell, award-winning documentary filmmaker and Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, and George Santucci, Sustainability and Special Projects Manager for the Town of Boone, to share their creative work and discuss issues of sustainability about fossil fuels and carbon.

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News & Features

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In the News

Ranking the 25 best college football stadiums from the Big House to Death Valley
The Athletic
Lights Over Linville — Brown Mountain’s Enduring Mystery [faculty featured]
The Laurel of Asheville
Folk Revival After Helene [faculty and alumni featured]
Oxford American
Appalachian State thrives year after Hurricane Helene disruption
WCNC
Appalachian State program aims to boost the number of rural exceptional children teachers
WUNC
First-generation college students move into App State
WSOC-TV

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Research & Arts

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Awards & Honors

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Webcams

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Experts Directory

Are you interested in engaging a member of Appalachian's faculty or staff for a news media interview or a speaking engagement? Find expert members’ biographies, list of topics they can discuss, links to their research and more.

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Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris named chancellor of Appalachian State University

Norris assumes role with more than 2 decades of academic leadership, vision and expertise

Feb. 27, 2025

Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris has been named App State’s next chancellor, effective March 1. University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans made the announcement upon election by the UNC Board of Governors of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System on Feb. 27.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

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