Appalachian senior honored for community service

Posted Nov. 9, 2015 at 12:52 p.m.

ELON—Appalachian State University senior Kelsey Trevethan has been recognized for outstanding leadership and service by North Carolina Campus Compact, a statewide network of colleges and universities with a shared commitment to community engagement.

Trevethan is one of 21 students chosen by their campus to receive the network’s Community Impact Award. One student leader from each member school receives the honor. More than 200 college students have been recognized by the network since the award was first presented in 2006.

At Appalachian, Trevethan stands out as a passionate advocate for the special needs community. She coordinates KAMPN, a nature-based summer camping program for children with autism and their families. Her fundraising, planning and direction helped the program serve 45 children and families last year. A special education major, she is also a coach for ABLE Recreation, a baseball and networking program for individuals with special needs.

The Clayton native has also been a peer leader for seven alternative break service trips, including the inaugural program in Watauga County, and she chaired the university’s MLK Day of Service Challenge, which placed 200 student volunteers at 20 local nonprofits for a day of service.

Trevethan and other Community Impact Award winners were honored Nov. 7 at the Compact’s annual CSNAP student conference held at UNC Pembroke. The event convened nearly 100 students and staff from more than 20 campuses in the network. In addition to awards presentations, the conference included training on cultural competency, community engagement and the “sustained dialogue” leadership process.

North Carolina Campus Compact, the state affiliate of the national Campus Compact organization, builds the capacity of colleges and universities to produce civically engaged graduates and strengthen communities. Started in 2002 and hosted by Elon University, the statewide network includes 36 public, private and community colleges and universities. Appalachian is a founding member of the network.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.