UNC-GA continues funding for collaborative project supporting students with learning differences

Posted Nov. 29, 2017 at 1:25 p.m.

BOONE, N.C.—Dr. Michael Mayfield, in the Division of Academic Affairs at Appalachian State University, Dr. Kathleen T. Brinko, director of Conflict Management Services at Appalachian, Dr. Ellie Hoffman, associate professor of reading education and special education in the Reich College of Education and Jamie Inlow, director of Appalachian’s As-U-R program in Appalachian’s University College, received $88,441.61 in additional funding from the University of North Carolina General Administration (UNC-GA) to continue the third phase of College STAR, a program that supports students with learning differences.

About College STAR at Appalachian

College STAR (Supporting Transition, Access, and Retention: A UNC System Project Supporting Students with Learning Differences) is a collaborative project designed to enable participating universities to help their campuses develop welcoming and responsive environments for students with learning differences. With grant support and with collaboration from UNC-GA, Appalachian is currently working together with East Carolina University and Fayetteville State University to build models of student and faculty support focused on student learning and understandings about Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

As-U-R is College STAR’s student-centered initiative. It serves students through lead tutoring, the As-U-R program and provides technological support, as well as a mentoring program that pairs college students with learning differences and/or ADHD with similarly labeled students at Hardin Park Elementary School in Boone.

AppSTAR is College STAR’s faculty-based initiative aimed at educating faculty members about learning differences and implementing teaching strategies that enhance all students' learning by incorporating UDL Principles. Appalachian faculty have access to College STAR workshops and seminars, UDL-based Faculty Learning Communities, annual course redesign services and specially designed professional development modules.

About the Division of Academic Affairs

The Division of Academic Affairs is responsible for student learning and success at Appalachian State University, including oversight of the university’s challenging academic curriculum, active classroom environments, and close collaboration between faculty members and students on scholarly activities. Academic Affairs encompasses the degree-granting College of Arts and Sciences, College of Fine and Applied Arts, Beaver College of Health Sciences, Reich College of Education, Walker College of Business and Hayes School of Music; as well as the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School, the Honors College, University College and 12 other units that support the innovative, interdisciplinary and integrative academic experience for which Appalachian is known. Learn more at http://academicaffairs.appstate.edu.

About the Reich College of Education

Appalachian offers one of the largest undergraduate teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. The Reich College of Education enrolls approximately 2,400 students in its bachelor's, master's, education specialist and doctoral degree programs. With so many teacher education graduates working in the state, there is at least one RCOE graduate teaching in every county in North Carolina. Learn more at https://rcoe.appstate.edu.

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.