BOONE, N.C. — Student success at a university balances, sometimes precariously, on a three-legged stool — academics, finances and personal well-being.

If any one leg wobbles, the structure may topple. A student working long hours to meet expenses may fall behind academically. Family or mental health issues may force an academically sound student to miss classes repeatedly or ultimately forego her education. And a student struggling with one or two classes may avoid admitting, until far too late, he needs assistance.

Appalachian State University has systems, personnel and strategies in place to ensure students have the help they need in all three areas — possibly one reason the university’s retention and debt payment rates are significantly higher than the national average.

Appalachian’s first- to second-year retention rate is 87.2 percent — nearly 20 percent higher than the national average — and 72 percent of Appalachian graduates are paying off student debt as compared to the 47 percent national average. Our six-year graduation rate is 72 percent.

What’s the secret to this university’s high performance in these areas? These stories address each leg of the success stool and provide some of the answers.

Student success — early intervention is key

June 26, 2018

Dr. Greg Lester, executive director of academic advising and student success, says early intervention is key for students who are struggling academically. The Office of Student Success offers help at Appalachian.

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Wellness and Student Success at Appalachian

Why 8 dimensions of wellness are important to students’ holistic balance

Aug. 3, 2018

Dr. Alex F. Howard explains why staying healthy in multiple ways impacts a student’s ability to stay and complete a degree.

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Financing the dream — staying fiscally afloat at Appalachian

Aug. 24, 2018

FAFSA. FSEOG. ACOG. Acronyms abound when exploring how to pay for college. At Appalachian, interpreters are in place to help students and their families navigate the process of securing financial aid.

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Mental health — a key to academic and social success

Appalachian offers year-round programming on mental health awareness, self-care and suicide prevention

Feb. 27, 2019

A variety of opportunities help students keep mental health and self-care a priority, explains Coordinator for Student Mental Wellness Elizabeth Cavallaro.

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About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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