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Appalachian's newest students during the first day of the fall 2018 semester. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Student Success at Appalachian

Finding balance academically, financially, personally

By Elisabeth Wall
Posted Aug. 24, 2018 at 1:12 p.m.

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
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.

Read the story
Wellness and Student Success at Appalachian
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.

Read the story
Financing the dream — staying fiscally afloat at Appalachian
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.

Read the story
Mental health — a key to academic and social success
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.

Read the story

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, 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 nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

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Topics

  • Community Engagement
  • Health and Wellness
  • Students

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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