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App State students make an impact on businesses’ triple bottom line

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Dr. Tammy Kowalczyk, professor of accounting and interim director of Appalachian’s Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics, third from left, and Appalachian alumnus Alex Helms '13 '16, a lecturer in the Department of Accounting, second from right, work with three Appalachian international exchange students on an Impact Clinic project. The students pictured — all of whom are from Spain with double majors in business and law — are, from left to right, Soledad Jarquemada, Maria Leon Martinex and Angela Munoz Perez-Embid. Photo submitted

“Customers are interested in the social impact side of a business. If we can identify ways the company contributes to the community, or provides a good place for employees to work, the business can use those findings to attract new customers and increase revenue and profit.”

Dr. Tammy Kowalczyk, professor of accounting and RIEEE interim director

By Jan Todd
Posted Sep. 19, 2019 at 12:42 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — An initiative by Appalachian State University’s Walker College of Business (WCOB) is helping companies use their businesses as a force for good — all while providing professional and practical experience to students in a multidisciplinary environment.

The Impact Clinic, developed by Dr. Tammy Kowalczyk, interim director of Appalachian’s Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics (RIEEE) and professor in the WCOB’s Department of Accounting, pairs student teams with businesses to measure and manage businesses’ environmental and societal impacts.

“Customers are interested in the social impact side of a business. If we can identify ways the company contributes to the community, or provides a good place for employees to work, the business can use those findings to attract new customers and increase revenue and profit.”

Dr. Tammy Kowalczyk, professor of accounting and RIEEE interim director

“We model our assessments on B Corp Certification goals, using a tool to evaluate how the business’s operations impact stakeholders, including owners and investors, consumers, workers, the local community and the natural environment,” Kowalczyk said.

A Certified B Corporation is a type of business that balances purpose and profit, working for the greater good, with a triple bottom line — people, planet and profit.

“Some people don’t realize how caring for the environment and for the employees benefits the company’s bottom line,” Kowalczyk explained. “Customers are interested in the social impact side of a business. If we can identify ways the company contributes to the community, or provides a good place for employees to work, the business can use those findings to attract new customers and increase revenue and profit.”

Making an impact

Kowalczyk said the Impact Clinic has worked with 12 businesses in Western North Carolina to date, with approximately 125 students participating.

Alex Helms '13 '16, a lecturer in the Department of Accounting and past business participant in the Impact Clinic, said, “This experience is pivotal for students. Many of our students have had little or no work experience — especially the type involving strategic decision-making. This program provides many students their first opportunity to come in and see how a business works from a management perspective and develop creative solutions to complex problems.”

Chris Grasinger ’13, Appalachian alumnus and CEO of Center 45 Climbing and Fitness in Boone, said he has been working with the Impact Clinic for several semesters. “The students bring a lot of energy to the table in helping us build our score to achieve B Corp Certification,” he shared. “We have considered everything from employee policies to environmental impact in great depth.”

Zak Ammar ’16, Appalachian alumnus and founder of Vixster, a waste and recycling collection service based in Boone, said the Impact Clinic has been a great resource for his business. “Students have completed projects for our company and we have executed comprehensive plans to further our B Corp status.

“Currently we are in our last round of work that will lead us to the certification,” Ammar continued. “None of this would have been possible without Tammy’s dedication to education, the students and making the world a better place.”

Supporting innovation

The Impact Clinic began as a pilot program in fall 2017 and was fueled by a grant from the Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program, which supports research and practice related to the innovation of higher education.

“With the grant, we were able to further develop this program to provide an experiential learning opportunity in a high-impact way for students,” Kowalczyk said. “After the Impact Clinic identifies the needs of a company, we can then collaborate with other departments at Appalachian to engage those who specialize in areas that can address those needs.”

The program is administered through the Assessing Sustainability in a Global Business Environment course, an undergraduate class open to all majors at Appalachian. Kowalczyk taught the course for several years, and Helms began teaching the class in the 2019 fall semester.

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Partner with the Walker College
Partner with the Walker College

Tap into the business know-how of thought leaders and PhD faculty members, become a partner in cutting edge innovation and research, and gain access to top student talent. When you or your organization partner with Appalachian's Walker College of Business, we will help you meet your business goals.

Learn more
Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program
Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program

The Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program supports research and practice related to the innovation of higher education. Appalachian faculty and staff from all disciplines and program areas are eligible for support.

Learn more
Appalachian Innovation Scholars Program
Appalachian Innovation Scholars Program

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See what inspires some of Appalachian’s most innovative scholars.

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Chancellor’s Appalachian Innovation Scholars Program announces 2018 winners
Chancellor’s Appalachian Innovation Scholars Program announces 2018 winners
Feb. 28, 2018

For the second year in a row, Chancellor Sheri Everts’ Appalachian Innovation Scholars Program awards five Appalachian faculty members up to $10,000 each for their innovative proposals.

Read the story
Winners announced for 2019 Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program
Winners announced for 2019 Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program
March 21, 2019

The winning teams earned awards up to $10,000 each from the Office of the Chancellor and Division of Academic Affairs.

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About the Walker College of Business

The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling more than 4,000 undergraduates in 11 majors, Walker College has the highest enrollment of full-time undergraduate students in the University of North Carolina System, and more than 250 graduate students are enrolled in the college’s three master’s programs. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, 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.

“Customers are interested in the social impact side of a business. If we can identify ways the company contributes to the community, or provides a good place for employees to work, the business can use those findings to attract new customers and increase revenue and profit.”

Dr. Tammy Kowalczyk, professor of accounting and RIEEE interim director

Partner with the Walker College
Partner with the Walker College

Tap into the business know-how of thought leaders and PhD faculty members, become a partner in cutting edge innovation and research, and gain access to top student talent. When you or your organization partner with Appalachian's Walker College of Business, we will help you meet your business goals.

Learn more
Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program
Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program

The Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program supports research and practice related to the innovation of higher education. Appalachian faculty and staff from all disciplines and program areas are eligible for support.

Learn more

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

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

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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