BOONE, N.C. — During fall break, 29 students, staff and faculty gave back to organizations in North Carolina and Georgia by participating in Alternative Service Experience (ASE) programs offered through Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) — part of Appalachian State University’s Division of Student Affairs.

During fall break, groups participated in three ASE programs: Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary in Providence; Camp Twin Lakes’ You B You Camp for autistic children and their families in Winder, Georgia; and Charlotte-based human trafficking and women’s rights organizations Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network (CVAN), Safe Alliance and Lily Pad Haven.

Appalachian’s ASE programs provide opportunities for service, learning and exploration. Within each ASE program, Appalachian faculty and staff members acted as Learning Partners and fellow students served as Peer Leaders as they worked alongside community organizations to support service projects.

This photo gallery highlights the many service and learning opportunities through which students, faculty and staff used their fall break to make a difference beyond the Appalachian Community.

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Alternative Service Experience

The Alternative Service Experience Program immerses students in a service experience in local, domestic and international communities. Its trips are created and led by trained student peer leaders and involve direct service to a community, purposeful reflection and relationship building with fellow students. All focus on a particular social issue such as homelessness, the environment or youth. The program was honored in 2017 with being ranked 10th in the nation for the number of alternative break programs it offered in 2015-16 by Break Away, a national nonprofit organization that supports the development of quality alternative break programs.

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Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT)

Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) provides service experiences as opportunities to connect and engage with others to build authentic relationships, stimulate critical thinking and skill building, and recognize individual impact and responsibility to the local and global community. ACT partners with over 160 local nonprofits. Initiatives include blood drives, hunger and homeless awareness events, fundraising for local charities and alternative service experiences.

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About the Alternative Service Experience Program

Housed in the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership, App State’s Alternative Service Experience Program offers students the opportunity to serve in local, domestic and international communities during their fall, winter and spring breaks from school. The trips are created and led by trained student peer leaders and involve direct service to a community, purposeful reflection and relationship building with fellow students. All focus on a particular social issue such as homelessness, environmental conservation or youth outreach. Learn more about App State’s Alternative Service Experience Program at https://ase.appstate.edu.

About Student Affairs at App State

Student Affairs at App State supports student success and well-being by fostering a culture of care, inclusion and engagement. Its mission is to develop lifelong learners and dynamic leaders through meaningful experiences that challenge and support students. Grounded in a commitment to care, engage and transform, Student Affairs creates a student-centered environment that encourages resilience, leadership, service and global learning. Student Affairs encompasses the following units: Campus Activities, Case Management, the Child Development Center, Community-Engaged Leadership, Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of the Dean of Students, New Mountaineer and Family Engagement, Off-Campus Student Services, Plemmons Student Union, Student Conduct, M.S. Shook Student Health Service, Student Legal Services, Student Veteran Services, University Recreation, and Wellness and Prevention Services. Learn more at https://studentaffairs.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, cost-effective education. 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.