4 diversity advocates named 2020–21 App State Fleming Scholars
“We are so pleased to welcome this remarkable group of students to Appalachian. These scholars have already demonstrated their academic excellence, as the qualifications and interview process for the Fleming Scholarship are rigorous. These students, like many other Fleming Scholars, will set the standard for excellence in the Appalachian Community — helping to share with their peers the importance of inclusion and equity.”
Dr. Willie C. Fleming, App State’s chief diversity officer
By Jessica Stump
Posted Oct. 9, 2020 at 3:34 p.m.
BOONE, N.C. — Four first-year students at Appalachian State University have been awarded full tuition for up to eight semesters through the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship — a merit-based scholarship established to honor Dr. Willie C. Fleming ’80 ’84, App State’s chief diversity officer.
“We are so pleased to welcome this remarkable group of students to Appalachian. These scholars have already demonstrated their academic excellence, as the qualifications and interview process for the Fleming Scholarship are rigorous. These students, like many other Fleming Scholars, will set the standard for excellence in the Appalachian Community — helping to share with their peers the importance of inclusion and equity.”
Dr. Willie C. Fleming, App State’s chief diversity officer
“These four extraordinary students, and the ones who have come before them, have the privilege of being mentored by our university’s chief diversity officer, Dr. Willie Fleming, whose contributions to this campus are both historic and essential,” said App State Chancellor Sheri Everts.
She continued, “Dr. Fleming, a two-time alumnus, helped found the Appalachian Gospel Choir, the Black Student Association and the Black Faculty and Staff Association in the late ’70s and early ’80s. At this pivotal time in history, he continues to provide important mentorship to these student leaders.”
“We are so pleased to welcome this remarkable group of students to Appalachian,” Fleming said. “These scholars have already demonstrated their academic excellence, as the qualifications and interview process for the Fleming Scholarship are rigorous. These students, like many other Fleming Scholars, will set the standard for excellence in the Appalachian Community — helping to share with their peers the importance of inclusion and equity.”
The Fleming Scholarship program is designed to support students from underrepresented populations. Fleming Scholars are selected based on their desire to promote cultural diversity. In addition to covering full in-state tuition and fees, the scholarship provides mentorship by alumni, the opportunity to participate in inclusivity-focused events, and networking and team building within each cohort of recipients.
Academic excellence is also a key qualifier for the applicants, and as members of the Appalachian Community, they are called on to speak publicly and assume the responsibility of leadership, scholarship and community involvement.
In the 1980s, Fleming served as App State’s director of minority affairs, which is known today as director of intercultural student affairs. He founded the App State Gospel Choir and was part of the revamping of the Black Student Association and was a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association. Fleming was also instrumental in bringing Black Greek life to the university.
The 2020–21 Fleming Scholars
Myasia Carson, of Spindale, is one of four students selected as Appalachian State University’s 2020–21 Fleming Scholars. Photo submitted
Myasia Carson
Carson, who is from Spindale and plans to major in nursing, said she chose App State because of its commitment to sustainability and its academic environment. “Living sustainably is something that is important to me, and to be able attend a school that honors that is a great privilege,” she said.
She is interested in learning about the human body and biological sciences while at App State. “Appalachian’s academic environment will challenge my thinking, but I look forward to that challenge because I know that I will have support from faculty and friends,” she said.
As a senior at Rutherford Early College High School in Spindale, Carson earned her certified nursing assistant (CNA) licensure and volunteered with nonprofit Empowerment Through Beauty, which aims to create confidence, courage and community for women and girls. She was also named to the Dean’s List at Illinois Central College, through which she earned her Associate of Arts degree.
Amaya Crawford, of Charlotte, is one of four students selected as Appalachian State University’s 2020–21 Fleming Scholars. Photo submitted
Amaya Crawford
Crawford, of Charlotte, who plans to major in marketing with a concentration in digital marketing, said she chose App State because of its location. “The campus is absolutely beautiful and I love being in the mountains. It felt like home,” she said.
She is interested in learning more about business and world languages and said the Fleming Scholarship will open up doors for her to study abroad.
During her senior year at Charlotte’s South Mecklenburg High School, Crawford served as secretary of the school’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter and co-captain of the varsity cheer team. She was also a member of the Social Studies Honor Society and a competitive dancer.
Dy’Quan Kearney, of New Bern, is one of four students selected as Appalachian State University’s 2020–21 Fleming Scholars. Photo submitted
Dy’Quan Kearney
Of his decision to attend App State, Kearney, of New Bern, said, “I would like to have a future with meaning and become an active citizen within my community, all of which Appalachian offers.”
Kearney intends to major in biology and aspires to become an anesthesiologist. He said his goals as a student at App State are to build a strong educational foundation and enhance his core values of caring, dedication, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity and learning.
During his senior year at New Bern High School, Kearney was a member of the school’s National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society chapters. He was also active in MANifest — a program that works to promote success among minority males within the New Bern community. Additionally, he serves as a volunteer for nonprofit BackPack Blessings, which provides meals to students in Craven, Jones and Pamlico counties who are in need of food during out-of-school hours.
Gracie Staser, of Apex, is one of four students selected as Appalachian State University’s 2020–21 Fleming Scholars. Photo submitted
Gracie Staser
When visiting App State’s campus, Staser, of Apex, said she fell in love with the university’s familial atmosphere, the faculty’s commitment to student success and the fact App State values student input on how to best diversify the campus.
She plans to double major in political science–pre-professional legal studies and psychology–social science. “As a woman of color, I have always been interested in history and how the past affects society today,” she said. “As a Flemings Scholar, I will have faculty mentors who will guide me in ways to best effect social change.”
As a senior at Needham B. Broughton High School in Raleigh, Staser served as president of the school’s Mock Trial Team and president and founder of its African American Student Association. She was the keynote speaker for the school’s Youth Thrive event focused on mental health advocacy for minority youth and a senior leader for the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Chief Diversity Officer, Appalachian State University
Dr. Willie C. Fleming joined Appalachian as chief diversity officer in May 2016. A two-time Appalachian graduate, he earned a B.S. in art education in 1980 and a M.A. in student development in 1984. He holds a Ph.D. in counselor education from University of South Carolina-Columbia. Previously, he was professor of psychology at Gardner-Webb University, training school and mental health counselors. He was also program coordinator of mental health counseling at Gardner-Webb’s Charlotte campus.
18% racially and ethnically underrepresented students* (fall 2020)
56% growth in underrepresented students since 2014* (fall 2020)
97% growth in first-year underrepresented students since 2014* (fall 2020)
86.5% overall student retention rate (fall 2020)
83.5% retention rate for underrepresented students* (fall 2020)
* Combined percentage of students who self-identify as Hispanic of any race; American Indian or Alaska Native; Black or African American; Asian; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Two or more races; or are Nonresident Alien. This percentage is taken from the total number of students who elect to report their racial and/or ethnic identities, as well as Nonresident Alien students. Actual counts may be higher, as some students choose not to report their race or ethnicity.
Three of App State’s signature scholarships — the Chancellor’s Scholarship, the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship and the Diversity Scholars Program — provide full in-state tuition and fees, plus additional benefits to provide a lifetime of value.
The Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship is designed to support students from underrepresented populations, with selection based on their desire to promote cultural diversity. In addition to covering full in-state tuition and fees, the renewable scholarship provides mentorship by alumni, the opportunity to participate in inclusivity-focused events, and networking and team building within each cohort of recipients. It was established to honor Dr. Willie C. Fleming ’80 ’84, who founded the Appalachian Gospel Choir and the Black Student Association, was a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association and was also instrumental in bringing black Greek life to the university. Learn more
About Scholarships at App State
Appalachian State University offers students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at an affordable rate, with an average of $25 million awarded to incoming, current and transfer students each year based on need, as well as academic and athletic achievement. On average, about $4.9 million in outside aid is awarded to App State students annually. App State’s Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships assists students in learning about and applying for these university scholarship opportunities and also shares information about non-App State scholarships. Learn more at https://scholarships.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.
“We are so pleased to welcome this remarkable group of students to Appalachian. These scholars have already demonstrated their academic excellence, as the qualifications and interview process for the Fleming Scholarship are rigorous. These students, like many other Fleming Scholars, will set the standard for excellence in the Appalachian Community — helping to share with their peers the importance of inclusion and equity.”
Dr. Willie C. Fleming, App State’s chief diversity officer
Chief Diversity Officer, Appalachian State University
Dr. Willie C. Fleming joined Appalachian as chief diversity officer in May 2016. A two-time App State graduate, he earned a B.S. in art education in 1980 and a M.A. in student development in 1984. He holds a Ph.D. in counselor education from University of South Carolina-Columbia. Previously, he was professor of psychology at Gardner-Webb University, training school and mental health counselors. He was also program coordinator of mental health counseling at Gardner-Webb’s Charlotte campus.
18% racially and ethnically underrepresented students* (fall 2020)
56% growth in underrepresented students since 2014* (fall 2020)
97% growth in first-year underrepresented students since 2014* (fall 2020)
86.5% overall student retention rate (fall 2020)
83.5% retention rate for underrepresented students* (fall 2020)
* Combined percentage of students who self-identify as Hispanic of any race; American Indian or Alaska Native; Black or African American; Asian; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Two or more races; or are Nonresident Alien. This percentage is taken from the total number of students who elect to report their racial and/or ethnic identities, as well as Nonresident Alien students. Actual counts may be higher, as some students choose not to report their race or ethnicity.
Three of App State’s signature scholarships — the Chancellor’s Scholarship, the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship and the Diversity Scholars Program — provide full in-state tuition and fees, plus additional benefits to provide a lifetime of value.
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:
Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
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:
Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
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