10 first-year App State students awarded Diversity Scholars Program Scholarship for 2022–23

Bailey said she chose to pursue communication studies at App State because this field of study “opens many opportunities and different jobs.”

Her career goal is “to help people and make positive change in the world,” she shared.

As a Diversity Scholar, Bailey is looking forward to engaging in conversations on difficult but important topics and seeing different viewpoints, she said, adding that this work will make her a more well-rounded and able person.

Since attending orientation at App State, Bailey said she has come to find that the university is “unique in truly wanting to give young adults like me many opportunities in life. App State wants to create change in our community and guide others to do the same throughout the world.”

Bailey graduated from Grimsley High School, where she participated in varsity field hockey and lacrosse, as well as youth praise band and the Spanish Club. She also engaged in multiple mission trips and volunteer work through Greensboro’s Christ United Methodist Church.

Blackwell said she chose App State for its “outstanding biology program” — as well as the peace she felt each time she visited the university’s Boone campus.

She is pursuing a major in ecology, evolution and environmental biology because she is “extremely passionate about the environment and science,” she said. “I want to improve the lives of people and animals through my degree.”

App State’s Diversity Scholarship has helped alleviate her concerns about how to fund her App State education, Blackwell shared, and provides her the opportunity to connect with community members both on and off campus.

As a student at Cabarrus Early College of Technology in Concord, Blackwell was a member of the Science Club, National Honor Society and National Society of Leadership and Success.

“App State is more than just a school — it’s a home. Besides the wonderful academic experience that this university will offer me, I also value the community and the culture in Boone,” said Galeas, who is majoring in marketing.

She said connecting to people through the technical skills of marketing has always sparked her interest, which is why she chose her field of study.

The “window of opportunity” that the Diversity Scholarship provides will allow Galeas to “make amazing connections and build many new skills that will benefit my future success,” she said.

Throughout her academic career at Cary High School, Galeas was a member of the Student Government Association and French Club, serving as an executive officer of the latter.

Jeffris, originally from Brasília, Brazil, is a psychology-human services major. She is also enrolled in App State’s Honors College — a community of more than 500 high-achieving, high-potential, highly motivated students from all majors.

“Having attended school in both Brazil and the U.S., I’ve experienced firsthand how enriching and mind opening it can be to approach one’s education from different cultural angles and perspectives. That’s why I’m also so thrilled about being a part of such a diverse group of individuals, who are committed to uplifting and celebrating one another’s differences,” Jeffris said of her participation in the Diversity Scholars Program.

This scholarship allows her to fully focus on her studies and her next steps after graduation, she shared, adding that she is also looking forward to taking part in study abroad experiences supported through the scholarship.

When researching schools, Jeffris found that App State embodies her two most sought-after characteristics — a well-established university that provides numerous study abroad, research and internship opportunities and one with a tight-knit community, “where people truly care for one another,” she said.

Jeffries is a graduate of Longleaf School of the Arts in Raleigh. There, she was a member of the Student Government Association, National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Red Cross Club and Environmental and Recycling Club. She also participated in the school’s theater and dance productions.

Knotts, who said she ultimately chose App State for its “amazing political science program,” is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in public administration.

“The Diversity Scholarship will allow me to make connections in the community that will help further my political career,” she said.

Knotts was also attracted to the university because of its “welcoming environment that keeps students involved in the community,” she shared.

Knotts is a graduate of Swartz Creek High School in Swartz Creek, Michigan.

Lemus aspires to become a psychiatrist and is majoring in psychology with a concentration in health studies.

“I’ve always wanted to help people on a personal level and would someday love to perform research in the mental health field,” she shared.

A first-generation college student, Lemus said her Diversity Scholarship has given her what seemed, at first, an impossible opportunity — the ability to pursue her dreams of higher education.

Lemus said she was attracted to App State because its Boone location is her “home away from home”; she grew up visiting the town every weekend.

At Asheboro High School, she served as senior class president on the Student Council and as an ambassador for Health Science Academy. She was also a varsity cheerleader.

A first-generation college student, Martin is a public relations major with a minor in religious studies.

“College is something I always considered to be out of the picture for me when I was a child,” said Martin, who worked full time throughout his high school career to save for college.

Not only has his Diversity Scholarship made attending App State an affordable reality, it has given Martin the opportunity to connect with his surrounding community in new and challenging ways — an important goal in both his personal and professional life, he said.

“I believe that when you understand, respect and connect to what a person believes in, you have a deeper appreciation for the different types of people around you,” Martin shared. “It’s fundamentally important to me to have connections with people who both support and advocate for meaningful change that betters all people.”

As a student at Union County Early College (UCEC) in Monroe, Martin was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and the Art Club. He also performed community outreach as a volunteer at Safe Alliance in Charlotte, which serves individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. Martin holds an associate degree from South Piedmont Community College, which houses UCEC.

A global studies major, Thambugala decided to attend App State after visiting campus and meeting with the chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and the director of Watauga Residential College — an interdisciplinary academic program through which students engage in experiential, inquiry-based learning, both inside and outside the classroom.

Through these conversations, Thambugala said she discovered the opportunities that App State provides related to her interests, which include traveling abroad and learning about international languages and cultures.

“The Diversity Scholarship will assist in my dreams of traveling and immersing myself into different cultures and meeting new people,” she said. “I will be able to broaden my horizon of understanding and intensify my already wild curiosity.”

While a student at Athens Drive Magnet High School in Raleigh, Thambugala was a member of the Amnesty Club, BETA Club, Mindfulness Club, International Thespian Society, STEM Academy and National Honors Society. She also served as a guest speaker and an audio editor for the Admirable Students of Athens Podcast and helped plan a Culture Day event.

Watson was attracted to App State for its forensic science program.

“I chose this field of study because I’ve always been a hands-on person who likes to solve or pick apart situations,” Watson said. “I also like the fact that I can help bring closure to the families or loved ones of victims.”

Watson shared their excitement to meet new people from different cultures and backgrounds through study abroad opportunities afforded by the Diversity Scholarship.

“App State will introduce me to a myriad of awesome internships and career opportunities,” Watson said, adding that the Diversity Scholarship allows them the opportunity to become involved in campus activities, organizations and clubs.

A graduate of Carolina International School in Concord, Watson was part of the Student Council and National Honor Society and served as president of the Genders and Sexualities Alliance. Outside of school, Watson volunteered with a group called Hit the Streets, helping to feed the homeless population in Charlotte.

On a campus tour, Weaver fell in love with App State and the surrounding town of Boone, she said, adding, “It feels like a place where I can be my authentic self and that is really important to me.”

Weaver, who is still exploring undergraduate majors at App State, shared that she is impressed by the variety of study areas available on campus and the many opportunities App State offers to prepare students for a meaningful future and career.

She described App State’s Diversity Scholarship as an investment in her overall growth and development, one for which she is “truly grateful.” Weaver also expressed her excitement for the many program experiences that await her — from connecting with her Diversity Scholar peers, to participation in community service and study abroad opportunities, to leadership and support from App State administration.

Weaver graduated from Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw, where she was a member of the varsity indoor and outdoor track team. She also held membership in the National Honor Society and Beta Club during her junior and senior years. Weaver co-founded and served as vice president of the school’s Isabella Santos Foundation Club, which helps raise both awareness of and funding for children with cancer.