This gold seal signifies App State’s inclusion in the 2025 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll. Seal courtesy of PTK
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s sustained commitment to the success of its transfer student population has been recognized for the ninth consecutive year, with the university being named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2025 Transfer Honor Roll. App State is among 251 higher education institutions nationwide — and the only University of North Carolina System institution — included on the list.
Established in 2016, PTK’s Honor Roll recognizes four-year colleges and universities across the country for developing dynamic and innovative pathways that lead to success among community college transfer students.
Approximately 2,000 new transfer students join App State each academic year, representing nearly 140 community colleges across the nation. Transfer students make up one-fourth of the total undergraduate student population, with 70% of new transfer students coming to the university from community colleges, according to App State Transfer Admissions and Engagement. The degree completion rate for North Carolina community college students who transferred to App State is more than 22% above the national average.
“App State transfer students are a vital part of our university community,” said Kristin Wright, associate vice chancellor of enrollment management at App State. “They bring strong academic foundations, a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences and a readiness to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Their contributions enrich our university, and they go on to lead, innovate and excel in their professions, as well as in graduate studies.”
PTK used 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students to determine its Honor Roll — including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer students, admissions practices and bachelor’s degree completion.
“I’m proud of the transfer outcomes we’re seeing at these honor roll colleges,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, PTK president and CEO. “These colleges are doing more than just opening doors — they’re walking students through them. Their commitment to creating clear, supportive pathways demonstrates what’s possible when student success is truly the priority.”
Established in 1918, PTK Honor Society recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders. The society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.
App State transfer students are pictured in fall 2019, on Sanford Mall at the Boone campus. Photo courtesy of App State Transfer Admissions and Engagement
‘Transfer students thrive at App State’
“Transfer students thrive at App State — an environment designed with their success in mind,” said Wright. “Our student-first approach ensures transfer students receive personalized support at each step of their educational journeys at App State, from the enrollment process to the moment they cross the commencement stage.”
“The award-winning Aspire Appalachian Pathway Program is central to our mission of transfer student success,” she continued. “By expanding and strengthening our Aspire partnerships with North Carolina community colleges, we’re opening more doors for transfer students across the state to seamlessly transition to App State and obtain a high-quality, life-changing education.”
Aspire Appalachian provides a seamless pathway for students enrolled at partner community colleges to complete their degrees at App State. Qualifying students receive dedicated academic and financial aid advising assistance from both their community college and the university. For the 2025–26 academic year, App State has established new and renewed Aspire partnerships with 32 NC community colleges.
Dr. Kim Morton, director of transfer recruitment and retention at App State, noted that App State offers comprehensive resources and programming that help students navigate the transfer process, maximize their transfer credits and engage with the App State Community once they arrive at the university.
Mountain Laurel Hall is a 248-bed residence dedicated for App State transfer students. As a central hub for all App State transfer students, Mountain Laurel Hall offers students success programming, including social connections and academic support. Photo courtesy of App State Transfer Admissions and Engagement
App State transfer students are pictured in spring 2022 at the Mile High Swinging Bridge located at Grandfather Mountain State Park in Banner Elk. App State offers multiple events for transfer students each semester that are designed to help them connect with their peers and engage with the campus community. Photo courtesy of App State Transfer Admissions and Engagement
Those resources and programming include:
- Numerous merit- and need-based scholarship opportunities are available for incoming transfer students who have shown previous academic success and involvement prior to their enrollment at App State. Two examples:
- One student from each North Carolina community college affiliated with Phi Theta Kappa will receive the Appalachian PTK Scholarship, a one-time award of $1,000.
- Students who meet the academic requirements and enroll at App State’s Hickory campus for 2025 will receive the Hickory Scholarship — a one-time award that can be used to offset the costs of tuition and fees.
- Faculty Transfer Mentors are App State faculty and staff members who provide academic support to both prospective and new transfer students, helping them understand the curriculum and the remaining required coursework in their area of study.
- Mountain Laurel Hall is a 248-bed residence dedicated for App State transfer students. As a central hub for all App State transfer students, Mountain Laurel Hall offers student success programming, including social connections and academic support.
- The Transfer Student Center, located in Mountain Laurel Hall, provides transfer students a space in which to gather, socialize, study, find support, relax and learn about campus resources. All App State transfer students have access to both Mountain Laurel and its Transfer Student Center, regardless of whether or not they live in the residence hall.
- App State’s transfer admissions counselors assist prospective transfer students by advising for general education and major requirements while they are still attending their community college or previous institution.
- Ease of transferring course credits is facilitated in many ways, such as through App State’s Transfer Equivalency Course Search tool, which helps students determine how the courses they completed at other institutions may transfer to the university.
- App State offers multiple events for transfer students each semester that are designed to help these students connect with their peers and engage with the campus community. These events include Welcome to App events, Transfer Tuesdays every week and National Transfer Student Week in October, as well as Transfer Madness in March.
- Transfer Student Mentors are current App State transfer students who assist incoming transfer students by providing them with information about the university and helping them connect with the App State campus community. TSMs answer questions, help students navigate their first semester on a new campus, assist students with ways to get involved or just meet students for coffee and conversation.
- The university has 400 student clubs and organizations, including a handful that are specifically for transfer students, such as the Transfer Student Organization and App State’s Gamma Nu Chapter of the Tau Sigma Transfer Honor Society.
Learn more about the many ways App State supports transfer students throughout their time as Mountaineers.
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About Transfer Admissions and Engagement
Transfer Admissions and Engagement at Appalachian State University supports students through all stages of their transfer journey, including admission counseling and pretransfer advising, credit evaluation, transitional assistance as they begin at App State and through involvement and retention efforts during their App State education. The office serves undergraduate transfer students studying on the main campus in Boone as well as App State Online students who complete their classes fully online or at an off-site location. The services and resources provided by Transfer Admissions and Engagement ensure the university’s transfer student population finds academic and social success at App State. Learn more at https://transfer.appstate.edu.
About Enrollment Management at App State
Enrollment Management at Appalachian State University supports all incoming and current App State students by collaborating with campus partners to deliver services and resources that promote enrollment and student success. It is committed to increasing college access, reducing student debt and addressing the evolving challenges of higher education. Enrollment Management comprises the Office of Admissions, Office of the Registrar, Office of Transfer Admissions and Engagement and Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships. Learn more at https://em.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.
