Bosch, of Wilmington, is a graduate of App State’s online Bachelor of Science in veterinary technology program, which began in August 2022 and is offered through the College of Arts and Sciences. She is one of five members in the program’s first graduating class.

With over 30 years of experience as a veterinary technician, Bosch saw the program as an opportunity to make a career transition and pursue a new role as an educator. The flexible online program allowed Bosch to continue working while pursuing her degree. She received “unwavering positivity and continual support that helped keep me centered and focused,” Bosch said of the program’s faculty.

After graduation, Bosch plans to pursue an online master’s degree in veterinary forensics from the University of Florida, explore professional development and leadership opportunities provided by her current employer and apply for an adjunct teaching position in App State’s vet tech program.

“I really enjoyed helping new veterinary tech students in this program have that ‘aha’ moment of understanding,” said Bosch. “I’m very passionate about teaching and lifting up this new wave of veterinary technicians so that our profession can progress and receive the respect it deserves.”

For prospective students considering App State’s online vet tech program, Bosch highlighted the program’s learner-centered focus: “You’re not doing it alone. The instructors are always available with videos and guidance, and you collaborate with classmates through team-based learning.”

Crawford, of Charlotte, graduated from App State’s Walker College of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in both international business and digital marketing, as well as a minor in Spanish.

Crawford said that being a recipient of App State’s Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship opened a lot of doors for many different opportunities, including an international internship in Argentina with the digital marketing agency NWA Inc.

“It was an amazing experience — educationally and culturally,” said Crawford. “I’ve always had a love and passion for the country’s language and the culture.”

During her time at App State, Crawford also worked as a digital marketing and customer care intern for TTI Floor Care North America in Charlotte and as an intern in App State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She was a member of the Women of Walker organization, as well as a Walker Fellow, a Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, through which she was the marketing director for Beans 2 Brew.

“I tried to put (myself) in a lot of different spaces to learn as much as I could, and I think I’ve really taken advantage of every opportunity that the university provided,” said Crawford. “Every person I’ve met along the way has been so encouraging and supportive, and that has given me the confidence to acquire a diverse set of skills and experiences.”

Crawford said one of her favorite college memories is when she had the opportunity to speak at the Boyles Distinguished Lecture Series luncheon this spring, where she was able to share her educational journey with the App State Community.

Soon after graduation, Crawford will begin working as a brand manager for Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati.

Fox, of Mooresville, graduated from App State’s Beaver College of Health Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a minor in military science and leadership. In April, the college’s Department of Nursing honored Fox with its 2024 Nursing Leadership Award.

Fox was also a member of App State’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). During his time in ROTC, Fox earned the U.S. Army’s Airborne and Air Assault badges and was a member of the Mountain Man Marathon Team and Appalachian State Commandos. He has been named a Distinguished Military Graduate and is ranked among the Top 100 Army ROTC graduates in the country.

Fox’s profound respect for military service and his passion for health care converged at App State.

“I chose nursing because my grandma was a nurse practitioner, and my grandfather was a paraplegic,” said Fox. “I had health care influences in my family and always wanted to care for others, especially those who served our country.”

Fox’s grandparents faced immense challenges after his grandfather’s car accident, with his grandmother working full time as a nurse while raising two children. Their 60-year marriage inspired Fox’s persistence.

“It’s a story that makes you want to do good,” he said. “I’ll keep that spirit of perseverance with me as a military nurse.”

Fox was drawn to App State from an early age; during his childhood, Fox and his family would visit the High Country for vacations and to go snowboarding. The scenic landscape that surrounds the Boone campus made his college decision easy, he said.

Looking ahead, the self-proclaimed “Mountaineer for life” hopes to begin officer training this summer. His goal is to improve health care access for military members and veterans.

“The camaraderie you build doing hard things together, whether healing people or serving in the military, allows you to accomplish great things as a team,” Fox said. “It’s been great being a Mountaineer, and I’ll take that tight-knit spirit with me.”

Greene, of Winston-Salem, graduated from App State’s Reich College of Education with a Master of School Administration, a degree available through App State Online. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama and Master of Education in special education-general curriculum from UNC Greensboro.

In 2022, Greene completed a yearlong principal internship at Northwest Middle School in Winston-Salem as a North Carolina Principal Fellow. App State is one of eight UNC System institutions awarded grant-funded support through the NC Principal Fellows Program to train and support future principals.

Prior to pursuing her MSA, Greene worked for four years at App State’s Academy at Middle Fork, a K–5 laboratory school in Winston-Salem, where she served as an exceptional children teacher and interim director of exceptional children. In 2021, she received the Educator of Excellence Award.

“I feel like school administration goes hand in hand with my work with exceptional children, and my degree will help me to make an even bigger impact,” said Greene. “Ultimately, I want to be an exceptional children program director, and I feel good about everything working together.”

Greene said that obtaining her App State master’s degree online was an intimate and rewarding experience.

“The College of Education is really great, and they helped me to bond with my education cohort,” she said. “We were fortunate to be able to get together at least once a month, even though our program was virtual, and I’ve made many lasting friendships.”

Greene is interviewing for jobs as she prepares for the next steps in her career.

Martinez, of Hillsborough, earned his Bachelor of Science from App State in middle grades education with concentrations in mathematics and social studies.

He was active in the Reich College of Education as an Education Peer Ambassador and as a member of both the Appalachian Educators Club and the Appalachian Community of Education Scholars.

Martinez was selected for a LatinxEd 20 Under 20 award for his dedication to elevating Latin American youth leadership across the state of North Carolina — specifically through education.

“It was an amazing honor and really special to make connections and share experiences with people in similar shoes,” he said. “I’m always so happy to improve education for Latinx students in any way and to help them have their voices heard.”

Martinez said App State was always his first college choice because of its esteemed education program, but his decision was officially confirmed when he first set foot on the Boone campus.

“The campus, the people and the community — it all just felt like a second home to me,” he said. “I knew this was where I needed to be.”

Martinez said he wanted to study middle grades education because he had a negative middle school experience, and that he strives to never let that happen in his own classroom.

“My goal is to make middle school memorable and enjoyable,” he said. “To know that I can change even just one student’s life will always keep me motivated.”

Martinez completed his student teaching at Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill and has accepted a job as a seventh grade math teacher at Smith Middle School in Chapel Hill, where he will begin teaching this fall.

Dr. Sandra Ballard is a 1979 graduate of App State. In 2000, she joined the Department of English and the Center for Appalachian Studies as editor of the Appalachian Journal, a scholarly, peer-reviewed quarterly founded in 1972. Ballard received the Outstanding Contribution to Appalachian Literature Award from the Appalachian Writers Association in 2007 and the Educational Service to Appalachia Award from Carson-Newman College in 2011.

Dr. Brandy Hadley is a two-time App State graduate, having earned bachelor’s degrees in finance and banking and risk management and insurance in 2009 and an MBA in 2011. She joined the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance in 2017 and serves as the David A. Thompson Distinguished Scholar of Applied Investments and as lead faculty advisor for the Bowden Investment Group. Hadley is the 2023 recipient of the Walker College of Business Sywassink Excellence in Teaching Award.

Dr. Johnson is retiring after 10 years of service in the Department of Counseling, Family Therapy and Higher Education. Before joining the App State faculty, she worked as a school counselor for 17 years and as a teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing for seven years. Johnson has held university, regional and national professional leadership roles and is the 2023 recipient of the Reich College of Education Inclusive Excellence Award.

Dr. Koch joined the Department of Government and Justice Studies in 1995. He is the author of several books, with his latest — “Materialism and Social Inquiry in the Continental Tradition in Philosophy” — published in 2017. Koch has been actively involved with App State’s Faculty Senate and has served as a multiyear member, four-time vice chair and chair (2012–15).

Dr. Denise Levy joined the Department of Social Work in 2008 and served as the undergraduate social work program director from 2012 to 2014 and graduate social work program director from 2014 to 2016. Since 2016, she has served as the Beaver College of Health Sciences’ associate dean for academic affairs. At the end of this academic year, Levy will return to her role as professor of social work.

Alex Poorman joined the Department of Applied Design in 2007, after a 32-year professional career in architecture and interior design. From 2014 to 2020, he served as coordinator of App State’s interior design program. Poorman is a three-time recipient of the International Interior Design Association – Carolinas Chapter Educator Award (2017, 2019, 2023).