First-year App State student Avery Hernandez, fourth from right, is joined by her family as she moves into her residence hall on App State’s Boone campus. Hernandez is among approximately 6,200 Mountaineer students who will have settled into their App State residences by Monday, Aug. 18 — the first day of fall 2025 classes at App State. Photo by Chase Reynolds
By the end of App State’s fall 2025 move-in week, approximately 6,200 Mountaineer students will have settled into their residence halls at the university’s Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Pictured in the foreground, Taylor Rangel, left, and her roommate, Kara Anthony, right, both first-year students from Lincolnton, unpack and settle into their residence hall room on App State’s Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
App State students build furniture for their new residence hall room during fall 2025 move-in week, Aug. 12–17, at the university’s Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Mountaineer students and families put their decorating skills to use during fall 2025 move-in week, complete with plenty of App State swag. Photo by Chase Reynolds
App State students brought plenty of comfort items from home to their new residence hall rooms during fall 2025 move-in week, Aug. 12–17, at App State’s Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Among the approximately 6,200 students moving into App State’s 18 residence halls were around 3,900 first-year students, along with 400 transfer students and 1,900 returning students. Photo by Chase Reynolds
App State continues to use its weeklong move-in process, which was implemented in 2019, to create a smoother home-to-campus transition for Mountaineer students and their families. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Addison Moore, a first-year App State student from Charlotte, works to decorate her residence hall room on the Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
App State alumnus Jason Moore ’97 builds furniture for his daughter, Addison, as she moves into her residence hall room on App State’s Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
BOONE, N.C. — Summer is winding down, but activity at Appalachian State University is ramping up as students arrive for the fall 2025 semester.
First-year and returning Mountaineers began moving into residence halls this Tuesday on the Boone campus, in preparation for the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 18.
Among the 6,200 students moving into App State’s 18 residence halls:
- approximately 3,900 first-year students;
- 400 transfer students; and
- 1,900 returning students.
“Move-in is a huge lift, and our volunteers and campus partners are tremendous at showing up to support our students and their families,” said Dr. Brandon Nelson '10 '20, director of University Housing at App State.
The university continues to use its weeklong move-in process, which was implemented in 2019, to create a smoother home-to-campus transition for students and their families. As part of this system, incoming students select appointments that allow them to choose their arrival time, making the experience more efficient and flexible. This year, University Housing also provided 150 additional move-in carts to help students and families expedite the move-in process.
“University Housing is excited about another successful move-in week at App State,” said Dr. Amanda Cutchens, associate director of student and administrative services in University Housing. “We have enjoyed welcoming new and returning students to our campus residence halls.”
App State University Housing provided 150 additional move-in carts this year to help Mountaineer students and families expedite the move-in process. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Students and families share their App State excitement
Mountaineer students and families are eager about the academic year ahead, with many sharing that move-in has been a seamless and accommodating experience.
“The move-in was honestly really great,” said Addison Moore, a first-year student from Charlotte who plans to major in digital journalism. “I know some schools do move-in the weekend before classes start, and this way feels much less stressful.”
Moore’s father, Jason, an App State alumnus who graduated in 1997, agreed that move-in has been a smooth process.
“The bins really help and we’re lucky to have parking right beside the dorm,” he said. “We got moved out of our cars really fast, and the traffic kept moving so other people could get in — it all worked out really nicely.”
App State alumnus Jason Moore ’97, left, and his daughter, Addison, a first-year student from Charlotte, are pictured outside Addison’s residence hall room on the Boone campus. Addison is among approximately 6,200 Mountaineer students who will have settled into their App State residences by Monday, Aug. 18 — the first day of fall 2025 classes at App State. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Roommates and first-year App State students Milo Lester, of Winston-Salem, left, and Camren Sellers, of Charlotte, are pictured in their residence hall room on App State’s Boone campus. They are among approximately 6,200 Mountaineer students who will have settled into their App State residences by Monday, Aug. 18 — the first day of fall 2025 classes at App State. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Jason added that the day brought a lot of excitement for his family.
“I love Boone and it gives me a good excuse to be here,” he said. “If App State is as good to my daughter as it was to me, she’s going to love it.”
Another first-year student, Camren Sellers, of Charlotte, who plans to major in computer science, also described his experience as positive.
“Getting here from Charlotte — it was a long drive with a lot of traffic — but I see that as a good thing, because that means people are coming,” he said. “It was easy to get into the building, and the move-in process was pretty quick. Now I’m just excited to find myself, make friends and explore the environment.”
Welcome to App
In conjunction with the weeklong move-in, App State Student Affairs has organized Welcome to App events and programming that allow students to participate in multiple activities that are designed to help acquaint them with campus, meet new friends and settle into campus life. Events through the first week of classes include:
- AppSpectacular and Boonearoo — free food, music, giveaways and more on Sanford Mall and in Varsity Gym.
- Party in the Union — a reality TV-themed party in Plemmons Student Union, featuring free food, games and more.
- Club Expo — learn about App State clubs and organizations, as well as campus resources and leadership and volunteer opportunities, in Holmes Convocation Center.
- Ringing of the Bell at Founders Plaza — a tradition signifying the beginning of students’ App State Experience.
- Appapalooza — an afternoon of activities on Sanford Mall, including a dunk tank, inflatables and more.
- Live on Sanford — Bands The Weasels and Bedrumor will perform on Sanford Mall.
“We want to thank our Administrative Services, Facilities and Residence Life teams for helping make this move-in week as smooth as possible for students and families,” Cutchens said. “We’d also like to thank all of those who have volunteered to help us with fall move-in. We could not do what we do without them.”
Nelson thanked App State Parking and Transportation, App State ROTC, the Appalachian Police Department, Campus Dining, Facilities Operations, University Communications and App State Athletics for their support during move-in.
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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.
