BOONE, N.C. — At Appalachian State University, 11 first-year students are Chancellor’s Scholars for the 2025–26 academic year.

“The Chancellor’s Scholarship is App State’s oldest and most academically competitive merit-based scholarship,” said Chancellor Heather Norris. “We’re so proud to be in our 41st year of awarding this prestigious scholarship, which is designed for students with ambitious academic goals.”

The Chancellor’s Scholarship is a four-year program of study that covers full institutional costs (tuition, fees, room and board, and book rental). Chancellor's students are students in App State’s Honors College, and through this prestigious program, they are provided with numerous classroom and experiential research opportunities, as well as academic mentoring in a living-learning community and study abroad opportunities.

In addition to coverage of full institutional costs, Chancellor’s Scholars receive:

• Study abroad opportunities around the world — with 200 study abroad programs available. Scholars participate in a fully funded, faculty-led study abroad experience in conjunction with their Honors First Year Seminar course. Additionally, students receive funding support through the Honors College International Education Scholarship for study abroad opportunities.
• Support for research, scholarship and creative activities, as well as conference attendance, through App State’s Office of Student Research and Honors College Special Research Grants.
• Access to research support and personalized, professional mentoring through the Honors College.
• Opportunities to engage in service-learning courses and programs — both locally and throughout the world — through App State’s Office of Community-Engaged Leadership.

Chancellor’s Scholars participate in small, discussion-based, interdisciplinary Honors Seminars courses and produce original research as part of their honors theses. During their time at App State, the scholars serve as leaders both within App State’s Honors College and across campus.

Learn more about the Chancellor’s Scholarship at App State.

‘An incredible opportunity’

The Chancellor’s Scholarship is a prestigious, merit-based scholarship offered to first-year students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and strong potential for success. The 2025–26 scholars are pursuing degrees in a range of disciplines — from ecology, to education, to biochemistry, to language arts — and engaging in rigorous Honors coursework that provides additional educational opportunities.

Chancellor’s Scholar Coen Smith, of Germantown, Tennessee, shared that he is excited to pursue his academic goals, knowing that he has a strong support system in place at App State, and that he will be guided by faculty mentors who are experts in their fields.

The Chancellor’s Scholarship will provide him with the resources to “chase my dreams,” he said.

Emily Kookier, a Chancellor’s Scholar from Granite Falls, shared that the service and research opportunities supported by App State’s Chancellor’s Scholarship will allow her to gain a broader knowledge base to bring into her future classroom as an educator.

“Whenever people talk about App State, they bring so much energy to the conversation, and I wanted to be a part of that energy,” said Kookier.

Chancellor’s Scholar Caitlin “Ford” Pittman, who is from Frank, an unincorporated community in Avery County, shared that her decision to attend App State was “an incredible opportunity to explore all of the possible facets of my undergraduate education.”

Ashby Williams, a Chancellor’s Scholar and App State student-athlete from Clemson, South Carolina, said the Chancellor’s Scholarship will allow her to explore her various academic interests — and it has made graduate school a real and exciting possibility.

“The close-knit community of the whole university makes me feel at home,” she said, adding that App State’s distance running program is the perfect fit for her.

Meet the 2025–26 Chancellor’s Scholars

Samantha “Sam” Dunn, of Lexington, South Carolina, is a biology major with a concentration in ecology, evolution and environmental biology.

Emily Kookier, of Granite Falls, is a middle grades education major with a concentration in language arts and social studies.

Natalie Rodrigues Correia, of Cary, is an actuarial science major. She is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa.

Derek Hoeung, of Pelzer, South Carolina, is a theatre arts major with a concentration in theatre education.

Julietta Sonia Finazzo, of Durham, is a chemistry major with a concentration in biochemistry.

Griffin Duncan, of Taylorsville, is double majoring in mathematics-general mathematics and mathematics-secondary education.

Sophia “Sophie” Finazzo, of Durham, is a political science major with a concentration in American politics.

Hannah Moore, of Eden, is a nursing major.

Caitlin “Ford” Pittman, of Frank, is an English major with a concentration in literary studies.

Coen Smith, of Germantown, Tennessee, is double majoring in fermentation sciences and chemistry-fermentation sciences.

Ashby Williams, of Clemson, South Carolina, is a biology major and student-athlete on App State’s women’s track and field team.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Apply

Visit

Info

Degrees

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 the Chancellor’s Scholarship

The Chancellor’s Scholarship is Appalachian State University’s oldest and most academically competitive merit-based scholarship. It is awarded to the highest achieving students who have earned entry into App State’s Honors College. The scholarship is designed for students with ambitious academic goals — those who seek graduate or professional post-baccalaureate degrees to become physicians, Ph.D. holders and more. Chancellor’s Scholars enter a four-year program of rigorous study that covers full institutional costs (tuition, fees, room and board, book rental) and provides study abroad opportunities beginning in the first year, numerous classroom and experiential research opportunities and academic mentoring in a living–learning community. The scholarship is open to any major. Learn more.

About the Honors College

More than 500 students are enrolled in Appalachian State University's Honors College, which serves a diverse group of high-achieving, high-potential, highly motivated students from all majors. The Honors College helps students develop independent and creative thinking and high-level research skills; promotes interdisciplinary inquiry; and nurtures cultured and caring exchanges of ideas. The college’s enhanced academic experience prepares students for success in graduate or professional school and for leadership roles in their lives, communities and careers. Learn more at https://honors.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.