Stephanie Moretz, a lecturer in App State’s College of Business, right in foreground, interacts with a Watauga County Schools student during the university’s 2025 AppKIDS Day. App State hosted nearly 100 K–12 regional students at its Boone campus as part of the event, which included science and math demonstrations, activities on the football field at Kidd Brewer Stadium, campus tours for high school students and more. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has been recognized nationally for an institutional commitment to community engagement that enriches scholarship, strengthens civic responsibility and contributes to the public good — demonstrated through curricular engagement and outreach and partnership activities.
The Community Engagement Classification comes from the American Council on Education and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching — the nation’s leading framework for categorizing U.S. higher education institutions.
“Giving back to our community is fundamental to who we are at App State, and I am proud of our campus community for the many ways we contribute to the communities we serve,” said App State Chancellor Heather Norris. “It is heartwarming to lead a university that values such a strong commitment to service.”
The Community Engagement Classification is awarded following a process of self-study by each recognized institution. Currently, 277 institutions hold the Community Engagement Classification.
“App State’s continuing commitment to community engagement fosters meaningful partnerships with our broader communities and enhances the educational experience for our students,” said Dr. Brian MacHarg, director of academic civic engagement at App State. “By integrating community engagement into our core academic identity and strategic direction, we ensure our students gain valuable practical skills while making a positive impact on society.”
This marks App State’s third Community Engagement designation from Carnegie. In 2025, App State received Carnegie Classification as a Research 2 institution, which recognizes the university’s high research activity and doctorate production.
Public, private and homeschool K-12 students across the region have the opportunity to enjoy live performances several times a year through App State’s APPlause! K-12 Performing Arts Series, which offers affordable music, dance, film and theater events that broaden and deepen arts experiences — and inspire a love of learning through the arts. In recent seasons, more than 8,000 Western North Carolina students have attended APPlause! events. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Community impact that spans academics, athletics and the arts
At App State, community engagement is a universitywide commitment that spans multiple areas and disciplines — from health care and education, to business, the arts and athletics — with service being a key component.
Below are a few examples of how community service is woven into the App State Experience.
Academics and applied research:
Community engagement is embedded throughout App State’s curriculum — through service-learning, general education and major-specific courses. Service-learning engages App State students in service activities that benefit the local community while allowing students to gain further understanding of academic course content, as well as an enhanced sense of personal values and civic responsibility.Additionally, App State’s Office of Community-Engaged Leadership (CEL) engages App State students in experiential and community-oriented programs that enhance their capacity to serve and lead in socially responsible ways for the benefit of local, regional and global communities.
Over the past decade, App State students participating in CEL service programs, as well as those enrolled in service-learning courses, have completed 319,410 volunteer hours — resulting in more than $11 million contributed to the local community when applying the $34.79 per hour national standard for volunteer time.
Also, App State faculty and students regularly engage in applied research that benefits local and regional communities, providing real-world solutions through academic inquiry.
An example of such research is a two-year App State research initiative funded by a Dogwood Health Trust grant, which supports App State’s work as part of the Health Policy Research Consortium. The grant is focused on responding to challenges faced across the region prior to Hurricane Helene and exacerbated by the storm. It will support rural health research efforts and partnerships developed by App State faculty and students, spearheaded by the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness.
The arts:
More than 30 App State arts and education outreach programs connect university arts resources to a varied audience of more than 15,000 community arts patrons, teachers and learners. Some examples include:- App State’s APPlause! K-12 Performing Arts Series, which offers affordable music, dance, film and theater events that broaden and deepen arts experiences — and inspire a love of learning through the arts — for K-12 students across the region. In recent seasons, more than 8,000 Western North Carolina students have attended APPlause! events.
- App State’s Hayes School of Music engages local and regional communities through a variety of outreach efforts, including its Cannon Music Camp — a longstanding summer tradition and key recruitment tool, with faculty, alumni and students serving as instructors — and Community Music School, which offers private lessons and group classes for learners of all ages and welcomes community members into university ensembles. Hayes School faculty and students also deliver approximately 200 performances annually — many free and livestreamed.
Athletics:
In addition to excelling on the field and in the classroom, Mountaineer student-athletes demonstrate a commitment to community service by volunteering to support organizations throughout the High Country. Over the course of the 2024–25 academic year, App State student-athletes logged 3,355 hours of community service with a projected economic impact of $117,000, supporting nearly 100 organizations.And in recognition of their service to aid in recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene, App State student-athletes received the 2024–25 Community Impact Award from the Sun Belt Conference’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Within one month post-Helene, App State student-athletes logged 1,648 hours of community service with an economic impact of $58,000, assisting with approximately 905 different service commitments and supporting 50 organizations.
App State’s Scott Varga, a first-year cybersecurity major from Pinehurst, carries wood while volunteering at Grace Builders Woodlots in Boone as part of the university’s Student Day of Service - Together We Are Mountain Strong event, held Oct. 19, 2024. Photo by Chase Reynolds
App State student Kaylyn Newman, a junior biology major from Charlotte, right, participates in spring cleaning at the historic Dominick House during a spring 2025 App State Alternative Service Experience at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. ASE programs provide students with an opportunity to serve, learn, explore and make a difference in communities on a local, national or global level during their breaks from school. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Strengthening local, regional and state economies
App State plays on ongoing role in contributing to the resilience and well-being of local economies in the Northwestern North Carolina region.
A recent economic impact report showed that, in a single year (2021–22), App State students and employees volunteered 78,500 hours, generating $3.4 million in regional economic impacts and $5.2 million statewide.
And, post-Helene, App State continues to work alongside community and state partners to support a collective recovery effort. This includes supporting the efforts of the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC), which serves to facilitate collaboration, streamline communication and accelerate recovery from Helene.
In recognition of its leadership, impact and long-term commitment to the High Country, App State received the 2025 Large Business of the Year Award from the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Chancellor Norris accepted the award on behalf of the university and App State Community during the 10th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon, held Jan. 15 in the Grandview Ballroom on App State’s Boone campus.
“As the largest employer in Watauga County and one of its most significant investors, App State continues to shape the local economy while balancing institutional growth with the needs of the community,” the chamber wrote in its online announcement of the awards.
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The award recognizes App State’s leadership and impact in the High Country
University’s commitment to applied research benefits students, communities and industries
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.
The award recognizes App State’s leadership and impact in the High Country
University’s commitment to applied research benefits students, communities and industries
