Appalachian Today

In 2025, App State celebrates its 8th chancellor amid record enrollment, research growth and campus advancements

Dec. 19, 2025

App State reflects on its 126th year in higher education — one marked by new leadership under Chancellor Heather Norris, as well as record enrollment, upgrades to campus infrastructure, advances in research and innovation, a continued focus on regional resilience, campus and community arts engagement, and student-athlete success.

App State music, theatre and dance teams collaborate to present 'Once Upon a Mattress'
The spring musical comedy is a coproduction of App State’s Department of Theatre and Dance and Hayes School of Music
Jan. 14, 2026
App State’s Department of Theatre and Dance and Hayes School of Music are collaborating to bring the musical comedy “Once Upon a Mattress” — based on the fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea” — to life for university and regional audiences. Five performances are scheduled to take place April 15–19 in Valborg Theatre on the Boone campus.
1,500 App State graduates begin their next chapter
Freiman and Sywassink awarded honorary doctorates for support of App State
Dec. 18, 2025
At its three Fall 2025 Commencement ceremonies, held Dec. 12, App State conferred degrees upon more than 1,500 Mountaineer graduates. University supporters Barbara Freiman and G.A. Sywassink were awarded honorary doctorates, and Dr. Charlie Chen was recognized with the Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award.
App State awarded $1.1M NCInnovation grant for digital tool supporting families of children with developmental delays
Dec. 18, 2025
Supported by a $1.1 million NCInnovation grant, App State’s Dr. Gavin Colquitt is developing an interactive, AI-powered web-based platform designed to identify delayed development of movement skills in young children and provide support resources for these children and their families. Colquitt plans to launch the platform in Western NC, with a goal of expanding it across North Carolina and the U.S.
Dr. Erin Peters develops virtual reality and web features for the Met's popular Egyptian exhibit
The project allows App State students to explore the intersection of art, history and technology
Dec. 11, 2025
App State’s Dr. Erin Peters has helped bring new life to the layered history of the ancient Egyptian Temple of Dendur — the subject of the Met’s “Dendur Decoded” virtual reality experience. Her work on the project provides opportunities for App State students to explore their classroom studies in a real-world context.
Educating generations: App State’s Lucy Brock program marks 85 years of preparing children and future educators to thrive
Dec. 10, 2025
For over 85 years, App State’s Lucy Brock Child Development Laboratory has provided the highest quality of education and care for regional children — while also functioning as a professional preparation site for future Mountaineer educators. The lab, which uses research-based practices, serves nearly 600 students annually.
App State's Office of Rural Promise fortifies student and teacher success in North Carolina
Dec. 8, 2025
App State’s newly launched Office of Rural Promise fosters regional connections and supports growing programs that advance the success of students and educators in North Carolina schools. It serves as a strategic driver supporting the university’s research and innovation enterprise.

High-quality academics, innovation and value secure App State’s spot among America’s top schools for 2025–26

US News names App State a top 5 regional university for innovation, undergraduate teaching and veterans support

Sept. 29, 2025

Six national publications — including U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes magazine — have recognized App State among the best schools in the nation, and the Southeast, for 2025–26. The publications lauded the university for its academics, innovation and value, among other aspects.

Events

Jan
28
Internship Expo
Career Development Center
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Are you looking to gain experience through an internship? Come to the Internship Expo and meet large, small, non-profit, for-profit, government, local, statewide, and national organizations seeking interns. All majors and all class years are welcome.
Feb
11
Outdoor Jobs Fair
Career Development Center
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
We invite students of all majors who thrive in outdoor activity to meet with employers who are looking to turn their passions into a profession. The annual Outdoor Jobs Fair will host top camps, conference centers, and resorts from throughout the US who are eager to make a connection and recruit for their organizations. This is a great opportunity to secure both summer and year-round employment. Internships are also available, and all majors are encouraged to attend.
Feb
14
Margo Price
Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
7:30 p.m.
For nearly a decade, Margo Price has created a lane where independent-minded, insurgent country music can exist and thrive alongside the mainstream. Now she’s back with an exquisite, timeless album that reconnects with her roots. At its core, Hard Headed Woman is about that furious instinct to never waver — especially when our values and future are so clearly on the line. It’s country music as only Price can make it: free of rules, cherishing tradition, hard headed but with a delicate beating heart.
Feb
20
Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance
Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
7:30 p.m.
For over 50 years, Ailey II – The Next Generation of Dance – has merged the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1974, this universally renowned company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people.
Mar
4
Internship and Job Fair
Career Development Center
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
12 - 3 p.m.
The Internship and Job Fair is our largest and most comprehensive career event. Serving students and alumni of all majors and skills, the event is host to many organizations across all industry sectors that are ready to network with students and introduce them to hundreds of valuable internship and job opportunities.
Apr
15
↓
→
19
Once Upon a Mattress
Department of Theatre and Dance
April 15 - 19, 2026
Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larken and Sir Harry to the altar? Music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer