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Planning for good: Dr. Elizabeth Shay on teaching as public service
A Q&A with App State’s 2026 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award winner
March 13, 2026
Dr. Elizabeth Shay is App State’s winner of the 2026 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award. The annual award is given to one outstanding faculty member at each UNC System school. Six additional App State faculty have been recognized by the board with campus-based awards.
From pictures to published: Zach Farris’ study on activity patterns of wild animals [faculty featured]
The Appalachian
March 6, 2026
Dr. Zach Farris, associate professor in App State’s Department of Kinesiology, recently published research in Science Advances on the daily activity patterns of wild mammals. The global study involved four lead researchers collaborating with more than 200 scientists across 38 countries, analyzing camera trap data to better understand when mammals are active in their natural habitats.
We designed an AI tutor that helps college students reason rather than give them answers [faculty featured]
The Conversation
March 5, 2026
Dr. Shishir Shakya, assistant professor in App State’s Department of Economics, writes about his AI chatbot “Macro Buddy,” designed to help students as a tutor or study partner rather than an answer generator. His collaborative research found that students who used Macro Buddy alongside peer discussion earned higher exam scores than those who studied alone.
The Search for Vertical Grasslands [alumni featured]
Blue Ridge Outdoors
March 4, 2026
The adventure magazine features App State alumna Laura Boggess ’13, a climber-scientist who explores “vertical grasslands” to discover unique plant communities with the potential to boost ecological health in the Southeast. Boggess has studied cliff science since her time as a graduate student at App State, where she earned her master’s degree in biology in 2013.
$500K Golden LEAF Foundation funding equips nursing simulation lab at App State Hickory
March 3, 2026
A $500,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation will equip a nursing simulation and clinical learning lab at App State’s Hickory campus. The new space will support App State’s nursing program — including the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, launching this fall — and serve as a hub for interprofessional health care education.
App State's Dr. JP Jameson honored for advancing rural mental health care across Western NC
Jameson receives UNC System’s 2025 James E. Holshouser Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service
Feb. 27, 2026
Dr. John Paul “JP” Jameson, App State professor of psychology, has received the 2025 Gov. James E. Holshouser Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service from the UNC System Board of Governors. The award recognizes Jameson's work to improve access to quality mental health care services for rural communities across Western North Carolina.
Protecting those who protect us: App State studies the cooling limits of new firefighter gear
Dr. Caroline Smith is App State’s lead for this collaborative research with NC State
Feb. 24, 2026
App State research led by Dr. Caroline Smith, in collaboration with NC State, aims to advance firefighter safety by testing whether new moisture barriers in personal protective gear prevent overheating — a key factor in reducing firefighters’ risk of heat stroke and cardiac events. The work is supported by a $1.5 million FEMA grant.
App State honored as a Top Producer of Fulbright scholars, students for 2025–26
Feb. 20, 2026
App State has been named a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright students and scholars for 2025–26, with three faculty and three alumni receiving a Fulbright to study, teach and/or research abroad. The university is the only master’s institution nationwide to receive the honor this year.
How NCInnovation Is Rethinking Economic Development in North Carolina [faculty featured]
Business North Carolina
Feb. 19, 2026
In this episode of “On the Ground,” Business North Carolina visits App State to explore how NCInnovation is turning university research into real-world solutions. The episode features interviews with Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Christine Hendren, Dr. Zach Russell and Dr. Gavin Colquitt of App State, along with NCInnovation staff and board member and former state Sen. Deanna Ballard. NCInnovation funding is supporting the commercial development of an AI-powered agricultural microscope developed by Russell and an interactive digital tool for children with developmental delays, led by Colquitt.
From 800 picture books to one: App State’s Jewel Davis leads Caldecott Medal selection
Davis teaches library courses and mentors K–12 educators throughout the region
Feb. 18, 2026
App State professor Jewel Davis read over 800 picture books to lead the selection of this year’s Caldecott Medal winner — an opportunity to elevate stories that spark a love of reading in a new generation. At App State, Davis brings her expertise directly to students, guiding future educators, librarians and storytellers.
12 App State students to study Asian markets as 2026 Holland Fellows
The 30-year-old international business fellowship will take students to Cambodia, Hong Kong and Vietnam
Feb. 12, 2026
Twelve App State students have been selected to participate in the university’s William R. Holland International Business Fellowship program, which, for the past 30 years, has provided exceptional opportunities to study the Asian business landscape. This year’s fellows will travel to Cambodia, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
App State offers accelerated training to help address child care shortages in Western NC
Child Care Academies to be held in Boone, Morganton and Hickory
Feb. 11, 2026
To address child care staffing shortages in the region, App State and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are partnering to offer three Child Care Academies in Western NC this spring and summer. Each academy will provide intensive child care training and certification at no cost to participants.
National designation affirms App State’s commitment to community engagement
Feb. 10, 2026
App State has received the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation, which recognizes schools that demonstrate an institutional commitment to community engagement that enriches scholarship, strengthens civic responsibility and contributes to the public good.
US News rankings spotlight quality of App State Online degree programs
The 2026 US News rankings also recognize App State business, education and nursing programs
Feb. 4, 2026
App State ranks among the nation’s top schools for online education, with its App State Online bachelor’s and master’s programs recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s “2026 Best Online Programs” rankings. App State has experienced six consecutive years of online student enrollment growth.
App State's full emergency notification system test rescheduled for Feb. 11
Feb. 2, 2026
During the test, App State uses email, voice and text messaging, and the Alertus desktop notification system to test system functionality.
App State’s Civic Literacy Initiative empowers students for active citizenship and dialogue across differences
Jan. 30, 2026
App State’s comprehensive, nonpartisan Civic Literacy Initiative — now in its second year — aims to foster a civically engaged and informed university community. Launched in fall 2024, the program’s key focus areas are dialogue across differences, voter participation and free speech and expression.
App State honored as 2025 Large Business of the Year by Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
The award recognizes App State’s leadership and impact in the High Country
Jan. 22, 2026
App State has been named Watauga County’s 2025 Large Business of the Year by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes the university for a milestone year that included the installation of Chancellor Heather Norris, its designation as a Research 2 institution and its continued contributions to the local economy.
App State’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program accepting applications — priority deadline is Feb. 1
The hybrid program will welcome its first students this fall
Jan. 22, 2026
App State is accepting applications for its new Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner program. The part-time, hybrid program is designed for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and at least one year of work experience. Prospective students are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline, Feb. 1.