App State research at Fort Defiance pinpointed the footprint of the Revolutionary War-era structure and answered lingering questions that will help historians create an augmented reality rendering of the site.

This summer, App State student researchers and Lumbee citizens worked side by side in Robeson County to unearth artifacts and assist in documenting ancient history. Led by Dr. Seth Grooms, the initiative’s ongoing tribal partnership with the Lumbee Tribal Historic Preservation Office continues as the students analyze their findings in App State archaeological lab facilities.

To mark the 40th year of App State’s Martin and Doris Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, the Rosen siblings have made two significant gifts to the university that continue their late parents’ legacy of supporting the visual arts at App State: “Braid,” for the university’s permanent sculpture collection, and an experiential learning award supporting faculty and staff artists.

App State is teaming up with Vaya Partners on the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen rural healthcare across 12 NC counties. Supported by an $11.5 million-plus grant, App State will develop educational pathways, clinical placements and financial assistance to help prepare and retain healthcare professionals where they are needed most.

App State’s Office of Rural Promise has secured a $10 million federal grant to launch ETL SPARK (Empowering Teacher Learning: Strengthening Professional learning to Advance Reading Knowledge) — a five-year, statewide initiative aimed at elevating classroom instruction and empowering educators in middle grades literacy.

Meet the 10 first-year App State students named Chancellor’s Scholars for 2026–27. The prestigious Chancellor’s Scholarship — now in its 42nd year — is App State’s oldest and most academically competitive merit-based scholarship. For fall 2027, prospective students should apply by Nov. 15 to guarantee consideration for most first-year university scholarships.

Two years after Hurricane Helene, App State faculty and staff continue leading research to help build long-term resilience for communities across Western North Carolina. Spanning energy systems, data coordination, community health and the arts, these projects aim to deliver real solutions to problems surfaced and made worse by the storm.