Topic: Awards and Honors

Displaying 1 - 18 of 761

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
BOE recognizes multiple groups with the Servant's Heart Award
Watauga Democrat
Nov. 19, 2025
Watauga County Schools honored App State’s Child Development Center with a Servant’s Heart Award for helping Valle Crucis School recover after Hurricane Helene. When the school was closed, the CDC provided space for students, faculty and staff to continue learning together.
App State named among top institutions for business education in US and worldwide
Walker College of Business and its bachelor’s, master’s programs recognized by U.S. News, The Princeton Review, CEO Magazine and Fortune magazine
Nov. 6, 2025
App State has earned national and international recognition for its Walker College of Business and business degree programs. The university was featured in the 2025 rankings of U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, CEO Magazine and Fortune magazine.
11 new Chancellor’s Scholars join App State’s academic community for 2025–26
For fall 2026, prospective students should apply by Nov. 15 and submit all materials by Nov. 30 to be considered for first-year university scholarships
Oct. 31, 2025
For the 2025–26 academic year, 11 first-year App State students are Chancellor’s Scholars. The Chancellor’s Scholarship — App State’s oldest and most academically competitive merit-based scholarship — is one of several academically competitive scholarships offered by the university. For fall 2026, prospective students should apply by Nov. 15 and submit all materials by Nov. 30 to guarantee consideration for most first-year university scholarships.
App State’s Police Officer Development Program prepares 15 new officers for service
The sworn officers are the 8th class to complete the program’s Police Academy
Oct. 27, 2025
The eighth class of App State’s Appalachian Police Academy comprises 15 graduates who are sworn North Carolina police officers working with the App State Police Department while they complete their degrees at App State. To date, the academy has trained more than 150 sworn police officers.
Walker College of Business celebrates global and sustainability champions at annual luncheon
Oct. 21, 2025
Outstanding App State students, faculty and staff were honored for advancing global engagement and sustainable business at the Walker College of Business’ annual Global Good Conference.
App State Police Officer Cashae Cook earns NC’s highest award for women in law enforcement
Oct. 16, 2025
App State Police Officer Cashae Cook ’14 has been named Woman of the Year by the North Carolina Law Enforcement Women’s Association. The annual award — the state’s highest honor for women in law enforcement — recognizes Cook’s outstanding contributions and service to NCLEWA and her leadership and service in the App State Community.
App State’s Jennifer Schroeder Tyson named 2025 Sun Belt Conference Faculty Member of the Year
Oct. 15, 2025
App State research assistant professor Jennifer Schroeder Tyson ’07 has been named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Faculty Member of the Year. The award recognizes Schroeder Tyson for her ability to inspire, promote and sustain the academic and athletic development of Mountaineer student-athletes.
App State joins FirstGen Forward Network, boosting support for first-generation students
TRIO Student Support Services receives $1.7M federal grant to continue student success programming
Oct. 13, 2025
App State is among 60 schools selected to join the national FirstGen Forward Network, with schools chosen based on their demonstrated commitment to advancing success for first-generation students. Network schools gain access to professional development opportunities, a community of practice, and tools to assess and improve their support for first-gen students.
Dr. Heather Norris installed as 8th chancellor of App State
Oct. 8, 2025
On Oct. 3, Dr. Heather H. Norris was formally installed as the eighth chancellor in App State’s 126-year history. UNC System President Peter Hans presided over the installation ceremony, which was held on the Boone campus and attended by hundreds of Mountaineers and community members, as well as state education and community leaders.
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.
App State spotlights achievements in research, scholarship and creative activities
2025 award recipients Tashakkori and Bell give keynotes at annual showcase
Sept. 28, 2025
App State’s annual Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian event, held Sept. 19, highlighted faculty research and creative endeavors and featured keynote speakers Dr. Rahman Tashakkori and Dr. Joby Bell — winners of the 2025 Chancellor’s and Provost’s Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity.