Topic: Community Engagement

Displaying 1 - 18 of 1352

App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
April 28, 2025
Over spring break, 10 App State students traveled to Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, where they performed volunteer work as part of an Alternative Service Experience. ASE provides students the opportunity to take part in service, learning and community engagement during breaks from school.
12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide
Raised funds to support nearly 300 university programs
April 14, 2025
During the 12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving, App State celebrated contributions from more than 3,100 donors spanning 45 states and six countries. Their gifts support numerous programs and initiatives across the university, elevating the App State Experience for students, faculty and staff.
College Student Leaders Championed Democracy in 2024
Forbes
April 9, 2025
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge recognized 232 students nationwide on the 2025 Student Voting Honor Roll for promoting nonpartisan civic engagement and increasing college voter participation in the 2024 election. Forbes highlights several of these students, including App State junior Hunter Messick, a political science major from Durham.
Appalachian Dance Ensemble marks half-century with over 500 original creative works, 5,700 participants
April 4, 2025
Since its inception in 1975, the Appalachian Dance Ensemble at App State has premiered over 500 original works — involving more than 5,700 students, faculty, guest artists and community members. Learn about the ensemble’s history and the people who have shaped it over the years.
App State-based research alliance awarded $7.2M to launch Rural Talent Lab in 5 states
The Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges project aims to advance higher education, workforce development in rural communities
March 26, 2025
Supported by a $7.2 million grant from Ascendium Education Group, the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges, housed at App State, will work to advance higher education and workforce development in rural communities over the next four years as part of its Rural Talent Lab project.
App State lab school pilots innovative teaching model to support teacher retention and student success
March 21, 2025
At the App State Academy at Middle Fork, instead of a single teacher handling all responsibilities for one classroom for one grade, a collaborative team of academy educators supports student learning across two combined grade levels.
Over 350 cybersecurity professionals, educators and students convene at App State Cyber Summit
March 19, 2025
More than 350 people — including cybersecurity professionals from 12 states — took part in App State’s fourth annual Cyber Summit, held Feb. 21 at the Boone campus. The event was hosted by the Walker College of Business’ Department of Computer Information Systems.
How Niche Programs Are Saving Higher Education
Forbes
March 16, 2025
With niche knowledge and skill sets in high demand, higher education institutions are implementing more programs in specialized fields. Forbes recognizes App State’s fermentation sciences program as an example of how niche programs can position universities as leaders in their fields. The App State program teaches students the science behind brewing beer, fermenting foods and producing biofuels, in a blend of chemistry, biology and entrepreneurship.
Norris wants to continue building relationships as chancellor
Watauga Democrat
March 5, 2025
In a Q&A with media, App State Chancellor Heather Norris spoke about her commitment to continuing work to strengthen relationships and build trust between the university, the Town of Boone and Watauga County.
App State's new chancellor visits Hickory for a celebratory reception
Hickory Daily Record
March 3, 2025
App State celebrated its new chancellor, Dr. Heather Norris, at the Hickory campus on Friday, Feb. 28. The reception was attended by App State employees from the Boone and Hickory campuses, students, the president of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, and others from across the region.
Appalachian State has a new chancellor. She’s already led the school through Helene
The Charlotte Observer
Feb. 27, 2025
Heather Norris, who has spent more than two decades on the faculty and in leadership at App State, and most recently led the campus through the devastation of Helene, is the university’s next chancellor. The UNC System Board of Governors approved the recommendation to hire Norris for the job, which she has held on an interim basis since last April.
myFutureNC’s 2025 Champions for Attainment: Recognizing Excellence in Adult Education
EdNC
Feb. 20, 2025
myFutureNC honors the 2025 Champions for Attainment — a distinction awarded to individuals and organizations demonstrating outstanding dedication to expanding access, success and completion for adult learners across N.C. App State was recognized for its Aspire Appalachian program, which provides transfer students from 27 partner community colleges with a clear pathway to completing their associate and bachelor’s degrees.
App State New River Light and Power scholarship supports aspiring lineworkers in Watauga County
2025 application deadline is April 10
Feb. 10, 2025
App State’s New River Light has partnered with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute to establish the NRLP Lineworker Scholarship, which supports graduating seniors from Watauga High School and Watauga Innovation Academy who take part in the college’s Electrical Lineworker Institute.
UNC System, App State Police honor officers with valor, lifesaving awards
Jan. 29, 2025
The Appalachian State University Police Department conferred its 2024 awards of distinction to four App State Police officers — Lt. Kevin Wilson, Sgt. Petey Hausley, Officer Tylor Greene and Officer Cameron Masin — in honor of their outstanding service, valor and lifesaving efforts.
Johnny Brown named director of public safety and chief of police at App State
Jan. 28, 2025
Watauga County native and veteran App State Police Officer Johnny Brown has been named director of public safety and chief of police at Appalachian State University, after having served in the interim capacity of the role since September 2024. His new role became effective Jan. 20.
Small notes, big impact through Letters of Love
The Appalachian
Jan. 25, 2025
The Appalachian features App State’s chapter of Letters of Love, a nonprofit organization directed toward sending handmade messages of support to children in hospitals around the world. Emily Pearl, a first-year psychology major from Raleigh, founded the App State chapter, which meets twice a month to create new letters.
App State honors former Chancellor Francis Thomas Borkowski
Borkowski, who died Jan. 19, led the university from 1993 to 2003
Jan. 23, 2025
Dr. Francis T. Borkowski, App State’s chancellor from 1993 to 2003, died Jan. 19 at the age of 88. Under his leadership, the university strengthened academic and student success programs, expanded global education and helped establish the area as a cultural tourism destination.
App State alumnus, photographer Jesse Barber ’22 ’24 documents Western NC’s resilience after Hurricane Helene
Jan. 16, 2025
Documentary photographer and App State alumnus Jesse Barber ’22 ’24 has played a key role in media efforts to cover the stories of Western North Carolina mountain communities after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Barber drove over 1,000 miles in three days to visit communities impacted by the storm.