Now in its fifth year, App State’s partnership with the Penland School of Craft offers a semesterlong study-away experience that prepares art students for careers as creative professionals. The university’s Department of Art has raised nearly $500,000 to help make the Semester at Penland program accessible to students regardless of financial background.

App State’s commitment to supporting military service members, veterans and their families has garnered national recognition, with the university named to Military Times’ 2026 “Best for Vets: Colleges” list.

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 has received a second consecutive $35 million GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The seven-year award will expand college preparation and career readiness services to thousands of middle and high school students across Western North Carolina.

App State’s Academy at Middle Fork has experienced strong student achievement and growth over the past five academic years, according to recent data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The data reflects substantial academic progress, marked by double-digit increases in students’ reading, math and science proficiency scores from 2024–25 to 2025–26.

Builders Insurance Group, under the leadership of Todd Campbell ’87, has made a $500,000 commitment to App State’s Walker College of Business, supporting the relocation and modernization of the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center. The relocation will help facilitate student connections with peers and industry partners, positioning them for career success.