Student Affairs

NY Loft Directorship

In a 4,400-square-foot facility located in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan, you will find the Appalachian Loft -- a cozy unassuming floor designed to provide a hostel-type living environment for students, faculty, staff, and alumni in New York City. The New York Loft program was created in 1973, providing an affordable and convenient environment for the Appalachian community.

When I started working full-time with AppState in 2016, I was able to participate in a faculty study away at the Loft. This is when I first became aware of this incredible resource. Since then I have often traveled back for work and leisure. Most recently I had the pleasure of serving as the Staff Director for 2.5 weeks over this past Winter Break. The guests that came through the Loft over my time there truly represented our diverse and vibrant AppState community; a recent alumnus between leases in the city, international students celebrating the New Year Holiday in Times Square, alumni attending a much-anticipated Phish concert, and a cohort of senior theater students attending live performances and conducting auditions with Julliard and cruise lines. There was plenty of downtime -- giving me the opportunity to visit sites like the Met Museums, be an audience member in the live-recording of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and even be in Times Square for the New Year’s celebration.

The Staff Director position at the Appalachian Loft in New York City is available to all full-time Appalachian staff (SHRA and EHRA non-faculty). A staff director is needed at the Loft for two brief periods during Winter Break. The Office of Finance and Operations sends out an official call for staff directorship applications at the beginning of each Fall Semester. Directors live in and keep up the daily operations of the Loft. If you have any questions about utilizing the loft for your travels to NYC or serving as a Staff Director, check out ny.appstate.edu or feel free to contact me with any questions!

Megan Kasper (she/they)

Associate Director of Community-Engaged Leadership / Director of the Leadership Studies Minor

kaspermm@appstate.edu 

Embracing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy: 

Author William T. Lewis Sr. Headlines Inspiring Campus Events

In a tribute to the profound impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Office of Diversity and the Office of Intercultural Student Affairs proudly announce a series of events featuring the esteemed author William T. Lewis Sr., renowned for his work "Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Pie." These events, designed to foster dialogue and reflection, will unfold across multiple campuses, offering participants the chance to engage with Lewis's perspectives on Dr. King's enduring legacy.

Boone Campus Evening Celebration

Mark your calendars for Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM EST, as the Plemmons Student Union Parkway Ballroom at the Boone Campus transforms into a hub of intellectual exchange, literary exploration, and dialogue. Attendees can anticipate an evening filled with enlightening discussions and an exclusive book signing session with William T. Lewis Sr.

Hickory Campus Luncheon

Simultaneously, the Hickory Campus invites you to a captivating luncheon on the same day, January 25, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EST, held in the Atrium. This event promises a delightful lunch and engaging conversations, providing a unique opportunity to interact with the author and delve into the themes of "Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Pie."

Exclusive Gathering for Staff and Faculty

For staff and faculty members eager to explore the intersections of literature, social justice, and Dr. King's teachings, an exclusive gathering is scheduled on Friday, January 26, 2024. From 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM EST, join William T. Lewis Sr. for invigorating conversation and coffee at the Multicultural Center's new location, Plemmons Student Union 217.

These events, carefully curated, offer a platform for community members to collectively celebrate the principles of justice, equality, and unity championed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. To ensure your spot at these events, please consider RSVPing through the provided invitations or visiting our event page [insert link].

As we unite to commemorate Dr. King's legacy, let these events serve as a reminder of the continued pursuit of a more just and equitable society.

Please RSVP for the events through Engage: https://engage.appstate.edu/

Congratulations Savannah Raley for Receiving the Community Impact Student Award for Outstanding Work in Civic and Community Engagement

Over the weekend of November 4, Appalachian State University student, Savannah Raley, was presented with the Community Impact Student Award by NC Campus Engagement for her outstanding commitment and contribution to civic and community engagement. Savannah was selected as the award winner by Appalachian State University administration after careful consideration of the students who made a lasting impact on their campus. She was honored for her efforts and achievements at the NC Campus Engagement biennial CSNAP Student Conference.

Since 2006, the Community Impact Student Award (CISA) recognizes an outstanding, full-time undergraduate student service leader from each NC Campus Engagement member campus. Award winners are selected by campus leaders and honored during the biennial CSNAP Student Conference. This year, CSNAP was held at NC State University with the theme, “Rising Together: Students Depolarizing North Carolina.”

Savannah was selected as the Appalachian State University CISA winner because she demonstrated remarkable dedication and enthusiasm across various campus initiatives.

Notably, Savannah spearheaded a comprehensive overhaul of the Student Government Association (SGA), facilitating a transformative restructure aimed at creating a more sustainable and equitable platform for student advocacy. Her leadership within the SGA was pivotal in fostering a renewed focus on empowering students and advocating for their rights. Simultaneously, Savannah served as the Appalachian State Delegate to the University of North Carolina Association of Student Governments, amplifying her influence beyond the campus to positively impact the state's student community.

Her involvement extends further as a Plemmons Leadership Scholar, Membership Coordinator for the Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS), Head Lifeguard at University Recreation, and Global Leadership Exchange Student Fellow, signifying her diverse engagements in fostering intentional student engagement and leadership development.

Savannah stands as a shining example of an exceptional student leader whose passion, resilience, and dedication to community betterment have left a mark on Appalachian State University.

Savannah graciously accepted the Community Impact Student Award as the Appalachian State University winner, among 14 other students representing colleges and universities across North Carolina.

North Carolina Campus Engagement (NCCE) is a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to educating students for civic and social responsibility, partnering with communities for positive change, and strengthening democracy. The NC Campus Engagement state office fosters connections between campuses, shares best practice information and resources, recognizes outstanding work, and champions civic and community engagement in higher education. To learn more visit ncccampusengagement.org. 

Twitch Streaming: Health Promotion LIVE on Twitch

Written by: Elisabeth Cavallaro

Engaging and educating Appalachian State University students has taken a dynamic turn with the Wellness and Prevention Services' ever-growing Twitch streaming community. Since its launch in October 2021, the channel has amassed 140 followers. Streaming sessions occur twice weekly, on Mondays from 7pm to 9pm and on Thursdays from 6 pm to 8pm.

Mondays are helmed by Jay Ward, an intern at Wellness and Prevention Services and the president of We Care. Jay invites campus partners to share information about their department while playing multiplayer games like SpiderHeck and Mario Party, puzzle games like Superliminal and Limbo, and cozy simulators like The Sims 4 and Stardew Valley. Featured guests in the Fall semester included Community Engaged Leadership, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Career Development Center and the Tutoring Center.

Thursday night streams, hosted by Ella Kate Jordan, a member of We Care, focused on the neurodivergent experience at App State. Ella Kate candidly shares personal experiences, encourages viewer participation, and educates the audience about both on- and off-campus resources. A highlight of these streams was the inclusion of the Boone Barbies, who discussed how drag positively impacts mental health and serves as a means of self-expression. Ella Kate fostered a neurodivergent-friendly community space, hosting events like PowerPoint Night where viewers presented their special interests, and Dungeons and Dragon one-shots.

Next semester, Wellness and Prevention Services add an additional stream focused on recovery, hosted by Collegiate Recovery Community peer mentor Jaelin Phillips. Tune in Wednesday nights at 7pm to learn about how to maintain recovery over breaks, the role relationships play in recovery, setting boundaries, and how different identities like religion and sexuality intersect with recovery.

Thursday night streams, continuing with Ella Kate as the host, will cater to the Esports community. With over 130 members, the Appalachian Esports community is vibrant, and Ella Kate, as the co-present of the Appalachian State Esports club, is excited to play popular games like Valorent and Rocket League, while discussing themes such as forming friendships offline, knowing the warning signs of gaming addiction, and navigating the Esports world as a woman.

Jay will continue hosting the Monday night streams, offering a mix of general wellness discussions and neurodivergent topics. Expect appearances from the Office of Diversity, the Collegiate Recovery Community, the Makerspace and more.

Streams kick off on Monday January 22nd and will run three times a week, through April 29th. Join us on Twitch, where health education meets innovation!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Justin Parks, Coordinator for Wellness Promotion (parksjd@appstate.edu).