Student Affairs

Awards, Awards, Awards!

Please take time to review each of the different awards below, including our Student Affairs awards, the Chancellor's awards for Inclusive Excellence and University College awards and nominate students, faculty and staff for each. 

Leadership and Legacy Awards Nominations

Annually, the Division of Student Affairs recognizes students, staff and faculty who make significant contributions at Appalachian State University in the areas of academic and leadership excellence. In addition to recognizing the commitment of time, energy, and skill of our students, recognition may also go to faculty and staff who have made major contributions to the student experience at Appalachian. An overview of available awards is included below. Instructions for submission of nominations can be found at the following link: Leadership and Legacy Awards.

Plemmons Leadership Medallion (Deadline Monday, February 27, 2023 at 4:00p.m)

The Plemmons Leadership Medallion is named in honor of Dr. William H. Plemmons who served as the second president of the University from 1955 to 1969. The award was created to recognize the time, energy, skills, and commitment of students, faculty, student affairs educators and staff who enrich the quality of student life and advance the education of students at Appalachian.

Ronny L. Brooks Award (Deadline Monday, March 6, 2023 at 4:00p.m)

This award is named for Ronny L. Brooks, who served as Dean of Men and later Dean of Students at Appalachian, and who was a strong supporter of the out-of-class learning that fostered student development. Nominations should demonstrate that, while the student may have excelled in a specific program or leadership role, their leadership and actions are consistent throughout their student involvement.

Bobby L. Dunnigan Service Award (Deadline Monday, March 6, 2023 at 4:00p.m)

Bobby L. Dunnigan served at Appalachian State University in a variety of leadership roles concluding his career as the Director of Residence Life. This award is intended to recognize those students employed in the Division of Student Affairs who have distinguished themselves through the scope and quality of service during their employment.

Gregory S. Blimling Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Student Affairs (Deadline Monday, March 6, 2023 at 4:00p.m)

Dr. Gregory S. Blimling, who served as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Appalachian for 14 years, is a nationally recognized leader and scholar of student affairs. This award is named for Dr. Blimling in recognition of his contributions and his support of our graduate assistants in their student development. This award is for students that currently hold a Graduate Assistantship within the Division of Student Affairs and show exemplary work ethic and dedication to their role.

Chancellor's Awards for Inclusive Excellence

The 2023 Chancellor’s Awards for Inclusive Excellence Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, April 26. If you would like to nominate someone for one of this year’s awards, please review the award criteria and submit the nomination form by Tuesday, Feb. 28.

University College Awards

Harvey R. Durham Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award

Wayne D. Duncan Appalachian State University Faculty Enrichment and Teaching Fellowship

A description of each award can be found at: https://universitycollege.appstate.edu/awards

Take time to nominate deserving individuals for one or both of these awards. Please complete the nomination form for each nomination. Award winners will be announced at the Campus-wide Awards Event on April 27, 2023. University College and the Office of General Education will be sending out a separate nomination form for additional awards. That awards ceremony will be held in September 2023.

Intercultural Student Affairs (ISA) Updates and Social Justice Mini-Grants

February has been a busy and exciting month for Intercultural Student Affairs (ISA). February is Black History Month! ISA and the Tri-Centers celebrate this month in various ways. The Henderson Springs LGBTQ+ Center showcases Queer authors of color. We encourage the division and campus community to stop by the center to learn more about the literary works giving voice to those authors who identify as Queer people of color.

Also in February, ISA, in partnership with the Office of Diversity and Chief Diversity Officer, continued celebrating the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with two events. The first was the annual Leadership Workshop and Dinner on February 1st with our partners in Community-Engaged Leadership. Students enjoyed Dr. King's favorite meal and discussed ways to incorporate his leadership style into their own. On February 2nd, the 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration program featured keynote presenter Daniel Dawes. Mr. Dawes led a needed conversation on discussing the causes of racial health disparities and solutions to achieve health equity.

The Office of Diversity and ISA needs your help sharing information with students! Campus Pride is accepting applications for Social Justice Mini-Grants. This is an excellent opportunity for students to bring their passion for Social Justice to life. Campus Pride first began this funding opportunity in 2021. Each grant awarded is for $600.

As we move into March, ISA and the university's Women's Center are celebrating its 25th year on campus! The Women's Center will be hosting the second annual Femme Fatales program in March and will close out the month with a celebration of women. More information will be shared in March!

If interested, please sign up for the LGBTQ+ Center newsletter HERE!

Teaching a College Success Seminar this Fall!

Appalachian State’s University College is excited to announce the expansion of a 2-credit, elective college success seminar for new first-year and transfer students this fall 2023. College success seminars are recognized nationally as an effective way to support new student’s in their transition to college, enhance their academic success, cultivate a sense of belonging, and increase the likelihood of their persistence.

Are you passionate about student success? Are you interested in developing your teaching skills? We are currently recruiting instructors for US 1001 for fall 2023. This course will be offered predominantly in person at the Boone campus; however, synchronous online, hybrid (1 day in person/1 day online), and Hickory sections will be offered as well. Follow the instructions below for submitting your application by Friday, March 10, 2023.

Important Details

• semester-long seminar that meets twice a week for 50 minutes, monday - friday
• fosters community building and active participation through small class sizes
• course content provided by the director of college success seminar
• course may be taught during your normal work day with supervisor approval
• compensation is $2232/section for masters degree; $2480/section for doctoral/terminal degree

Instructor Requirements

• master's degree or higher from an accredited institution
• completion of the college success seminar teaching workshop
• participation in professional development opportunities offered by the director of the college success seminar

Application Process

• Complete the instructor application including a PDF file of your resume
• Applicants will be invited to meet with the director of college success seminar to discuss the opportunity to teach the course and next steps in the process

Need more information, contact Katharine Johnson.

Campus Climate Study

Help Increase Students' Response Rate for the Campus Climate Study

App State has launched its first Campus Climate Survey for employees and students. Currently, only 3% of all Appalachian students have taken the survey, and we need your help to increase students’ response rate.

Here are three strategies you can use to help increase their response rate:

1. Help Students Make Time. The best gift is the gift of time! Help students find time to take the survey.
• Do you teach a class? Create 15 minutes during class for students to have time to take the survey. You can use the Campus Climate Survey Overview Slides.
• Do you advise a student organization? Encourage your student leaders to add time to their agenda for members to take it. You can use the Campus Climate Survey Overview Slides or the 1-Page Campus Climate Survey Overview.
• Do you supervise student employees or volunteers? If your students have down time with their work, encourage them to take time and complete the survey.

   2. Put Flyers in Common Spaces

• Do you have an office lobby? Print 1-Page Campus Climate Survey Overview and put it on tables in your lobby.
• Do you have an individual office? Print 1-Page Campus Climate Survey Overview and hang it on your door.

   3. Talk it Up. Find all the spaces you can to verbally encourage Mountaineers to participate - students in particular!