Student Affairs

Spring Alternative Service Experience (ASE) Learning Partners Needed

The office of Community-Engaged Leadership is looking for learning partners for spring break. Learning partners need to be faculty, staff, or graduate assistants. Ideally the learning partner would help as an alternate van driver, handle the program's budget, and provide general support to the students. Let Elayna Coleman know if you're interested and want to discuss further! They are hoping to fill all open learning partner positions by January 13.

The Role of a Learning Partner

Learning Partners primarily assist with responding to issues, supporting the student leaders, and logistics such as budgeting and transportation. Student "peer leaders" have been working to plan spring break programs since September. Now, they are looking for professional staff members to support them in their leadership development, provide valuable perspective to the group, and assist where needed. See the information below for a detailed overview of the role.

2025 Programs

Programs and locations are detailed on the ASE website and listed in brief below. If you are interested in serving, please reach out and let Elayna know which program(s) you would be interested in assisting with:

• The Elephant Sanctuary (Hohenwald, TN), led by Katie Kyer and Dana Lheureux
• Restoration & Exploration at the Coast (Bulls Head Island, SC), led by Devin Axtell and Krista Martinez
• Youth Outreach (Cedartown, GA), led by Malli Mason
• Affordable Housing in Appalachia (Moreshead, KY), led by Fox Neumann and Campbell Butner - this is a first-time ASE program we are excited to offer this year!

If you have any questions or need to set up a call to discuss the role further, please contact Elayna Coleman at [email protected]. Thanks for considering!

Inaugural First-Generation College Celebration at App State

By Dr. Lamont Sellers & Dr. Shernita Lee

There was excitement in the air on Friday, November 8th, as the campus celebrated its inaugural First-Generation College Celebration Day. This celebration was created in 2017 with the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA and the Council for Opportunity in Education. FirstGen Forward continues “to raise awareness of the first-generation college student identity by advancing an asset-based, national narrative of these students’ experiences and outcomes” (https://firstgen.naspa.org/engagement/first-generation-college-celebration).

The Plemmons Student Union's first floor buzzed with activity. The campus First Generation Student Support Advisory Board and partners from App State’s Academic Affairs and Student Affairs joined other institutions nationwide to acknowledge and celebrate our First-Generation College Students. We marked the occasion with flair with a photo booth, giveaways, message board, and food. First-Gen students participating in the December commencement ceremony picked up their graduation cords and wore them with pride at the recent ceremonies. Music was in the air, and Yosef's appearance for photos topped off the event.

Appalachian State University has always been committed to first-generation students. In recent years, we have observed a steady increase in identifying first-generation students. We aim to create a community for those students to feel inspired and motivated, as well as a sense of belonging and, most importantly, pride! Based on fall 2024 data from the Office of Institutional Research, Assessment, and Planning, approximately 1 in every three students identify as first generation. Undergraduate students comprise 95.5% of our first-generation student population, and the remaining 4.5% are graduate students. With 6,449 First-Gen students, we know each has a story for why they chose App State, what they want to achieve during their time here, and the torch they carry in being the first in their family to obtain a degree.

This work resonates with our students and establishes an intentional culture of support for first-generation students. One student said, “I’m honored and excited to be a part of my graduating class as a first-generation student.” Another student said, “I truly appreciate the extra effort. It's hard to believe I'm a mom, 31, first generation, and graduating!” This reminds our students that they are not alone and that other first-generation students are aiming for the momentous goal of obtaining a degree from App State.

We look forward to continuing the celebration in the spring on April 3 and 4, 2025, to celebrate spring graduates and continue the momentum around first-gen student support.  

App State University Celebrating 125 Years!

As you know, our dear University turned 125 years old this year.  Several events were planned, but due to Hurricane Helene had to be rescheduled. Below you will find a couple of the rescheduled events to help us celebrate this incredible milestone. You should be receiving a University email with more details soon. 

The Bell Ringers Ceremony has been rescheduled for November 21st at 10:00 am in the BB Dougherty Lobby.  

What is the Bell Ringers Society?  The ringing of the Founders Bell, an iconic symbol of App State’s history — was established Sept. 5, 2019, as the university celebrated its second annual Founders Day. Twelve members of the App State Community were selected to ring the bell 10 times each to signify the university’s 120th anniversary as an innovator and leader in higher education. New members are inducted into the society each year to ring the bell. These 12 bell ringers below were the inaugural members of App State’s Bell Ringers Society:

• Dr. John Thomas.
• Reba Moretz ’52 ’53.
• Julia Adams ’56.
• Doris Stam.
• Philip Byers ’85.
• John Blackburn
• Jerry Moore.
• Penn Broyhill.
• Jeannine Underdown Collins ’79 ’81.
• Dr. Rennie Brantz.
• Sammy Hartley ’72 ’73.
• Dejon Milbourne.

The 12th Anniversary Student Celebration will take place in the Solarium from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm (November 21st as well). This will include free pizza and T-shirts, a photo booth, games and activities for students. All of campus is invited and encouraged to join in the fun.

Mountain Strong Homecoming

Homecoming festivities will now take place November 16-23, and we are excited for students, alumni, and community members to celebrate Appalachian State and support our beautiful region.  To recognize the resilience of our community, we have changed the theme to Mountain Strong Homecoming. 

 There will not be a club competition.  However, there are still ways for clubs to participate in Homecoming:  

• We will still recognize Homecoming Court and crown Top of the Rock at the Homecoming Game on November 23. Thanks to everyone who volunteered to conduct interviews!
• Clubs are encouraged to submit banners to decorate the Student Union with the new Mountain Strong theme or the Yosef National Park theme if they have already begun working on it.  
• For ALL the details, see the updated schedule.
• Alumni Association Homecoming events can be found here.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. We look forward to celebrating together!