At App State, curiosity leads the way. Join a community that inspires and supports you — so you can elevate your future and graduate with the confidence and skills to succeed, no matter where life takes you.
App State has earned a Research 2 designation through the Carnegie Classification system for high research activity and doctorate production. App State’s research expenditures in fiscal year 2023 were more than $8.4 million and, in 2022–23, the university awarded 20 doctoral degrees.
The latest college rankings and recognitions of six national publications — including U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes magazine — have one thing in common: All place App State among the best schools in the nation, and the Southeast, for 2024–25.
In fall 2026, App State will launch a new Doctor of Nursing Practice program, designed to educate family practice nurse practitioners and respond to health care provider shortages, especially in rural areas. The program has been approved by the UNC System Board of Governors.
On Feb. 27, 2025, the UNC Board of Governors elected Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris as the next leader of Appalachian State University. Norris has served as interim chancellor since April 2024. Her career has been characterized by her strong, collaborative leadership and service to both App State and the greater community, and she brings more than two decades of academic leadership, vision and expertise to her role as chancellor.
Sustainability and resilience are guiding principles at App State and institutionally interwoven into our strategic plan, academic mission, engagement locally and globally and day-to-day best practices. We are recognized as a national leader for our endeavors.
We're enhancing the App State Experience with a stronger physical infrastructure and five-year goals that further empower human potential. Get the full picture by visiting the App State's Future website, which details our growth and change.
Join a diverse and dynamic community that elevates your dreams and champions your capacity for real impact with life-changing opportunities for research and exploration.
Research, fun and refreshments are front and center—and the campus community is encouraged to attend the seventh annual Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian (RECAPP) Event. Help celebrate the research, scholarship and creative endeavors of Appalachian State faculty and staff, with keynote speakers Dr. Rahman Tashakkori and Dr. Joby Bell.
Why is the US constitution so hard to amend? Should the process be easier? What amendments do you think would be beneficial? You’re invited to enjoy a free dinner and small-group facilitated dialogue about the US Constitution as part of Appalachian’s celebration of Constitution Day.
Join us to mark the anniversary of Helene by learning about climate resilience and community resilience. We’re excited to host two leading thinkers/doers in the resilience space: Marlena Byrne presenting “Building a More Resilient Western North Carolina” and Dr. Deirdre Pfeiffer presenting “Sustainable Futures for Single-Family Home Communities.”
Taylor Brown grew up on the Georgia coast. He has lived in Buenos Aires, San Francisco, and the mountains of western North Carolina. He is the recipient of the Montana Prize in Fiction and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize. His novels include “Fallen Land,” “The River of Kings,” “Gods of Howl Mountain,” “Pride of Eden” and “Wingwalkers.” He lives in Savannah, Georgia.
The First Year Showcase is a short, immersive, welcoming process for incoming first year and transfer students. Working with upper-level students and faculty mentors, students create a collaborative, site-specific promenade performance. Participants work together to frame how we look at architecture and our environment through movement and performance. The 2026 performance, “Magic Carpet,” will specifically work to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and crossover between theatre and dance to form a new artistic community.
The annual Global Good Conference highlights sustainable and innovative ways of addressing global challenges with the goal of inspiring students, faculty, and the local community to use their knowledge and skills in the business of building a better world. This conference is reimagining the former Business For Good and Global Opportunities Conference into a combined event, highlighting the interconnections of local and global action and the importance of business as an actor in creating a sustainable world.
A day of service for Appalachian State students to work alongside our community as it continues to heal and rebuild one full year after Hurricane Helene. Meals, equipment, and transportation provided.
This symposium brings together practitioners, municipal leaders, and nonprofit innovators to reflect on the regional response to Tropical Storm Helene and to explore strategies for building climate and disaster resilience. Panelists from the Footprint Project, the Town of Boone, Buncombe County, and Appalachian State University will share their institutions’ experiences in storm response, recovery, their role in community resilience, and lessons learned to prepare Western North Carolina for future challenges.
Sep
30
Community Appreciation Meal at App State
September 30, 2025
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Appalachian State University welcomes members of the App State and High Country communities to gather for a Community Appreciation Meal. The event is free of charge and open to all, so drop in for a meal with family and friends. Complimentary parking is available in the Rivers Street Parking Deck with bridge access to the dining hall.
Dr. Abdul Habib Khalid is a Fulbright Scholar formerly of Kabul Education University whose lifelong calling has been to educate women and girls in Afghanistan. Over the past decade he has worked to connect students in Kabul with students in Boone. Dr. Khalid's talk will elucidate the long and difficult pathway he and his family have walked to educate half of Afghanistan's population while struggling against governmental, physical and technological difficulties.
The Board of Trustees of Appalachian State University requests the honor of your presence at the Installation of Dr. Heather H. Norris, Eighth Chancellor of Appalachian State University.