Where can an Appalachian degree take you?

Anywhere you want to go! Appalachian State University generates passionate and engaged alumni, who become leaders in their communities and chosen professions. They exemplify how an Appalachian education can and does make the world a better place.

Profiles

From volunteer to director — Appalachian alumna forges a career and makes a difference
March 18, 2019
Appalachian alumna Heather Canipe uses her degree in social work to serve youth in the High Country.
From part-time repairs to CEO — Appalachian alumna followed a logical path to lead SkyLine Membership Corp.
March 18, 2019
Logic and reasoning skills learned while pursuing a mathematics degree at Appalachian State University led this alumna on a path from part-time repairs to CEO.
Locally and globally, Lane Bailey ’87 ’89 works to improve communities
January 28, 2019
Bailey, city manager of Salisbury, recently traveled to Tanzania to work with district governments on a range of issues. His international involvement represents Appalachian’s emphasis on global learning.
Anna Ulery ’04 captures fun moments in her career as a professional photographer
January 24, 2019
Appalachian professors mentored and encouraged her. Now, Anna Ulery ’04 owns and operates her own photo booth business in the High Country.
Pritzker Fellow to collaborate with community on development of early childhood programs
January 18, 2019
Crystal Kelly ’00 ’09, Pritzker Fellow and Appalachian alumna, will direct efforts to build a coordinated, early childhood system and local financing stream for early childhood initiatives in Watauga County.
Lauren Boop ’12 joins 2018–19 National Humanities Center Teacher Advisory Council
January 18, 2019
Boop, who graduated as a Teaching Fellow from Appalachian in 2012, is one of 15 members appointed to the 2018–19 National Humanities Center Teacher Advisory Council.
Appalachian alumna is Honolulu’s first female police chief
November 27, 2018
When Susan Ballard ’79 graduated from Appalachian with a teaching degree, being a police officer wasn’t even on her radar. Now she is the first female police chief of the Honolulu Police Department.
Appalachian alumnus Bill Pfleger explores ‘The New Energy Landscape’ through microgrid technology
November 20, 2018
In his fall 2018 Sustainable Energy Speaker Series talk at Appalachian, Pfleger, solutions architect manager for Schneider Electric, said the U.S. electricity system is on the brink of a disruption — a potentially good thing.
Now a teacher, Ashley Carlton ’12 pays forward the care she was shown at Appalachian
November 8, 2018
Given a second chance, Ashley Carlton ’12 graduated with honors from Appalachian’s classroom-based distance learning elementary education program and is now an award-winning fifth-grade science teacher.
Robert Ashley ’84 serves as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
October 11, 2018
The director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) was recognized during Appalachian’s Homecoming Week 2018 for his work, service and philanthropy.
Carole Wilson ’75, teacher, civic leader and philanthropist
October 11, 2018
The Appalachian Board of Trustees member was recognized during Homecoming Week 2018 for her work, service and philanthropy to the university.
David English ’04 ’06 leads day-to-day operations at UNCSA
October 11, 2018
North Carolina School of the Arts’ executive vice chancellor and provost was recognized during Appalachian’s Homecoming Week 2018 for his work, service and philanthropy.
Alumnus Craig Phillips ’93 works to restore musical legacy of The Revelers
July 17, 2018
An attic stash of more than 500 unpublished song arrangements allows Craig Phillips ’93 to revive the groundbreaking work of the 1920s singing group.
Appalachian alumni reunite at Southern Coalition for Social Justice
Ian Mance and Dustin Chicurel-Bayard served together in Student Government Association
April 12, 2018
Alumni Ian Mance and Dustin Chicurel-Bayard became friends as freshmen in 1999. They now work together for the Durham-based nonprofit.
Chemistry alum’s research indicates potential harm of essential oils
Q&A with J. Tyler Ramsey ’16, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
April 12, 2018
Appalachian’s J. Tyler Ramsey ’16 was the lead researcher for an NIEHS study indicating a link between lavender and tea tree oils and breast growth in boys.
The powers of sun and soul
Appalachian alumnus’ solar project benefits regional homeless shelter
January 29, 2018
With degrees in music, psychology and appropriate technology, Zach Sprau ’11 ’17 serves marginalized people around the world through solar energy projects.
Appalachian alumnus Brock Long leads FEMA’s mission of support
December 15, 2017
Appalachian alumnus William Brockmann “Brock” Long ’97 ’99 serves as the administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Breece Robertson ’00, the ‘GIS whiz’ at The Trust for Public Land
February 2, 2018
The Trust for Public Land is working to ensure every American can access a park. Breece Robertson ’00 uses her master’s in geography from Appalachian to help realize that vision.
Appalachian State University alumnus touts power of relationships as incoming head of Thurgood Marshall College Fund
December 15, 2017
Appalachian alumnus Dr. Harry Lee Williams touts the power of relationships as incoming head of Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
He’s back! Armanti Edwards ’09 receives his due in Canadian Football League
December 14, 2017
Mountaineer football icon Armanti Edwards ’09 helps the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts win the 2017 Grey Cup.
Alumna Profile: Belinda Marino ’10 ’13
November 7, 2017
Belinda Marino ’10 was named Wilkes County’s 2016-17 Teacher of the Year. When asked what she loves best about her career, Marino said that if she had to pick one, it would be the relationships she gets to build with students.
Susan M. Branch ’99
Distinguished Young Alumna
October 6, 2016
According to Branch, a successful attorney who serves on the university’s Board of Trustees, “I took advantage of everything Appalachian had to offer.”
Oncology nurse Sheets ’14 returns to serve Boone
Running her own show
August 25, 2016
ACCESS alumna Hannah Sheets Adams ’14 joins Watauga Medical Center’s radiation oncology department. “Giving my patients my all is a big deal to me.”
Appalachian music grad teaching, playing trumpet in Cairo
September 15, 2017
A degree from Appalachian State University can take you anywhere you want to go. Ask Trestan Peck ’15, a music teacher and trumpeter who studied at Appalachian’s Hayes School of Music. Or, look him up the next time you visit Cairo, his home for the last couple of years.
Thwarting Human Traffickers
Alumni Matt and Laura Parker run a nonprofit that helps find and free slaves
July 18, 2017
Appalachian graduates’ non-profit has facilitated rescue of more than 800 slaves.
Laura Brookshire ’16 helps keep farmers in business
March 10, 2017
Farm Aid employee Laura Brookshire ’16 helps keep farmers in business using her two master’s degrees from Appalachian State University.
What’s next for Caroline Federal ’12?
February 6, 2017
An Appalachian anthropology degree leads Federal to U.S. presidential internships, London School of Economics and MIT.
Charlotte skyline a steady beacon for Carolina Panthers coach Wilks ’92
October 6, 2016
From Mountaineer football to the Carolina Panthers, Steve Wilks ’92 steps from center field to the sidelines as defensive backs coach in the NFL.
Appalachian alumnus follows vigorous path to Johns Hopkins Hospital clinical cardiac electrophysiology fellowship
July 12, 2016
The rigors of balancing academics and athletics as an undergraduate gave Dr. Zachary Hollis ’02 the foundation to make well-informed career decisions, he said. The mental toughness he developed served him well during the past 14 years as he forged an advanced medical career to become a clinical cardiac electrophysiology fellow at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Alumna Rebecca Jones turned her Appalachian degrees into a position with filmmaker Ken Burns
May 26, 2016
Alumna Rebecca Jones turned her time in Appalachian’s Department of Communication and Center for Appalachian Studies into a position with filmmaker Ken Burns.
Alumnus Trevor McKenzie turned his childhood interest in Appalachia into a career
May 26, 2016
Trevor McKenzie ’10 ’12 earned degrees in history and Appalachian studies and now works as an archivist at Appalachian State University.
Country singer sums up recent success as ‘almost surreal’
February 28, 2013
Alumnus Eric Church ’00 won the Country Music Association’s album of the year in 2012, but before he got his break, he could be found studying between gigs at Waffle House in Lenoir.
Alumna Profile: Sarah Tucker ’17
November 22, 2017
Having received her family and consumer sciences degree at Appalachian, Sarah Tucker now pursues her passion as a teacher, making a difference in her students’ lives every day.
Alumna Profile: Erin Donohue ’17
July 14, 2017
Donohue’s summer internship after her junior year led to full-time employment with South Carolina’s Wikoff Color Corporation by the time she graduated.
Alumnus Profile: Joseph Gannon ’16
July 6, 2017
After majoring in career and technical education, Joseph Gannon ’16 secured a teaching position in Montana. He teaches middle school, as well as high school shop/woodworking, metalworking, construction and CAD/drafting. He is also an assistant wrestling coach.
Alumna Profile: Gabby Khoury ’17
November 21, 2017
Marketing major Khoury has been accepted into the sales associate program at Cisco, learning the company’s latest technology advancements and the most effective ways to sell them to customers.
Alumna Profile: Morgan Ledford ’17
September 19, 2017
This public health major is now the positive parenting implementation coordinator at AppHealthCare, the local county health department.
Alumnus Profile: Joshua Whitehead ’17
August 5, 2016
As a student, Whitehead won Appalachian’s Truman Capote Literary Trust Award in Creative Writing. Now, he’s in the Master of Fine Arts program at McNeese State University.
Alumna Profile: McKenzie Quattlebaum ’16
July 14, 2017
A branded merchandise manager at Classic, a large commercial print company based in Charlotte, she is responsible for helping her clients find specialty advertising products that meet their business needs.
Making History at the Mob Museum
Appalachian State University history majors find dream jobs in Vegas discover a fellow Mountaineer, just a cubicle away
July 4, 2016
Are there jobs for a history major? You bet! The opportunities are rife. Learn how two Appalachian graduates from the Department of History found dream jobs and a fellow Mountaineer at the Las Vegas Mob Museum.
Grayson Goldsmith '11 - Sustainability on the Job
September 3, 2015
Appalachian State University alumna Grayson Goldsmith ’11 describes how her work at Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke, Virginia, is a natural extension of her Sustainable Development degree.

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Degrees

First Destinations

Whether graduates seek immediate employment or an advanced degree after graduation, their Appalachian Experience gets them where they want to go.

Within a year of graduation *:

86 percent of undergraduates employed or enrolled in postsecondary education
93 percent of graduate students either employed or enrolled in postsecondary education

* from survey of 2015-16 graduates

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Internships

One of the best ways to gain practical experience in your major is through an internship, conducted in the summer, fall or spring semesters. Either the Career Development Center or your academic department can help you find the right host site and mentor. Learn more

Appalachian State University

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