Dear Members of the Appalachian Community:

The hearts and minds of many of us are with friends, family members and colleagues from the Charlotte area, as the city struggles to navigate challenges that are far too common throughout our nation. Appalachian has a community of faculty, staff and students with close ties to the Charlotte/Mecklenburg area.

For members of our community who are sorting through the complexities of the larger social issues and navigating the emotions and interpersonal connections and dialogue that come with this process, it is important to know you have support.

The Multicultural Center is open with extended hours. Staff from Multicultural Student Development, Counseling and Psychological Services and Wellness and Prevention Services are on site to help facilitate conversations. Counseling and Psychological Services also has counselors available for students who wish to speak with a counselor in the Counseling Center.

For faculty and staff, the Center for Academic Excellence coordinates with the Faculty Fellows Program to offer support in managing classroom and one-to-one discussions with students. Counseling for faculty and staff is also available to help manage the personal pressures these kinds of situations can place on those who work with students in and out of the classroom, especially when there may be a personal connection.

The Dean of Students office is also available for students, faculty and staff who have concerns or need assistance working through challenges that may affect personal or professional interactions with students.

I encourage you to utilize these resources, to engage in dialogue with others, to challenge yourselves and others to have empathy toward others, and most of all to remember we are a community that cares – for one another, and about working together to seek solutions to the complex problems our society faces.

Sincerely,

Sheri N. Everts
Chancellor