Appalachian State University

Office of the Chancellor

Inside Appalachian

June 2025

Message from Chancellor Heather Norris: June 20, 2025
Friday, June 20, 2025
With today’s sunshine also comes an annual celebration of some of App State’s legendary athletics alumni at tonight’s “Forever a Mountaineer” Legends Gala.

We’re looking forward to celebrating:
- Author, podcaster and public speaker Shelly Laney Henderson ’87, who will be the event's keynote speaker. Shelly played golf for the Mountaineers from 1983 to 1987 while earning her Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She now co-owns a real estate company, at which her sons also work, and volunteers for organizations across the state and nation.
- App State Athletics Hall of Famer Johnny Jennings ’91, a three-year starter and All-Southern Conference linebacker who earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010. Johnny serves as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Chief of Police.
- Two-time Mountaineer graduate Madi Story Medlin ’19 ’21, who is a member of the Mountaineers’ 1,000-point club in women’s basketball. Madi earned a Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders and a Master of Science in speech-language pathology, while earning success on the court. She’s also a second-generation Mountaineer — her mother, Mitzi, also played basketball at App State from 1988 to 1992.
- App State Athletics Hall of Famer Larry Nance ’62 ’63, is also a two-time Mountaineer graduate who earned his Bachelor of Science in physical education and master’s degree in health and physical education. Larry earned a conference championship in tennis and played basketball for the Mountaineers from 1962 to 1963. He served as Appalachian State University’s director of human resources for more than 30 years. Larry and his wife, alumna Nanci Tolbert Nance ’73, are well known and respected fixtures in the High Country community. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
- Perhaps known by more former student-athletes than any other former staff member, two-time Mountaineer graduate Jean Roberts ’82 ’92, who holds a master’s degree in educational media, a Graduate Teaching Certificate and an Education Specialist degree in counselor education from App State. She served for 14 years as executive director of the university’s learning assistance program, through which she counseled and mentored hundreds of student-athletes. During her tenure, our student-athletes achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0, which has been maintained for the last 26 consecutive semesters — 13 academic years and counting!
- Richie Williams ’05 was the quarterback who led App State Football to the first of three consecutive national championships in 2005. While earning a Bachelor of Science in graphic arts and imaging technology, Richie’s additional accomplishments included being a two-time Walter Payton Award finalist and 2005 Southern Conference Player of the Year.
Congratulations to each of these acclaimed Mountaineers! I’m looking forward to spending some time with these remarkable individuals — and their loved ones and fans — this evening.

Earlier this week, the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees met for a two-day summer retreat. This was an informational meeting, and an excellent opportunity for the board to hear general university updates from and spend time with my leadership team in a more relaxed environment. I thank them for dedicating their time and attention to the university, and for their leadership and wholehearted commitment to the success of our university as we prepare for the upcoming 2025–26 academic year.

Yesterday, at Jefferson Landing, I had the opportunity to join some dear friends of the university and share some information and points of pride. We have incredible opportunities to lead with innovation and research — and make a direct and lasting positive impact on our local communities — while advancing App State’s mission to serve our region and the people of North Carolina.

I was so pleased to share the many ways an App State education continues to be a pathway to a better life for North Carolinians, paving the way for higher wages and greater opportunities.
- App State ranks as No. 4 for lowest average student debt among all of North Carolina’s four-year, public and private higher education institutions. Per borrower, our students’ average federal student loan debt is 22% and 20% below state and national averages, respectively.
- Across the UNC System, bachelor’s degree graduates earn over $570,000 more in their lifetimes than those without four-year degrees, and when subtracting the cost of earning an undergraduate degree, the median overall return on investment (ROI) is $500,000 for UNC System undergraduates who complete degrees — compared to North Carolinians without undergraduate degrees.
- For those who earn graduate degrees, the median lifetime earnings are about $1 million more than for those who hold a bachelor’s degree only. The median lifetime ROI is more than $930,000 for those who complete UNC System graduate degrees — compared to North Carolinians without graduate degrees.
The path from our simple founding as a teacher’s college to our current status as an R2 research institution has been guided by a singular purpose: Preparing students to make meaningful impacts in service to their communities. Thank you for joining us in this noble endeavor.

Heather Norris
Chancellor
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Message from Chancellor Heather Norris: June 13, 2025
Friday, June 13, 2025
This week brought opportunities for me to meet with several members of the university community who are instrumental to our long-term success.

During the busy weeks of summer, I want to especially acknowledge and thank our staff for your hard work and dedication to the university. Your work enhances the learning and working experience for students, faculty and one another, and it’s both seen and appreciated by so many — including university leaders and me. On Tuesday, I joined Staff Senate and shared an update on our ongoing work and a look to what’s ahead:
- With current budget forecasts, we are preparing for leaner times ahead. As we continue conversations with our legislators on the upcoming biennial budget, I share App State’s many points of pride, as well as the accomplishments of our incredible students, faculty and staff, and I emphasize the importance of our commitment to the success of all of our students. My leadership team and I are closely watching the budget process unfold, and when we have concrete budget decisions from Raleigh, I will be sure to communicate them with campus, detailing what they mean for App State.
- Universitywide fundraising efforts will be more important than ever to ensure that we continue operating from a position of strength. UNC System President Peter Hans recently referenced that our university is overdue for a comprehensive fundraising campaign, and we are laying the groundwork for this important endeavor. Vice Chancellor of Advancement Will Sears and his team — in partnership with faculty and staff — have been breaking fundraising records. We had a record fundraising year, raising more than $63 million and exceeding the last fiscal year’s fundraising by more than 37%. This is an excellent foundation for beginning a comprehensive campaign in the future, and these funds are already providing critical scholarship support for our students.
- As we keep strong enrollment a priority for the university, we remain committed to intentionally managed growth. This means we will hold enrollment steady on the Boone campus. For five consecutive years, the enrollment of students attending classes at App State’s Boone campus has fluctuated by less than 3% from year to year — and we will continue this strategy while focusing our enrollment growth efforts on our Hickory campus and our App State Online programs.
- We will sharpen our academic strategy for our online offerings and our Hickory campus to focus on responding to market demand with the strengths App State brings in meeting the needs of our state and region.
This week, university leaders met with Project Kitty Hawk (PKH) leadership to discuss our progress and plan for future partnerships. Since April 2024, we’ve partnered with PKH to offer undergraduate programs in supply chain management, criminal justice, health care management, accounting, and organizational leadership and learning, and we are launching a BSBA in marketing in the coming year. Enrollment in programs powered by PKH represents about 33% of our online growth from 2023 to 2024, comprising nearly 7% of our total enrollment of online students, and these students have a first- to second-year persistence rate of 90%.

I’m so appreciative and proud of the faculty and staff who are working to adapt our programs to the needs of students who are place-bound, yet desire an App State education. Thank you, also, to the PKH team, the UNC System and Board of Governors and the NC General Assembly for their vision and investment in these programs. We are so pleased to be at the table developing innovative solutions to meet our students’ — and our state's — educational needs.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining the participants of App State’s Frontline to Farm training program at Shipley Farms in Vilas — owned and operated by Gray Shipley, adjunct lecturer in the Department of Management, and his father, Bob. This program supports military veterans who are venturing into the farming business. It provides training, support and opportunities for veterans to connect with other military members while working with and learning from farm managers and agribusiness professionals. It was a wonderful evening, and one more example of the important work App State does in support of our military community and their families. I want to thank Grayson Farmer, a senior liaison with U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, for joining last night’s event. Thank you, also, to co-directors Dr. Anne Fanatico and Dr. Lynn Gibbard for their dedication to the success of the program.

With the summer months underway, there’s a lot taking place at App State! As we prepare our campuses for new students and new faculty in the fall, and work to get those "get it done this summer" lists completed, I hope everyone can find opportunities to take some well-deserved personal time.

Heather Norris
Chancellor
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Message from Chancellor Heather Norris: June 6, 2025
Friday, June 6, 2025
Summer Orientation is underway at Appalachian State University, and whether students and their families are visiting us at our Boone or Hickory campus, or choosing a virtual option, we are excited to welcome them and offer a preview of the extraordinary educational experiences that are just ahead. For each student, there is a strong support network of faculty, staff and peers who are here to help you build a solid path for student success.

This week, we’re hosting the 14th annual Appalachian Energy Summit. Envisioned and first hosted by App State in 2012, this event brings together faculty, staff and students from colleges and universities, energy managers and visionaries, and government and industry leaders to share research and develop processes and systems for improving energy efficiency across the UNC System, the state and beyond. Support from corporate sponsors and private donors allows participants to attend free of charge.

The work taking place at this summit has significant benefits for our state and region. At today’s summit, the North Carolina State Energy Office announced that the UNC System, along with North Carolina community colleges and other state agencies, has realized $2.37 billion in avoided energy costs since 2002 — exceeding the target goal of $2 billion.

For App State’s part, the university has achieved $72.6 million in avoided energy costs and $17.8 million in avoided water costs, and decreased our energy use per square foot by nearly 50% over the same time period. These significant cost savings make a direct, bottom line impact for tight budgets across the state, and we continue to improve campus energy efficiency while also boosting system reliability.

Thank you to the many dedicated individuals — at our university and across the region — who envisioned these substantial goals for our state, and ensured our collective success in achieving them.

This is just one area in which App State supports a more resilient future. Our students have opportunities to work directly alongside dedicated faculty mentors on research that addresses real-world challenges — with the potential to change industries and communities with breakthrough discoveries and innovations. This research blends experiential learning, industry collaboration and regional partnerships in order to connect and strengthen work across academic departments.

With expertise across a wide range of knowledge, research at App State plays a vital role in achieving the highest caliber educational experience that expands knowledge to serve our local community, the High Country and North Carolina:
- App State researchers — including a student cohort — have recently been supported by NCInnovation with a $2.3 million grant to develop an AI-enhanced robotic microscope to streamline parasite identification in livestock and poultry — a potential benefit to food production systems worldwide.
- Students have shown their innovative strengths by creating solutions for real-world challenges during the U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored Solar District Cup competition and Solar Decathlon Design Challenge, which focus on distributed energy systems for districts and high-performance buildings, respectively.
- In nutrition labs at the Beaver College of Health Sciences, researchers analyze the composition of foods and create dietary plans addressing a wide range of needs, while studying the effects of these interventions.
- AppDocs, a documentary program at App State, is a regional leader in finding, documenting and sharing important stories from the Appalachian region — connecting students and communities to the mountains’ history while challenging myths and misconceptions. Recent work spotlights the community spirit and resilience in the small town of Todd, N.C., as it rallied in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
- Serving the community has always been a bedrock principle of App State. When Hurricane Helene struck, App State responded swiftly to provide needed resources and support, and the university remains committed to this effort. This spring, Vice Provost of Research and Innovation Christine Hendren and her team in the Office of Research and Innovation brought together nearly 100 community leaders, state and federal officials, nongovernmental organizations, civic and philanthropic organizations and educators to discuss how research and community partnerships can help the region build back stronger and more resilient to prepare for future events.
This week, we welcomed App State alumnus, and longtime friend to many, Greg Lovins back to the university as Interim Chief Financial Officer, filling the role previously held by John Adams, whom we wish well in his new position at Old Dominion University. Greg has agreed to serve in this interim role as we continue our national search for App State’s next CFO.

Greg’s career includes more than three decades of experience in higher education finance and operations, including 10 years as Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs (2006 to 2016) at App State. Prior to returning to App State, he served as a Director at First Tryon Advisors in Charlotte, where his portfolio included interim financial assignments at UNC Asheville, UNC Wilmington and Fayetteville State University. Greg is a Certified Public Accountant who holds a Master in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance from App State and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Please join me in extending a warm, Mountaineer welcome to Greg, and I offer my sincere thanks to him, and to John, for their service to App State.

Tonight’s First Friday Art Crawl and the upcoming music, dance, theatre, visual art and film events of An Appalachian Summer are just a few of the many opportunities to enjoy at App State and in our surrounding community during the summer months! Whether you are close to Boone or Hickory, or you’re far away, we hope you might find time to visit Western North Carolina. Our beautiful area communities are open for business, and we welcome your support as we work together on economic recovery.

Heather Norris
Chancellor
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May 2025

April 2025

Message from Chancellor Heather Norris: April 25, 2025
Friday, April 25, 2025
As students prepare for final exams, summer plans and upcoming graduation, the energy on both the Boone and Hickory campuses is high. The last day of classes for the spring semester is this coming Wednesday, and graduating seniors are only two weeks away from Commencement.

This is the time of year that is full of celebrations and transitions.
- Yesterday, we held our annual Awards of Distinction ceremony, during which we recognized the winners of the university’s most distinguished and prestigious awards to students, faculty and staff — who were joined by their friends and colleagues for their special celebration.
  
  Throughout the program, we heard stories that reflect the wide range of contributions across our App State Community — from transformative teaching and groundbreaking research to dedicated service and student achievement. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize faculty, staff and students whose work and commitment make a lasting impact on our university and beyond.
  
  You can learn more about them and the awards on this website, and watch for a news release coming out featuring the recipients next week. Please join me in congratulating this amazing group of individuals! You make me proud to be a part of this wonderful university community.
- Last week and this week, we held Staff Appreciation events on the Boone and Hickory campuses. These are such fun events and a terrific opportunity to recognize the incredible work of our staff, who ensure the university’s operational success and maintain a beautiful and welcoming environment for our university community and visitors. Thank you for your unwavering service to our institution.
- This week I also attended the Student Government Association transition dinner, during which outgoing Student Body President Kathryn Long and Vice President Amarah Din — who will both graduate next month — turned their responsibilities over to incoming President Nicole Tran, a senior political science major from Charlotte, and Vice President Courtney Castellow, a senior majoring in public relations from Winterville. I have greatly appreciated working with Kathryn and Amarah, during a year filled with unforeseen and immense challenges, and I look forward to working with Nicole and Courtney in the coming year.
- This afternoon, I’ll join members of the Chancellor’s Appalachian Leadership Development Program as they celebrate the completion of this yearlong professional development opportunity. During the last year, they have developed a support network of fellow administrators, fostered skills in conducting crucial conversations and explored a breadth of topics — gaining insight into the organizational structures, financing, operations, strategic planning, and legal issues of App State and the UNC System. Congratulations to this latest ALDP class on this next step in your exploration of leadership pathways.
This week we also held our annual budget presentations for faculty and staff. In 2016, App State began holding annual budget briefings for faculty and staff, to ensure our university’s budgeting process is transparent and accessible, and I’m pleased we are continuing that practice. This year, we heard from:
- Interim Chief Financial Officer John Adams, who shared a broad overview of App State’s budget and resource allocation process;
- The deans in Academic Affairs, about the accomplishments, goals and strategic priorities of our academic colleges and schools;
- Chief Information Officer Keith Werner, about key, institution-wide priorities related to technology use, including artificial intelligence, to help inform us as we navigate an ever-changing digital landscape; and
- Interim Vice Provost of Programs and Planning Mark Bradbury, about the online Flight Path programs we have underway with Project Kitty Hawk.
This process also opens opportunities for all of us to hold informed discussions — today and throughout the year. I’d like to thank everyone who developed and shared presentations, and everyone who joined us in person and via livestream. We appreciate that you are taking the time to become more invested in — and informed about — the university’s budgeting and strategic resource allocation process. For faculty and staff who may have missed these presentations, you can log in to view them on the Budget Briefings and Strategic Initiatives page of the Finance and Operations website.

Yesterday, I shared with faculty, staff and students that I have appointed Dr. Neva J. Specht to the role of Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, effective May 1. Neva has held the position of Acting Provost since April of 2024.

In this role, Neva will continue her responsibilities as provost, advancing the academic mission of the university in collaboration with faculty, chairs and deans, and, as I shared in my message to campus on March 21, she will also oversee all aspects of Enrollment Management, the Student Affairs departments that support students and student success, and Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources. This combined division will allow all student success efforts, which have been housed across the three divisions of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, to provide continuity of support for our students. From the first interactions as prospective students, to academic programs and advising, clubs and organizations, health and well-being, commencement and career services and support, students will be supported within a single division, under Neva’s leadership.

In the last month, I have met with all of the academic deans, members of the Chancellor’s and Provost’s Councils, Council of Chairs leadership, Faculty Senate leadership, senior leaders in Student Affairs, and members of the Provost’s Office staff. In each of these meetings, I have heard broad-based support for Neva. Her colleagues describe her as an honest, entrepreneurial, solution-oriented and visionary thinker who understands the challenges before us and the metrics we use every day to measure our success. I couldn’t agree more.

Neva is currently working on building a team that will allow her to develop a strong, collaborative division, one that cultivates a supportive university community and is focused on advancing student success and faculty and staff excellence — two key elements of our university’s strategic plan. This will include conducting a national search to hire a Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

Please join me in congratulating Neva, as we look forward to continuing the great work ahead!

You can read a press release sharing the full announcement here.

As I said at the outset of my interim chancellor role, bolstering relationships and trust are — and will remain — high priority for my leadership team and me. We are committed to continuous improvement, collaboration, meaningful communication and good-faith relationships. In the last few days, I’ve met with leaders from the Town of Boone and the City of Hickory, and yesterday, I met with leaders and representatives from the Faculty Senate Advisory Committee. I appreciate the opportunity to continue building these and other important partnerships as I move forward in leading this institution.

Heading into the final days of the semester, I wish our students well as they prepare for upcoming final exams — you are close to the finish line!

Heather Norris
Chancellor
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Message from Chancellor Heather Norris: April 11, 2025
Friday, April 11, 2025

This week I joined UNC System President Peter Hans, Chancellor Kimberly van Noort from UNC Asheville and Chancellor Kelli Brown from Western North Carolina, along with North Carolina Speaker of the House Destin Hall ’09 and North Carolina Senate Deputy Pro Tempore Ralph Hise ’00, at an event in Raleigh. At this event, hosted for state legislators and officials from the Office of the Governor, we shared our experiences responding to and recovering from Hurricane Helene. We are grateful for the funding directed to our region for hurricane recovery, and as we look ahead, we will remain committed to being the best partners we can be as our state and System leaders work to secure additional resources for our continued recovery efforts. I thank these leaders for their incredible, continued support of App State and the communities of Western North Carolina.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Executive Vice Chancellor J.J. Brown and I attended the UNC System Board of Governors’ April meeting. The Committee on Budget and Finance reviewed our proposal for a new student housing project at the Appalachian 105 site, which was then approved by the full board on Thursday. This is the final step in the approval process for us to move forward with a public-private partnership model, working with a developer who will build and lease student housing, which will increase inventory on university property by approximately 850 beds in apartment-style units. This will provide much-needed housing for upper division (sophomore, junior and senior) students on university property, a short bus ride from the main campus and within walking distance to sporting events, including track and field, tennis and softball. We will update the App State’s Future website with more details in the coming days.

This morning, J.J. Brown and I are traveling to North Carolina Central University to represent App State at the installation of Chancellor Karrie Dixon. Chancellor Dixon is the Eagles’ 13th chancellor in NCCU’s 115-year history, and a well-respected, senior leader within the UNC System. I wish her all the best in this new role guiding North Carolina Central University.

Yesterday, we welcomed the fifth grade class of App State’s Academy at Middle Fork to our Boone campus. These mini-Mountaineers met with author–illustrator Katherine Roy as part of the Children’s Literature Symposium, presented by the Reich College of Education and App State's University Libraries. During lunch, each child received a book, and the class joined members of the App State football team, who shared their experiences and what it means to them to be a student-athlete. Our mini-Mountaineers inspire us, and we want to inspire each one of them to become App State college students in the coming years!

Our landscaping crew has been working to showcase our beautiful campus as signs of spring are finally arriving in the High Country, and this weekend we will welcome more than 3,300 students and their families to the Boone campus for Spring Open House. We will also host a Mountaineer Spring Tour stop and an alumni football gathering. Tomorrow afternoon, the Mountaineers football team will take part in their “Battle at The Rock” Spring game, and we’re expecting more than 10,000 fans to pack Kidd Brewer Stadium to cheer on our 2025 team as we get a peek for what to expect this fall season. Other in-season, home Athletics events will include App State Tennis vs. Georgia State at 10 a.m., and Softball vs. ULM at 3 p.m. tomorrow, both at their new facilities at the Appalachian 105 Sports Complex.

I am looking forward to an outstanding and exciting weekend!

Heather Norris
Chancellor

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Message from Chancellor Heather Norris
Friday, April 4, 2025
In April, with the end of the academic year on the horizon, we celebrate many accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students.

I am honored to congratulate Dr. Charlie Chen, professor in the Department of Computer Information Systems, who is Appalachian State University’s 2025 University of North Carolina Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. The award is given annually to one outstanding faculty member from each of the UNC System’s 17 institutions, with awardees having demonstrated excellent or exceptional teaching ability over a sustained period of time.

Charlie has spent over two decades as a faculty member in the Walker College of Business, where he has designed and taught nearly 30 undergraduate and graduate courses, leading his classroom with cutting-edge technology. Charlie has dedicated his career to ensuring students have engaging and thoughtful learning experiences, sharing that, “Seeing your students succeed makes being a teacher truly worthwhile.”

Among his many accomplishments, Charlie is the author of four books and more than 100 additional publications; he holds a Dean’s Club professorship; and he is a past recipient of the Walker College of Business’ Sywassink Award for Excellence in Research and App State’s Faculty Global Leadership Award. One of his current projects is related to the effectiveness of AI kiosks, and he is developing research opportunities through the Walker College of Business’ Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship.

I encourage you to read this Q&A with Charlie, in which he reflects on his remarkable 22-year career here at App State, his passion for cutting-edge technology and his hopes for the future of App State students and faculty.

In addition to the Excellence in Teaching Award, the UNC Board of Governors also selected six App State faculty to receive campus-based awards for their innovative teaching methods:
- Dr. Shannon Cline, senior lecturer in the Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education, who earned the 2025 Appalachian State University Excellence in Teaching Award.
- Appalachian State University’s 2025 School/College Awards were earned by:
This year’s Excellence in Teaching Awards winners exemplify the quality of App State’s faculty — scholars who devote their time, energy and expertise toward building academic environments, inside and outside the classroom, where students thrive. This well-deserved honor highlights their dedication to and passion for student success. Congratulations to all of our 2025 Board of Governors awards recipients!

It is an honor to lead an institution where faculty and staff are committed to empowering the next generation of leaders and professionals. This afternoon, I look forward to joining our faculty at Faculty Club. It’s always energizing to hear the many ideas, experiences and conversations that help keep our teaching, research and service dynamic and forward-thinking.

Last week, Acting Provost Neva Specht and Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice Chancellor J.J. Brown met with the newly formed Academic and Student Affairs Advisory Council, which includes leaders from the Student Government Association and the Graduate Student Government Association, as well as student leaders from each academic college. This collaborative group will be an important advisory body as we continue to sharply focus our resources on student success initiatives.

Today, Provost Specht is joining students, faculty and staff at the Reich College of Education’s Scholarship Luncheon. This annual event is an opportunity for scholarship recipients at both the undergraduate and graduate level to connect with the donors who are helping fund their educations. Scholarship events like these offer opportunities for students to share the significance that scholarships are making in their lives. At App State, 70% of our students rely on financial assistance to complete their degrees, and I thank all of those who give to the many scholarship programs across our university. Your generosity has a profound impact on the students who receive them.

Last Friday, renowned Italian Baroque ensemble Interpreti Veneziani performed Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” in the Solarium of the Plemmons Student Union, delighting and enchanting the audience — me included! This event, part of The Schaefer Center Presents series, was made possible with generous support from longtime arts supporters Barbara Freiman and Nancy and Neil Schaffel, and we thank them for continuing a legacy of outstanding arts programming at our university. For those in attendance, it will be a lasting memory that exemplifies the power and excitement of live arts performances.

With spring well underway on our Hickory campus, signs of spring are also becoming evident on the Boone campus. Andrew Jenkins ’12, senior lecturer in the Department of Biology, led members of App State’s Native Gardening Society on an educational ethnobotany walk-and-talk in Appalachian State’s Nature Preserve earlier this week. With its 67 acres of protected woodlands, the nature preserve is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals native to Southern Appalachia, and it also offers a wealth of resources for the biology research underway at App State.

Warmer days are in the forecast for the weekend. I hope everyone can take a moment to enjoy the beautiful mountains and foothills, which we are fortunate to call home.

Heather Norris
Chancellor
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March 2025

February 2025

January 2025

December 2024

Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris: December 13, 2024
Friday, December 13, 2024
As we conclude the semester, we celebrate a significant milestone for our students and our graduates. Today, Appalachian State University proudly welcomes more than 1,500 graduates to a network of more than 150,000 Mountaineer alumni. These graduates have enriched our academic community, and they now continue a legacy of 125 years of academic excellence, service and innovation.

I offer you, your families, loved ones and all who helped you along this journey a special congratulations for displaying such dedicated persistence during a time with so many unknowns — from a worldwide pandemic to a natural disaster. As all of you look back on your journeys, I hope you will take pride in the challenges you’ve overcome, treasure the friendships you’ve forged and cultivate the knowledge you’ve acquired from this fine institution. As you move forward into your next chapter, you can be confident your App State education has prepared you to meet the challenges and opportunities that await you with compassion, integrity and determination.

On occasion, Appalachian State University honors individuals who have made significant contributions to our university by conferring upon them honorary degrees. Today was such an occasion, as I had the honor of conferring an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters upon John Blackburn, who has served the state of North Carolina, the High Country and Appalachian State University extensively and with distinction.

John’s contributions have ensured quality medical care, recreation, education and overall quality of life have been vastly improved, particularly for those who live in the rural areas of Avery and Watauga counties. His service to our university includes volunteering for Appalachian State University’s Foundation Board, Appalachian’s Board of Trustees (for which he served as Chair from 2008 to 2009), the UNC System Board of Governors and the North Carolina State Board of Education. His generosity has also extended to several areas of Appalachian State, including the Appalachian Fund, Walker College of Business, App State Athletics and arts education. The John M. Blackburn Distinguished Professorship in Theatre was named in honor of his leadership and support for the university.

John’s dedication to improving quality of life and educational systems are extraordinary, and he has been a cherished member of the Appalachian State University Family for many years, dedicating himself and his efforts to the success of our students. On a personal note, it has been my honor to call John my friend. He is indeed a friend to so many, and those of us who can say that are so very fortunate. Thank you, John, for being a valued friend to all of us here at Appalachian State University, and congratulations on your honorary doctorate.

Every path to a degree and graduation is different. As we celebrate this Commencement, we’re sharing the stories of six graduates, each of whom has a different story, background and degree:
- Sophie Baine, of Charlotte, graduated from the College of Fine and Applied Arts with a Bachelor of Science in public relations.
- Vee Bui, of Hickory, graduated from the Beaver College of Health Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders.
- Jackson Payne, of Dallas, graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in history/social studies education.
- Tim Scapin ’20, of Clyde, earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from the Reich College of Education. Tim earned his second degree from App State today — he also earned a Master of Arts in media, technology and learning design from App State in 2020.
- Jackie Siverly, of Hickory, graduated from the Hayes School of Music with a Bachelor of Arts in instrumental music education.
- Cody Zimmerman, of Hickory, graduated from the Walker College of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in both general management and sales.
This week was also filled with other outstanding opportunities and news for Appalachian State.

On Monday, Coach Dowell Loggains joined our football program as our new head football coach — the 23rd in the program’s history — as the valuable offseason begins. On behalf of the university, I welcome Coach Loggains and his family to the High Country, The Rock and the greatest fans in college football.

On Tuesday morning, university leaders joined several community leaders from Boone, Blowing Rock and Watauga County for an informal gathering. We appreciate our civic, government and community leaders, and these opportunities to come together are extremely valuable as we continue to move forward in recovery from the recent storm and prepare for a shared future of continued growth and success within the High Country.

On Tuesday night, Armanti Edwards, 2009 graduate and record-setting and title-winning quarterback for the Mountaineers from 2006 to 2009, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Armanti was the first player to win the Walter Payton Award — given to the most outstanding offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision — twice. He joins Dexter Coakley as only the second player in App State history to be inducted in the Hall of Fame. His memorable victories include two FCS national titles and the historic 34–32 upset of No. 5 Michigan to open the 2007 season in Ann Arbor. He is a Mountaineer legend, and we congratulate him on this honor.

On Wednesday, our Alumni Affairs team hosted a lovely "Cheers for 'Neers" reception, and I was honored to toast the graduating Class of 2024. To our newest alumni, we welcome you to the Alumni Association, and please know this team is a teriffic resource to all of our alumni.

As we close out 2024 and the fall semester, I offer a special thanks to our faculty, staff, students and newest graduates for your diligence and for the selfless sacrifices you have made throughout this semester in particular. I wish you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful holiday season and a very happy new year.

Heather Norris
Interim Chancellor
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Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris: December 6, 2024
Friday, December 6, 2024
We’ve reached the end of the fall semester, with final exams underway since yesterday. With just one week remaining until Fall Commencement, I’m looking forward to next Friday’s ceremonies, when we’ll celebrate the achievements of our newest graduates. This semester brought many challenges, but many accomplishments as well, and I’m excited to honor the hard work and dedication that have led to this moment.

Earlier this week, university leaders, along with faculty and staff at both the Boone and Hickory campuses, gathered for our annual holiday receptions. I enjoyed these opportunities to celebrate and share fellowship with our dedicated faculty and staff.

Monday night, my leadership team and I attended the Hayes School of Music’s 32nd annual Holiday Scholarship Concert. It was a lovely showcase of the incredible talent of our School of Music students and faculty, and it was wonderful to see so many people from the university and community supporting the School of Music’s largest fundraising event. Thank you to everyone who helps support this scholarship concert, and thank you to the students, faculty and staff of the Hayes School of Music for adding to the High Country’s holiday cheer.

Yesterday and today, we hosted the university’s Board of Trustees on the Boone campus. My report to the Board focused on App State’s enduring resilience, as evidenced by our Mountain Strong recovery from Hurricane Helene, as well as our successes in teaching, research, fundraising and Athletics. You can read my full remarks here. Highlights are below:
- We’re still supporting our students, faculty and staff, some of whom may be feeling impacts for quite some time, and I continue to be inspired by the amazing acts of kindness and humanity we are witnessing every day.
  
  In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the university community has seen outstanding acts of kindness and generosity from the community, our alumni, the UNC System, other universities within the System and Sun Belt Conference institutions. More than 5,100 people across the state, nation and world contributed to App State Disaster Relief Fund, representing 48 states and seven countries. App State alumni across the region, as well as faculty, staff and fans at universities across the nation, and many other individuals — including 1,700 who had no prior affiliation with the university — were among the fund’s supporters.
  
  We express our sincere thanks to our sister institutions in the Sun Belt Conference for their kind and generous outpouring of support, and to the James Madison University community in particular, which raised more than $64,000 to support the App State Disaster Relief Fund.
  
  On behalf of all Mountaineers — near and far — we want to say thank you. I shared this video with the Board, which exemplifies our Mountain Strong theme, and our appreciation to everyone who has been, and continues to be, so generous to our university and community.
- As we continue to assess the financial impacts of Hurricane Helene, we will have more information to share in the coming months and at the end of the fiscal year. At this time, we estimate that approximately 75% of our incurred and anticipated expenses are eligible for FEMA and/or insurance reimbursement. We also anticipate receiving additional relief funding from the state in the upcoming fiscal year, which would be allocated to any expenses for which federal or insurance reimbursement is not received.
  
  Through its recent passage of Part II of the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024, the North Carolina General Assembly will provide $800,000 to App State for emergency grants for postsecondary students, intended to cover needs such as tuition, fees, living expenses and other disaster-related expenses. Universities receiving these benefits have been provided guidelines for eligibility criteria and the application process, as well as awarding and reporting requirements. We also expect Next NC funding through a legislative provision, as well as through UNC System-secured funding, for additional need-based scholarships — again, with specific criteria for eligibility, awarding and reporting.
  
  We are so grateful for the support from our state and federal leaders, including the General Assembly and UNC System, who authorized relief funding to support our students and university with the recovery.
- Fundraising is more important now than ever, especially for students in need, and I was pleased to report a promising outlook. Since July 1, new pledges and outright gifts total more than $38 million, nearly one and a half times where we were at this time last year. And, outright gifts and pledge payments are up 35% from this time last year, totaling more than $14 million. This level of successful fundraising requires a high level of support and collaboration, and I would like to especially thank the Trustees and my leadership team, including Will Sears and Doug Gillin and their teams, for the strategic and proactive work that has brought us this important momentum.
- Private funding, as well as grant funding, is critical to support and sustain the research and creative endeavors of our faculty as well. As we selectively expand our research and creative endeavors enterprise, informed by our academic strategic plan and our research strategic plan, we are bringing in research dollars and engaging in innovative academic work that has long set us apart from other institutions similar to our size and classification.
  
  Last fiscal year, the university brought in a record $25.8 million in awards in support of the innovative research our faculty are conducting, in many cases with our students directly participating. Over the last five years, App State’s funded research has increased by nearly 75%.
  
  We've been steadily increasing our research dollars because of the dedication, involvement and success of faculty in innovative and meaningful research. As a long-standing teaching institution, our research provides critical opportunities for learning, and the applied nature of much of this research serves as a conduit for innovative solutions and economic development.
  
  The great ideas being developed by our faculty and staff span a range of strengths and areas of expertise, including educational and training innovations, laboratory devices, and clean energy, economics and agricultural technology concepts, just to name a few. Moving forward, our research strengths will help the university, our community and the region with recovery and preparedness.
  
  The Office of Research and Innovation team, led by Vice Provost of Research and Innovation Dr. Christine Ogilvie Hendren, is also focusing on the work of connecting and coaching faculty on their paths to protecting and commercializing intellectual property that has the potential to generate value and financial impact for the state of North Carolina. Additionally, to further support innovative work beyond the startup phase, the Chancellor's Innovation Scholars Program is increasing funding for big ideas that will have a lasting impact and become part of the fabric of the institution, with an emphasis on ensuring faculty can develop self-sustaining funding models so their work and the associated funding will last beyond the startup phase.
- As we end several athletics conference seasons, I want to acknowledge the success of both Cross Country teams, which won their conference championships; the Field Hockey team, which won their regular season conference championship; the App State Tennis program, represented by juniors Savannah Dada-Mascoll and Isabella Romanichen, became the women’s tennis program’s first nationally ranked doubles team; and the East-division champion App State Volleyball team, which is playing a postseason game against Northern Colorado this afternoon at 3 p.m.
  
  I’d also like to acknowledge the transitions the Mountaineer football program is experiencing, and I’d like to thank Doug Gillin for his leadership and his work underway to quickly hire a new head football coach.
As we look to next week, I wish everyone a strong finish to the semester. For those graduating next week, Fall Commencement will be especially meaningful. For some, it will be their first formal, in-person commencement ceremony, as their high school graduations were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They faced adversity again just before their college graduations, when our region experienced one of the most significant natural disasters in our 125-year history. This ceremony is not just a celebration of academic success but also of the resilience and perseverance we’ve collectively shown in the face of unprecedented challenges. We look forward to seeing our graduates cross the stage on Friday, and to the wonderful futures they have before them.

Heather Norris
Interim Chancellor
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November 2024

October 2024

Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris: October 25. 2024
Friday, October 25, 2024
Today, Appalachian State University lifted remaining nonemergency limited condition operations and returned to normal operations. Our return to classes on Oct. 16 has been instrumental in restoring a sense of routine for students, faculty and staff. The beautiful weather the High Country has experienced recently is aiding in recovery efforts for many of our neighbors, and yet, we all understand that there is still more to be done, and for many, the months ahead — especially as the days grow colder — will hold significant, continued challenges.

Prior to the storm, tomorrow’s Mountaineers vs. Georgia State football game would have been our Homecoming game. We are looking forward to celebrating Homecoming next month, and tomorrow we will focus on Home Giving.
- We are encouraging those visiting the area for the football game to support local businesses, and two local nonprofit organizations in particular that are working to support the continued recovery of the High Country.
- At tomorrow’s Home Giving game, there will be opportunities to donate to:
This afternoon, App State’s leadership, including members of our Board of Trustees, were joined by UNC System President Peter Hans, members of the UNC Board of Governors and community leaders to recognize and celebrate the countless workers who have been at the forefront of the Helene recovery efforts. Many of you continued to serve our campus and community through the height of the storm and recovery efforts, then returned to regular duties, while also facing your own personal hardships and journeys to recovery.
- You restored power to the university and our town, pushed water and mud out of buildings as it was rushing back in, provided critical information as events unfolded, kept our infrastructure intact, provided nearly 80,000 meals to anyone who needed them, kept our students safe and secure in their residence halls, provided space and support for an emergency Red Cross shelter, provided vital internet and phone connections, opened laundry and shower facilities to campus and community members and raised and distributed more than $3.8 million, which provided critical bridge funding to more than 5,000 students, faculty and staff.
- You also developed ways to help our students and faculty return to classrooms as quickly as possible, adjusting coursework and developing broad guidance as well as individualized plans so they could regain some sense of normalcy — and still meet the learning outcomes for their courses, keeping our students on track for graduation.
- Our partners at the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Boone and Watauga County have been true partners, working with us to make sure we responded together to the needs of our community. The incredible search and rescue acts you performed saved countless lives in our community, and the thousands and thousands of donated items you took in and distributed ensured people could take care of their families in times of incredible need.
Many of you did this under extreme circumstances, not seeing your families for days. Some didn’t have homes to return to.

While the university was deep in response mode, our Trustees, members of our Board of Governors and President Hans were just a few of the many who checked in with us constantly, bringing incredible support and substantial resources. President Hans and the UNC System Office brought the power of the entire UNC System to help us in our time of need:
- supporting our request to move our operational status to Condition 3, allowing us the flexibility to bring in employees and students as needed to provide critical services to our university and community;
- ensuring no employees — including hourly and student employees — would have to worry about lost wages while they were managing the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene;
- ensuring our students who were not in the Boone area would have access to student health and counseling services, libraries and recreation centers at our sister institutions across the state; and
- providing a lifeline to the vast resources powered by the UNC System as we needed it.
So many of our students volunteered in the community during the immediate days after the storm and have been contributing their time in countless ways since. Last Saturday, in one day, our students worked with 15 local agencies, contributing more than 500 service hours toward local recovery efforts. I’ve been inspired by our students, who began helping one another, our university and our greater community immediately during the storm and have continued to do so.

At tonight’s App State vs. Coastal Carolina volleyball game, we will premiere a thank-you video in the Holmes Center, which we’ll share in many ways in the coming days and weeks, celebrating the efforts of those who responded to the needs of our university and community. You can watch a sneak preview here.

We are Mountaineers. Together, we navigate the peaks and valleys, supporting one another all along the way. And for that, I thank you most of all.

Heather Norris
Interim Chancellor
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Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris: October 18, 2024
Friday, October 18, 2024
When we began this week, we took a big step forward on our long and varied road to recovery. I commend our many students, who were unsure of what it would be like to return to the classroom and to campus, and our faculty and staff, who were uncertain of what needs would arise that they would be called on to meet and who, together, bravely took that important step forward.

At the end of the week, we have a few more certainties. We know our classes are up and running with the adjustments needed for student success. We know our students, faculty and staff are finding and reestablishing their vital connections with one another. And we know we are working to take care of each and every need as it arises. We also know our K–12 public schools will resume next week. We know we will return to normal operations next Friday and will begin holding larger events again that support the well-being and livelihoods of our community. We know our community, while still suffering, has made incredible strides toward recovery.

I’ve shared a lot of operational and tactical information with you this week, but the stories of our faculty, staff and students really show who we are as a community. When Hurricane Helene hit, we knew we needed to amass the many resources we offer for our students and employees and put them in one location. With many unable to get to work, we identified the critical resources people needed and reached out to see who was available to help set up and staff a central resource hub. Since Oct. 1, staff, faculty and students have been on site to help friends, peers and colleagues.

For some, this is not the work they do every day, but they knew there was a need, so they stepped up. One staff member shared a few stories from this perspective:
- One person had lost their car, their food, and had some mild flooding in their apartment and had hand tabulated everything as close to the penny as they could. They were, in typical “mountain strong” fashion, only requesting what they absolutely needed and had tiered everything out in order of importance in case others needed more.
- Another had calculated their missed wages to the penny based off of their prior two weeks of work, since the business they work at was still closed. I was also able to connect with them about our student employment opportunities so they can get back to work this week.
- Yet another had lost their housing and had not checked the financial assistance box. They just wanted to see what off-campus housing was available and made the comment that other people “need the money more than I do.”
- Another was just trying to process everything. They didn't even know where to start or what to ask for, but were so grateful to be back on campus and said they felt so taken care of.
To those who have helped our community members in crisis in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and those who have donated to our relief fund to make that bridge possible, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank my leadership team, who, like many of our staff from the very beginning of the storm, set aside their personal lives and worked together from the Emergency Operations Center to ensure timely, coordinated emergency services and communications. Some had holes in their roofs and ceilings from downed trees, as well as mudslides and floodwaters that broke through their basements; some had no communication lines back to their families; and some traveled hours to get just a few miles to campus. Thank you to these selfless, servant leaders for their commitment to our community.

Now that we have moved from immediate crisis and response to recovery mode with normal operations forthcoming, we are returning the many resources we offer for our students and employees to their original locations.
- We encourage students who need help to remember the Dean of Students Office is always a good place to begin if you need support and resources. Year-round, the Dean of Students team serves as a hub for resources and support for our students.
- For faculty and staff, we encourage reaching out to Academic Affairs and/or Human Resources.
We know our community still has a long road to recovery and there are many who will need longer term support as they work to recover from tremendous loss. Our case managers will continue to connect members of our university community to all the services available. We must not, and will not, forget what was lost, but also, that we can be uplifted by what was gained.

I can’t begin to count how many times I’ve heard members of our university and greater community, even those who have faced significant losses, describe themselves as fortunate, blessed, lucky, better off than most. I believe this exemplifies who we are as a community — compassionate, resilient and mountain strong.

I’m proud to stand with you.

Heather Norris
Interim Chancellor
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September 2024

August 2024

July 2024

Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris: July 26, 2024
Friday, July 26, 2024
On Wednesday, the UNC Board of Governors held its July meeting.

A few items of note from that meeting:
- The UNC System will continue to operate on the biennial budget.
  The biennial budget includes a 3% across-the-board legislative salary increase for most university employees, effective July 1. As I shared with faculty this spring, we have identified internal funds for merit-based, faculty raises, should we be granted authority to award them during the annual raise process.
- The Governors reviewed the results of the UNC System’s latest Employee Engagement Survey, administered in March and April of 2024. The Employee Engagement Survey is administered every two years and provides a point-in-time snapshot of several metrics related to job satisfaction at each UNC System institution. In my current role, I’ve been able to speak with many faculty and staff about your workplace experiences. I want you to know that I care about the members of our university community. As your leader, colleague and fellow member of this community, I embrace the opportunity to listen and support you. I will continue to work with campus partners to understand and improve workplace satisfaction.
- As nationwide trends begin to impact our state, two of our sister institutions received approval to employ program discontinuations and curtailment to address enrollment declines and budget shortfalls.
  At App State, we are maintaining strong enrollment and positive return on investment for every North Carolina student. We continue our proactive efforts to prepare for changes in enrollment demand in the future, including our partnership with Project Kitty Hawk and the introduction and expansion of programs in response to workforce demand in our state. Additionally, persistent and thorough budget review is a practice I employed as dean and provost to ensure strategic allocations and operational efficiencies, and I'm continuing this practice in my interim chancellor role. I appreciate the dedication of the many faculty and staff who are also dedicated to ensuring our long-term success.
Some highlights of the week:
- This week, App State hosted the North Carolina School of Banking at our Boone campus for its 88th annual session. The North Carolina Bankers Association has chosen our university as its new headquarters for the oldest state association banking school in the nation, in an effort to enhance collaboration between the banking industry and higher education in the state of North Carolina. More than 200 financial professionals — the school’s largest enrollment in 15 years — took part in the 2024 session. App State’s own Dr. Harry Davis, a celebrated faculty member in the Walker College of Business’ Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance, is also dean of the School of Banking. I thank him for his commitment to student success and his leadership in the field.
- Also this week, the Beaver College of Health Sciences’ Communication Disorders Clinics welcomed 10 young people, aged 12 to 16, to its Camp Jean Rankin, North Carolina’s only residential, intensive summer camp for children and teens who stutter. Among the week’s activities, campers had an opportunity to simulate coaching App State football players. This camp is an important resource for the participants and their families, as it offers tools and resources that can prevent negative impacts on the campers’ personal and academic performance and achievements, and it's just one of several important services provided by the Beaver College of Health Sciences in the Boone and Hickory areas.
- Yesterday, my leadership team and I joined the academic department chairs as they celebrated the final day of their two-week summer institute. I enjoyed hearing about their experiences at the end of this intensive leadership development opportunity and am especially gratified to see the connections they made with one another, which will be invaluable to them as they work to support the students, faculty and staff in their departments. The role of chair for an academic department is uniquely challenging, and we are incredibly fortunate to have this group of dedicated and accomplished professionals in these critical roles for our institution. Thank you to Acting Provost Neva Specht and Acting Senior Vice Provost of Faculty Policies, Development and Training Jamie Parson for leading this year’s institute.
- Tomorrow, An Appalachian Summer Festival will partner with App State Athletics to present an outdoor concert at Kidd Brewer Stadium featuring Brad Paisley. This final event of the festival’s 40th season promises to be a fun evening with great entertainment, and I can’t wait to see all the App State cowboy hats in the audience! Thank you to the staff and students, as well as the dozens of volunteers, who ensure that more than 28,000 patrons enjoy an exemplary arts experience through the festival each year. Thank you, also, to all those who support this program each and every year in its mission to elevate the arts in the High Country. I am already looking forward to next summer’s festival.
There are no lazy days of summer at Appalachian State University! As we close out July, we’re also looking forward to the start of the 2024 fall semester, which is right around the corner!

Heather Norris
Interim Chancellor
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Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris: July 19, 2024
Friday, July 19, 2024
Last week, we celebrated the many accomplishments of those who have helped shape the university into the institution it is today. This annual celebration is a universitywide effort, with participants from every division of App State. Thank you to the many alumni, staff, faculty and students who participated and helped make the event a perfect Appalachian State University reunion.

Some exciting news about our academic endeavors:
- On Wednesday, the University of North Carolina System announced the expansion of nursing education programs across the state. The System recognizes this critical shortage in our state and has a goal to increase its output of nursing degrees by 50% over the next 10 years.
  App State will receive nearly $2.2 million in the next two years — funded by the North Carolina General Assembly as part of last year’s state budget — to help grow the Beaver College of Health Sciences’ nursing programs. Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, along with our online RN to BSN program and Master of Science in Nursing program, is helping address the deficit of practicing nurses, nursing educators, and additional career growth opportunities for working registered nurses.
  
  We embrace the challenge to increase access to quality health care in the rural areas of our state, and we appreciate the support from the North Carolina legislature and the UNC System, as well as the trust placed in us by the taxpayers of the state. Our outstanding students and faculty are already improving the health of communities in our region, and we welcome this opportunity to continue our contributions to North Carolina’s workforce development and economic well-being.
- Our solar vehicle team, Team Sunergy, is in Bowling Green, Kentucky, preparing for the 2024 Electrek American Solar Challenge — where they are once again competing against some of the nation’s best engineering programs. Our team earned another podium finish — taking second place and far exceeding the performances of MIT and Georgia Tech, clocking more than 636 miles in the three-day, qualifying track competition. Tomorrow, they will join some of the world’s best solar vehicle teams in a 1,550-mile, cross-country rally race from Nashville, Tennessee, to Casper, Wyoming.
- Many of you know the team’s story about how a military veteran turned his class project into a student-led, interdisciplinary, national championship team. Since 2016, our team has secured podium finishes in every competition in which they have participated, many of which last up to two weeks. We’ll be following our 2024 team and cheering them on with great pride.
As we prepare for the fall 2024 semester, I want to be sure you are aware of some key initiatives ongoing and underway:
- For several years, the university has partnered with emergency response teams in the High Country to ensure we are trained and prepared for large events planned in the area, as well as for unexpected emergencies. This Campus Public Safety Partners group includes representatives from App State’s police, emergency management/medics, public health AmeriCorps and communications teams, as well as town and county law enforcement and emergency management representatives. Earlier this month, I attended a Campus Public Safety Partners meeting and was impressed by the level of cross-agency and cross-functional planning, as well as the sharp and collaborative focus on the safety of our university and broader community. I am so grateful to these dedicated professionals, and look forward to opportunities to build on and strengthen the established partnerships between the university and our emergency response partners in the High Country. On behalf of the entire university community, I extend my sincere gratitude to our campus and community public safety professionals for your dedication to the security of our community.
- This week began an intensive planning and professional development session for the department chairs in Academic Affairs. This 10-day summer institute, now in its fifth year, provides opportunities for department chairs to discuss topics that include student success, the state budgeting process, critical and crisis communications, building departmental capacity, goal setting and action plans, and leadership development, among many more strategic and tactical topics. I had the privilege of joining this group, along with members of the Chancellor’s Council, for a panel discussion and presentation on Monday. I really enjoyed this significant engagement with our academic department chairs and came away with a renewed appreciation for their leadership and dedication to the success of our faculty, staff, students and the institution.
- As we work toward full compliance with the UNC System’s new Equality Within the University of North Carolina policy, we will share updates on a new website, which provides background information and resources, including the guidance issued by the UNC System.
- We are also putting significant resources and attention into a universitywide Civic Literacy Initiative, with a goal of supporting our students, faculty and staff — in line with our foundational commitment to non-partisanship and institutional neutrality. The initiative includes a strong focus on helping students develop skills to effectively build constructive dialogue around difficult topics and discuss challenging societal issues. These key skills and abilities will serve our students well in their academic and professional careers, and I’d like to thank the divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs for their collaboration in launching this important initiative. I look forward to sharing more information about this in the coming weeks.
For those of you who have attended any of the 2024 An Appalachian Summer Festival events, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s been a terrific 40th season so far. I look forward to hosting a reception for the festival’s patrons on Sunday and spending more time with them.

I wish a wonderful weekend to all.

Heather Norris
Interim Chancellor
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Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris: July 12. 2024
Friday, July 12, 2024
We are enjoying a summer full of students, families and visitors taking part in events and programming across the university — orientation, educational and athletic camps, and An Appalachian Summer Festival, just to name a few!

This weekend, we look forward to one of our biggest events of the summer: welcoming our alumni home for what promises to be a fun and memorable Alumni Weekend. This year’s celebration is made even more special because it is part of the university’s 125th anniversary year. Beginning today, we will hold several events to honor and celebrate our alumni, who helped shape what Appalachian State University is today, and who have helped lead the way for our current and future Mountaineers.
- This afternoon, more than 200 attendees will join us as we honor the donors who have invested in our students through their support of scholarships, and celebrate our student scholars, who are achieving their academic dreams with the help of their scholarships. Nearly 70% of our students receive some form of financial assistance, and each year, the university awards an average of $25 million to students based on need, academic merit and athletic achievement.
  
  Our students inspire so many people to dream big for a future that we know will be bright — because our students' capabilities, resilience and dedication to excellence are underpinned by an incredible education from Appalachian State University.
  
  As we celebrate the accomplishments of our scholarship recipients, we thank all the remarkable people who see the promise we see in our students every day — an ambitious work ethic, resilience and a desire to make their communities stronger, healthier and more fulfilling places to live and work.
- Tomorrow afternoon, we will celebrate the 50th graduation anniversary of the Class of 1974 at the Black and Gold Reunion, inducting each class member in attendance into the university’s Black and Gold Society and presenting them with a commemorative gold medallion in honor of their contributions to the university while they were students and as alumni. The roots of Mountaineers run deep and strong, and the Class of 1974 joins nearly 13,000 living alumni who have marked 50 years or more since graduation. To the Class of 1974: You have helped shape who we are and who we will become. Thank you for your commitment to your alma mater and for continuing to make all of us proud!
- Tomorrow evening, we will hold the signature event of the weekend, the Alumni Awards Gala. At this event, we celebrate exceptional Mountaineer alumni who have made a lasting impact on both society and the university through their outstanding professional, philanthropic or volunteer accomplishments. This year’s recipients are Coach Steve Wilks ’92, to be honored with the university’s Outstanding Service Award, and North Carolina Sen. Ralph Hise ’00 and App State Trustee Jeff Chesson ’77, both of whom will be honored with App State’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
  These three alumni have demonstrated exemplary commitment to the success of Appalachian State University students — past, current and future. Their dedication and generous contributions of time and resources have expanded opportunities for countless individuals, who, in turn, are continuing their legacy.
  
  During the gala, we will also recognize and confer awards to 10 alumni representing each college, as well as University Libraries:
  
  Stephen Fleming '90, who is being honored by the Beaver College of Health Sciences;
  
  Richard Thomas Guy '07, who is being honored by the College of Arts and Sciences;
  
  John Michael Rhem '13, who is being honored by the College of Fine and Applied Arts;
  
  James Gwyn Daugherty '93 and '94, who is being honored by the Hayes School of Music;
  
  Anna Ramsey Rubin '05 and Steven Rubin '04, who are being honored by the Honors College;
  
  Roger Hyatt '71 and '74, who is being honored by the Reich College of Education;
  
  MaryCraven Poteat '77, who is being honored by the University Libraries;
  
  Anthony Craig Stephenson '82, who is being honored by the Walker College of Business; and
  
  Dr. Leslie Alexander '11 and '18, who is being honored by the Williams School of Graduate Studies.
  
  It is my honor to be part of helping recognize the accomplishments of this year’s honorees. Congratulations to all!
An important update:
- In a message to campus earlier this week, I shared more information from the UNC System regarding the implementation of the new policy 300.8.5, Equality Within the University of North Carolina. To help keep our university informed of the work we are doing, we’ve also created a website, which provides background information and resources, including the guidance issued by the UNC System. As the working group has updates to share, this site will continue to be updated.
I wish everyone a wonderful weekend, especially to the more than 150,000 App State alumni across the state, nation and world.

Heather Norris
Interim Chancellor
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June 2024

May 2024

April 2024

Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Norris: April 26, 2024
Friday, April 26, 2024
Dear Members of the App State Community,

Thank you for being supportive and patient during this time of transition for the university. As I get used to the roles and responsibilities of being interim chancellor, I will continue sending weekly updates through the remainder of this semester.

It’s been a whirlwind of a week, and I’ve really enjoyed getting out and engaging with so many people. It’s been fun to attend events with so many faculty, staff and students. Today’s Faculty, Staff and Student Appreciation celebration on Sanford Mall is underway, and I hope to see many of you there!

In the last week, I have been able to:
- Hear members of the Chancellor’s Appalachian Leadership Development program present their Big Ideas — a culmination of their yearlong professional development program.
- Present to the Hickory Campus Advisory Council on the progress we’ve made with academic programs and building construction at the Hickory campus over the last year.
- Attend a dinner with App State’s Student Government Association, during which I was able to meet our new student body president, Kathryn Long, a senior communication sciences and disorders major from Seaboard, and vice president Amarah Din, a senior political science major from Cary. I look forward to working with them in their new roles.
- Celebrate the incredible winners of App State’s most distinguished awards at the annual Awards of Distinction ceremony, during which my colleagues and I had the privilege of recognizing the exceptional achievements, service and leadership of App State faculty, staff and students.
- Welcome leading employers from across the region to an Employer Summit, designed to strengthen important relationships and ensure we are working together with industry partners to prepare our students for their next steps after graduation.
- Later today, I look forward to attending a reception honoring scholarship recipients and donors in the Beaver College of Health Sciences and a Faculty Club reception, as well as the College of Fine and Applied Arts Apparel Design Management showcase tomorrow.
To update you on a few ongoing matters:
- The Free Expression Working Group has been meeting to discuss options related to the tunnels renovation project, and I expect a final report from them soon. I was so impressed with the thoughtful ideas and feedback we received from students who have engaged with this group, and I appreciate their time and dedication to finding a solution. I’ll share more information about this next week.
- Regular safety inspections continue in Wey Hall, and in the last two weeks, Vice Provost of Academic Program Development and Strategic Initiatives Mike McKenzie and Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management Nick Katers have met with Art Department faculty to share information about the locations for classes for the remainder of the construction period. To help share the information as broadly as possible, they recorded a Campus Construction Update Podcast episode, which has been shared with Art Department students and which is available for anyone who is interested in learning more about the project.
- I attended the April Board of Governors meeting, and, like my colleagues at App State and throughout the UNC System, I’m engaged in numerous discussions about the proposed repeal and supersede to Section 300.8.5 of the UNC Policy Manual, on which the Board will vote during its May meeting. While there are a lot of unknowns, and we cannot answer questions about specific implementation details at this time, I can assure you our university’s commitment to supporting all of our students is unwavering, and we remain dedicated to providing a compassionate, high-quality college experience that is focused on student success.
Mountaineer students are one week away from beginning final exams. For graduating seniors walking in our Spring Commencement on May 10 and 11, they have just two more weeks of school left.

Next week, Board of Trustees Chair Mark Ricks and I will host a pizza party to help celebrate the end of the semester and offer a study/work break before the final crunch sets in. Look for an invitation to come soon!

Heather Norris
Interim Chancellor
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Message from Interim Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris
Monday, April 22, 2024

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Friends,

I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself to those of you who don’t yet know me.

For more than 20 years, I’ve dedicated my career to Appalachian State University. I came here because I was impressed by Appalachian’s stated mission of educational access, and when I visited, I saw it to be true. Over my time here, the faculty and staff dedication to student success, which has characterized the institution for 125 years, continues to be strong to this day.

I joined the faculty of the Walker College of Business in 2003, and my home department remains the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. I served the college as assistant, associate and senior associate dean, as well as acting and interim dean and then dean, before becoming App State’s provost. I served as interim provost during some of the most challenging times in university history, as we worked to provide the best possible educational experience for our students, and keep faculty and staff employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2021, I was appointed to the role of provost and executive vice chancellor.

I am dedicated to the success of our students, faculty and staff. Together, we make our university community stronger through our shared work, our love for our university and our desire for one another to succeed personally and professionally. Our university has a history of resiliency in meeting and overcoming challenges. I call on you to join me in supporting a university culture that endeavors to do this with respect and civility.

I’m honored to serve the university in this interim role, and extend my thanks to UNC System President Peter Hans for the opportunity to do so. Appalachian State University has been my home for more than 20 years. During my time here, it was my privilege to work with two great Chancellors: Chancellor Everts, who provided me the opportunity to serve as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, and Chancellor Peacock, who first gave me the opportunity to serve the university when he was Dean of the Walker College of Business and hired me to join the faculty. I value their many accomplishments and appreciate the opportunities each gave me to serve our university.

I look forward to working collaboratively with you, our governing boards, UNC System colleagues, and our local communities to ensure the continued success of this great institution and our region.

Sincerely,

Heather Hulburt Norris
Interim Chancellor

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Messages

Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Thursday, April 24, 2025

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Dr. Neva J. Specht to the role of Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, effective May 1. Neva has held the position of acting provost since April of 2024.
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Message from Chancellor Heather Norris regarding changes to the organizational structure of the university
Friday, March 21, 2025
Dear Members of the App State Community,

As we move into the next chapter for the university, I have made some changes to the organizational structure of our university. This will mean some units will change divisions, while others will remain the same. We believe these changes will streamline our operations and maximize our ability to support student success.
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Remarks from the March 14, 2025, Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Friday, March 14, 2025
Thank you, Chair Ricks, and I'd like to take a moment to convey a special thank-you also to Vice Chair Sofield, Secretary Harris and the full board for your support and encouragement during the last 11 months. I am deeply honored to be Appalachian State University's chancellor, and I look forward to continuing to work with all of you.
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