Earlier this week, I had the privilege of joining our university, community and regional healthcare leadership at the App State Hickory campus for the Celebration of Community Partnerships. Together, we celebrated key investments and strategic collaborations — with Catawba Valley Health System, Caldwell Memorial Hospital Foundation, UNC Health Blue Ridge, UNC Health Caldwell and the Golden LEAF Foundation — that directly support our new Doctor of Nursing Practice program and expand healthcare access across the Catawba Valley. As App State continues to align our academic offerings with regional workforce needs, I am deeply grateful to all of our partners for their investment in our students and the future of rural health. Thank you to Chase Reynolds in University Communications for capturing this photo.
Message from Chancellor Heather Norris: October 16, 2026
Our Boone campus is ready to roll out the Black and Gold carpet tomorrow as we welcome prospective students and families for Fall Open House — a key university opportunity to introduce future scholars to the App State Experience and showcase all our university has to offer. Our App State Hickory campus will welcome prospective students and families for Fall Open House on Oct. 24.
At both events, visitors can explore our academic programs, meet faculty and current students, take guided campus tours and learn more about admissions, financial aid and student life. We look forward to highlighting the people, programs and opportunities that make Appalachian State University a place our students are proud to call home.
That sense of belonging was evident throughout last week's Homecoming festivities, as students, alumni, families and fans came together for alumni gatherings, student activities, service projects and Saturday's football game against Old Dominion. During the game, we recognized Walker College of Business student Zoe Raj, a junior supply chain management major, as our 2026 Top of the Rock at halftime. Through her involvement in the Appalachian Popular Programming Society, Phi Mu and other student organizations, Zoe — alongside her fellow nominees — exemplifies the leadership and school spirit that make Homecoming such a special occasion. Service was also an important part of the week's activities, with many App State clubs, student organizations and alumni groups giving their time to support others. Among them, undergraduate and alumni members of the Omicron Kappa Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. volunteered at App State's Mountaineer Food Hub and Free Store.
There was much to celebrate at App State Hickory earlier this week, as we recognized two significant milestones: the launch of the Beaver College of Health Sciences’ Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner program and the opening of new facilities for clinical services and community outreach. The program welcomed its inaugural cohort of 24 students this fall, with an emphasis on preparing advanced practice nurses to serve rural and underserved populations. A new nursing simulation lab provides interactive learning opportunities, while the expanded Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness Interprofessional Clinic offers additional health services to surrounding communities. Together, these milestones mark an important step forward in App State's efforts to advance rural health education and expand access to quality care.
The momentum continues in Boone this week as we open two performing arts series at App State. Yesterday, our APPlause! Series, which brings affordable performing arts experiences to K–12 students and their teachers throughout the region, kicked off with Dan + Claudia Zanes with Tyree Austin, bringing an interactive blend of folk, jazz and gospel music to young audiences. Tonight, the 2026–27 Appalachian Arts Series opens with “Mountain Stage” hosted by Kathy Mattea, a live performance and public radio recording featuring several established and emerging artists.
That commitment to enriching our region extends from the stage to our athletic programs, where two Sun Belt Conference honors this week celebrate our student-athletes' service and academic success. App State received the 2025–26 SAAC Community Impact Award for the second consecutive year, recognizing 2,062 volunteer hours contributed by our student-athletes. Their efforts include App State Women's Basketball's work with the nonprofit A Bed and a Book, one example of the many ways our Mountaineers give back. App State was also recognized with the Sun Belt Graduation Success Rate Award for maintaining a rate of 90% or higher, celebrating the strong work ethic our Mountaineers bring to the classroom.
Whether we're gathering for our favorite traditions, celebrating the accomplishments of our students and colleagues or enjoying the arts and athletics events that bring us together, there's so much to appreciate about this university. I'm grateful to be part of a community that brings such enthusiasm, dedication and excellence to everything we do, and I look forward to all we'll continue to celebrate together as we finish out the fall semester.
Heather Norris
Chancellor
Clockwise, from top left: At the Homecoming Court Reception, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and visit with each of our inspiring Top of the Rock nominees, whose exceptional leadership, selfless service and deep commitment to our campus community make me immensely proud to be a Mountaineer; I was deeply moved to see our university put service into action as undergraduate and alumni members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. gathered on Oct. 9 to volunteer at App State’s Mountaineer Food Hub and Free Store, exemplifying the enduring commitment to caring for others that defines our community; This evening, I am excited that our 2026–27 Appalachian Arts Series opens with “Mountain Stage” hosted by Kathy Mattea, which will bring an incredible lineup of established and emerging artists to our campus for a live public radio recording; I was thrilled to join our student-athletes as we celebrated App State earning the second-consecutive Sun Belt Conference SAAC Community Impact Award and the Sun Belt Graduation Success Rate Award. Thank you to Assistant Dean of Students Traci Royster, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications Joey Jones, "Mountain Stage" artist Reto Sterchi and Kyla Willoughby and Chase Reynolds in University Communications for these images.
