Hosted by the Office of Diversity, Appalachian Advocates is a program designed to equip, expand and make visible the network of resources and support available to members of the App State and greater Boone communities. Appalachian Advocates are members of the App State community with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, experiences and knowledge. Their dedication to the university’s strategic goal of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) promotes a culture of belonging on our campuses that values all members of our university community.
The Office of Diversity is currently updating this page to ensure that our digital space mirrors the vibrancy of our physical spaces. Stay tuned for a fresh, dynamic hub brimming with programs, initiatives, and avenues for advocacy—designed to inspire, engage, and empower every Mountaineer.
Hosted by the Office of Diversity, Appalachian Advocates is a program designed to equip, expand and make visible the network of resources and support available to members of underrepresented groups within the App State and greater Boone communities. Appalachian Advocates are members of the App State community with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, experiences and knowledge. Their dedication to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) promotes a culture of belonging on our campuses that values all members of our university community.
Be an Appalachian Advocate
In order to be, and maintain status as, an Appalachian Advocate, members commit to advancing Strategic Priority #4: Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from App State’s Strategic Plan 2022-2027. This entails:
Participating or engaging in 2 educational or professional development activities on a specific DEI topic per semester, such as:
An event hosted by the Office of Diversity or Intercultural Student Affairs
A professional development opportunity, such as a conference or workshop, that focuses on a topic related to DEI (either as a presenter or attendee)
Research related to a DEI topic
Participation in a campus initiative related to DEI work, such as an affinity group, DEI committee or planning committee for a DEI event
Reporting on your participation in these initiatives to the Appalachian Advocates team
Attending the Fall Orientation and Welcome hosted by Appalachian Advocates
Attending the Spring Rejuvenation hosted by Appalachian Advocates
Appalachian Advocates enjoy a range of benefits, including:
Access to a network of faculty and staff across the university who share a commitment to DEI;
Access to educational and developmental opportunities related to DEI;
Advanced access to DEI mini-grants; and
Priority registration for Signature DEI events, such as Juneteenth, MLK Celebration, Inclusive Excellence Awards.
Member Profiles
In the registration form, we invite you to share more information about your unique background, interests and experiences in advancing DEI. We specifically ask questions regarding your experience working with specific underrepresented populations. Students can request to be connected with an Appalachian Advocate who shares a common background, interests and/or experiences. The member profiles allow us to best connect students with appropriate faculty and staff.
Student Requests for Support
Students are welcome to reach out to the Office of Diversity to connect with an Appalachian Advocate who shares a common background, interests and experiences with them. If you are interested in being connected with an Appalachian Advocate, please complete the student connection form.
Fall Orientation & Welcome
The Appalachian Advocates 2023 Fall Orientation & Welcome is scheduled for Sept. 29 from 12-2 p.m. in the Plemmons Student Union, Room 137. This session will include a catered lunch with networking, a brief overview of the Appalachian Advocates program and a presentation from the Office of Access and Equity regarding disability allyship and advocacy. Please register here for the Fall Orientation & Welcome.
Monthly Newsletter
Membership in the Appalachian Advocates program includes access to a monthly newsletter that highlights opportunities for DEI-related professional development. The Office of Diversity produces and distributes this newsletter each month. If you would like to promote an upcoming event or opportunity in the newsletter, please share your news with Jax Lastinger via email at lastingerlj@appstate.edu. Opportunities must meet the following criteria:
Be submitted by the 15th of the previous month
Be accessible to all faculty and staff on campus
Be submitted with sufficient time (e.g. event registration is still available by the time the messaging will be posted)
Have a direct connection to App State’s Strategic Priority #4: Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Be affiliated with the university or located in neighboring counties