Below are myriad opportunities — on campus and in the community — for all members of the App State Community to engage with groups, resources and initiatives, and also to find support through offices, centers, clubs and more.
Campuswide resources
- Appalachian Advocates
The Appalachian Advocates initiative is a program created to equip, expand and make visible the network of support available to members of underrepresented groups within our App State Community, and the greater Boone community. - Chosen First Name Initiative
App State students, faculty and staff can elect to use a chosen first name that is different from their legal first name for certain purposes, regardless of whether or not they have legally changed their name. Currently, this option applies to first names only. - Engage
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to visit App State Engage for more opportunities to get involved — on and off campus. - Gadugi Partnership
Founded in 2013, the Gadugi Partnership is a partnership between App State and Cherokee Central Schools. This partnership began as an initiative to address the critical need for Native American educators but has since expanded to support Indigenous students as they pursue various fields of study. The Gadugi Partnership hosts events throughout the year to educate others while also celebrating the many accomplishments of Native Americans. In the Cherokee language, Gadugi means “working together.” - Lactation Lounge
The Lactation Lounge provides support to mothers in the App State Community by being a designated space for breastfeeding and/or expressing milk. It is available to faculty, staff, students and campus visitors during the facility’s normal operating hours. - Office of Access and Equity: Disability Resources
Disability Resources determines access needs, applicable university resources/supports and eligibility of appropriate accommodations (adjustments, auxiliary aids/services and reasonable modifications) on the basis of disability at App State for students, employees and visitors. - Office of Access and Equity: Equal Opportunity
This office promotes equity, access and civil rights throughout the campus community, fostering an environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, including sex-based misconduct and relationship violence. - Ombuds Office
This office provides an independent, confidential environment for faculty, staff and students in the App State Community to discuss concerns or problems related to campus. - Resilience Toolkit
App State seeks to develop students who are resilient. This means they embody skills for responding effectively to challenging situations and bouncing back from obstacles. This toolkit offers resources for building such skills. - Sustained Dialogue
This is part of the international Sustained Dialogue Institute program that prepares community members to deeply engage in difficult conversations ranging from race, gender identity and religion to politics and various global challenges.
Appalachian Cares
This dedicated web portal aggregates essential resources related to wellness and prevention, emergency preparedness and student health.
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success is the university’s comprehensive center dedicated to growing excellence in teaching and learning, leadership, and supporting faculty professional development and student success. Our center provides workshops, courses, learning communities, and resources covering a variety of topics to support faculty at all career stages.
Insights and inspiration
A diverse campus heightens the educational experience for everyone. Check out these conversations with campus visitors and community members for inspiration and thought-provoking discussions.

SoundAffect: Bakari Sellers on a heavy heart, patience and a lot of work to do
April 1, 2022
“You can disagree with folk and still maintain relationships.” — CNN commentator, attorney and New York Times bestselling author Bakari Sellers on the latest SoundAffect podcast.

SoundAffect: Monique Johnson on beating the survival odds, succeeding beyond expectations, and channeling her power to help others
January 14, 2022
Monique Johnson’s drive, dedication and joy are undeniable. Born with diastrophic dysplasia dwarfism and scoliosis, doctors predicted she would not live past the age of 6. Now 36, with a business degree and a law degree, Johnson is a successful entrepreneur and artist who touches the lives around the world with her incredible tale of perseverance and her gifts of humor, painting and motivational speaking.

Appalachian Police Department’s new diversity, inclusion and community engagement officer promotes positive interactions
March 29, 2021
As a child, Cashae Cook ’14 said she was always glad to see police officers arrive at her house — because it meant she and her siblings would be safe. Now, as Appalachian Police Department’s new diversity, inclusion and community engagement officer, Cook wants to make sure the Mountaineer community also experiences positive interactions with police officers.

Stewart Harris on free speech, hate speech and protected speech
December 14, 2018
Constitutional law scholar and radio show host Stewart Harris considers the First Amendment protection of speech and expression, and how they play out on college campuses.

Damon Williams on how to move the needle on campus diversity and inclusion
September 26, 2018
When a predominantly white campus wants to increase diversity and inclusion for all, it’s important to acknowledge the difficulties and challenges along the way while continuing to move forward. Dr. Damon Williams shares his expertise on bringing communities together.

Chitra Divakaruni on bridging cultural and ethnic diversity through storytelling
March 24, 2018
Prejudice, alienation, cultural misunderstanding and inspiration for overcoming life’s obstacles drive “One Amazing Thing” author Chitra Divakaruni. It’s the latest SoundAffect podcast.