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Appalachian State University’s division of Student Affairs develops lifelong learners and leaders by engaging and challenging students within a culture of care and inclusion. We aspire to transform all students through a foundation of care and engagement.

Our work creates a culture of care that builds a foundation for students to thrive and be resilient. Our diverse, student-centered community fosters local-to-global learning, leadership, engagement, and service. We transform students into dynamic leaders and lifelong learners who will make a difference in their communities and throughout the world.

Message from Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs J.J. Brown

Dear Students,

Thank you to the many of you who have shared your desire to have a space on campus designated for painting/drawing/posting your messages of free expression, and to those who joined the forum held by the Student Government Association last night.

This message is to let you know that I will be working with Student Government leadership to establish a group to engage in alternative options for free expression, given the safety priorities and changes being made to the tunnels on the Boone campus.

We will begin by establishing a Free Expression Space Working Group that will meet weekly, beginning the week of April 8, throughout the end of this semester, to discuss the needs expressed at last night’s student forum held by SGA, and to help determine the best way to meet those needs. Further discussions will take place over the summer and/or the fall as needed.

Jamie Parson and Jeff Cathey, App State’s Free Speech Responsible Officers, will facilitate this group.

Next week, we will reach out to students with invitations to sit on this working group. If you are interested in serving on this group, please complete this Google Form. Our student body will also have an opportunity for feedback sessions with this group in the coming weeks.

I will keep you updated on this project as it progresses.

I wish you all a restful and restorative weekend.

JJ Brown
Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
Appalachian State University

Today at 12:30pm
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2024 Student Affairs Conference Awards

On January 9th, we had to cancel our SA Annual Conference due to weather!   However, we still wanted to celebrate our award winners so we presented them at departmental staff meetings!  Below are our award winners:

Behind the Scenes Award: Paul Ford (Plemmons Student Union) and Anna Lee Evans (University Recreation)

Impact Award: Nursing Staff (M.S. Shook Student Health Service)

Fresh Influencer Award: Leigh Lessard (Student Conduct)

Front Line Hero Award: UREC Maintenance & Housekeeping Team (University Recreation)

Innovation Award: Eating Concerns Team (M.S. Shook Student Health Service)

Care.Engage.Transform. Award: Ashley Vinson (Community-Engaged Leadership)

Changemaker Award: Dr. Heather Jo Mashburn (Community-Engaged Leadership)

Thank you for nominating our award winners and so many other.  It is always tough, because we have so many wonderful people in our Division.

Feb 21
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App State Women's Center Celebrating 25 Years

As we enter Women's History Month, Intercultural Student Affairs is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Appalachian State University Women's Center. For a quarter-century, this center has been a fundamental resource for the University and the empowerment, advocacy, and support for women at our institution.

To mark this significant milestone, the Women's Center, in collaboration with Intercultural Student Affairs, is thrilled to announce the 2024 Women's History Month kickoff event featuring the accomplished Appalachian author, Halle Hill.

Halle Hill has made waves with her debut novel, *Good Women*, published by Hub City Press. The book has received accolades from Kirkus Reviews, O Magazine, Electric Literature, Book Riot, and Southwest Review, establishing Hill as a powerful voice in contemporary literature. Her stories delve into the depths of womanhood, identity, and resilience, resonating with readers of all backgrounds.

Join us on March 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the solarium of the Plemmons Student Union for an engaging Craft Talk and Book Signing with Halle Hill. This event promises an intimate opportunity to interact with the author, gain insights into her creative process, and have your copy of *Good Women* personally signed.

ISA and The Women's Center would like to thank Clarinda Choice, our former assistant director, for her invaluable contributions in organizing this event and bringing Halle Hill to our campus.

To secure your spot, please RSVP via Engage. For any questions about the event or the Women's Center, feel free to contact Cody Michael Henderson.

Let's come together to celebrate the Women's Center's remarkable journey and honor the voices and experiences of women throughout history. 

Feb 21
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NY Loft Directorship

picture by University Communications

In a 4,400-square-foot facility located in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan, you will find the Appalachian Loft -- a cozy unassuming floor designed to provide a hostel-type living environment for students, faculty, staff, and alumni in New York City. The New York Loft program was created in 1973, providing an affordable and convenient environment for the Appalachian community.

When I started working full-time with AppState in 2016, I was able to participate in a faculty study away at the Loft. This is when I first became aware of this incredible resource. Since then I have often traveled back for work and leisure. Most recently I had the pleasure of serving as the Staff Director for 2.5 weeks over this past Winter Break. The guests that came through the Loft over my time there truly represented our diverse and vibrant AppState community; a recent alumnus between leases in the city, international students celebrating the New Year Holiday in Times Square, alumni attending a much-anticipated Phish concert, and a cohort of senior theater students attending live performances and conducting auditions with Julliard and cruise lines. There was plenty of downtime -- giving me the opportunity to visit sites like the Met Museums, be an audience member in the live-recording of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and even be in Times Square for the New Year’s celebration.

The Staff Director position at the Appalachian Loft in New York City is available to all full-time Appalachian staff (SHRA and EHRA non-faculty). A staff director is needed at the Loft for two brief periods during Winter Break. The Office of Finance and Operations sends out an official call for staff directorship applications at the beginning of each Fall Semester. Directors live in and keep up the daily operations of the Loft. If you have any questions about utilizing the loft for your travels to NYC or serving as a Staff Director, check out ny.appstate.edu or feel free to contact me with any questions!

Megan Kasper (she/they)

Associate Director of Community-Engaged Leadership / Director of the Leadership Studies Minor

kaspermm@appstate.edu 

Feb 21
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