Academic Affairs

Belk Library and Information Commons

www.library.appstate.edu

Dane Ward, Dean of Libraries
Ericka Patillo, Associate Dean of Libraries
Meredith Taylor, Associate Dean of Libraries

The Belk Library and Information Commons is centrally located on Appalachian’s campus and provides access to a wide range of information resources and services. The Erneston Music Library, located on the second floor of the Broyhill Music Center, primarily supports the curriculum and research needs of the Hayes School of Music and contains books, journals, scores, recordings and computers.

The Belk Library welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors each year and is regularly open 24 hours from 12:30 pm on Sunday to 9:00 pm on Friday and from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday. Collections include print books, e-books, serials, and access to a wide variety of audio and video in various formats. The Library also provides access to more than 450 full text and citation databases that support the curriculum and research needs of students and faculty. The Library provides areas for individual and collaborative study, electronic classrooms, and a lecture hall. Library faculty and staff are available to assist with research in person or by phone, text, chat, and email.

The principal educational goal of the Library is to improve the information literacy of students. Information literacy is the ability to find, evaluate and use information effectively, and it is an educational goal for every ASU graduate. To help students develop information literacy skills, librarians provide classroom instruction and one-on-one research assistance, as well as online tutorials and reference chat service.

The main collection is held on the second and third floors. For items not held by the Library, interlibrary loan services and 48- hour delivery options from UNC-Asheville and Western Carolina University are available. The Library has numerous special collections including the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection, the Stock Car Racing Collection, the University Archives and Records, and several Rare Book Collections all located on the Library’s fourth floor. Selected materials from these collections are digitized and available on the Library’s website. On the lower level, the Instructional Materials Center contains resources for teacher education and instructional development.

The Belk Library provides wireless access throughout the building and offers 480 computers, both Mac and PC, as well as desktops and laptops, for student use. All computers provide access to a full suite of software for academic projects across the disciplines. The Digital Media Studio located on the lower level provides assistance and access to media creation software for creating digital products, as well as an Audio Recording Room with dedicated equipment to produce high quality sound files. The Inspire Lab Maker Space on the lower level includes 3D printers, vinyl cutters, sewing machines, and virtual reality gear. The Tech Checkout Desk provides a full range of digital equipment for checkout, including tablets, audio/video equipment, laptops, headphones, and robotics kits. The Assistive Technology Room on the first floor provides access to software and equipment to accommodate the research needs of students and faculty with a variety of vision, hearing, learning, and/or mobility impairments.

For additional information, go to the Library’s home page, www.library.appstate.edu or call (828) 262-2188.

Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs

D. Terry Rawls, Ed.D., Executive Director

In cooperation with each of the colleges of the University, the Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs provides access to a continuum of educational and enrichment experiences that are both traditional and non-traditional in nature and delivery. Through field-based courses, summer sessions offerings, and professional development programs the Division extends the reach of the institution into the summer months and across the region.

Although the Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs does not grant degrees, the offices within the division work closely with academic departments/programs and divisions of the University in order to better serve the various groups, individuals and geographic regions calling upon the University for its services. The offices within the Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs are:

Appalachian State University Greater Hickory Partnership
Office of Distance Education - AKA App State Online (including the Appalachian Learning Alliance)
Office of Summer Sessions and Professional Development
North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies

North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies

www.nccet.appstate.edu

Michael McNally, Director

The North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies provides facilities for applied research in engineering related fields and serves as a conduit to baccalaureate education delivered by the University of North Carolina system schools.

Conceived as a community supported higher education effort in technical and engineering disciplines, this Center was established through a collaboration of business, government and higher education organized as the Future Forward Economic Alliance. The Center collaborates with other schools in bringing the best programs to the region to meet the employment needs of the region.  

For more information, please call the Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs at (828) 262-3113 or toll free at (800) 355-4084.

Office of Distance Education - App State Online

www.distance.appstate.edu

D. Terry Rawls, Ed.D., Director

The Office of Distance Education, also known as App State Online, is the administrative unit of the University responsible for the implementation of off-campus and online degree programs and courses. Through coordination with the academic colleges and departments/programs, institutional resources are extended into the University’s service region at ASU Centers, at Appalachian Learning Alliance and other community colleges and at UNC System institutions including the UNC-Asheville Graduate Center. Today, most programs are offered online.

Appalachian offers undergraduate degree completion programs in either part-time or full-time formats. Off-campus graduate degree offerings have been available to the citizens of North Carolina for more than fifty years.

For additional information about credit and programs offered off-campus, please contact the Office of Distance Education, P.O. Box 32054, University Hall Drive, Boone, NC 28608, call (828) 262-3113 or (800) 355-4084, or email online@appstate.edu, or visit www.online.appstate.edu

Office of Summer Sessions and Professional Development

www.summerschool.appstate.edu

Lynette Orbovich, Director

The Office of Summer Sessions and Professional Development coordinates all on-campus academic summer courses instructed by Appalachian faculty and noted visiting faculty. Summer Sessions includes traditional academic courses as well as workshops and seminars of varying lengths to allow Appalachian students as well as visiting students from other institutions to fit summer studies into busy summer schedules. Summer at Appalachian State University offers students many opportunities to add a minor, tackle a challenging course, graduate early, or study abroad.

On-campus special courses and other programs are offered to teachers and other professionals for both enrichment and the pursuit of advanced degrees.

For summer sessions information, view the Summer Sessions website at www.summersessions.appstate.edu, call (828) 262-3154, or email summersessions@appstate.edu.

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Compliance (EDC)

www.edc.appstate.edu

The programs and services of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Compliance (EDC) support students, faculty, staff, administrators, and campus visitors in the following areas:

Equity

Concerns about unlawful harassment (including violations of Title IX), discrimination, or retaliation may be brought to the EDC Office by any member of the university community.

Diversity

EDC staff members effect programming, develop policy and facilitate workshops that actively promote and support an environment of inclusion and respect for all community members and encourage conversation around a variety of social justice issues.

Compliance

Compliance: EDC staff members are responsible for directing and monitoring EHRA search and hiring procedures, charging and training search committee members in affirmative action and equal opportunity compliance, the EHRA exit interview process, and Title IX compliance.

For more information about the EDC services and staff members, visit www.edc.appstate.edu or call (828) 262-2144.

The Office of Disability Resources

www.odr.appstate.edu

Consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is the policy of Appalachian State University that no qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance.

In accordance with Section 504 and the ADA, Appalachian State University has designated the Office of Disability Resources (ODR) as the only authorized office to receive documentation and determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations on the basis of disability. ODR engages in an interactive process and considers each individual’s condition, history, request and the essential elements of Appalachian State University programs, services and activities to determine eligibility.

Accommodations (academic adjustments, auxiliary aids and reasonable modifications) are determined individually and are intended to minimize the effects of the impact of specific limitations caused by a disability in order for a qualified individual to have equal opportunities for participation.

Individuals seeking reasonable accommodations due to a disability must complete the applicable procedure outlined via our website.

ODR is located in Suite 112, Anne Belk Hall. For more information, please visit www.odr.appstate.edu or call (828) 262-3056.

The Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies

www.graduate.appstate.edu

Dr. Mike McKenzie, Dean
Dr. Robert Sanders, Associate Dean

With responsibility for graduate education, the School of Graduate Studies consists of a Graduate Faculty, represented by the Dean, and the Graduate AP&P. The Dean reports to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Graduate Education

Graduate study at Appalachian includes encouraging academic inquiry, providing opportunities and facilities for advanced study and research, and developing or extending academic or professional specializations. Accordingly, the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies offers programs leading to master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees, as well as selected graduate certificates.

As part of its responsibility for graduate education, the School of Graduate Studies oversees all graduate work carried out in the departments, schools, and colleges of the University by evaluating and approving applicants for graduate study, qualifications of candidates for graduate degrees, graduate curricula and programs, and graduate faculty credentials; and administering assistantship, scholarship, and fellowship programs.

William C. Hubbard Programs for Faculty Excellence

www.hubbardprograms.appstate.edu

Anne Belk Hall, Suite 227 (828)262-3040

The William C. Hubbard Programs for Faculty Excellence comprises two units: Faculty and Academic Development and Learning Technology Services. Together these units provide support and leadership to faculty members and departments in the development of innovative pedagogies; interdisciplinary teaching; “across the curriculum” competencies; appropriate uses of instructional technology; scholarly agendas; valid, reliable and efficient faculty evaluation processes; preparation for administrative roles; preparation for global competencies; and effective planning for different career stages.

Information Technology Services

www.its.appstate.edu

David Hayler, Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Led by the Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services (ITS) is Appalachian’s central information technology unit. ITS develops, supports, and fosters the use of technology to enable essential innovation in research, learning, and administrative processes. ITS works closely with other campus units, including distributed information technology units to ensure our services, priorities, and polices are developed through strong governance and collaboration with the University community.

Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning

www.irap.appstate.edu

Heather Langdon, Executive Director

The fundamental purpose of the Office of Institutional Research, Assessment & Planning (IRAP) is twofold, directed toward fulfilling the stated missions of the University of North Carolina and of Appalachian State University:

• to provide data support for university planning and management activities; and,
• to provide leadership for comprehensive academic and administrative planning and assessment.

IRAP assumes primary responsibility for (a) collecting data about the performance of the university, (b) collecting data about the environment of the university, (c) analyzing, interpreting, and presenting the collected data, and (d) transforming the data into meaningful information that supports university planning, policy making, decision making, and assessment. Services of IRAP are available to university administrators, faculty, and students involved in planning and management activities as well as to persons and agencies outside the university. In fulfilling its mission, IRAP seeks to anticipate information needs, present information in accessible and useful ways, and provide prompt, accurate, and courteous service.

Office of International Education and Development (OIED)

www.international.appstate.edu

Plemmons Student Union, 3rd Floor, Suite 321 (828) 262-2046

Jesse Lutabingwa, Associate Vice Chancellor for International Education and Development and Director of International Research and Development

The Office of International Education and Development (OIED) spearheads the global engagement efforts at Appalachian State University. Through a commitment to providing exceptional support and resources, OIED empowers campus and community members to engage in transformational global experiences. OIED and its campus partners create opportunities for students to understand, and be active participants in, the world through curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities; relationships with scholars and students from around the world; education abroad programs; grants and scholarships for collaborative research abroad; and numerous cross-cultural programs.

Education Abroad

The Education Abroad unit facilitates education abroad program options for undergraduate and graduate students during their studies at Appalachian. Education abroad programs come in all shapes and sizes, from spending a few weeks abroad as part of a short-term faculty-led or partner program to a semester or year-long study abroad program, gaining professional experience doing an international internship, explore and serve alongside an international community on an international service-learning program, conducting research abroad, and student teaching abroad.

OIED offers scholarships each year for students who participate in education abroad programs, as well as for degree-seeking international students studying at Appalachian. To assist students with finding funding sources for their education abroad experiences, OIED maintains a searchable scholarship database, provides regular scholarship workshops, one-on-one advising, and support with essay preparation. 

International Student and Scholar Services & Outreach

International Student and Scholar Services and Outreach (ISSSO) serves as an advocate for all of international students on campus, both graduate and undergraduate, by providing the resources and services they need to be successful academically and socially while at Appalachian. Specifically, ISSSO organizes a comprehensive orientation, a myriad of opportunities to get involved on campus and in the community, and provides assistance with practical matters, such as visas, employment, housing, taxes and much more. The ISSSO unit also serves as an advocate and resource for all international scholars invited to Appalachian to conduct research, teach, and share their expertise with Appalachian faculty, staff and students.

OIED hosts events to bring a sense of global knowledge to students and members of the community, including Global Exchange, a free monthly event with music, food and dance from around the world; International Education Week, a celebration of transformational global experiences at home and abroad; and Global Symposium, an annual event that highlights global activities in which faculty, staff and students are engaged. OIED oversees several organizations that foster connections between international students, on-campus students and the community, including the International Friendship Program, a program pairing local families and individuals with international students and scholars; International Appalachian (INTAPP), a student organization promoting and supporting the internationalization of Appalachian;  iPals, a friendship program for Appalachian’s U.S. and international students; Cultural Ambassadors, a program bringing Appalachian cultural ambassadors into local schools and college classrooms; and Education Abroad Ambassadors, returned study abroad students who assist in promoting abroad opportunities across campus.

International Research And Development

OIED strengthens Appalachian’s global engagement through world-class contributions to education, research, and development across the globe. OIED designs and implements international technical assistance and training programs and contributes to both the theory and the practice of international development. OIED works to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of international development by offering research, service, and learning opportunities abroad to Appalachian faculty, staff, and students.

The Office of Research

www.research.appstate.edu

Dr. Ece Karatan, Interim Vice Provost for Research and Chief Research Officer

The Office of Research serves as a major advocate for research by assisting faculty, staff, and students in the acquisition of external funding; by providing internal support for research and creative endeavors; and by insuring a visible profile for University research and grant activities.

Sponsored Programs

The Sponsored Programs staff overseas submission of all grants and contracts on behalf of the University community, including monitoring proposals for compliance with University, State, and funding agency requirements, and acquiring proper administrative approvals.

The Office of Special Funds Accounting in the Division of Business Affairs works closely with the Sponsored Programs staff and assists faculty, staff, and students with the financial administration of grants and contracts after the funds have been awarded to the University.

Grants Resources and Services

The Grants Resources and Services staff provides assistance to the University community in identifying both public and private sources of external funding and in the development of grant proposals.

Research Protections

Integrity in research is the basis for the academic search for knowledge. Persons involved in academic research must guard the truth and protect the public trust that research in an academic environment has long held. The Chief Research Officer (the Vice Provost for Research), the Director of Research Protections, and the staff of Research and Sponsored Programs are responsible for monitoring compliance with policies on the responsible conduct of research at Appalachian, including integrity in scholarship and scientific research; the rights and welfare of human research subjects; care for laboratory animals; biosafety; radiation safety; dissemination of technology, goods, and information to foreign nationals, countries, and other international entities; and ownership of research and other intellectual property.

Research Data Analysis

The staff of Research Data Analysis will work collaboratively with faculty and staff across campus to develop partnerships among research scholars, help increase the university research and extramural profile, and promote the use of data in faculty research. Specifically, the staff will support research at Appalachian by providing faculty with statistical and analytic guidance and assistance. The unit will give priority to supporting faculty who are working on externally funded research projects, preparing external grant and contract submissions, or working on research projects that have the potential to lead to external funding. The unit will also develop and disseminate resources and training materials that will assist faculty with data management and provide guidance for conducting a variety of quantitative and qualitative analyses.