Forum Lecture Series
www.universityforum.appstate.edu
The University Forum Lecture Series brings distinguished speakers to campus to promote the exchange of ideas. Always challenging, sometimes controversial, the speakers enliven campus dialogue. They bring awareness to issues of concern in society and help students think critically about those issues.
For more information, please contact Dr. Mark Ginn at (828) 262-7660.
Office of Student Research
www.osr.appstate.edu
Rebecca Battista, Director
The Office of Student Research (OSR) works to promote and support research and creative activity of undergraduate and graduate students, particularly activities conducted in collaboration with members of the faculty at Appalachian State University. The primary functions of the OSR include the following: advocating for faculty mentored student research and creative activities; identifying and pursuing sources of external and internal support for that research; seeking, collecting and disseminating information regarding student-faculty research/creative activity-opportunities; cooperating with other campus units to identify or create research opportunities; coordinating the university’s annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors; contributing to the UNC-General Administration Undergraduate Research Consortium; and participating in national dialogues/meetings devoted to promoting student research.
For more information, please contact the Office of Student Research at (828) 262-7655, Suite 251, Plemmons Student Union.
Common Reading Program
www.commonreading.appstate.edu
Don Presnell, Director
The Common Reading Program plays an integral part in first-year students’ orientation to the University by providing a common intellectual experience; an invitation to join an academic community of students, faculty, and staff; and an introduction to collegiate life. All first-year students, including transfer students, receive the year’s selected book when they attend Summer Orientation and should read the book before returning to campus for the Welcome Weekend in August. At that time, students participate in a discussion about the book and about college classes led by a faculty member in a University classroom setting. In addition, Appalachian integrates the book and its themes into students’ classes (particularly First Year Seminars), lectures, and other events and activities throughout the year.
To read about the book selection for the year and related events, see the website at www.commonreading.appstate.edu. For any other information, please contact Dr. Don Presnell at (828) 262-2028 or presnlldl@appstate.edu.
Academic Civic Engagement
www.engagement.appstate.edu
Service-learning links the educational goals of a course to relevant civic engagement activities, and includes structured, critical reflection within the classroom - thereby increasing students’ understanding of both course content and its impact on communities. Community-based research is a collaborative, change-oriented, method of engagement which finds its questions within the needs of the community. This dynamic research model combines classroom learning with social action in ways that ultimately empower communities to address their own challenges and shape their own futures. For more information, please stop by the ACT Community Outreach Center in Room 134 of the Plemmons Student Union or visit the Civic Engagement website at www.engagement.appstate.edu.
For more information, please contact the Director of Academic Civic Engagement at (828) 262-8211.
Civic Engagement- Undergraduate Certificate (613A/33.0104)
Appalachian State University encourages students to look beyond the boundaries of the classroom through a variety of civic engagement opportunities. The Civic Engagement Program honors students who have participated in a significant number of service-learning courses throughout their collegiate career and have distinguished themselves by demonstrating an outstanding level of commitment to civic leadership and social responsibility.
Requirements: Students must
- Meet all requirements for graduation with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
- Complete at least 4 ACT-sponsored service-learning and/or community-based research courses (12 credit hours). Not all courses must be related to their chosen major or minor.
- Compile a portfolio of assignments done in service-learning courses, as well as final reflections from those courses.
- Participate in one of the following service-learning capstone projects in their final year at Appalachian State University:
- Take the Public Service Research Program course, or independent study, to complete a community-based research project that includes field work, a written report, and an action plan.
- Participate in a long-term International Service-Learning experience, of at least 3 credit-hours and/or 6-8 weeks in length. Students will be required to write a final paper reflecting on their experience and addressing how future students may contribute to that community based on its needs, population, and the agency with which they worked.
Students should consult with their major advisor and with the ACT office on ways in which the service-learning capstone project may be integrated into the capstone required for their major.
How Students Will Apply: Students must
- contact Appalachian & the Community Together (ACT) no later than the beginning of the fall semester of senior year to inform them of their intention to graduate as a Civic Engagement Scholar.
- Choose a service-learning capstone project and meet with ACT staff by the beginning of the fall semester of their senior year to ensure that the project meets the requirements.
- Turn in service-learning portfolio by the middle of the final semester of their senior year. This portfolio will be read by a team of faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
All Civic Engagement recipients will be recognized with:
- certificate at the ACT Celebration in April
- designated stole at commencement
- note on your academic transcripts
For more information and for details on how to apply, visit: www.act.appstate.edu/civic-engagement.
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