The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Corps are chosen to serve as representatives to all constituents of CAS and to create, promote and execute opportunities for academic and professional growth. These students represent a variety of departments from across CAS and will represent the College at events through interaction among current students, future students, parents, donors and alumni.
Throughout the semester, we will be introducing new students representing the College in the 2025-26 academic year through a question-and-answer format. For more about the CAS Corps, visit: cas.appstate.edu/students/cas-corps.
Sarah McCarroll
Year: Senior
Majors: French and Francophone Studies; Sociology - Criminology
Minors: Psychology, Spanish
Hometown: Cornelius
What brought you to App State?
“I liked that the Criminology program was a B.S. and had statistical focuses rather than being a B.A., and the Languages, Literatures, and Cultures faculty had broad research focuses. I also had a lot of friends coming here.”
Which clubs or organizations are you a member of?
Alpha Kappa Delta
French Club
Honors College
Pi Delta Phi
Psi Chi
What scholarship(s) have you received from Appalachian or while studying at Appalachian?
Anne Louise Page Fund for Excellence in Sociology
Katrina Camilla Scott Sullivan Scholarship for French Students
Ron and Marilyn Mitsch Fund for Academic Excellence in the Heltzer Honors Program in International Education
What research or coursework have you been most passionate about?
“I am doing an internship right now that has overlap between linguistics and sociology, and it has broadened my horizons to what I can do with my degrees and with graduate school. I have also enjoyed beginning my work with my Sociology and French departmental theses because it has allowed me to do more independent research into my specific interests outside of just classwork.”
Where is your favorite place on campus and why?
“I really like Durham Park and the picnic tables outside of L.S. Dougherty.”
What is one of your favorite memories at Appalachian thus far?
“This past summer, I had the opportunity to do a FLEAP with the Sociology and History departments. We went to historical sites across Western Europe, specifically in France and Germany, and it was incredible to learn about major historical events in the places they happened. On a smaller level, one of my favorite memories has been cooking dinners with my friends after the gym a few times a week. It's a really casual thing that I can always look forward to.”
What do you like about Boone and the surrounding community?
“I feel like Boone has given me room to grow into my independence and identity. Many people here are friendly and accepting of pretty much everything, so meeting new people is easy.”
What are your hobbies?
“Weightlifting, guitar, running, reading, and crossword puzzles.”
What is your favorite book, podcast, artist, and/or television show?
“My favorite book is The Handmaid's Tale, my favorite podcast is Creep Cast, my favorite artist is Julien Baker, and my favorite TV show is Friends.”
Tell us about one faculty or staff member who has made an impact on your life and how.
“Dr. [Jean-François] Fournier from the French program has always pushed me to improve academically. He has taught me the value of humility in studying while also being proud of my work. He is encouraging, understanding, and has always helped me to feel supported by him and the other faculty in the Language, Literatures, and Cultures Department.”
What do you feel has been valuable in your education at Appalachian versus another institution?
“The opportunities to network and make close connections with peers and faculty. I think if class sizes were larger, it would be much more difficult to find close friendships and mentors. Small class sizes have also meant that help has been much more accessible.”
What do you hope to do after graduation?
“I intend to go to grad school to get a M.A. in French and a Ph.D. in Linguistics. I would also like to get a Ph.D./J.D. in international law and eventually work with the ICC or the UN. I want to be able to afford to buy my cat lots of toys.”
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About the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers courses that enhance students’ understanding of other cultures and languages as well as their own, making them prepared for lifelong learning in a multicultural world. Learn more at dllc.appstate.edu.
About the Department of Sociology
The Department of Sociology offers a Bachelor of Arts and seven Bachelor of Science concentrations (applied research methods; criminology; families and intimate relationships; health and aging; power and social change; social inequalities; and individually designed, which requires departmental approval). The department also offers minors in sociology and health and aging, plus two online graduate certificates: aging, health and society, and sociology. Learn more at soc.appstate.edu.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at cas.appstate.edu.
Compiled by Lauren Gibbs
October 16, 2025
BOONE, N.C.
CAS Corps member Sarah McCarroll is a senior from Cornelius majoring in both sociology and languages, literatures, and cultures. Photo submitted
CAS Corps member Sarah McCarroll is a senior from Cornelius majoring in both sociology and languages, literatures, and cultures. Photo submitted