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U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly magazine and Money.com have named App State among the nation’s top schools for 2025–26, recognizing the university for its academics, innovation, value, benefits for student veterans and more. This aerial image of App State’s Boone campus, taken Sept. 18, shows the beginnings of fall color dotting campus trees. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

High-quality academics, innovation and value secure App State’s spot among America’s top schools for 2025–26
Oct 6, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has earned a national reputation as one of the top higher education institutions in the Southeast and the country — a position affirmed by the latest rankings of six notable publications, including U.S.

Awards & Honors, University News
Joe Dancy and Jenna Shaw stand in front of their flooded and mud-filled home in Swannanoa after Hurricane Helene. Photo by Jesse Barber

App State and regional artists channel Helene’s impact into creative works of hope and healing
Oct 1, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Hurricane Helene is often remembered for scenes of destruction — but at Appalachian State University and in the surrounding community, artists have found beauty, hope and healing in the brokenness, channeling the storm’s impact into creative works.

Arts & Cultural, Alumni, Faculty & Staff, University News
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, App State students rallied to help their High Country neighbors — from daring rescues and digging out trapped residents to volunteering with storm cleanup and repairs. Above, students volunteer with cleanup at an area river outfitter during a Day of Service on Oct. 19, 2024. That day, around 175 students collectively completed over 500 hours of community service at 15 organizations and locations across the High Country. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

App State Reflects: One Year After Helene
Sep 22, 2025

When Hurricane Helene damaged and disrupted Western North Carolina in September 2024, it also revealed the incredible strength of our communities.

University News
The App State hellbender team surveys the New River near Boone. Pictured, from left to right, are biology graduate students Brent Kinser, Aidan Hedges and Hutch Whitman, App State alumna and lab technician Emily Gillikin '24 and recent App State graduate Hunter Comeford. Photo by Chase Reynolds

App State advances community-driven research for recovery and resilience
Sep 22, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Hurricane Helene’s cascading effects swept through Western North Carolina’s communities, landscapes and institutions.

Grants & Research, Outreach & Community Engagement, University News
According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend area of the Florida Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm late in the evening of Sept. 26, 2024. The storm reached the Southern Appalachians on Sept. 27, 2024, causing widespread flooding, landslides, downed trees and power outages. Image courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere

What made Hurricane Helene a historic storm?
Sep 9, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — In September 2024, Hurricane Helene brought record-breaking rain and wind to the High Country, leaving a lasting impact across the region. It marked Boone’s most devastating flood event since 1940 — and before that, 1916.

Faculty & Staff, Grants & Research, University News
App State enrolls 21,798 Mountaineer students in fall 2025, a 1.1% increase over last fall. This steady growth is supported by intentionally managed enrollment at the Boone campus and continued growth in the App State Hickory and App State Online student populations. Photos by Troy Tuttle, Chase Reynolds and Wes Craig

21,798 Mountaineers enroll at App State for fall 2025
Sep 5, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — This fall, Appalachian State University reports continued steady growth, welcoming a record-setting enrollment of 21,798 Mountaineer students — a 1.1% increase over fall 2024.

University News, Students
Isaac Critcher (left) and Sarah Sinner (right)

August 2025 College of Arts and Sciences Staff Shout Outs
Sep 2, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Awarded by the Appalachian State University Staff Senate, Staff Shout Outs recognize staff members for their positive contributions to the University.

Awards & Honors, Faculty & Staff, University News
Dr. Tinghao Feng (top left), Dr. Maggie Sugg (top right), Dr. William Wang (bottom left), and Dr. Zhiyuan Yao (bottom right) received Chancellor's Innovation grants.
Dr. Rose Mary Webb, chair of App State’s Department of Psychology, left, received the university’s 2025 Distinguished Leadership Award. Dr. Shanshan Lou, chair of App State’s Department of Communication, right, received the 2025 Emerging Leader Award. Both honors are part of App State’s Departmental Leadership Awards Program. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

App State honors Dr. Rose Mary Webb, Dr. Shanshan Lou with 2025 Departmental Leadership Awards
Aug 13, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Recognized for their service to and lasting impact on Appalachian State University’s academic community, Dr. Rose Mary Webb and Dr. Shanshan Lou have been honored as this year’s Departmental Leadership Awards recipients.

Awards & Honors, Faculty & Staff, University News
Sheri Clawson (left), Mac Glaze (middle), and Jasmin McFayden (right)

July 2025 College of Arts and Sciences Staff Shout Outs
Jul 31, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Awarded by the Appalachian State University Staff Senate, Staff Shout Outs recognize staff members for their positive contributions to the University.

Awards & Honors, Faculty & Staff, University News