Collaborations and Partnerships

Appalachian's College of Arts and Sciences is involved in a variety of partnerships and collaborations both within the University and with our community.

Departmental

CollaborationPartner(s)Description
AppalAIR (Appalachian Atmospheric Interdisciplinary Research)Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Biology, Computer Science, Geological and Environmental Sciences and Geography and PlanningThe Appalachian Atmospheric Interdisciplinary Research Program (AppalAIR) was initiated to better understand changing regional meteorology, air quality and their impacts on climate change and ecosystem health. The AppalAIR facilities at Appalachian are home to the only co-located National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Global Monitoring Division (NOAA, GMD), NASA AErosol RObotic NETwork (NASA AERONET) and NASA Micro-pulsed Lidar Network (NASA MPLNET) aerosol monitoring sites in the U.S., along with co-located meteorological stations, trace gas measurements (ozone, carbon dioxide) and measurements of snowfall events.

Cross-College

Connection Partner Description 
Arts and Humanities RoundtableCollege of Fine and Applied Arts, Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, Arts and Cultural Programs at AppalachianAppalachian presents vibrant arts and humanities programs that enrich the cultural and intellectual climate of the campus and region. This group is working to make curricular connections on and off campus more easily navigable and resources on campus more available to our campus and community. 
Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) fellow Dr. Maryam AhmedDepartment of Biology and Center for Academic ExcellenceThe CAE Faculty Fellows consists of faculty members representing all ranks and colleges at Appalachian. Their goal is not simply to serve as a conduit between the faculty and CAE, but to participate in envisioning and implementing faculty development programs in their respective colleges and campus-wide.
Climate Stories InitiativeUniversity College and Departments of Anthropology, Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Applied Design, Management, Art, Military Science and Leadership, Biology, Music Therapy, Communication, Physics and Astronomy, Interdisciplinary Studies, Social Work, Curriculum and Instruction, Sustainable Development, English, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, Geography and Planning, Theatre and Dance, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Government and Justice StudiesThe Climate Stories Collaborative is a faculty-led initiative aimed at growing the capacity of faculty and students to use a variety of creative media to tell the stories of those who are already affected by, and/or taking action to addres climate change. The project began in the College of Fine & Applied Arts, but is now university-wide in scope with engagement faculty and students from more than 20 departments. 
Health Professions Advising OfficeBeaver College of Health SciencesHealth Professions Advisors designed to assist to students, alumni and advisors understand the basic requirements for a variety of graduate health professions programs.  
TEAMS: Noyce Scholarship ProgramReich College of Education and Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and AstronomyThe TEAMS program supports outstanding mathematics and science students in becoming high school math or science teachers through the Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship. TEAMS Scholars receive scholarships, participate in collaborative field experiences, examine issues of equity in mathematics/science education and complete coursework in mathematics or science education.

Institutional

Connection Partner Description 
Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics (RIEEE)Departments of Geography and Planning, Government and Justice Studies, Mathematical Sciences, Biology, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Economics, Accounting, Sustainable Technology and the Built EnvironmentAppalachian's Research Institute for Environment, Energy, and Economics (RIEEE) was established in November 2008 to enhance opportunities for faculty and students whose research interests involve the environment, energy and economics and especially intersections thereof.  We do this by supporting interdisciplinary research clusters, fostering beneficial collaborations and associations, funding student research grants and offering post-award grants management for funded projects.
Appalachia OnlineCenter for Appalachian StudiesA collection of digital projects developed by the Center with the support of the Appalachian Journal and the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection and Belk Library and Information Commons. Through collaborations on the campus of Appalachian State University, student participation in digital research, and community partnerships across mountain regions, Appalachia Online seeks to expand the University's mission to engage as "stewards of our state's interconnected financial, cultural and natural resources." The first few projects include:
  • Mountain Music in the Classroom

  • The Black Mountain College Semester – Spring 2018

  • The Seven Sisters Rugby Project – coming soon 

University of ZululandDepartments of Mathematical Sciences, and Physics & Astronomy The University of Zululand is one of Appalachian’s international partners located in Ezikhaweni, in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, designated as the only comprehensive institutions of higher learning north of the uThukela River.
TEA Fellows ProgramOffice of International Education, U.S. Department of State, various international schools and embassies Departments of English, Mathematical Science, Biology, and more
Department of English Dr. Belinda Walzer, Department of English and Ms. Paula Habre of Lebanese American University in Beirut, LebanonThis collaboration began when Walzer was the Writing Center Director at Northeastern University. She and Habre have partnered their writing centers to facilitate joint discussions, joint training sessions, international visits and more.
Department of EnglishDr. Belinda Walzer, Department of English and Dr. William Duffy of the University of MemphisThis collaboration between Dr. Belinda Walzer and Dr. William Duffy of the University of Memphis began during Fall 2018. They have linked their graduate courses in Rhetorical Theory and they have overlapped various content and aspects of their syllabi in order to conduct joint discussions and collaborative workshops across the institutions.
Helping Give Away Psychological Science (HGAPS) research partnershipAmbulatory Surgical Center Team, Appalachian Department of Psychology and Helping Give Away Psychological Science (HGAPS), UNC Chapel HillThe Ambulatory Surgical Center Team and the Department of Psychology at Appalachian have been collaborating with Dr. Eric Youngstrom and his Helping Give Away Psychological Science (HGAPS) group at UNC Chapel Hill since the fall of 2017 on their on-going, multi-year project to build a comprehensive set of open-access psychological resources on Wikipedia and its sister site, Wikiversity. Appalachian's efforts have been focused on suicide prevention.
The Scholarship for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion grantOffice of Research in collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Fine and Applied Arts, Walker College of Business, Beaver College of Health Sciences, Reich College of Education, Hayes School of Music, The Honors College, Belk Library and Information CommonsThis program is intended to support projects & programs that will investigate issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Proposed projects should:
• include students as active participants in experimental design, data collection and/or analysis of results.
• have potential for being expanded upon in the future and/or for encouraging further, externally funded research on diversity and inclusion.
Carla RamsdellOffice of University Sustainability and Department of Physics and AstronomyCollege Sustainability Liaison
Trackman Appalachian Athletics, Appalachian Baseball team and Department of Mathematical SciencesTrackMan Baseball is used for player evaluation and development by all major league and minor league teams in the U.S. as well as teams abroad, and is the leading technology in the baseball industry, driving the next generation of analytics. The College of Arts and Sciences purchased and supported the installation of TrackMan Baseball technology into Appalachian’s Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium to create an unprecedented opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience with sports analytics and data sciences.
IOHRMDepartment of Psychology and Department of Management, Walker College of BusinessThe Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management (IOHRM) Program is an Interdisciplinary M.A. degree offered by the Departments of Psychology and Management, to prepare professionals for work in business, industry and government. As part of the only cross-disciplinary master's degree program in the nation, students have the unique opportunity to leverage the application of I-O Psychology to business.
Humanities CouncilHonors College, Hayes School of Music, Belk Library and Information Commons, Office of Research; Departments of Art, Philosophy and Religion, Government and Justice Studies, English, Anthropology, Leadership and Educational Studies, Sociology, Theatre and DanceAppalachian State University’s Humanities Council, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, provides interdisciplinary opportunities and events on campus throughout the year, promoting the importance of the humanities in relationship to other fields.

Community

Collaboration Partner(s) Description 
N.C. Regional Math ContestDepartment of Geography and Planning Since 1987, the North Carolina Geographic Alliance (NCGA) has sought to enhance geographic education in North Carolina schools. Over the years the NCGA has produced teaching materials, provided professional development, and advocated for geography as an integral part of the curriculum.
North Carolina Geographic AllianceDepartment of Geography and PlanningNorth Carolina Giant Traveling Map 
AGES OutreachDepartment of Geological and Environmental SciencesMcKinnely Geological Teaching Museum and The Fred Webb Jr. Outdoor Geology Laboratory - Interactive Rock Garden
National Park Service Department of Geography and PlanningAppalachian State University is a member of the National Park Service 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. This status allows the “Appalachian State Conservation Corps” to enter individual task agreements with over 400 NPS units through the spring of 2020. Members of the Appalachian community and NPS personnel that would like to learn more, contact Dr. Mark Spond (spondmd@appstate.edu), Appalachian’s Liaison to the National Park Service.
Middle Fork AcademyReich College of EducationAppalachian State University partnered with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to establish the Academy at Middle Fork which provides a balanced education for children, teachers, principals and families through the implementation of research-based practices, state of the art literacy instruction and exemplary classroom instruction and administration.