Honors Wednesday Memo
Opportunities and Information for Honors Students
edited by Lakin Stevens
Volume 4, Issue 17
January 20, 2020
Message from Dean Jeff Vahlbusch
Dear Honors students and friends,
I'm enjoying my excitement about coming back to a new semester and year at Appalachian and in the Honors College. I feel refreshed by the relaxing I've done since late December, and energized by the learning, interacting, growth, and development that are on the way for each of us this semester and summer.
This Honors Wednesday Memo includes 10 important opportunities, and I and Honors College staff are ready to help you apply for any and all. Please read them, and don't miss the details of our Honors College graduation ceremony in December. Inspirational!
For me—and I hope for all of you—this third App semester affected by COVID-19 is starting also to feel, excitingly, like the beginnings of a come-back. Effective vaccines are here or on the way, and mask-wearing and physical distancing and other safety protocols and practices are working, on campus and off. Working together, we can make life and learning better and safer—sooner.
Looking forward to collaborating on your behalf.
Yours,
Jeff
The photo above taken from this App State Sanford Mall livestream features an empty, snow-covered Sanford Mall on the first day of classes, Tuesday, January 19, 2021. As we begin the semester with a virtual start, we may not physically be able to be present on campus, but we move forward with enthusiasm to a new year, a new semester, and new hope.
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dean Jeff is happy to help you apply; send him an email at vahlbuschjb@appstate.edu.
Lunch-and-Learn for Future Caring Professionals
Dr. Chris Osmond, associate director of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, and associate professor in the Department of Leadership and Educational studies, is offering a series of ten lunch-and-learn conversations on burnout prevention and sustainable practice for future caring professionals. These one-hour sessions are stand-alone and will include a short introduction of a concept, time for individual written reflection, and a group conversation. View the upcoming sessions and curriculum here, with the next session being Thursday, January 28th. Email Dr. Osmond to register.
Applications Open for Data Science for Social Good Summer Projects
The 2021 Data Science for Social Good initiative (DSSGx) is a 12 week virtual summer program held June 7th – August 27th and organized by the University of Warwick in partnership with the Ludwig Maximilian University Munich. DSSGx allows aspiring data scientists to work with non-profit organizations and government bodies and refine their data science skills through intense training. For more details, click here and email here with any questions. Applications are due by 7:00 am January 31st.
CIEE Frederick Douglas Global Fellowship
The Frederick Douglas Global Fellowship provides students of color a full scholarship to study abroad on a program that builds leadership and intercultural communication skills. CIEE offers this opportunity as the nation’s oldest and largest international student exchange organization. First, second, or third year students with a GPA of 3.0 or above are invited to apply. More details can be found here and the application deadline is February 14th.
Students with Diverse Abilities Program Fellowship
The Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program (SDAP) is a program that opens university access to neurodiverse students. The SDAP Fellowship Program offers funding and assistance to degree-seeking students who would like to live with scholars who have diverse abilities. Learn and grow with them to build a more inclusive campus. Applications are open until all spaces are filled. Click here to apply and email any questions here.
2021 Marian Drane Graham Scholars Program
The Marian Drane Graham Scholars Program is an eight-week immersive and experiential summer program that gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain a better understanding of key issues facing public higher education. Scholars will be mentored by UNC leadership, spend time in UNC System offices, travel to UNC campuses, and visit key NC policy leaders and elected officials in NC and Washington, DC. For more details on this paid position, click here. Apply by February 28th here and email Kim Mitchell with any questions.
Stay in the Know:
Career Development Center: Career. Connect.
For Spring 2021, the Career Development Center is launching a series of career programming and recruitment fairs throughout January and February called Career. Connect. The next upcoming events include the Internship Expo on January 27th, Arts & Design, Media & Communication Career Fair on February 3rd, and Management Trainee and Leadership Development Career Fair on February 4th. Learn about all the upcoming events and find more details here.
Virtual Fulbright Week 2021
Appalachian State University is hosting Fulbright Week 2021 virtually for faculty, staff, and administrators to learn about Fulbright opportunities, answers to commonly asked questions, and advice on preparing a strong application. The Fulbright Scholar Program offers 500+ teaching, research, or combination teaching/research awards in over 125 countries. Find details on the week’s events February 16th – February 18th here and contact Katie Howard or Mallory Sadler with any questions.
Schaefer Center Presents Spring 2021 Virtual Season
The 2021 season of the Schaefer Center presents its virtual lineup for spring running from February 4th to March 25th. The first event is An Evening with Anna Deavere Smith “Reclaiming Grace in the Face of Adversity” at 8:00 pm on February 4th. To view all upcoming events and free registration, click here.
Spring 2021 Craft Enrichment Courses
The Craft Enrichment Program provides novices, hobbyists, and advanced students classes that range from 3 to 8 weeks. In person classes include topics such as stained glass, beekeeping, and beginner or advanced woodturning. Online classes include visual journaling, mobile phone photography, Appalachian flowers, and watercolors. To register, click here.
A Virtual Conversation, “Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis”
The Creative Justice Institute and Climate stories Collaborative present the virtual conversation “Truth, Courage, and Solutions for Climate Crisis” with Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, marine biologist, policy expert, and leader/cultivator of the climate movement. Join in at 7:00-8:30 pm on February 11th and learn more here.
In the Honors Spotlight
Honors College Celebrates December 2020 Graduates
Screenshot from Honors College Graduation Ceremony held on Zoom, 5:00 pm Thursday, December 10, 2020.
The Honors College held a Virtual Graduation Ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of our most recent, December 2020 graduates, who earned the distinction of University Honors. These graduates include: Bailey Bossow, Toria Davenport, Jarod Fyler, Cristina Hanson, Anthony Hengst, Anne Scholz, Linds Wise, and Tucker Wulff. In the ceremony, Dean Dr. Jefford Vahlbusch shared details of their achievements while at Appalachian, and the graduates spoke words of gratitude and celebration.
Find more details on the Virtual Graduation Ceremony here.
Have news to share? Submissions can be made by emailing honors@appstate.edu. Any content received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday will be considered for the following week’s issue.
To stay in the know, learn about opportunities, and take part in the Honors community, find us below!