Honors Monthly Memo
Opportunities and Information for Honors Students
edited by Lakin Stevens
Volume 4, Issue 34
June 30, 2021
Dear students, faculty, friends,
This past May 6th, despite 15 months of upheavals caused by COVID-19, more than 50 Honors College students graduated with University Honors from Appalachian and prepared to take the next big step on their exciting journeys.
Our students are heading to graduate and professional schools at:
- Vanderbilt University (Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering)
- The Ohio State University (MS, Animal Science)
- Appalachian State University (MBA, Business; Masters, Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Spanish; Psychology)
- North Carolina State University (MS, Animal Science; Ph.D., Physics)
- Medical University of South Carolina (MS, Health Care Administration)
- Eastern Washington University (Ph.D., Botany)
- University of Pennsylvania (Ph.D., Cancer Biology)
- University of Maryland College Park (MS, Speech-Language Pathology)
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (MS, Health Care Administration; Law School; Dental School)
- University of Alabama Birmingham (Optometry)
- University of Michigan (MS, Social Work)
- Many others
Our students are moving directly into jobs in e-commerce merchandising, politics or public policy, Christian youth ministry, theater (acting), education, marketing, teaching, non-profit advocacy for migrant farmworkers, publishing and editing, technology consulting, and data analysis, among others.
Our students are planning to work in their fields for a year to gain experience and/or recover financially before applying: to PA school; law school; veterinary, dental, and medical schools; MA and Ph.D. programs in English; an MBA program.
Our students are taking gap years to plan their next step, traveling in Europe and Asia studying building design before applying to master’s programs in Architecture, and planning to through-hike the Appalachian trail, and soon.
Congratulations to all!
Sincerely,
Jeff
The photo above features fluorescent DNA fragments lit up via UV light as the aftermath of gel electrophoresis. This work is a part of the research Honors College student Hallie Wolfe, a third-year biology major with a double minor in chemistry and psychology, is conducting this summer with Dr. Libby Puckett, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences. Photo taken on June 24, 2021 in Garwood Hall.
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dean Jeff is happy to help you apply; send him an email at vahlbuschjb@appstate.edu.
Honors College Hiring: Space Manager
The Honors College is currently seeking applicants for space manager. The person in this position will ensure optimum utilization of physical space by creating, implementing, and managing an online reservation system for several classroom spaces in Appalachian Hall. The space manager will provide ongoing support to faculty, staff, and students seeking room reservations in Appalachian Hall and make regular walk-throughs to ensure spaces are being utilized appropriately. Applicant must be an Honors College sophomore or junior who is a resident of Summit Hall. Salary starts at $11.50 per hour and requires about 10 hours per week. Find the full description here and apply by July 9th no later than 5:00 pm.
Honors College Hiring students for federal Work Study positions
The Honors College is hiring 2-3 positions for office assistant as federal work study for the 2021-22 academic year. The purpose of an office assistant is to support the customer service operations of the Honors College. Duties include communicating with students, parents, faculty, and staff by answering phones, replying to emails, and directing walk-ins. This position reports to Ms. Jessica Yandow and also assists the Honors College staff with record keeping, social media, research, and event planning. The salary starts at $10.00 per hour and requires 6-9 hours per week. Find the full description here and apply no later than July 30th by 5:00 pm.
Inside U.S. Foreign Policy in North Africa and the Middle East
USA Study Abroad, a part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and its Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program invite American undergraduate and graduate students from any field of study to attend a free virtual “Inside U.S. Foreign Policy” series. This series will give an inside look at how the State Department designs and implements U.S. foreign policy around the world. The three hour seminars will also feature a panel of Gilman alumni. Upcoming next on July 14th from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm is “U.S. Foreign Policy in North Africa and the Middle East.” Visit here for more information.
Home Growers Collective at King Street Tuesday Market
B.A.D. (Born Again Dirt) Composting Co-op is a food scrap pick-up and composting service founded by Sydney Blume, a sustainable development and Honors College alum. BAD is operating a booth at the King Street Tuesday Market and will be offering the Home Growers Collective. If you are gardening or farming this summer and want to try selling in the market with no extra cost, you are invited to join the collective. For more information, click here.
Holland Farms Ecotourism and Self-Sufficiency Internship
If you have an interest in landscaping, trail blazing, taking down a 100 year old barn for repurposing, campfires in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and days spent on the Maury River, apply for a summer internship at Holland Farms. Room and board and meals provided. Click here to read more.
Stay in the Know:
Counseling Center Summer Services
The Counseling and Psychological Services Center has a variety of options for supporting students this summer. Students are eligible for counseling during the summer if they are enrolled in at least one of the summer sessions or if they were enrolled in spring semester 2021 and enrolled for fall semester 2021. All services are free including initial consultations, TeleMental health counseling, emergency services, Let’s TeleTalk!, and self-help. Visit here to explore their options.
2021 Summer Schedule for University Libraries
University Libraries are looking forward to a full reopening for the fall semester. This summer will transition toward fall. The library will stay on card-swipe access for students, faculty, and staff. Study rooms are available now as well. For more information on hours, visit here.
Connecting with Space by Shauna Caldwell
The Turchin Center presents Connecting with Place: Cyanotype Workshop for Educators by Shauna Caldwell. Caldwell is an artist from Boone, NC who uses her roots in Appalachia and relationship with the environment to shape her work. This free workshop is a part of the programming of An Appalachian Summer Festival. Register here for July 9th from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
Summer at the Turchin Center
The Turchin Center has reopened and has two in-person events and four virtual Lunch & Learn lectures. The Summer Exhibition Celebration is July 2nd from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. The Rosen Sculpture Walk is July 10th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. For more details and to register, click here.
Immigrant Allies in Education Online Seminar
Are you a current or future educator? Would you like to gain awareness, skills, and strategies to help inform your action plans for immigrant justice in your spheres of influence? The Immigrant Mountaineers Movement is hosting an online Google Classroom with resources and modules to help you work toward your journey of ally ship and co-conspiracy. To register, fill out the form here.
In the Honors Spotlight
Sophie Cole Leads as the SOUL for Honors Orientation
Photo features Sophie Cole. Photo submitted.
Sophie Cole, an Honors junior psychology major with a minor in religious studies, served as the summer 2021 Honors Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader (SOUL) from June 3, 2021 to July 2, 2021. As a SOUL, Cole meets with students throughout the day and works in conjunction with Dean Vahlbusch, Dr. Angela Mead, and Honors academic mentors. Cole helps students navigate and complete their schedules after they have met with academic mentors to get recommendations and direction. As a peer leader to incoming students, Cole creates valuable relationships and shares her experience across all areas of student and campus life.
With Cole’s help, the Honors College is welcoming 155 new Honors students this Fall 2021 semester. These students represent majors and colleges across App State. As a part of the Honors experience, Honors students have the opportunity to live in Cone Hall their first year. This central location on campus is adjacent to Appalachian Hall where students will take their first-year seminars, find study areas, and access the Honors Library. The residential learning environment is another aspect of the Honors College that furthers the community-building and connections started at Honors Summer Orientation.
Read the full story on Sophie Cole’s summer as a SOUL here.
Have announcements to share? Submissions can be made to honors@appstate.edu. Any content received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday will be considered for the following week’s issue.
Have a story to share? Share what you have done, what you are doing, or what you will be doing by submitting a story here.
To stay in the know, learn about opportunities, and take part in the Honors community, find us below!