edited by Kistler Hunt
Volume 6, Issue 30
May 3, 2023
A Note and Invitation from Kistler Hunt, editor of the Honors Wednesday Memo:
Dear Honors students and friends of Honors,
Happy last day of classes – you made it! As we reflect on our academic year, I wanted to bring your attention a wonderful opportunity to improve the research experience for students at Appalachian.
Yesterday, Dean Jeff and I had the incredible pleasure of meeting with Dr. Ece Karatan, vice provost for research and professor in the Department of Biology, to discuss the University’s brand-new Strategic Plan for Research and how to allocate resources to further students’ research experiences during their time at Appalachian.
Dr. Karatan and her team are looking for student feedback on your research experience thus far. This can include highlighting the people and resources that have had an impact on your research career, any challenges you’ve occurred while doing research, as well as any ideas for improvements to the research experience at App State. Feedback can be provided through this Google Form until May 14. Students can also view the draft of the University’s Strategic Plan for Research here.
I highly encourage you all to complete this form; your words can create lasting change for student researchers at Appalachian.
All the best,
Kistler
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dean Jeff is happy to help you apply; send him an email at vahlbuschjb@appstate.edu
Honors College Peer Mentor Program
The Honors College Peer Mentor Program is now accepting applications for 2023-2024 academic year. The Peer Mentor program pairs current Honors College students with incoming Honors College students, seeking to help them build relationships and make the transition to Appalachian easier. The deadline to apply is May 5 at midnight. To apply for the Peer Mentor Program, click here. For any questions or concerns, contact Sydney McDonald, director of the Honors College Peer Mentor program.
SGA Leadership Team Applications
Honors students JP Neri and Margaret-Ann Littauer, the Student Government Association’s (SGA) president-elect and vice president-elect, are searching for students to participate in their leadership team for the 2023-2024 academic year. The leadership team serves as advisors to the SGA president and are the directors of various departments within SGA. Students who are passionate about App State and who would like experience directing policies in the areas of campus resources, academic affairs, sustainable development, and DEI are encouraged to apply. Students interested in finance or marketing are able to apply for the Director of Communications or the Treasurer. The deadline to apply is May 12 at 11:59 p.m. To apply to be a part of the team, click here. For any questions, contact JP Neri.
Victory Junction Camp Counselor Positions
Victory Junction, a summer camp for children with serious medical conditions, is accepting applications for various positions their camp taking place from June 11 – August 3 in Randleman, North Carolina. They have open positions for cabin counselors, program counselors, lifeguards, and adventure counselors. Students who are interested will also be paid for the duration of their time with Victory Junction. For more information and to apply, click here.
Population Health Coordinator Position
High Country Community Health, a federally qualified health center that serves Watauga County, is currently accepting applications for the position of population health coordinator. The population health coordinator will gather and organize patient data, identify patient needs, engage patients in their own care, gather summary information for treatment interventions, and enhance ongoing communication between the patient and their care team. This position is open to students studying public health and/or healthcare management and is part-time. For any questions, contact Abby Cope.
Summer URA Application
The Office of Student Research is currently accepting URA applications for the Summer 2023 semester. URAs offer highly motivated undergraduate students the opportunity to work closely with App State faculty on their research, scholarship, or creative activity. The faculty member, in consultation with their selected undergraduate student, are encouraged to apply. The URA Program is open to all disciplines at Appalachian State, but students must be enrolled in at least one summer course to apply. The deadline to apply is May 15. For more information and to apply, click here.
Upcoming Thesis Defenses:
Dean Jeff urges, “Support your fellow Honors College students and faculty by attending Honors thesis defenses! You'll marvel, learn, and grow. And each defense you attend, you'll make your own easier.”
To attend a defense this semester, please write to honors@appstate.edu.
Ashley Mitlitsky
May 3, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Presenting “Course Format and Living Situation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Does Mode of Instruction Impact Academic and Social Success?”
Lily Vowels
May 4, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Presenting “Investigating Drivers of Changes in Proglacial Stream Suspended Sediment Concentration Using Large Scale Remote Sensing”
Noah Caldwell
May 4, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Presenting “Quantifying Rates of Retreat and Frontal Ablation for Alaska’s Lake-Terminating Glaciers: Investigating Physical Controls with Implications for Future Stability”
Skye-Anne Tschoepe
May 4, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Presenting “An Assessment of the Impact of Stormwater Management Practices on Stream Salt Ion Concentration in the South Fork New River Watershed”
Gavi Jacobson
May 4, 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.
Presenting “Environmental Justice and the Social Construction of Disasters: Toward a Better Understanding of Hurricanes in the 21st Century"
Alyssa Svalina
May 8, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Presenting “Trauma Informed Care: A Literature Review of Evidence-Based Implementation Measures for the Child Welfare Setting”
Stay in the Know:
Donate to Don’t Throw It Away
The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership is hosting their annual Don’t Throw It Away program from 9:00 – 4:00 p.m. May 4 – May 9. Don't Throw it Away is a program that collects items as students move out of residence halls to save them from landfills and redistribute items back into the community. The majority of items will be donated to local non-profits to fulfill their in-kind donation needs lists. Donation sites will be held at East Hall and the New River Hall Lot. An additional yard sale will be held from May 8 – May 9 to sell any remaining unwanted goods. Volunteers are needed to help process donations. To sign up, click here.
Hunger and Health Coalition Summer Volunteering
Hunger and Health Coalition, a local food pantry in Boone, is in need of volunteers for the summer. Volunteers can assist with organizing the food pantry, assist in food preparation for their food recovery kitchen, creating food boxes for clients, and aid the pharmacy in cleaning medication bottles. Hunger and Health Coalition is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 4:00 p.m. To apply to be a volunteer, click here. For any questions, contact Kayla Lasure.
Teacher Appreciation Week Lunch Coverage
The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership is seeking volunteers to help provide breaks to teachers at Appalachian’s Lab Schools in Winston-Salem and Elkin on May 9 in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. Those interested in volunteering will lead activities with students, taking them to lunch, and more. For more information and to apply, click here.
Recreation Management Sky Happiness Retreat
The Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education will be hosting online SKY Happiness Retreats, beginning on May 12 or June 2. The retreat offers an in-depth experience of effortless meditation, breath work, yoga, and more. SKY (Sudarshan Kriya Yoga) Meditation uses cyclical, rhythmic patterns of breath to easily bring the mind and body into a state of meditation. Both retreats will take place over multiple sessions, and participants must be able to attend all sessions provided. To register for the retreat beginning on May 12, click here. To register for the retreat beginning on June 2, click here. For any questions, contact Ritesh M. Sheth.
App Builds a Home Volunteer Opportunities
App Builds a Home (ABAH) has open slots for their Spring 2023 volunteering. ABAH is a campus-wide partnership between App State and Watauga County Habitat for Humanity to help local partner families build safe, affordable homes. No prior construction skills are needed to volunteer. Upcoming dates to volunteer include May 5, May 9, and May 10, however, opportunities extend through the end of the final exam period. To sign up, click here. For more information or questions, contact MaryAnn Sanders.
In the Honors Spotlight
Honors College Students Elected Student Body President and Vice President
Photo features Margaret-Ann Littauer (left) and JP Neri (right). Photo by Maggie Busch.
Honors College students JP Neri and Margaret-Ann Littauer have been elected to serve as App State’s Student Government Association’s 2023-34 president and vice president. Neri is a sophomore Chancellor’s Scholar majoring in history and Littauer is also a sophomore majoring in nursing. Neri and Littauer reflect on how the Honors College has influenced their success:
Neri explained, “The Honors College has been a great system of support for me throughout my time here at Appalachian. From networking to advising, the Honors College has made a lot of things possible for me, and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone in the Honors College for their unwavering support, assistance, and friendship.”
Littauer remarked, “Being a part of the Honors College has helped me make valuable connections across campus that I know will come in handy when working with University Officials, faculty, and staff. I see us using those connections within the Honors College to connect with all students across campus so that we can better serve and represent the students of Appalachian. I have learned what it means to be dedicated not only as a student but as a leader as well, and I am excited to dedicate myself to serving as the Student Body Vice President of Appalachian State.”
To learn more about Neri and Littauer’s election, click here to read the story from The Appalachian by Siri Patterson.
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!