edited by Kistler Hunt
Volume 7, Issue 25
March 27, 2024
Dear Honors students,
I’m thrilled to introduce Sierra Focazio as our new Honors student director of Peer Mentors. I’m proud of the progress our peer mentor program has made under Sydney McDonald’s leadership and I am excited to see its continued growth under Sierra's leadership. If you're seeking a rewarding opportunity to share your experience, support your fellow students, develop friendships, and learn from and with our incoming first-year students, sign up by April 7 to become a peer mentor. This is an excellent opportunity to discover and grow with your Honors community. Also, don’t forget to exercise your voice in shaping our campus-wide community by casting your vote for the next SGA President by Thursday at 12:00 noon.
Wishing you a week full of exploration, collaboration, and growth,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Interim Dean Vicky is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Honors Peer Mentor Program Applications
Applications for the Honors College’s Peer Mentors program are now open. The program pairs incoming first-year with current Honors College students based on similar interests, majors, etc. Peer mentors exemplify leadership and support the integration of first-year students into the Honors community. Applications to become a peer mentor are due April 7. To apply, click here. For any questions, contact Sierra Focazio.
Bringing Southeast Asia Home Workshop Proposal Applications
The Carolina Asia Center will be hosting its Bringing Southeast Asia Home workshop for scholars of Southeast Asia and Southeast Asian diasporas on May 13. They are now opening applications for research-based and community partner proposals. All academic disciplines are welcome to submit a proposal; preference will be given to scholars who live in the American Southeast. For more information and to submit a proposal, click here.
Fulbright Scholarship Applications
Applications for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program will open in April. The program is an opportunity to expand one’s perspective through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. If awarded the scholarship, scholars can partner with institutions in over 140 countries to engage in research, graduate studies, or teaching English for one year. Applications will be due in mid-October. For more information and application assistance, click here. To apply for a Fulbright, click here.
Community-Engaged Leadership Student Leader Roles
The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership is accepting applications for its student leadership roles. The following leadership positions are available: Community Fellows, Days of Service Site Leaders, Blood Drive Committees, and the Voter Coalition. Applications are open until April 5. For more information, contact Ashley Vinson. To apply, click here.
Student Government Association Elections
Elections for the next session of the Student Government Association are being held now and until March 28 at 12:00 noon. Students have the opportunity to vote for at-large representatives, academic year representatives, college representatives, Honors College representatives, and Student Body President and Vice President. The Honors College encourages its students to exercise their right to vote. To vote in the election, click here.
Upcoming Thesis Defenses:
Interim Dean Vicky urges, “Support your fellow Honors College students and faculty by attending Honors thesis defenses! You'll marvel, learn, and grow. With each defense you attend, you'll make your own easier.”
Audrey Gay
April 3, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 162
Presenting “Student Perspectives on Chemistry Support Course, Success, and Barriers”
Stay in the Know:
NC Reads Virtual Panel Event
In its second year, the Office of Diversity, University Libraries, and North Carolina Humanities are hosting their NC Reads Book Club. There will be a virtual panel discussion for the book, “Poster Girls” on March 28 at 6:00 p.m. For more information and to attend, click here.
“Stuff Inside My Head” Performance
The Office of Diversity, Intercultural Student Affairs, the Black Male Excellence Initiative, and the Beaver College of Health Sciences will host the play “Stuff Inside My Head” on April 4 from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. The play is an original poetry work that describes experiences with depression. The play combines poetry and social commentary through dialogue. For more information and to register, click here.
“Coddling of the American Mind” Screening
The Appalachian Heterodox Community will be hosting a screening of the newly-released film, “Coddling of the American Mind,” on April 4 at 5:30 in the Greenbriar Theatre. Based on a book with the same title, the film covers the activities in the daily lives of college students that can contribute to anxiety, isolation, and polarization. For more information, contact Dr. Kristina Groover.
Free Tax Lab
The Department of Accounting will be hosting a free tax lab every Tuesday and Wednesday until April 10 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The Tax Lab will feature IRS-trained volunteers who can answer questions about taxes and can also assist in the preparation and e-filing of federal and state income tax returns. For more information, contact Zachary Lachance.
INTAPP Coffee Buzz 5k
International Appalachian (INTAPP) will be hosting its 12th annual 5k race on April 14 at 10:00 a.m. Proceeds from the 5k will go toward the Landon Hill Memorial Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to App State students who are studying abroad. For more information and to register, click here.
In the Honors Spotlight
Sierra Focazio to lead continued growth in Peer Mentor Program
Photo features Honors Peer Mentor Andrew Foley (left) and Peer Mentee Greysen Freeze (right) at a Rugby team event, of which they are both members. Photo submitted.
The Honors College has appointed Sierra Focazio as the new director of the Peer Mentor Program. This unique, student-led initiative began nearly two decades ago, and provides peer perspective and support for the College’s mission of holistic mentorship. The program supports incoming first-year Honors College students through the recruitment of continuing Honors College students who serve as mentors. The program has seen tremendous growth over the past year under the leadership of Sydney McDonald, who also serves as the assistant editor to the Honors Wednesday Memo. The College looks forward to maintaining and continuing this level of growth in the Peer Mentor Program going into the 2024-25 academic year under the leadership of Sierra Focazio. The program has cultivated a new culture of the peer mentorship bond within the Honors College. If you are a current Honors College student, we encourage you to apply for the 2024-25 Honors Peer Mentor program by filling out the Google Form linked here. The deadline to complete the form is April 7, 2024. For any questions or comments, please reach out to interim Dean Vicky Klima.
To learn more about the Peer Mentors Program, click here to read the story by Sydney McDonald.
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!