edited by Kistler Hunt and Kaylie Morales
Volume 8, Issue 12
November 13, 2024
Greetings Honors Family,
The Honors College’s international education requirement encourages you to explore global interconnectedness by engaging with diverse cultures and worldviews. In today’s Memo, you'll find numerous opportunities to engage with international perspectives through International Education Week (IEW) talks, panels, and workshops. Additionally, the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships will host sessions on the Fulbright scholarship program as part of the week’s activities. IEW showcases the global connections that our clubs, research and creative activities, courses, and wider conversations bring to our campus. I encourage you to take full advantage of these enriching experiences!
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Interim Dean Vicky is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
CEL Day of Service
The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership will be holding a day of service on November 16 from 9:00 – 3:00 p.m. The day of service will focus on continuing the relief efforts started in their prior day of service in response to Hurricane Helene. For more information and to register, click here.
International Education Career Talks
The Office of International Programs will be hosting two sessions of their international education career talks. These talks are for globally-minded students who are considering careers in international education, whether in study abroad, international student advising, international admissions and recruiting, or English language programs. An in-person session will take place on November 18 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. A virtual information session will take place on November 22 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Registration is required for the virtual information session. To register for the virtual information session, click here. For more information about the career talks, click here.
Global Symposium
The Office of International Programs will be hosting their 12th annual Global Symposium on November 20 from 8:30 – noon. Global Symposium is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to share their global work on a professional platform while contributing to global learning at App State. Presenters will discuss a variety of topics, including science, technology, business, education, music, and politics. For more information and to register, click here.
Climate Wayfinding Program
The Quality Enhancement Plan is accepting applications for its Climate Wayfinding Program, which will begin January 2025. This small group professional development program will allow students to explore climate emotions, solutions, and vision for the future. Applications are due by November 15. For more information and to apply, click here.
Marian Drane Graham Scholars Program
Applications for the Marian Drane Graham Scholars Program are now open. This is a 16-week spring semester program offered through the UNC system designed to provide students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain a better understanding of issues facing public higher education. Rising juniors and seniors can apply for the program, which will involve working in a state government agency. The deadline to apply is December 2. In addition to the application, students must submit a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcripts, and a reference letter. To submit an application, click here. For any questions, contact Kimberly Mitchell.
Stay in the Know:
Vet Tech Speaker Series: Whisker Wonderland
The Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation will hold an online session, “Whisker Wonderland,” on November 14 at 11:00 a.m., hosted by Jen Sterling. This session will inform pet owners how to keep their furry friends safe during this holiday season. For more information, click here.
Opera Workshop Performances
The Hayes School of Music’s Opera Workshop will perform “Where is Justice?” on November 15 from 8:00 – 9:30pm and November 16 from 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. Directed by Dr. Tyler Young, this event will include opera, dramatic works, and musical theater from Sweeney Todd, Bonnie and Clyde, and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
INTAPP Global Perspectives Panel
The Office of International Programs and INTApp will host their Global Perspectives Panel on November 18 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. In celebration of International Education Week, the panel will discuss the experiences of international students at App State. For more information, click here.
Beyond Theater of Witness Workshop
The Honors College sponsors the College of Arts and Sciences’ workshop, titled, “Beyond Theater of Witness,” on November 20 from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. This virtual peacebuilding workshop presents four inspiring storytellers from post-conflict Northern Ireland, who will share their experiences of the Northern Ireland Troubles from different viewpoints of the conflict. The workshop is free, but registration is required. To register, click here. For more information, click here.
App Builds a Home Letter Writing Campaign
The Honors College is partnering with App Builds a Home (ABAH) for their End-of-Year Letter Writing Campaign. ABAH is the University’s partnership with Watauga County Habitat for Humanity to build safe and affordable homes for local families. The letter writing campaign is a great way to help raise funds to build a home for Amber Lee and her five-year-old son, King. Letters or emails can be sent to friends, family members, and neighbors asking them to support ABAH. Letters must be turned in by December 3, and emails must be sent by December 13. For any questions, contact App Builds a Home.
In the Honors Spotlight
Introducing Sierra Focazio, director of the Honors College peer mentor program
Photo features Focazio. Photo submitted.
The Honors College is proud to introduce Sierra Focazio as the director of the peer mentor program for the 2024-2025 academic year. Focazio has been a part of the Honors College peer mentor program as a mentee since her first semester, Fall 2022. She went on to serve as vice president of mentor affairs in the Fall semester 2023 before taking on her current position in the Spring semester 2024. She will continue to serve as director for the entirety of the 2024-25 academic year. Focazio’s biggest goal is to facilitate meaningful engagement amongst peer mentees and mentors. She hopes to “encourage mentors and mentees to engage with one another, as well as placing pairs together that have the same major, minor, or department.” Focazio additionally hopes to plan at least one social event per semester for all members to attend to bolster interaction between both mentees and mentors, and to encourage interaction across Honors College students. They look forward to hosting a Friendsgiving event in the coming weeks for mentors and mentees to attend.
To learn more about Focazio’s role, click here to read more in the story by Sydney McDonald.