edited by Kaylie Morales
Volume 9, Issue 13
November 12, 2025
Hello Honors students!
As we prepare for International Education Week and look further ahead to summer Honors College Faculty Lead Education Abroad Programs, it’s a perfect time to think about how learning connects us across places and perspectives. You can deepen your understanding and broaden your horizon with discoveries in Ireland, Romania, or right here in Boone. The opportunities in today’s Memo remind us that we learn best when we listen, question, and reflect together—growing by understanding the perspectives of others.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Spring 2026 Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) Program Information
The Office of Student Research is now accepting applications for the Spring 2026 Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) Program until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 14. This program offers App State faculty the opportunity to engage a motivated undergraduate student in close collaboration on their own research, scholarship, or creative projects. Faculty members, in partnership with their selected undergraduate student, are encouraged to apply. The URA program is open to all disciplines at App State. Applications for Summer 2026 will open in April of 2026. For more details on the URA application process and to access the application link, please visit the Office of Student Research website.
Appalachian Student Ambassadors Interest Meeting
The Appalachian Student Ambassadors is having an interest meeting on Monday, November 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the 4th floor of the Plemmons Student Union. The Appalachian Student Ambassadors are a group of undergraduate students who serve App State as official student representatives for the Alumni Association, the Office of Admissions, and the Office of the Chancellor. This organization provides students with the opportunity to serve their university, grow their network and receive professional development. Visit this Google Form to RSVP for the Interest Meeting.
14th Annual Global Symposium
The 14th Annual Global Symposium will be held on Wednesday, November 19 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Plemmons Student Union, one of the events as a part of International Education Week. The Global Symposium features a half-day conference where attendees will explore innovations, strategies, and best practices in global engagement. To learn more, visit the Office of International Programs website.
Honors College Faculty-Led Education Abroad Program (FLEAP) in Ireland and Northern Ireland
Dr. Belinda Walzer, associate professor in the Department of English, and Dr. Mira Waits, associate professor and assistant chair in the Department of Art, will lead students on an Honors College Faculty-led Education Abroad Program (FLEAP) from June 14 – 22, 2026. In this course “Landscapes of Post-Conflict: Study Abroad in Ireland and Northern Ireland,” Honors College students will earn 6 credit hours for HON 3517 and HON 2515. For more information, contact Dr. Walzer or Dr. Waits. Visit the Honors Seminar Descriptions to read more about all upcoming Spring and Summer 2026 Honors College seminars, or go to the Office of International Programs for information on all study abroad opportunities.
Learning Enterprises: Teach English in Romania/Croatia this Summer
Applications are now open until Sunday, February 1, 2026 for the Learning Enterprises (LE) Volunteer Summer 2026 Program. Learning Enterprises is an international non-profit organization that has been sending young adults around the world over the summer to teach English in under-resourced areas. Each volunteer experiences true cultural immersion by staying close to a host family who provides all the essentials, like food and accommodations. The Early Application Deadline is Wednesday, December 31 with a reduced application fee of $30 and a higher chance of being accepted. The Regular Deadline is Sunday, February 1, 2026, the application fee for applications submitted after Wednesday, December 31 is $40. For more information, visit the Learning Enterprises website. For questions contact romania@learningenterprises.org.
Upcoming Thesis Defenses:
Dr. Klima 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.”
Nick Phairas
Wednesday, November 12, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Broyhill Music Center, room 206
Presenting “From Traverso to Boehm: A Comparative Study of Baroque and Modern Flute Practice with Demonstration Recital”
Addisyn Keen
Thursday, November 20, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Rankin Science West, room 283
Presenting “Hormonal Modulation of Nociception: The Role of Ecdysone in Drosophila”
Ella Mayfield
Friday, November 21, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Garwood Hall, room 150
Presenting “Evaluating Possible Influence of Solar Activity on Observed [O I] Emission in Cometary Comae”
Stay in the Know:
Food Drive Competition to benefit our local Hospitality House
The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership (CEL) is hosting a food drive and competition for the month of November to benefit the efforts of our local Hospitality House, a vital High Country institute that is currently facing increased demand for food and services as their budgets shrink. When dropping off items, please let the CEL staff know which club, organization, or department you are representing to establish prizes for each category. The drop-off location is the CEL Outreach Center in the Plemmons Student Union room 138. The list of items needed include baby food and formula, beans, whole grain, oil, juice, canned meat, breakfast cereal, and winter clothes. For questions, contact Dr. Brent Alan James.
Hayes School of Music Jazz Ensemble II at Crossroads: Big Band Dance Party
The Hayes School of Music (HSOM) is inviting students to learn to dance and enjoy some vintage jazz on Thursday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Crossroads Coffee Shop in the Plemmons Student Union. Danielle Ely of Whirlybird Dance will provide basic swing dance instruction from 6:30 to 7:30, then Jazz Ensemble II and vocalist Dr. Gennard Lombardozzi will perform hits from the Big Band era. The dance instruction and jazz performance are free and open to the public. Visit the Hayes School of Music Performance calendar to see upcoming performances and live-streamed videos.
Academic Success and Resilience: Resources for Student Success
The Disco Student Learning Center has a variety of resources to become academically successful and resilient. Students can meet with a graduate student coach for one-on-one personalized Academic Success Coaching, drop-in for Academic Support with an undergraduate Peer Academic Leader to work on academic soft skills, or attend a PEAK Workshop to learn about time management, study skills, communicating with professors, etc. For more information visit the Disco Student Learning Center.
International Education Week Events
The Office of International Programs will present International Education Week Monday, November 17 through Friday, November 21. This celebration of global engagement will feature more than 25 globally focused events including the 14th Annual Global Symposium, a Study Abroad 101 Information and Q&A Session, an origami workshop, and more. For more information, visit the Office of International Programs website.
Holiday Scholarship Concert
The 33rd Annual Holiday Scholarship Concert from the Hayes School of Music will be held on Friday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. A kaleidoscope of different ensembles will present tunes new and old to kick off the holiday season in the High Country. Donations and ticket sales help support Hayes School of Music students. Visit the Schaefer Center website to purchase tickets.
In the Honors Spotlight
Meet our newest 2025-26 Chancellor’s Scholars
Photo features the 2025-26 App State Chancellor’s Scholars. Photos by Chase Reynolds.
Eleven Honors College first-year students have been awarded as Chancellor’s Scholars for the 2025-26 academic year. The Chancellor’s Scholarship is App State’s oldest and most distinguished full scholarship, awarded to exceptional scholars with ambitious academic goals. The scholarship is a four-year program of study that covers full institutional costs (tuition, fees, room and board, and book rental). The 2025-26 scholars are pursuing degrees in a range of disciplines – from theatre, to biochemistry, to political science. They also participate in our Honors College program of study and community, serving as leaders both within App State’s Honors College and across campus.
To learn more, read “11 new Chancellor’s Scholars join App State’s academic community for 2025–26” by Jessica Stump at Appalachian Today.