edited by Em Acuña
Volume 9, Issue 24
March 18, 2026
Hello Honors College Students,
This week’s Memo highlights several opportunities to explore what might come next—whether that’s learning about the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, attending a thesis workshop, or connecting with graduate and professional programs. Ryan Stukes ’25, featured in this week’s Honors Spotlight, describes how an Honors Faculty-Led Education Abroad Program to Cuba helped her discover new academic passions and redesign her path—ultimately leading her to a fully funded Master of Science in Management program at the Wake Forest University School of Business. Experiences like these often begin with curiosity—and with reaching out to the mentors and offices that can help you pursue them. I hope you’ll take a moment to explore what’s here and consider where it might lead.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Virtual Fulbright Information Session
The Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships will be holding a virtual information session March 19 at 2:00 p.m. to walk students through App State’s application process for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, with the App State Fulbright Program Advisor, Dara Carney-Nedelman. Register online for the event. For any questions, contact the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships.
Honors College Thesis Workshops
Taylor Carillo, the Honors College graduate assistant, is hosting a series of Thesis Workshops to support all honors students at any point in their thesis journey. The next session will be hosted on Friday, March 20, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in App Hall 85. For more information and to RSVP to any of the upcoming sessions use this Sign-up form.
Call for Abstracts: AIFIS-MSU Conference on Indonesian Studies 2026 (3/22 submissions)
The American Institute for Indonesian Studies (AIFIS) and Michigan State University (MSU) Asian Studies Center will host the 6th annual AIFIS-MSU Conference on Indonesian Studies from May 28 – 30. This year’s theme, “Making Knowledge, Making History: Producing the Indonesian Past, Present and Future,” invites individuals to explore how Indonesia has been studied across time. The deadline for abstract submissions is March 22 at 11:59 p.m. Visit their website to learn more and submit an abstract.
Health Sciences Professional & Graduate School Fair
The Career Development Center (CDC) will host the Health Sciences, Professional, and Graduate School Fair on Thursday, March 26, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Reich College of Education room 124. This event connects students with both educational and employment opportunities related to the field of health sciences. Register for this event via Handshake.
4th Annual Nutrition Summit
The Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management will be hosting the 4th Annual Nutrition Summit on Friday, March 27, 2026 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. The Summit will begin with a guest presentation and Q&A with Dr. Dahl, associate professor of public health at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, hosted at 1:00 p.m. in Leon Levine room 103. Following her presentation, there will be poster sessions and oral presentations from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., with a closing awards ceremony afterward. For questions, contact Dr. Brook Harmon or Dr. Dani Nunnery for all else.
Stay in the Know:
Bodies on the Brink
The Department of History, supported by the College of Arts and Sciences, will host Dr. Lindsay Rae Smith Privette for the 2026 Civil War Speaker Series. Dr. Privette will present “Bodies on the Brink: The Surgeon’s Dilemma and the Vicksburg Campaign” on Thursday, March 19, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in IG Greer Auditorium. This presentation will explore the role surgeons played in the Vicksburg campaign during the American Civil War and how the war shaped interactions between soldiers and surgeons. This event is free and open to the public.
Hayes School of Music Performances
The Hayes School of Music (HSOM) has a variety of upcoming performances this week. The Clarinet and Viola Studio Recital will take place on Thursday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall. The Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI) Conference will be at App State, holding performances starting on Friday, March 20 at 8:00 p.m. and ending on Saturday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. All events have free admission. Visit the Hayes School of Music Performance Calendar for details and updates on all events and performances.
Pathways to Resilience Climate Events
The Pathways to Resilience QEP and partners across campus host opportunities for students to grow climate literacy. Student Sustainability Ambassadors, Megan Prosser and Reiley Cates, will be hosting a “Cooking with Purpose” session on Wednesday, March 25 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. For more information and to register, access this Google form. On Friday, March 27, Professor Laurie Atkins and her graduate student, will host “Climate Connection with Movement & Expressive Arts Therapy” from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. in the Varsity Gym Studio 203. RSVP for this event on Engage.
The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series invites authors to come and discuss their works throughout the semester. The next event will feature author Lillian-Yvonne Bertram on Thursday, March 26 for a craft talk at 3:30 p.m. and a reading at 6:00 p.m. in PSU 201B. Each talk and reading in the series is free and open to the public. For more information, read the press release. A book sale and signing will follow each reading.
Young the Giant & Matt Hansen
App State Athletics is sponsoring an unforgettable night of live music with Young the Giant in the Holmes Convocation Center on March 26. Tickets are on sale now at App State Sports. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.
In the Honors Spotlight
Ryan Stukes ’25 begins exciting journey at Wake Forest School of Business
Top photo features Ryan Stukes at Wake Forest School of Business. Photo submitted.
Ryan Stukes, an App State Honors College alumna, has just completed her first semester in the 10‑month accelerated program, where she has earned the Inclusive Excellence Scholarship, a full-tuition, merit-based award, allowing her to continue her graduate studies debt-free. Stukes graduated cum laude from App State with University Honors, earning a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on multicultural marketing and communications.
Reflecting on her journey to-date, Stukes emphasizes resilience and gratitude, noting that her undergraduate experience and early graduate studies have been shaped by mentorship, creativity, and interdisciplinary exploration. She looks forward to applying her skills in marketing, cultural engagement, and business as she continues her MSM program and beyond.
To read more about Stukes and her journey, access the full story on our website.
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!