edited by Em Acuña
Volume 9, Issue 26
April 1, 2026
Dear Honors College Students,
College life can start to feel structured around classes, deadlines, and routines—but some of the best parts happen when you step outside that rhythm. Taking a little time to engage with what others are creating, researching, and performing can open new ideas and unexpected connections.
This week’s events—from symposia and guest speakers to performances and workshops—offer plenty of ways to see what’s happening across campus. You never know what might spark a new interest, shift your perspective, or lead somewhere you didn’t expect. I hope you’re able to take a moment this week to step into something new.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Academic Success and Resilience: Resources for Student Success
The Disco Student Learning Center has a variety of resources to help students become academically successful and resilient. Students can schedule one-on-one Academic Success Coaching sessions with graduate student coaches, work with an undergraduate peer academic leader for Drop-In Academic Support, or attend structured PEAK workshops on topics like time management and studying for exams. For more information and resources, visit the Academic Success and Resilience (ASR) website.
App State Cyber Summit
The 2026 App State Cyber Summit features presentations from leaders in cybersecurity and funds student scholarships in the Department of Computer Information Systems. This year, a supplemental program, “Women in Tech,” will take place on Thursday, April 9 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Grandview Ballroom. The Cyber Summit will take place on Friday, April 10 from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. in Grandview Ballroom. Both events will feature a unique keynote speaker. To register, visit the Conference & Event Services link. For any questions, contact Samantha Williams.
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 last session will be hosted on Friday, April 10, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in App Hall 085. For more information and to RSVP to any of the upcoming sessions use this Sign-up form.
Appalachian Research in Business Symposium
The Appalachian Research is Business Symposium (ARBS) invites scholars to present new research, discover contemporary ideas, and build connections on Friday, April 17 in Plemmons Student Union (PSU). A Welcome Reception will be held in Grandview Ballroom from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 16. Registration will be available on Friday, April 17 at 7:45 a.m. in Parkway Ballroom, PSU. Walker College of Business & IOHRM students are eligible for discounts by emailing Tanga Mohr. For all other registration questions contact Kim Kirby.
29th Annual Celebration of Student Research & Creative Endeavors
The Office of Student Research is hosting the 29th Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors on April 22 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on the 4th floor of Plemmons Student Union. This event showcases outstanding research and creative works of students across App State’s campus. The event will consist of poster presentations and platform talks. All members of the campus community are welcome to attend and support student research and creativity.
Stay in the Know:
Hayes School of Music Performances
In the Hayes School of Music (HSOM) this week, the Percussion Ensemble will perform on Thursday, April 2 at 8:00 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall, and the Guitar Ensemble will perform on Wednesday, April 8 at 8:00 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall. All events have free admission. Visit the Hayes School of Music Performance Calendar for details and updates on all events and performances.
Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series brings authors to App State to discuss their works throughout the semester. The final event of Spring semester 2026 will feature author Gary Wheeler on Wednesday, April 8 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.
Guest Speaker Amanda Berardi Tennant
The Writing Across the Curriculum Program is excited to welcome Dr. Amanda Berardi Tennant from West Virginia University as this year’s featured speaker for the Writing Across Institutions Conference on April 10 from 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Blue Ridge Ballroom (201) PSU. Dr. Tennant’s research focuses on how individuals from Appalachia negotiate cultural identity in different rhetorical situations and how they respond to stereotypes. RSVP via this Google form.
Exploring Clean Hydrogen-based Long Duration Energy Storage at App State: A Demonstration by the National Laboratory of the Rockies
The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for energy systems, has recently partnered with App State to demonstrate a hydrogen-based long-duration energy storage (LDES) system. Researchers from NLR will present findings on the system’s performance and assess the feasibility of deploying hydrogen-based LDES systems on Tuesday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m. The event is virtual, with a watch party in Beacon Heights (417), PSU. The event is free and open to all community members.
Research & Creative Activity Connections
The Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) is hosting a Research and Creative Activity Connections (ReCon) event on Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 7:00– 11:00 p.m. in the Dark Sky Observatory in Purlear, NC. This event provides a venue for informal research and creative activity networking, showcasing university creative endeavors, and more. RSVP for the event via this Google form, and for any questions, contact Grant Resources & Services.
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.”
Hannah Wallace
Wednesday, April 8, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Smith-Wright, room 209
Presenting “Onboarding Effectiveness and Early-Career Outcomes: Examining Job Satisfaction and Retention in Recent Graduates”
In the Honors Spotlight
Breanna Gibson awarded the 2025-26 George Williams Garrett Memorial Scholarship
Top photo features Breanna Gibson in App State’s Beaver College of Health Sciences. Photo submitted.
Breanna Gibson has been awarded the 2025-26 George Williams Garrett Memorial Scholarship. Gibson joined the Honors College at App State Fall semester of 2022 and plans to graduate in May. She is majoring in kinesiology with minors in psychology and medical humanities.
This award will support Gibson’s Honors College thesis research, “The Effects of Resistance Training on Fatigue Levels Throughout the Menstrual Cycle.” For her thesis, she is working under the mentorship of Dr. Jared Skinner, assistant professor in the Departments of Kinesiology and Public Health, and Ms. Erin Young, lecturer in the Department of Biology, is serving as her second reader.
To learn more about Gibson’s thesis and how the George Williams Garrett Memorial Scholarship is helping her, read the full story by Isabella Lebron.
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!