Appalachian State University
EN-13: Community Stakeholder Engagement

Historic Prospective: Since the original North Carolina Constitution’s call for the University [of North Carolina System] to deliver “useful” learning, UNC has worked to engage with the state’s business, government and nonprofit communities to ensure that it meets their needs and serves the people of North Carolina. When the University system was reconfigured in 1971, a commitment to “public service” was incorporated in the enabling legislation: the mission of the redefined University would be “accomplished in part through public service, which contributes to the solution of societal problems and enriches the quality of life in the state”. Current Prospective: The 2013-2018 Strategic Direction document for the University of North Carolina System entitled “Our Time, Our Future” has identified stakeholder engagement as a key strategy for the completion of Goal 3; Serving the people of North Carolina (see: Strategy C, page 60). http://www.northcarolina.edu/sites/default/files/strategic_directions_2013-2018_0.pdf UNC General Administration has asked each campus to develop a strategic plan for engagement and public service and to explore ways that encourage more engaged scholarship and research. Appalachian State University’s strategic plan titled, The Appalachian Experience: Envisioning a just and sustainable future, provides direction for the campus over the course of the next five years. The plan serves as a recognition that the primary focus of the campus is to transform the lives of our students. We believe that this transformational Appalachian Experience results in engaged citizens who understand their responsibility to society. The plan contains six strategic directions. The third, entitled Engaging the State, Region, and World, has as one of its five stated initiatives, a pledge to engage external stakeholders through enhanced communication and deeper relationships. Further, Appalachian State reports UNC community and economic engagement metrics to the UNC Engagement Council and to the Vice President, UNC General Administration International, Community and Economic Engagement. This annual report highlights and quantifies Appalachian State's community engagement throughout the year and the community.

In a letter to the Mayor of Boone, the Chancellor of Appalachian State identified the follow to serve on the “Town and Gown” Committee: one member of the Town Council the Town Manager or his designee designee from Appalachian State's Chancellor's office App State Board of Trustees member Dean of Students Student Body President, to represent the student constituency Chair of the Watauga County Commissioners, the County Manager or a designee.

The “Town and Gown” Committee: one member of the Town Council the Town Manager or his designee designee from Appalachian State's Chancellor's office App State Board of Trustees member Dean of Students Student Body President, to represent the student constituency Chair of the Watauga County Commissioners, the County Manager or a designee.

Blue Ridge Parkway Corps: Provides students the opportunity to get hands on experience with the National Park Service, and to learn about preservation efforts; provides university and program recognition for the Department of Geography; recognized as a model program of its type; documentary film artifacts. Numerous publications and presentations have arisen from the partnership, including a presentation to the Clover, SC Rotary Club (N.J. Specht); a presentation at Heritage Days in Banner Elk entitled, "Women of the Parkway; Women of Interest (N. J. Specht); A report for the NPS, "Historic Furnishing Report on Flat Top Manor" (Carrie Streeter and Joseph Otto). The Liaison and students arranged, organized, and directed a 75th Anniversary BRP Conference. Over the course of the partnership, ASU and the Parkway have received funding for 17 separate grants or cooperative agreements. Preservation of the Rough Ridge area of the Blue Ridge Parkway; annual assistance to NPS with interns and student volunteers at 391 sites along the BRP Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture: Students are able to conduct internships, serve on the board, and learn the challenges that women farmers face in the Blue Ridge area. Learning goals include promoting ownership and management of farms by women; identification of assets for women farmers, and understanding the role that women farmers play in rural community development. The community learns about opportunities and issues facing women farmers. BRWIA conducts an annual High Country Farm Tour for over 500 visitors each year. The Partnership also conducts workshops on farming for farmers and interested community members.

https://www.northcarolina.edu/?q=serving-locally-and-globally/community-engagement