App State Chancellor

09/20/2026

There’s nothing quite like a Saturday night at The Rock! Thank you to everyone who came out and cheered on the Mountaineers.

09/18/2026

Each year, we carry on the tradition of honoring our founders and commemorating the first day of classes at Watauga Academy in 1899 with the ringing of Founders Bell and inducting the Bell Ringers Society members. These individuals represent our history, our future and the significance of the long-standing vision of ensuring access to education for all.

Watch this video for highlights of the Founders Day ceremony.

App State celebrated its ninth annual Founders Day on Sept. 18 to c...

09/12/2026

Greetings from Greenville! Mountaineer fans have shown up strong — let’s go, App State Football!

09/08/2026

When in doubt, ! Always a pleasure to spend time with some of App State’s finest leaders last week touring our Boone campus capital improvement projects.

09/05/2026

Game day is here! What a great way to kick off App State Football. The energy in the crowd is something special, and it was so much fun seeing so many Mountaineers today!

08/31/2026

Last week, faculty and staff gathered for our annual State of the University Address to reflect on our accomplishments and look ahead to our shared priorities for the academic year.

I’m proud that, amid the challenges facing public higher education, Appalachian State University continues to operate from a position of institutional strength — grounded in our mission and our commitment to student success.

In my latest newsletter, I share more about our progress, our regional impact, research, access and the priorities ahead. Read more: https://chancellor.appstate.edu/newsletter/id/470

08/21/2026

It's been a wonderful start to the academic year at Appalachian State University. Thank you to our students, faculty, staff and community partners for making the first week of classes such a memorable beginning to the year!

It’s always great to be a Mountaineer — especially during the first...

08/17/2026

For Mountaineers joining the App State Community for the first time and for those already well established here, a new academic year always holds promise and excitement. I’m proud to welcome you all to a new academic year at Appalachian State University!

Chancellor Heather Norris welcomes students, faculty and staff to t...

08/14/2026

A new energy has arrived at Appalachian State University as Mountaineers return to Boone, Hickory and online for the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

More than 5,800 students moved into our residence halls this week. As our newest Mountaineers begin their higher education journeys and returning students continue pursuing their goals, we are reminded that each academic year brings opportunity, growth and possibility.

I am excited to welcome students for another outstanding year! Welcome home, Mountaineers!

07/28/2026

I'm incredibly proud of the Appalachian State Solar Vehicle Team for earning second place in the multi-occupant vehicle category at the 2026 Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix with their next-generation solar vehicle, Autumn.

This achievement continues the team's more than decade-long tradition of podium finishes and qualifies them for the 1,500-mile Electrek American Solar Challenge, taking place now through Aug. 1. The entire App State Community is cheering them on every mile of the way!

Watch this video to learn more about Team Sunergy, the evolution of its car and highlights from the unveiling event.

App State’s solar vehicle team, Team Sunergy, recently unveiled its...