Student Employment and Committees
Office of Community-Engaged Leadership
There are several student teams connected to the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership that coordinate events and programs for campus and the local community. Taking on a student leader role is a great way to develop your leadership skills, continue learning, build your resume, make a difference, and network with staff and peers. Most student positions are year-long, with applications typically opening each spring semester.
The applications will be linked here, once they are open!
Alternative Service Experiences (ASE)
Alternative Service Experience offers many opportunities for students to gain leadership skills. ASE programs are planned and led by student Peer Leaders and the Executive Board, with support from the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership. ASE leadership roles are filled through an application process, which will open in early March.
Peer Leaders
ASE Peer Leaders are students who have previously been on an ASE program and want to take the lead on coordinating a program the following year for another group of students. Peer Leaders work in pairs to coordinate logistics of the program and run pre-travel meetings. They are also responsible for many of the details upon arriving at the group’s destination, as well as facilitating nightly reflections.
Executive Board
ASE Executive Board members are Peer Leaders who take on additional responsibilities to support all ASE programs. Executive Board members assist with Peer Leader training, planning events, and other aspects of ASE. The Executive Board consists of a Chair, two Public Relations co-chairs, two Special Events co-chairs, and a Logistics coordinator. Students can apply to become a Peer Leader and a member of the Executive Board through the same application process.
Recruitment for ASE leadership positions is in the beginning of the Fall semester, with applications available in the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership Outreach Center. Potential leaders must submit an application, interview with the ASE Leadership Team, and commit to attendance at all leadership development and program planning meetings throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. Preference is given to applicants who have been on ASE programs before and are juniors and seniors. International Peer Leaders must have been on an international program before or have been a Peer Leader before.
The application for 2025 – 2026 ASE Leadership opens in March 2025! Keep up to date on applications on ase.appstate.edu.
Blood Drive
Blood Drive Executive Board is a volunteer student position. Contact Brent James (jamesba@appstate.edu) for more information or questions.
CEL Community Ambassadors
Community Ambassadors are an integral part of our team and receive mentorship and professional development from CEL staff. Students typically work 8-12 hours each week at a rate of $9.50/hr. Duties can include helping office visitors, updating CEL social media, other customer service-related tasks, and special projects to assist the office. Applications typically open each Spring semester.
Contact Summer Wisdom (wisdomss@appstate.edu) for more information or questions.
As of Spring 2025, all positions are filled.
Civic Literacy Fellows
The Student Fellows Program at Appalachian State University is a paid leadership opportunity that empowers students to play a pivotal role in promoting civic literacy and engagement across campus. The program’s core goal is to increase awareness and participation in democratic processes, particularly focusing on voter education and constructive dialogue. The fellows organize and lead activities such as voter registration drives, voter turnout efforts and educational presentations about democracy. Fellows work individually and collaboratively to engage the entire campus community of the ongoing mission of civic literacy on App State’s campus by creating an informed, active and involved student body.
Contact Ashley Vinson (vinsonab@appstate.edu) for more information or questions.
Applications for Civic Literacy Fellows are now closed.
Community Fellows
Our Community Fellow Leaders (CFLs) partner with local nonprofits and work to address a specific social issue through the lenses of education, service, philanthropy, and advocacy, while mentoring and leading a smaller group in service work and learning opportunities. CFLs will lead and complete service hours at a local nonprofit at least once a month, as well as work with their group to plan education and advocacy events for the App State community. Our current social issue themes are Food Security and Hunger Alleviation, Affordable Housing, Environmental Justice, and Local-to-Global Service.
Community Fellow Leader (CFLs) positions are open when available, but applications will typically open towards the end of Spring semesters. Contact Brent James (jamesba@appstate.edu) for more information or questions about availability.
As of Spring 2025, all positions are filled.
Days of Service Committee
The DoS Executive Board is a volunteer student position to help with the planning and execution of our three Days of Service per semester, where you will actively participate in monthly community partner selection and service meetings and play a pivotal role on those impactful days. You’ll be responsible for recruiting volunteers and handling day-of logistics, including managing check-in.
As a site leader, you’ll serve as the primary point of contact at service locations, have the option to drive vans to and from sites, and lead post-service reflections to ensure a meaningful experience for all involved. Additionally, you’ll be instrumental in actively recruiting students to participate in other CEL service programs.
Contact Brent James (jamesba@appstate.edu) for more information or questions.
As of Spring 2025, DoS Executive Board is full.
LEAD Team
LEAD Team positions are open when available, but applications will typically open towards the beginning of Fall semesters. Contact Kaleigh Del Greco (delgrecoka@appstate.edu) for more information or questions about availability.
As of Spring 2025, all positions are filled.
Trailhead
You could be a part of the Trailhead team! If you would like to work for Trailhead, review the following job descriptions to learn more about our positions. If you have any questions, please contact Elayna Coleman at colemaner@appstate.edu.
Graduate Intern
The Trailhead Graduate Intern assists with planning logistics for the Trailhead Experience, as well as training and supervising the student leadership team. As part of the core leadership team, the graduate intern works closely with professional staff and the Student Director throughout the summer. Eligible candidates for this position must be actively pursuing a master’s degree, able to work 20 hours per week during the summer (with additional hours needed during the week of Trailhead), and able to work in person on the Boone campus. If you are interested in applying for the Graduate Intern role, please contact Elayna Coleman at colemaner@appstate.edu. View the full Graduate Intern description.
Student Director
The Trailhead Student Director assists with planning and marketing the Trailhead Experience, training Student Guides, and various aspects of the program over the summer. As part of the core leadership team, the Student Director works closely with professional staff and the Graduate Intern throughout the spring and summer. Eligible candidates for this position must be actively pursuing an undergraduate degree, able to work 10 hours per week during the summer (with additional hours needed during the week of Trailhead), and able to work in person on the Boone campus. View the full Student Director description.
The application for our 2025 Student Director is now closed.
Student Guide
Trailhead Student Guides play an important role in welcoming new students to the App State and Boone community. Through the spring training process, the Trailhead leadership team will match all guides to a co-leader. Together, co-leaders will be responsible for leading dialogue, service activities, and various other leadership-building activities for a small group of 8-9 students. Students selected to serve as Trailhead Guides will attend multiple training meetings in the spring semester, as well as an immersive training weekend immediately before the Trailhead program. View the full Student Guide description.
The application for our 2025 Student Guides is now closed.
Spotlight: October 2024 Day of Service
After the catastrophic events of Hurricane Helene, CEL came together with the community, faculty, staff, and students to host a Day of Service dedicated to community recovery in 4 counties with 16 service sites.
Pictured: Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs J.J. Brown acts in a site leader capacity at the Boone United trail to provide trial maintenance and forest clean-up after the hurricane.
Spotlight: ASE in the Dominican Republic
During the 2024 Winter Break, a group of students traveled to the Dominican Republic for a week to work with our Community Partner, Service for Peace, focusing on access to clean water for local communities.
Pictured: ASE Peer Leaders, ASE Learning Partners, and students posed with Service for Peace volunteers and staff.