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 on this page when 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.
Student Coordinators
ASE Student Coordinators assist with planning and facilitating special events, marketing ASE programs, and supporting Peer Leaders. This is a paid leadership position. Student Coordinators on average work 5 hours per week at the rate of $9.50 per hour. Student Coordinators often serve as Peer Leaders in addition to the coordinator role, but it is not required to hold both positions.
Recruitment for ASE leadership positions takes place in the spring semester, with applications available online at ase.appstate.edu. 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.
Blood Drive
The Blood Drive Executive Board is a volunteer-based student leadership position that partners with the American Red Cross to organize and oversee two campus-wide blood drives each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. This role involves coordinating logistics, engaging with the campus community to promote participation, and ensuring the successful execution of these life-saving events.
Blood Drive Executive Committee positions are open when available, but inquiries about joining can be sent any time of the academic year.
For more information and questions, contact Brent James (jamesba@appstate.edu).
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 Fall 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 Fall 2025, all positions are filled.
LEAD Team
LEAD Team members are current undergraduate students who serve as peer education facilitators. They are trained to facilitate a variety of leadership development workshops for all students on campus. LEAD Workshops are engaging, relevant, one-hour sessions for any group, class, or organization. Each workshop focuses on a different leadership topic or skill to foster your personal and professional development. You’ll get great experience and information to help you lead and be able to network with other students interested in leadership. You should apply to this role if you have any interest in the following:
- A student who believes that leadership is for all and leadership capacity can be developed.
- A student who believes in the power of leadership learning to create a world of thoughtful, engaged, and socially responsible leaders.
- A student who aligns with the values of inclusivity, critical reflection, and active learning.
- A student who has held a leadership role in a different club, organization, or community group and is able to transfer relevant leadership knowledge, skills, and values to this role.
- A student who has been or currently is a part of Community-Engaged Leadership programming and wants to continue their involvement.
- A student who gains energy from working with peers and professional staff.
Applications are usually released in the Fall semester.
As of Spring 2025, all positions are filled.
Trailhead
If you have any questions about employment with the Trailhead Experience, 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 Directors
Trailhead Student Directors assist 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 Directors work 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 5-10 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 2026 Student Directors will open December 1, 2025.
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 2026 Student Guides will open December 1, 2025.
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.