Civic Literacy
Appalachian State University has been recognized nationally for its commitment to increasing student voter registration, education, and rates. With this in mind, Community-Engaged Leadership continues to provide comprehensive voter resources, voter advocacy initiatives, nonpartisan education related to politics and government, and overall civic leadership and engagement opportunities.
App Votes
App Votes in conjunction with the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership created a Voter Coalition to meet the requirement to make a good faith effort to distribute voter registration forms to all students. The vision of App Votes is to implement voter registration and education activities and increase student participation in local, state, and national voting and election initiatives this year and in future elections.
Civic Literacy Initiative
The Civic Literacy Initiative seeks to foster a nonpartisan, civically engaged, and informed campus community. Through Student Affairs and Academic Affairs collaboration, we will help our students examine complex questions and learn to discuss them with confidence and respect for differences in thought, belief, opinion, and background. With a strong commitment to student success, freedom of expression, institutional neutrality, academic freedom, and nondiscrimination, we seek to support all students as they develop into leaders who can skillfully navigate complex conversations, increase democratic engagement, and build strong community ties through experiential learning.
Dialogue Across Differences
Dialogue Across Differences is an important value at Appalachian State University. To support this, we have partnered with the Constructive Dialogue Institute to support Mountaineers in building skills to practice constructive dialogue: a form of conversation where people with different perspectives try to understand each other – without giving up their own beliefs – in order to live, learn, and work together.
Freedom of Speech
Explore how protecting free speech fosters a dynamic learning environment where ideas thrive and opinions are valued. App State upholds free expression as essential to a robust academic environment because safeguarding free speech contributes to a thriving and dynamic educational landscape.
Civic Literacy Events
Each year we provide opportunities to engage in events that increase civic literacy and engagement on campus. You can learn more information about these events and how you can participate by visiting our Engage page.
Civic Literacy Presentations
Peer leaders trained in nonpartisan voting education are available to provide interactive civic literacy presentations about voting logistics in Watauga County and North Carolina. Presentation length can be tailored to fit your needs.
Location: We visit your location
Topics:
- Voting 101
- Media Literacy in Politics
- Local Government
- Levels of Government
- Customized topics available upon request
Important Dates
- Sept. 16
National Voter Registration Day - Sept. 17
Constitution Day - Oct. 6-10
National Voter Education Week - Oct. 10
Voter Registration Deadline - Oct. 16
Early Voting Begins - Oct. 21
Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot - Oct. 28
Vote Early Day - Nov. 1
Early Voting Ends - Nov. 4
Election Day
Free Speech Officers:
For questions or concerns related to compliance with free speech laws and UNC policy, please contact:
Jeff Cathey
Interim Vice Provost for Student Affairs
catheyjd@appstate.edu
828-262-2060
Jamie Parson
Acting Senior Vice Provost of Faculty Policies, Development and Training
andersonja2@appstate.edu
828-262-2980
Dialogue Across Differences:
For inquiries about Perspectives integration, dialogue facilitation, or our partnership with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI), please contact:
Heather Jo Mashburn
CEL Director
mashburnhj@appstate.edu
828-262-2545
App Votes:
For voter registration and education information, to learn about Civic Literacy Fellows, or to request a presentation, please contact:
Ashley Vinson
vinsonab@appstate.edu
828-262-2545
Civic Literacy:
For questions or information about the Civic Literacy Initiative and how you can contribute to our mission, please contact:
Heather Jo Mashburn
CEL Director
mashburnhj@appstate.edu
828-262-2545
Faculty Liaison:
For questions related to classroom integration and Faculty Fellows, please contact:
Phillip Ardoin
ardoinpj@appstate.edu
828-262-7187