Community Fellows

Joining a Community of Practice is an immersive semester-long experience where a group of students partner with a local nonprofit and work to address a specific social issue through the lenses of education, service, philanthropy, and advocacy. Students will complete service hours at a local nonprofit 2-3 times a month, as well as work with their group to plan education and advocacy events for the App State community. Social Issue themes for Fall 2022 are Food Security and Hunger Alleviation, Youth Development and Education, and Environmental Justice. Students can expect to spend around 10 hours a month in this engagement (average 1-2 hours a week). Submit and interest form now on Engage (opens in new tab)!

Mission

The Community Fellows program seeks to strengthen and nurture Appalachian State University's relationship with students, faculty and Community Partners by facilitating resource sharing and exposure to the nonprofit sector. To reach this mission, six Community Fellows lead Communities of Practice to help students dive deeper into local social issues and interact with nonprofit organizations that serve Watauga and surrounding counties. The foundation of this program adheres to the United Nations' (UN) sustainability goals (opens in new tab) to ensure that all efforts made by the program support a better and more sustainable future for all.

Communities of Practice

Environmental Justice

This Community of Practice (CoP) will be partnering with A Clean Wilson's Creek. This CoP will serve 3-4 times a semester at A Clean Wilson's Creek for a longer period of time (i.e. Half day experience). The group will participate in a few shorter service experiences closer to campus, and will plan events to educate the App State Community on Environmental Justice, as well as raise funds for this nonprofit through our annual Plant Sale.

Food Security & Hunger Alleviation

This Community of Practice (CoP) will be partnering with Hunger and Health Coalition. This CoP will regularly assist with A Simple Gesture Program, as well as serve 3-4 times a semester as a group at Hunger and Health Coalition facilities. The group will spearhead App's participation in The Hunger Challenge and will plan events to educate the App State community on food security, such as Free Farmers Market initiative and food drives benefitting Hunger and Health Coalition.

Did you know that Watauga County is the third poorest county in the state? The Hunger and Health Coalition (opens in new tab) serves over 70 clients each day. What started as a small food pantry in a closet 40 years ago has grown into a food bank for all of Watauga County with the only free pharmacy in the area. Through generous donations and passionate community members Hunger and Health Coalition has a myriad of services including a Market, Food Pantry, Food Recovery, a Wood Lot, Back Pack program for children and Sharing Tree during Christmas.

Youth Development & Education

This Community of Practice (CoP) will be partnering with The Children's Playhouse. This CoP will sevre in pairs at The Children's Playhouse on a set schedule every week or every other week to gain direct experience. This group will plan events to educate the App State community on Youth Development and Education, as well as raise funds for this nonprofit through events of the groups choice.

The mission of The Children's Playhouse is to provide children from birth to age eight with enriching, educational play experiences for children while at the same time offering their parents and caregivers friendly support in the important job of raising children. The Children's Playhouse serves as an informal "town square" for the High Country: a place where natives and newcomers, out-of towners and locals, experienced parents and eager first-timers, and people of all classes are brought together to share the joy of playful learning with thier children. Stimulating arts- and science-based programs, enticing play areas and exhibits, and informative parenting resources all support this mission.