Student life
Student Demographics and Campus Life at Appalachian State University
Student Composition (As of May 2, 2022)
The student population at this higher education institution reflects diverse backgrounds:
- White: 81%
- Hispanic: 8%
- Other: 5%
- Black: 4%
- Asian: 2%
- Foreign National: 1%
Economic Diversity
- Low-Income: 28%
- Affluent: 72%
Student Activities and Campus Engagement
At Appalachian State University, students have access to various outdoor recreational activities, including snowboarding, skiing, tubing, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, camping, and fishing around the Blue Ridge Parkway. The public university also provides over 400 student organizations, managed by the McCaskey Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, offering opportunities to join academic clubs, diversity-focused groups, Greek life, and sports organizations.
Each semester, the university organizes a Club Expo, allowing students to explore clubs that align with their interests. Volunteer centers, including the Multicultural Center, the LGBT Center, and the Women’s Center—recognized as North Carolina’s only fully volunteer-run Women’s Center—operate under the supervision of the Multicultural Student Development Office. In 2016, a Student Veterans Resource Center was introduced at the student union, further expanding resources for students.
Campus facilities include three indoor fitness centers, an athletics field, and an outdoor recreation center.
The Appalachian Popular Programming Society (A.P.P.S.) is a student-driven organization that plans social and cultural events, contributing to student engagement at this American university. Established in 1985, it enhances student nightlife and fosters an inclusive campus culture. Its seven programming councils cover Heritage, Club Shows, Main Stage, Representation and Intentional Student Engagement (RISE), Films, Special Events, and Spirit & Traditions. Concerts and other events are hosted at Legends, while the on-campus Greenbriar Theater provides movie screenings.
Sustainability Initiatives
This state university of New York affiliate has undertaken multiple sustainability projects, including:
- A 100-kilowatt wind turbine at Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, a prominent symbol of the university’s investment in renewable energy.
- LEED® Gold-certified residence halls, including Mountaineer Residence Hall, which incorporates a 40-panel solar thermal system for hot water.
- Use of solar energy in several buildings, including Varsity Gym, Plemmons Student Union, Raley Hall, and Kerr Scott Hall, which features the first green roof on campus.
- Composting programs within Appalachian Food Services to reduce food waste, with compost used in university landscaping.
- A free public transit service, AppalCART, connecting the campus to the Boone community.
- Installation of solar-powered trash compactors at Sanford Mall.
- A student and faculty-maintained Edible Schoolyard for hands-on learning in sustainable agriculture.
Recognition for sustainability includes:
- Tree Campus USA Certification from the Arbor Day Foundation.
- Climate Leadership Award for the university’s commitment to climate action.
- Participation in the American Campuses Act on Climate Roundtable, hosted by the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Athletics at Appalachian State University
The American higher education institution fields 17 varsity sports teams competing in NCAA Division I as part of the Sun Belt Conference. The Mountaineers football team transitioned to the FBS subdivision in 2014 and has maintained a strong presence in college football.
Key Facilities:
- Kidd Brewer Stadium (30,000 seats), home to Mountaineer football.
- George M. Holmes Convocation Center, hosting basketball, volleyball, and indoor track and field.
Additional athletic programs include club sports, such as lacrosse, rugby, soccer, ultimate frisbee, and skiing, which allow students to compete with other colleges and universities.
The college’s cycling team has achieved national recognition in multiple disciplines, securing Division 2 national championships in mountain biking and cyclocross.
The business school supports student engagement in extracurricular activities, while the graduate school provides further academic opportunities.
Football Legacy
Appalachian State’s football team secured three consecutive Division I FCS national championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007, making history as the first team to achieve this feat since 1978. The college’s milestone victory over the University of Michigan in 2007 was dubbed the “All-Time Upset” by Sports Illustrated. Since joining the FBS, the team has consistently won conference championships and bowl games.
Media Presence
Appalachian State has been featured in various media productions, including an MTV educational institution special, “Campus Crawl,” and a viral promotional video titled “Hot Hot Hot,” which gained unexpected popularity.
A significant controversy emerged in 2012 when a tenured sociology professor was placed on administrative leave after showing the documentary The Price of Pleasure, drawing national attention within the academic community.