Last Updated on March 6, 2026 12:32 pm
Friday, March 6, 2026
Last week, we held an afternoon of in-person programming for students in our online programs supported by Project Kitty Hawk, a nonprofit partner that works with the UNC System to bring educational programs online — and support students throughout their educational experiences, all the way through to graduation. These App State programs, designated as Flight Path programs, are held entirely online and are designed to meet the needs of working adults as they earn their degrees. On Friday, more than 55 Flight Path students gathered at our Hickory campus, where they enjoyed an opportunity to meet their fellow classmates and faculty in person and were also connected with career development and alumni networking resources.
It was such a pleasure to join these students and celebrate their perseverance, hard work and determination, as they balance work, family and school to complete their degrees. Many were joined by their family members and loved ones, who are playing a strong role in supporting our students in meeting their educational goals and furthering their careers. You can watch a video sharing some highlights from the event here.
As we commended their success, Provost Specht and I reminded these students that our Boone and Hickory campuses are not only physical anchors for their online studies but also places where they can find a community prepared to support their journeys — as a learning environment today, and as their alma mater after graduation.
Accounting major Jill Hatley shared her perspective on the event: “So glad I was able to attend and speak to other classmates and meet so many amazing people who value education and my future.” Spending time with these students and hearing their stories was inspirational, and we were so pleased to offer this opportunity for fostering personal and professional connections on our Hickory campus. A huge thank you to Interim Vice Provost for Academic Programming and Planning Mark Bradbury for developing this event for our Flight Path students.
Since we began our partnership with Project Kitty Hawk in April of 2024, we have developed six Project Kitty Hawk-supported Flight Path bachelor’s programs and will offer an Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate program this fall — the first graduate certificate program offered through this platform.
In the four semesters since launching the platform, we’ve increased our online student enrollment by nearly 28%, and App State Online students now represent more than 16% of our total student population. Students enrolled in App State’s Project Kitty Hawk-supported Flight Path programs account for 18% of our online student population, and we’re proud of their first- to second-year persistence rate of 90%.
These programs are taught by App State faculty who care deeply about the success of our students, and that is borne out by the data. As just one example, in January, U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Online Programs” ranked App State among the top 18% of U.S. colleges and universities in the nation for best online bachelor’s programs.
Our partnerships focused on quality and lasting student support also include our recent selection by FirstGen Forward Network, a national initiative designed to support and enhance the success of first-generation college students. Our demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation students qualified App State as one of only 60 higher education institutions to join the organization this academic year.
One-third of our students are the first in their families to go to college. These students are not only changing the economic mobility of their families for generations, they are also helping set high standards for resilience, adaptability and determination for their peers. To help ensure success in completing their degrees, we work to offer our nearly 6,600 first-generation students specialized academic advising, comprehensive mentoring, tutoring, financial literacy education and career exploration and development services.
Membership in the FirstGen Forward Network has allowed us access to significant, high-value resources designed to help bolster our support for first-generation students, including a network of professional connections and professional development opportunities for students, faculty and staff, access to evidence-based practices, and tailored support as we work to continually improve our resources, services and programs for this student population.
Tonight offers a fabulous opportunity to enjoy the amazing weather and join Downtown Boone’s First Friday Art Crawl. As part of this event, the Turchin Center invites the community to what promises to be a fun-filled First Friday, which is free of charge and open to the public, and will include music, artist talks and hands-on artmaking for all ages. A much-anticipated highlight is the 23rd Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition and Exhibition, featuring a talk by the competition’s juror, artist Ty Murray, who will be discussing this year’s entries prior to the competition’s awards presentation.
Tomorrow evening, I’ll be in the stands at Pensacola Bay Center, supporting our Men’s Basketball team as they take on tonight’s fourth round winner in the Sun Belt Conference Basketball Tournament quarterfinals. Wherever we may be, let’s wear our Black and Gold and cheer loudly and proudly in support of these student-athletes as they go for the championship! I wish them the best of luck. Go App!
This weekend also begins spring break for our students and faculty. I wish you all a week that includes some rest, relaxation and rejuvenation, and I look forward to being back together for the final weeks of the spring semester.
Heather Norris
Chancellor
