Appalachian & the Community Together (ACT) is Appalachian State University's clearinghouse for community service, service-learning, and community-based research opportunities within the NC High Country area, as well as across the state, nation, and world.

We offer diverse opportunities for individuals and student groups to get involved in human services and environmental advocacy, as well as assist faculty members and community partners with integrating community service projects into their academic courses and local agencies.

Due to the tremendous work of ASU students, faculty, staff, and our community partners, we have received some high accolades in the past couple of years!

• In both 2005 & 2006, ASU was recognized by the U.S. News & World Report as having a strong academic service-learning program. Find out more about "Service-Learning: The Appalachian Way".
• In 2006, ASU was recognized on the President's Higher Education Honor Roll for our work with hurricane relief efforts.
• In 2007, ASU was recognized "with distinction" on the President's Higher Education Honor Roll, with a focus on outreach to disadvantaged youth.
• In 2008, ASU received the Community Engagement Elective Classification for Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnerships by the Carnegie Foundation for the Engagement of Teaching.
• In 2009, ASU was featured in Beyond the Books for Excellence in Service-Learning.

Here's a quick look at our overall impact during the past 4 academic years (2004/05-2007/08):

• 368,247 student hours have been spent serving the local community
• $7.2 million of volunteer value has been provided to the local economy
• $144,400 in direct funds have been raised for local community agencies
• $105,000 in educational awards have been provided to ASU students for their participation in our NC-ACTS!/AmeriCorps Program
• 75 meals/day (nearly 20,000 meals/year) have been given to the community via ASU/ACT/Hunger & Health Coalition's Food Recovery Program

ACT is supported by both Student Development and Academic Affairs, and is a proud member of North Carolina Campus Compact, a statewide coalition of 39 colleges/universities that is dedicated to community service, service-learning, and civic engagement initiatives. The ACT Service-Learning & Community-Based Research Program is a unit within Appalachian’s University College. University College consists of the university’s integrated general education curriculum, academic support services, residential learning communities, interdisciplinary degree programs and co-curricular programming all designed to support the work of students both inside and outside of the classroom.