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. In doing so, we will foster a university community that is welcoming to all and an academic culture of collaboration and respect.

Freedom of Speech
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.

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App Votes
App Votes

Discover how advocating for and exercising voting rights empowers communities and fortifies our democratic society. App State understands the critical role that voting plays in civic engagement in shaping leadership and policy.

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Dialogue Across Difference
Dialogue Across Difference

Delve into the tactics for navigating complex conversations. Explore how embracing differing perspectives strengthens our academic community. Learn to foster a richer, more inclusive learning environment through productive dialogue.

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Dialogue Programs

At Appalachian State University, dialogue across differences is a core value. To support this, we've partnered with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) to equip Mountaineers with skills for constructive dialogue—a form of conversation where people with different perspectives strive to understand each other without sacrificing their own beliefs. CDI’s online program, Perspectives, integrates psychological concepts with interactive scenarios to teach healthy conflict resolution. The program includes six 30-minute online modules, completed asynchronously, with an optional three peer-to-peer conversation activities for skill practice. Benefits of the program include improved handling of roommate disagreements, classroom debates, project collaborations, and maintaining diverse friendships. Research shows that over 80% of students feel more confident navigating difficult conversations and 84% gain valuable professional and life skills. To implement Perspectives for your group, contact Summer Wisdom, Associate Director in the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership, at wisdomss@appstate.edu.

Preview the Perspectives modules

Voting Information

Voting process and important dates

Civic Literacy Classroom Presentations

Peer leaders trained in nonpartisan voting education are available to provide interactive civic literacy presentations about voting logistics. Presentation length can be adapted to fit the needs of your class or meeting.

Location: We visit your location

Topics

  • Voting 101
  • Media Literacy in Politics
  • Local Government
  • Levels of Government
  • Customized topics available upon request

Request a Presentation

Contact

Ashley Vinson
vinsonab@appstate.edu
828-262-2545

Upcoming Events

Opportunities for You and Your Students to Engage

  • Back to School Zine Night
    Aug. 21, 2025 / 6:30 p.m.
    CEL Outreach Center (PSU 138)

    Come hang out, make art, eat snacks, and update your voter registration!

  • Trivia Night: Wellness & Civic Literacy
    Aug. 28, 2025 / 6:30 p.m.
    Crossroads (PSU)

    Join us to compete in our first Trivia Night of the semester. We will be kicking off trivia this school year by partnering with the Student Wellness Center. During trivia, students will be quizzed on their sex, drugs, and rock n roll knowledge. All members of the winning team win free coffee.

  • Taste of Dialogue: Building Bipartisanship
    Sept. 8, 2025 / 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
    PSU 201A

    What is bipartisanship and how can we achieve it? You're invited to enjoy free dinner, an introductory panel discussion about bipartisanship, and then a small-group facilitated dialogue with your fellow Mountaineers.

  • Democra-Cycle
    Sept. 10, 2025 / 7 p.m.
    Quinn

    Pedal to the metal! Join AppVotes at Quinn Rec center for a 45 minute cycle group fitness class and an opportunity to learn more about what we do on campus. Work out that start of a new semester stress in an inclusive environment for all students and abilities. Make sure to bring some water and have some fun. We can't wait to see you!

  • County Commissioners Meeting Viewing Party
    Sept. 16, 2025 / 4:30 p.m.
    CEL Outreach Center (PSU 138)

    Join App Votes to sit in on County Commissioner meetings to learn first hand the inner workings of local government.

  • Constitution Day Reading
    Sept. 17, 2025 / 12 – 12:30 p.m.
    PSU Solarium

    Constitution Day Reading in the PSU Solarium.

  • Taste of Dialogue: Constitution Day Event
    Sept. 22, 2025 / 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
    PSU 201A

    Why is the US constitution so hard to amend? Should the process be easier? What amendments do you think would be beneficial? You’re invited to enjoy a free dinner and small-group facilitated dialogue about the US Constitution as part of Appalachian’s celebration of Constitution Day.

  • Trivia Night: Collaboration with Latin Hispanic Alliance & Student American Indian Movement
    Sept. 25, 2025 / 6:30 p.m.
    Crossroads (PSU)

    Join App Votes, Latin Hispanic Alliance, and Student American Indian Movement for some awesome trivia about ______ at Crossroads Cafe in the Student Union. You may even win some coffee so give it a try and come join us for a memorable night.

  • Taste of Dialogue: SCOTUS Case Review
    Oct. 6, 2025 / 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
    PSU 201A
     
  • Boone Town Council Candidate Forum
    Oct. 7, 2025 / 6:30 p.m.
    PSU 201AB

    Join us for a panel of local Town Council Candidates and have a chance to hear their platforms and ask questions.

  • Democra-Cycle
    Oct. 8, 2025 / 7 p.m.
    Quinn
     
  • Zine Night
    Oct. 15, 2025 / 6 p.m.
    CEL Outreach Center (PSU 138)

    Come and hang out with App Votes, make zines, and eat snacks! You can make sure your voter registration is updated and learn about how to vote in the upcoming elections.

  • County Commissioners Meeting Viewing Party
    Oct. 21, 2025 / 4:30 p.m.
    CEL Outreach Center (PSU 138)

    Join App Votes to sit in on a County Commissioner meeting to learn first hand the inner workings of local government.

  • Trivia Night: Founding Documents
    Oct. 30, 2025 / 6:30 p.m.
    Crossroads

    Join us for our third trivia night of the semester. During trivia, students will be quizzed on their Founding Document knowledge with a spooky twist. Come join us Hallow's Eve and win some free coffee.

  • Taste of Dialogue: Your Taxes, Your Say
    Nov. 11, 2025 / 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
    PSU 201A
     
  • Democra-Cycle
    Nov. 12, 2025 / 7 p.m.
    Quinn
     
  • County Commissioners Meeting Viewing Party
    Nov. 18, 2025 / 4:30 p.m.
    CEL Outreach Center (PSU 138)

    Join App Votes to sit in on a County Commissioner meeting to learn first hand the inner workings of local government.

  • Trivia Night: American Education Week - Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
    Nov. 20, 2025 / 6:30 p.m.
    Crossroads (PSU)

    Join App Votes to test and see if you're smarter than a 5th grader with trivia questions about _____. Everyone on the winning team will also get a free coffee.

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