About
The Center for Appalachian Studies is an interdisciplinary program in the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University. Founded in 1978, the Center coordinates academic programs, public outreach, and research on the Appalachian Mountain region.
Building on the work of pioneering scholars such as folklorist Amos Abrams, Cratis Williams—widely considered the father of Appalachian Studies—and former director Dr. Patricia Beaver, the Center continues to illuminate and sustain the region’s rich history, cultures, communities, and ecology.
Our Mission
The Center fosters a deeper understanding of Appalachia by:
- Supporting research, teaching, and scholarship on the region.
- Encouraging collaboration with local scholars, community groups, and partner organizations.
- Promoting public programs and cultural events that connect campus and community.
- Preparing students to engage critically with regional, national, and global issues.
Our History
Appalachian State has played a central role in the creation and growth of Appalachian Studies as a field.
- 1968 – The W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection is established in the Belk Library, becoming one of the world’s most significant archives of regional materials.
- 1972 – Appalachian Journal, a peer-reviewed quarterly dedicated to Appalachian history, culture, and issues, is founded by Carl Ross and continues publication today.
- 1977 – The Appalachian Studies Conference (now the Appalachian Studies Association) holds its first meeting in Boone, bringing together scholars, students, and community members from across the region.
- 1978 – Appalachian State formally creates the Center for Appalachian Studies, the first center of its kind in the UNC System, under the leadership of Cratis Williams and later Dr. Patricia Beaver.
- 1979 – The university launches the nation’s first Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies, which remains the premier graduate program in the field.
- 1980s–2000s – The Center expands its scope through conferences, visiting scholars, international partnerships, and a growing interdisciplinary curriculum.
- Today – The Center continues to lead in advancing Appalachian scholarship, supporting regional communities, and preparing students to engage with the complex challenges and opportunities facing Appalachia.
Academic Programs
The Center supports a range of undergraduate and graduate opportunities:
- Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies (concentrations in Sustainability in Appalachia and Culture & Music)
- Graduate Certificates
- Graduate minor in Appalachian Studies
- Undergraduate minors in Appalachian Studies and Appalachian Music
Courses are taught across multiple disciplines—history, anthropology, English, music, sustainable development, and more—bringing fresh perspectives and cutting-edge scholarship to the classroom.
Looking Ahead
Today, the Center continues to challenge outdated stereotypes of Appalachia and advance new scholarship, including work on regional diversity and comparative mountain studies. Our faculty, students, and community partners explore pressing questions of identity, culture, and sustainability—helping Appalachia shape its own story in a globalized world.
Center Staff
