BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has received a Research Activity Designation of Research 2 from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — the nation’s leading framework for categorizing U.S. higher education institutions. This new designation is awarded to institutions with high research activity and doctorate production.
“This designation aligns with App State’s steady growth in research investments, giving our students more opportunities to engage in innovative and meaningful research and creative activities alongside App State’s expert faculty and staff,” said App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris. “This work yields real-world solutions and technologies that drive innovation — answering the needs of our communities and strengthening economies.”
In fiscal year 2024, App State set a university record for research funding, securing over $25 million in awards for faculty and staff projects. Over the last five years, App State’s funded research has increased by nearly 75%.
A strong emphasis on undergraduate research opportunities has long set App State apart from other research universities. App State students benefit from hands-on experience on impactful projects and avenues to present their research at major conferences — deepening learning and preparing students to excel in their future careers and/or graduate studies.
App State’s R2 designation opens the door for additional opportunities for students to conduct groundbreaking research and advance creative endeavors side-by-side with faculty and staff, according to Dr. Christine Ogilvie Hendren, vice provost of research and innovation at App State.
She added that the designation positions the university within a broader, national peer group, helping to more clearly assess App State’s performance, quality and value against similar institutions.
“At our core, we are still a teaching institution, and that will always remain fundamental to our identity,” Norris said. “This new distinction will support continued teaching and research opportunities for faculty, which provide important pathways for student learning.”