History
Originally named Prestigious Scholarship Program, our office was housed in the honors college. In order to broaden our scope and create a more accessible and inclusive program, the name was changed to Nationally Competitive Scholarships and eventually moved to be housed under University College. The Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships celebrated its 5 year anniversary in 2022!
Mission
The Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships supports Appalachian’s goal of fostering engaged, responsible global citizens and providing students with a rigorous liberal education by actively engaging and advising students in the pursuit of funding to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. Nationally Competitive Scholarships encourages students to pursue and compete for prestigious national and international scholarships and fellowships. The office advocates for an academic and scholarly community devoted to the rigorous pursuit of knowledge. The office seeks and facilitates collaboration with key office and university stakeholders to promote a campus-wide culture of awareness and expectation regarding national and international award opportunities available to students.
Vision
To foster a rigorous and engaging intellectual and personal growth experience for outstanding students applying for nationally competitive awards; providing an open and transparent recruiting, application, and endorsement process that engages the university in promoting, participating in, and celebrating excellence in its student body; enabling students to develop strong writing and interviewing skills through the awards application process; mentoring students as they connect their intellectual passions and college experience with their future goals, and then chart their postgraduate path forward.
Core Values
Integrity
We agree to conduct ourselves responsibly and ethically in our relationships with students, colleagues at our institutions, and each other. We will approach all candidates and scholarships with the goal to maintain integrity in both our relationships and our approach to the scholarship process.
Collaboration
The effectiveness of all individual members and organizations is enhanced when we work together to promote our programs and protect our candidates’ best interests.
Respect
The profession and practice of advising for and administering competitive scholarships and fellowships is based on mutual respect and trust for each other and our candidates.
Fairness
We have an obligation to treat candidates and each other fairly, equitably, and in a non- discriminatory manner.
See National Association of Fellowship Advising Code of Ethics for further guidelines on the expectations our office will adhere to and encourage in students, colleagues, and stakeholders.
National Association of Fellowship Advisors
The Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships is a member of the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA). NAFA is a higher education organization that "that focuses entirely on the role of fellowships advisors". The goal of the organization is to " promote the full potential of fellowship candidates through the application process and to foster the continued growth and professionalization of fellowship advising in higher education". Our office adheres to the Code of Ethics outlined by this organization.