Global Good Conference
The annual Global Good Conference highlights sustainable and innovative ways of addressing global challenges with the goal of inspiring students, faculty, and the local community to use their knowledge and skills in the business of building a better world. This conference is reimagining the former Business For Good and Global Opportunities Conference into a combined event, highlighting the interconnections of local and global action and the importance of business as an actor in creating a sustainable world.
Martha Guy Business for Good Community
The Martha Guy Business for Good Community is a transformative initiative crafted especially for extraordinary first-generation transfer students.
Holshouser Ethics Program
The Holshouser Ethics Program contributes to the quality of undergraduate teaching, research accomplishment, and instruction in the area of ethics. The goal is to enhance ethics and ethical decision-making as a strong, positive component in the education of Appalachian State University students. Learn about upcoming events sponsored by the Holshouser Ethics Program.
Sustainable Business Careers
Knowledge of triple bottom line accounting and an interest in sustainable business is becoming increasingly relevant in the job market. Students with a minor in sustainable business or an interest in working for B Companies or other organizations that are motivated by more than profit have increasingly more jobs from which to choose. Learn more on the Walker College's Truist Student Leadership Center's site.
Walker College International Programs
The Walker College of Business encourages students to study abroad and provides a variety of short-term international programs designed to develop international business skills and intercultural knowledge. Most programs with a specific emphasis on sustainable business are listed with the course designator BUS 3055 or 4055. For a full list of upcoming faculty-led programs, visit the "international" tab on this webpage.
The 2024-25 faculty-led programs with a sustainability emphasis are:
- United Nations Climate Negotiations [ECO 4530/5530] This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental issues regarding climate change, the negotiations process, and the political dynamics of the UNFCCC. The course is intended to develop students’ analytical thinking and experiential learning at the international level – including the potential opportunity to attend the COP Conference. This program is open to MBA, Honors, and undergraduate students.
- William R. Holland International Impact Exchange Program This immersive international impact exchange program explores Asia and the US in a changing world. A unique international learning journey allows participants to explore business design and comprehensive internationalization strategies by visiting with organizations and individuals shaping the business landscapes across Asia and the world.
- BUS 4055/MBA 5020 -Critical Infrastructure & Risk Assessment in Scotland - This immersive program explores critical infrastructure risk, resilience, and sustainability with a special focus on Scotland. A unique international learning journey takes students to the areas around Inverness, St Andrews, and Aberdeen for visits to power plants, dams, wind farms, and energy companies. These meetings are centered on the unique geographical and natural resource challenges Scotland faces in consistently and sustainably meeting the utility needs of not only Scotland but the United Kingdom more broadly.
Student Organizations
- Student Sustainable Business Association (SSBA)
- Mission: To empower the next generation of entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and networking opportunities necessary to integrate sustainability into their business endeavors.
- Vision: The Student Sustainable Business Association or SSBA will function as a community for aspiring entrepreneurs, business students, and anyone interested in aligning their business endeavors with sustainability. The club will provide resources, workshops, guest speaker events, and networking opportunities centered around sustainable practices in business.
- To get involved with SSBA contact President Matthias Von Feilitzsch at vonfeilitzschmh@appstate.edu.
- Executive Impact provides opportunities for professional growth to the community of MBA students at Appalachian, including networking, learning from regional professionals, and serving the community. Through these opportunities, the club promotes a space for integrity, philanthropy, insight, networking, and balance to be at the forefront.
- Enactus is a global nonprofit organization that provides a platform for teams of outstanding university students to create community development projects that put people's own ingenuity and talents at the center of improving their livelihoods. Guided by educators and supported by business leaders, Enactus students take the kind of entrepreneurial approach that empowers people to be a part of their own success.
Alternative Service Experiences
Alternative Service Experiences allow students at Appalachian the opportunity to explore a variety of social issues while working with communities across the globe. These opportunities create deeper connections between classroom instruction and the communities of the world.
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Member
Appalachian State University's Walker College of Business has officially joined the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a global platform that affirms the university’s commitment to advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDSN membership allows students and faculty members opportunities to participate in SDSN-sponsored events on a global stage and collaborate on solutions-focused research on a broader scale. The Walker College SDSN will focus its efforts on SDG # 8 — promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all; SDG # 12 — ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns; and SDG #15 — protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combat desertification, and halting and reversing land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.