Appalachian State University
Already one of the fastest-growing universities in the state, Appalachian State University looked to widen its student base through the introduction of Flight Path programs. Since launching, more than 520 new students have started at App State through Flight Path programs — a level of growth that has already exceeded projections and demonstrates the strong demand for flexible, career-focused degree options among working adults.
The first two programs – Health Care Management and Supply Chain Management – launched in August 2024, followed by three more in January 2025: Accounting, Criminal Justice, and Organizational Leadership and Learning.
In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Appalachian State jumped 24 spots and is now ranked among the top 16% of U.S. colleges and universities for best online bachelor’s programs — further evidence of the university’s momentum in serving adult learners.
“Appalachian State University was founded on the mission of increasing access to education, and we are proud to join this partnership with Project Kitty Hawk. Together, we are creating clear pathways for students at every stage of their journey, while also meeting workforce needs across our region and state.”
– Appalachian State Chancellor Heather Norris
Student story
Meet Jill
After raising two daughters and building a career in accounting, Jill is finally pursuing a longtime dream—earning her bachelor’s degree through App State Online. With her family’s support and her own determination, she’s proving it’s never too late to keep learning and set an example for the next generation.
Jill Hatley has spent her whole life in Albemarle, NC, building a career as an accounting manager while raising two daughters. With both daughters now thriving in higher education—one recently graduating from UNC Charlotte, the other pursuing pharmacy at Wingate—Jill felt it was time to pursue her own next chapter.
She first earned her associate degree in Business Administration in 2008 while working full-time and raising her family. Nearly twenty years later, she’s returning to school to complete her bachelor’s degree in Accounting through App State Online. “I kept putting it off because my children were more important. Now, they’re telling me, ‘Mom, finally, you’re doing something for yourself.’ That means the world to me.”
For Jill, this decision is both personal and practical. Her employer is supportive, and earning her degree will give her the deeper accounting knowledge she needs to grow in her career. But it’s also about setting an example:
“I want my daughters to see that education doesn’t stop. Even as adults, we’re still striving and grinding to make a better future.”
Jill hopes her own journey will inspire her husband to finish the last class he needs to complete his degree—and she looks forward to the day her whole family celebrates their educational milestones together.
“Am I nervous? Absolutely. But I’ve never stopped learning. This time, it’s about finishing something I started—and proving to myself that I can.”
“This is something I’ve wanted for a long time. I put my kids first, and now it’s my turn.”
– Jill Hatley, App State Flight Path Student
April, born in New York and raised in Concord, NC, always valued education. After earning her first bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Arizona State University in 2019, she found herself thriving in the accounting field. To further her career goals of becoming a corporate controller, April decided to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in accounting. She enrolled in App State Online’s program in January 2025, drawn to its flexibility and the opportunity to graduate in her home state of North Carolina.
“This time it’s very different. And I have a different mindset, like the work and what I’m doing, and it’s reflected in my grades, and that’s just more of a motivation to keep going.”
– April Montalvo, App State Flight Path Student