App State's Department of Geography and Planning is pleased to welcome back App State alumna Mary Beth Collins ‘99, executive director of the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. What does a healthy community look like beyond election cycles and party politics? In this engaging talk, Mary Beth will break down the concept of Civic Health — exploring how social connectivity, community trust, and local engagement shape the strength of our places and institutions. As lead author of the upcoming second Civic Health in Wisconsin report and head of the state’s Civic Health Initiative, Mary Beth will share key findings from Wisconsin and unpack actionable insights for North Carolina — a state sharing strikingly similar demographic, geographic, and socio-political dynamics. Discover how local research can drive meaningful community action and how North Carolina can build a more connected, resilient future. The talk — free and open to all App State students, faculty, staff, and community members — will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 3:30-5 p.m. in Rankin Science West 345.