Awards of Distinction

Karen Fletcher joined App State's Office of Research and Innovation in 2015 as director of grants resources and services.

Fletcher is an administrative member of the University Research Council, represents the Office of Research and Innovation as a communications liaison and serves as a member of the implementation committee for App State's Strategic Plan for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities. She is also co-chair of the NC Advancing Collaborative Research Experiences steering committee that facilitates relationships among research development professionals in the University of North Carolina System.

One of Fletcher's nominators, a colleague, said, "Karen is the epitome of collegiality. She truly wants the best for the people she works with but also expects excellence. Karen constantly reminds us how much we are valued members of the team, and feeling valued by leadership is one of the most important elements of any job."

Among her many accomplishments, Fletcher developed the App State PREParation for Appalachian Research Experiences mentoring program, which is now in its seventh year.

Fletcher holds a Master of Business Administration from Coastal Carolina University and a bachelor's degree in communication/public relations from the University of Hartford. She earned a grant writing certificate from the University of South Carolina.