Twelve students from Appalachian State University have been chosen for the 2026 William R. Holland International Business Fellowship program, which provides opportunities to study business practices in Asia. The fellowship, established in 1996, allows selected business majors to participate in spring and summer courses and includes a two-week trip to Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
Dr. Sandra Vannoy, dean of the Walker College of Business, stated, “The Holland Fellows program exemplifies our commitment to preparing globally minded business leaders. Through immersive international experiences and meaningful alumni engagement, our students gain the skills, confidence and perspective needed to lead in a rapidly evolving global economy.”
The program was named after businessman William “Bill” Holland and began as an exchange between Appalachian State University (App State) and Fudan University in Shanghai. Initially focused on joint studies between students from both universities, it has since expanded to include interactions with industry leaders across multiple Asian countries. The curriculum addresses current business topics such as circular economy practices and resilience against disruptions.
Jesse Pipes, senior lecturer in the Department of Management at App State and facilitator for the Holland Fellows program, explained that pandemic-related restrictions in 2020 led to more virtual components being added to the program. As travel resumed, new destinations were included and connections with App State alumni abroad helped support student experiences.
Past cohorts have worked on projects like creating sustainable business plans for coffee byproducts with Indonesian partners or examining supply chains with companies such as UNIFI—a firm that recycles post-consumer bottles into textiles. These projects are designed to give students practical experience addressing real-world challenges.
App State alumna Emily Wilson commented on her experience: “This gave me new perspectives and a deep understanding of sustainability, far beyond what I had known from clothing tags and surface-level information.”
Students also visited North Carolina-based mills and recycling organizations through partnerships with local businesses like Recover Brands. Pipes noted that these experiences help students connect regional history with modern global value chains: “These tangible experiences equip our students with the confidence to understand and evaluate real business situations faced by both local and global companies.”
As the fellowship marks its 30th anniversary this year, participants benefit from a growing network of alumni who serve as guest speakers or mentors. Notable alumni include Dan Rupp of Parkway Capital; Preston Powell ’01 and Adam Scherer ’01 of MOAM Group; Brad Sparks ’97 ’98 of Accounting for Sustainability Foundation; Michael McSwain ’10 at Nike; Aaron Bobo ’07 at A.P. Moller – Maersk; Sarah Lawall ’13 at QBE Europe; and JC Payne ’12 at Jennings Cook & Co.
Reflecting on her participation, Amber Waddle said: “This opportunity provided me with confidence in my abilities and career goals. I didn’t have a clear understanding of what I wanted to do until this class and trip inspired me with direction and purpose.”
Appalachian State University is part of the University of North Carolina System serving over 21,000 students across its Boone and Hickory campuses as well as online programs statewide [source]. The university is recognized nationally for its academics, value, innovation, sustainability [source], offers more than 150 undergraduate majors plus 80 graduate programs [source], spans 1,200 acres [source], focuses on preparing engaged global citizens aware of their role in building a sustainable future [source], and maintains facilities designed for academic use [source].
More information about the Holland Fellows program can be found at hollandfellows.appstate.edu.
