BOONE—Jan P. Stanley, director of the James Center for Appalachian Educators in Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education, has received the Harvey R. Durham Freshman Advocate Award for 2015.

A monetary award and a plaque are presented annually to a full-time university employee who has contributed significantly to improving the freshman experience on campus. Stanley also will receive a University Medallion at convocation in September.

A long-time educator, Stanley came to Appalachian in 2006 after an 18-year career in the public schools. In addition to working with the university’s federally funded Gear Up program, she more recently has worked with aspiring teachers, first as director of the N.C. Teaching Fellows Program at Appalachian and now as director of the James Center for Appalachian Educators.

When the N.C. Legislature began phasing out the North Carolina Teaching Fellows program, Stanley and her staff created the Appalachian Community of Educations Scholars to continue supporting future teachers. The four-year program focuses on mentoring, leadership, service and personal and professional development.

Stanley manages the application process for all freshman education scholarships, works with the James Patterson and the Steve and Judy James Scholars, and advises the Appalachian Educators Club and the Student N.C. Association of Educators Club. She also teaches a course titled “So You Think You Want to Teach” for students who are considering majoring in education.

“In addition to creating a sense of community for students, Jan is their tireless advocate, wrote colleague Jeff Goodman, who teaches in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Her passion for student development, organizational skills, selflessness, and interpersonal savvy are unparalleled at Appalachian State University, and we in the Reich College of Education owe her a great debt of gratitude for her hard work recruiting first year students into the Appalachian Community of Education Scholars program and supporting them through their transition to college and beyond.”

A student wrote, “Jan Stanley clearly pours her heart and soul into the lives of freshmen because she is well aware of the impact the foundation of a student’s freshman year has on the rest of the academic career. She simply has a knack for positively engaging freshmen and fostering their excitement and fire for teaching.”

Dr. Anita Kitchens, a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences since 1973, was also nominated for the award. She was recognized for her work with freshmen during the May 5 Durham Award ceremony.

A student wrote about Kitchens that, “I had never been told that I could do better in math. People always had just expected me to accept the fact that I was bad at it. Dr. Kitchens demanded I do more because I was capable of more and then she gave me the tools to achieve that goal.”

The Harvey R. Durham Freshman Advocate Award was created by Susan and Harvey Durham. In addition to serving as Appalachian’s chief academic officer for 24 years, Durham was acting chancellor from May 2003-July 2004.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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