BOONE—Anthony P. Jones of Seven Devils has been named director of student financial aid at Appalachian State University effective April 1. Lori Townsend, who has served as interim director of financial aid since January 2015, will return to her position as senior associate director of financial aid.

Jones will be responsible for the administration of all federal, state and institutional financial aid programs; interpretation, implementation and administration of those programs in accordance with governing rules and regulatory authorities; implementation of scholarship awards within the overall financial aid packages; and the stewardship of the entire financial aid program effort in a manner that supports Appalachian’s strategic plan and enrollment goals.

“Anthony’s knowledge of financial aid policy developed over several decades, combined with his student-centered approach makes him the perfect leader for our Office of Financial Aid at Appalachian. His commitment to college access will serve our students and university well,” said Dr. Susan Davies, Appalachian’s associate vice chancellor for enrollment services.

Jones currently is a member of the faculty in Appalachian’s Department of Leadership and Educational Studies. He worked in various capacities with the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Aid Assistance (ACSFA) in Washington, D.C., including serving as director of policy research before being promoted to deputy executive director.

Also in Washington, D.C., he was a trainer and regulatory analyst for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and a served as a policy analyst/program specialist with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education Jones also has worked in or directed financial aid offices at Tusculum College, N.C. State University, and UNC Greensboro.

He is pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Georgia, and has a master’s degree from Tusculum College and a bachelor’s degree from UNC Greensboro.

Jones will lead a staff of 25 full-time employees, including full-time temporary staff in a call center.

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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