BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Neva Specht has been named as Appalachian State University’s vice provost for faculty policies and development, effective Oct. 11. She has served as dean of App State’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) since 2017.

“In her progressive leadership roles, Dr. Specht has provided unwavering support for faculty professional development in her college and campuswide,” said App State Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris.

Prior to being dean, Specht served in various leadership roles within CAS: CAS senior associate dean, CAS associate dean and assistant chair of the college’s Department of History. She has also served on universitywide committees, including the University Academic Assessment Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Dean and Provost councils and Athletics Council.

Specht began at App State as a professor of history in 1996. Her scholarship focuses on race, gender, and religion in community and identity formation.

“Her commitment to diversity is reflected in her scholarship, service and leadership at Appalachian,” Norris said.

Specht has been a leader in CAS’ diversity and inclusion efforts to develop a college-level diversity statement and support inclusive hiring practices and implicit bias training for faculty and search committees.

A complement to her work as a professor, she served for six years as the university liaison to the Blue Ridge Parkway. She has also been a trustee and board chair for the North Carolina Humanities Council. Locally, she has served on the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum’s board, Blue Ridge Parkway 75 and the Town of Boone’s Cultural Resources Advisory Board.

Specht has earned several awards, including a Transforming North Carolina Faculty Research Award, an Appalachian State University Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award, a College of Arts and Sciences Jimmy Smith Service Award and a Communal Studies Association Starting Scholar Award.

She received her doctorate in United States history and material culture studies from the University of Delaware, where she also earned her Master of Arts in U.S. history with a certificate in museum studies. She received her bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College, with a double major in history and American studies.

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About the Division of Academic Affairs

The Division of Academic Affairs at Appalachian State University is dedicated to fostering student success, cultivating innovation and preparing students to lead purposeful lives — upholding the university’s longstanding tradition of service and leadership. Through its integrated efforts across academic programs, student support services, enrollment management and arts engagement, the division ensures App State provides a holistic and enriching educational journey for all Mountaineer students. Academic Affairs encompasses the degree-granting College of Arts and Sciences, College of Fine and Applied Arts, Beaver College of Health Sciences, Reich College of Education, Walker College of Business, Hayes School of Music and University College, as well as the Williams School of Graduate Studies, the Honors College and 10 other units — including Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources — that support the innovative, interdisciplinary and integrative Appalachian Experience. Learn more at https://academicaffairs.appstate.edu.

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, cost-effective education. 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.