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App State names Dr. Neva Specht as vice provost for faculty policies and development

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Dr. Neva Specht has been appointed Appalachian State University’s vice provost for faculty policies and development, effective Oct. 11. Photo by Marie Freeman

“In her progressive leadership roles, Dr. Specht has provided unwavering support for faculty professional development in her college and campuswide.”

App State Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris

By Megan Bruffy
Posted Oct. 8, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

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.”

App State Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris

“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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Specht named dean of Appalachian’s College of Arts and Sciences
Specht named dean of Appalachian’s College of Arts and Sciences
March 27, 2017

Dr. Neva J. Specht has been named dean of Appalachian State University’s College of Arts and Sciences after a national search. She begins her duties May 1.

Read the story
App State and Cone Estate connection spans 100-plus years, yields academic and engagement opportunities
App State and Cone Estate connection spans 100-plus years, yields academic and engagement opportunities
Aug. 6, 2021

App State’s location in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina opens avenues of academic and civic engagement particular to the area. The university’s partnership with the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park in Blowing Rock — spanning more than a century — is a good example.

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About the Division of Academic Affairs

The Division of Academic Affairs is responsible for student learning and success at Appalachian State University, including oversight of the university’s challenging academic curriculum, active classroom environments, and close collaboration between faculty members and students on scholarly activities. 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 and Hayes School of Music; as well as the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School, the Honors College, University College and 12 other units that support the innovative, interdisciplinary and integrative academic experience for which Appalachian is known. Learn more at http://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, 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.

“In her progressive leadership roles, Dr. Specht has provided unwavering support for faculty professional development in her college and campuswide.”

App State Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris

Specht named dean of Appalachian’s College of Arts and Sciences
March 27, 2017

Dr. Neva J. Specht has been named dean of Appalachian State University’s College of Arts and Sciences after a national search. She begins her duties May 1.

Read the story
App State and Cone Estate connection spans 100-plus years, yields academic and engagement opportunities
App State and Cone Estate connection spans 100-plus years, yields academic and engagement opportunities
Aug. 6, 2021

App State’s location in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina opens avenues of academic and civic engagement particular to the area. The university’s partnership with the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park in Blowing Rock — spanning more than a century — is a good example.

Read the story

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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