Dr. Charlie Chen, professor in App State’s Department of Computer Information Systems, has been honored with a 2025 University of North Carolina Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award. Photo by Chase Reynolds
BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Charlie Chen, professor in App State’s Department of Computer Information Systems, has been honored with a 2025 University of North Carolina Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award. The award is given annually to one outstanding faculty member from each of the UNC System’s 17 institutions.
In addition to the Excellence in Teaching Award, the UNC Board of Governors also selected six App State faculty to receive campus-based awards for their innovative teaching methods:
- Appalachian State University Excellence in Teaching Award: Dr. Shannon Cline
- Appalachian State University School/College Awards: Alana Baird, Dr. Brandy Hadley, Dr. Jamie Levine, Dr. Katie Mawhinney and Dr. Clare Scott Chialvo
Read more about these six awards recipients below.
“This year’s Excellence in Teaching Awards winners exemplify the quality of App State’s faculty — scholars who devote their time, energy and expertise toward building academic environments, inside and outside the classroom, where students thrive,” said App State Chancellor Heather Norris. “This well-deserved honor highlights their dedication to and passion for student success."
Chen, who has been a faculty member at App State for over two decades, has designed and taught nearly 30 undergraduate and graduate courses in the Walker College of Business. He holds a Dean’s Club professorship and is a past recipient of many prestigious Walker College awards, including the Sywassink Award for Excellence in Research and the Faculty Global Leadership Award.
“Among other attributes, Dr. Chen’s enthusiasm, dedication to innovation and commitment to creating transformative experiences for our students make him a deserving honoree,” said Dr. Sandra Vannoy, dean of the Walker College of Business. “I am grateful to the UNC Board of Governors for recognizing his outstanding contributions to our community.”
As a faculty global leader, Chen has focused on creating transformative international experiences for his students. Throughout his career, he has organized over 20 study abroad programs to China, Japan, Spain, Taiwan and Thailand, and he has mentored students on multiple projects addressing global and local challenges.
As for his research, Chen has authored four books, more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and proceedings and has presented at several professional conferences and venues.
Chen holds a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Master of Business Administration from the American Graduate School of International Management (now known as the Thunderbird School of Global Management) and a doctorate from Claremont Graduate University.
In this Q&A, Chen reflects on his 22-year career as a professor at App State, his passion for technological innovations and his hopes for the future of App State students and faculty.
Let’s start with the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award. How did it feel to receive this honor, and what does this award mean to you?
I am truly honored and humbled to receive the UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award. While I have received a few teaching awards before, this one feels especially meaningful. It’s a true honor to represent the university, knowing we have so many passionate and dedicated faculty members who have set such a high standard. They have been great role models for me, making this recognition even more special.
What first sparked your interest in computer information systems?
Since I was young, I have always been eager to get my hands on any cutting-edge technology I could find. I couldn’t wait to try it out. Of course, I couldn’t afford these things as a kid, but I would go to an electronics store and pretend to be a customer just to interact with the salespeople. I was fascinated with seeing and hearing about all of the different technical features. Through this, I realized there is a gap between what most of the general public know and what technology can actually do. I started learning about all of this cool technology, not only at the customer level, but also in the business setting. I was able to do a lot of research and educate myself, and I studied information systems in college. Now, I have been able to use those skills to teach my students.
Why did you want to become a teacher?
I feel that as an educator I can make a difference, and that’s something that is always in the back of my mind. I never have to stifle my creativity or be confined to a box. Working with college students, who naturally think outside of the box, allows me to help them develop their own creativity by giving them the tools and skills they need to bring their ideas to life. I design my courses to foster innovation and critical thinking, ensuring students have the opportunity to explore and express their creativity. Seeing them come up with great ideas and achieve success is really inspiring and fulfilling.
With more than 20 years under your belt, what is it about teaching that you love the most?
I’ve been here since 2003, and over the years, I’ve stayed connected with students who are now in their 40s or 50s. I took them on study abroad trips, taught their courses and really got to know them as individuals, building deep and meaningful connections. Now, 22 years later, I have the privilege of meeting their families and seeing them as responsible parents, homeowners and successful professionals. You never know how big or tall a tree will grow, but seeing your students succeed makes being a teacher truly worthwhile.
What about App State — what makes this a special place to be an educator?
I think back to when I received offers from a few universities in North Carolina, and how I was always drawn to App State because of its commitment to global education. That global initiative was the primary reason I wanted to be here. I wanted that cultural support, and my colleagues — from supervisors to department chairs, deans and chancellors — have always shared that passion and supported me. Since I started, I have had the opportunity to lead more than 20 study abroad trips, taking more than 300 students to Spain, Japan, China, Thailand and Taiwan. App State never set limits on how I could create a transformative global education experience for students.
Is there any of your current research that you would like to highlight?
Every year, I manage around 10 different research projects, and on average, I publish four to six journal papers. One project I’m currently obsessed with, and have already received three research grants for, is the development of AI (artificial intelligence) kiosks at our Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship. I’m researching whether students find this innovative learning approach effective. I also believe that our faculty will be engaging with AI more in the future, so I want to stay ahead of the curve. If I can figure out how to design an AI kiosk within the context of entrepreneurship, I want to keep building on it and even take it to an international level.
What are your future goals for AI in the classroom?
We should not be intimidated by the scary stories people tell about AI. Instead, we should focus on how we can use it to our advantage. I have been incorporating AI into my curriculum and am flexible about how students use it in my classroom. They’re not using it to answer multiple choice questions, but rather to help solve problems by providing suggestions and scenarios. I would like to take AI to the next level, using it as both my assistant and a tool to engage students more deeply and instantly. It’s a collective learning experience in the classroom, for me and my students, and it will continue to challenge us in fun ways.
Is there anything you would like to add?
When I started my career 22 years ago, I was learning how to be a professor with limited teaching experience, and it was eye-opening for me. I was born in Taiwan, so there was a cultural gap in the context of the classroom. During my first semester, my students struggled to connect with me. I was heartbroken and confused about what I had done wrong. I genuinely wanted to be a good teacher and I knew I needed to change. I realized that being a great teacher is about being a good observer and a good listener. I wasn’t either of those at the beginning, but once I learned how to interact with students, engage with them and understand their needs, I was able to motivate them to learn. Looking back at where I started, and receiving this award now, is truly meaningful. It inspires me to continue growing as an educator and to keep pushing boundaries of what’s possible for my students in the future.
6 App State faculty receive UNC Board of Governors campus-based awards
In addition to the Excellence in Teaching Award, the UNC Board of Governors also selected six App State faculty to receive campus-based awards for their innovative teaching methods in the classroom, making a difference in the way students learn.
The winner of the 2025 Appalachian State University Excellence in Teaching Award:
Dr. Shannon Cline, senior lecturer in App State’s Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
The winners of the 2025 Appalachian State University School/College Awards:
Alana Baird, senior lecturer in App State’s Department of Mathematical Sciences. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Dr. Clare Scott Chialvo, assistant professor in App State’s Department of Biology. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Dr. Brandy Hadley, associate professor in App State’s Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Dr. Jamie Levine, professor in App State’s Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Dr. Katie Mawhinney, professor in App State’s Department of Mathematical Sciences. Photo by Chase Reynolds
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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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