Dr. Charlie Chen, professor in App State’s Department of Computer Information Systems, has been a valued faculty member at the university since 2003.

Chen has designed and taught nearly 30 undergraduate and graduate courses in the Walker College of Business. He holds a Dean’s Club Professorship and has received many prestigious honors, including the Sywassink Award for Excellence in Research and the Faculty Global Leadership Award.

“Dr. Chen’s performance as a teacher and researcher, and his service to the university, is nothing short of legendary,” shared one of Chen’s nominators. “He is well known among faculty and students for his high energy and positive attitude, which are simply contagious. What has impressed me the most is his leadership, mentorship and, above all, his unwavering commitment to ensuring the success of students both in the classroom and in their future careers.”

Dr. Shannon Cline is a senior lecturer in the Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education at App State, where she has been a faculty member since 2014. Known for her student-centered approach, she has taught 25 different courses across the department’s academic programs, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to student learning.

Additionally, each semester, she leads two to three service-learning courses, collaborating with more than 50 community partners in the High Country to provide students with meaningful, real-world experiences that foster both personal and professional growth.

“As a teacher, Shannon exemplifies the highest standards in the profession, and I believe she has had a major impact on hundreds of students’ lives,” said one of Cline’s nominators. “Her passion for teaching, commitment to student success and ability to create meaningful connections between the classroom and the community make her truly deserving of this recognition.”

Cline’s dedication to innovative and impactful teaching has been recognized with multiple awards, including college teaching awards in 2016, 2019 and 2024.

Alana Baird, senior lecturer in App State’s Department of Mathematical Sciences, has taught at the university since 2015.

Baird typically teaches first-year students and has found great success through innovative mathematics teaching methods, such as community learning, using new technology to solve problems and incorporating sustainability topics into her curriculum, she shared.

One nominator, a former student of Baird’s, said Baird “took a subject that I struggled with very much and seamlessly tied it to real-world applications that are so useful. She took a deeper dive, made it interesting, made it tangible, connected all of the applicable formulas and was always available to make it make sense.”

Baird has been recognized among App State’s “Most Helpful Faculty and Staff” multiple times and consistently “exceeds expectations” in both the service and instruction categories of annual faculty performance evaluations.

Dr. Clare Scott Chialvo, assistant professor in App State’s Department of Biology, has been a faculty member at the university since 2019.

Chialvo has re-envisioned existing courses in the department, as well as developed new courses, that have contributed to the College of Arts and Sciences’ efforts to provide students with a hands-on approach to learning.

“Dr. Chialvo aims to nurture every student as an individual, providing multiple methods to succeed in classes, communicating course material with detail and clarity and ultimately taking interest in the individual growth of each student,” said a nominator.

In addition to teaching, Chialvo is also an active researcher, and she has mentored many students in the field of biology.

“I believe Dr. Chialvo’s strengths as a mentor are most centered around her ability to provide guidance at an individual level on a large scale,” the nominator added. “She combines her intellect, experience and passion for biological sciences to offer tailored support to whomever may seek it.”

Dr. Brandy Hadley is App State’s David A. Thompson Professor of Applied Investments and an associate professor in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance, housed in App State’s Walker College of Business.

Since joining App State’s faculty in 2017, Hadley has taught eight diverse courses ranging from finance, to management, to financial technology. In 2023, she received Walker College’s Sywassink Excellence in Teaching Award.

“The students at App State are unbelievably lucky to have Dr. Hadley as a resource and an educator,” said a nominator. “Her dedication, expertise and genuine care for her students create an environment where learning thrives. Her ability to inspire, guide and empower those she teaches is truly unmatched.”

Hadley is also an active researcher in the areas of corporate governance and political financial influence, and she has made over 35 presentations at national and international industry conferences.

Dr. Jamie Levine, professor in App State’s Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, has been a faculty member at the university since 2012.

Levine’s highly successful teaching philosophy of creating a collaborative classroom environment has earned her nominations from colleagues for induction into the Academy of Outstanding Teachers at App State in both 2019 and 2023.

A nominator — one of Levine’s former students — said, “Dr. Levine is capable, patient and undeniably smart. She is all of these things while also being a hardworking, talented scientist, whose passion for sharing knowledge shines in the way she leads her classes.”

Levine is also an active researcher, whose interests include tectonic evolution of the Southern Appalachians, as well as understanding how minerals respond to deformation and how they record the timing and conditions of tectonic events.

Dr. Katie Mawhinney, professor in App State’s Department of Mathematical Sciences, has been a faculty member at the university since 2003.

Throughout her career at App State, Mawhinney has held various leadership roles in her department, including director of the honors program, assistant chair and director of the graduate program. She was also a member of the university’s Williams School of Graduate Studies from 2008 to 2023.

“Dr. Mawhinney is dedicated to building connections not just within the mathematics community, but across a wide range of education levels,” said one of her nominators. “Her commitment to expanding the reach of mathematics education is something I deeply admire, and I have learned from her the importance of looking beyond one’s immediate environment to build a broader, more inclusive academic community.”

Outside of App State, Mawhinney has been involved in several professional societies, including the Mathematical Association of America, the American Mathematical Society and the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Amarah Din, of Cary, is a senior political science major with a concentration in pre-professional legal studies and a minor in criminal justice. She expects to graduate from App State with departmental honors in May.

Din serves as App State’s current student body vice president and has held additional leadership roles at the university, including working as a part-time supervisor of student employees in Plemmons Student Union and serving as a Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader. She is also a member of the Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law and Government fraternity’s Rho Chapter at App State and the university’s Muslim Student Association, and she was a member of the App Votes voter coalition during the 2023–24 academic year.

“Amarah has invested so much of herself into this community and has helped to create action on our campus around engagement and advocacy that has the potential to elevate the App State Experience for thousands of future Mountaineers,” wrote a nominator. “She has worked to establish a legacy in support for all members of our community that will serve students long after she graduates.”

Din is a recipient of the 2023–24 Commitment to Justice Award, conferred by App State’s Division of Student Affairs.

Kathryn Long, of Jackson, is a senior communication sciences and disorders major and serves as App State’s 58th student body president. She is also a Plemmons Scholar and a member of App State’s Honors College. After graduating from the university in May, Long will take part in the Presidential Scholars Program at the UNC System Office, where she will serve and support the work of the System’s institutions and affiliates.

Long has dedicated her academic career to helping other Mountaineers, including serving as a Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader, a student guide for the university’s Trailhead Experience leadership development program, and chair of the Appalachian Popular Programming Society’s Spirit and Traditions Council.

“Kathryn has truly elevated the role of student body president to an entirely new level,” wrote a nominator. “She is gifted at creating connections and relationships … and has an ability to leverage relationships to mobilize others in the development and execution of many initiatives.”

Long has served as a student representative on the App State Board of Trustees for the 2024–25 academic year, and she also represented Mountaineer students as one of 13 members of the App State Chancellor Search Advisory Committee, which was tasked with finding the university’s next chancellor — Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris.

J.P. Neri, of Raleigh, is a senior history major, an Honors College student and a Chancellor’s Scholar. He served as App State’s student body president during the 2023–24 academic year and is on track to graduate in May.

During his time at the university, Neri has served as a student member of App State’s Board of Trustees, chaired the Committee on Sustainable Development for the Student Government Association and welcomed incoming Mountaineers students as a Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader. Additionally, he has been a student fundraising coordinator for the App Builds a Home program — a campuswide partnership between App State and Watauga County Habitat for Humanity to help local partner families build safe, affordable homes.

“As student body president, J.P. showed an unwavering dedication to the organization and to App State,” wrote a nominator. “J.P. emerged as the clear student leader of App State’s Student Government Association, communicating to all, meeting with partners throughout our campus community and helping others to believe in the change they were all a part of.”

Neri is among the 2024–25 national cohort members for the John Robert Lewis Scholars and Fellows Program, which fosters rising leaders beginning vocations in public service, nonprofits, education and seminary.

Savannah Raley, of Avenue, Maryland, is a Plemmons Scholar and a senior political science major with a concentration in American politics and a minor in leadership studies. She has served as a member of App State’s Student Government Association (SGA) since 2022 and has been App’s State delegate to the University of North Carolina Association of Student Governments.

Additionally, Raley has been a membership coordinator for the Appalachian Popular Programming Society, served as a head lifeguard in University Recreation (UREC), was a student employee in Belk Library and Information Commons and has also participated as a fellow in App State’s Global Leadership Exchange program.

“Savannah is a true servant leader,” wrote a nominator. “She is passionate about supporting others and giving back to her community.”

Raley’s honors during her time as a Mountaineer have included a 2023 Community Impact Student Award from N.C. Campus Engagement, a 2024–25 Library Student Employee Scholarship, a 2024 Dr. Edward M. Allen Jr. Scholarship for Political Science and, most recently, an Outstanding Senior Award from App State’s Department of Government and Justice Studies. She expects to graduate from App State with departmental honors in May.

Dr. Heather Jo Mashburn joined App State’s staff in 2013 and currently serves as director of the university’s Office of Community-Engaged Leadership, providing leadership and strategic direction for all cocurricular service and community engagement opportunities and undergraduate leadership education and programming.

In her 12 years at App State, Mashburn has elevated the Alternative Service Experience program, with the program being recognized among the top ten in the nation, co-directed the Plemmons Leadership Scholars program, served as administrative leader and instructor for the leadership studies minor and has been instrumental in launching the university’s Civic Literacy Initiative, which she leads. She also serves as a member of the Implementation Committee for App State’s Quality Enhancement Plan, Pathways to Resilience.

“As a respected staff member in the Division of Student Affairs, Heather Jo’s influence extends far beyond the classroom,” wrote one of her nominators. “Her deep knowledge of community engagement, leadership education, and civic literacy has inspired countless students to pursue excellence and foster a passion for learning.”

Dr. Rita Joyner serves as a practitioner-in-residence and industry liaison in the Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment at App State and is director of the department’s honors program. For more than 40 years, Joyner’s career has been focused on the intersection of clean energy, green STEM education and community engagement.

“Whether attending club meetings, participating in student-organized panels or cheering on students as she walks across campus, Dr. Joyner ensures that students feel seen, heard and valued,” wrote a nominator. “Her efforts have had a profound impact on student outcomes.”

Prior to joining App State, Joyner served as senior advisor to the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA), section chief of North Carolina’s State Energy Program, and section chief of the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program, among other roles.

Joyner was a guest speaker at App State’s 2023 Appalachian Energy Summit, and in fall 2023, she received NCSEA’s Women in Clean Energy Award.

Misty Mayfield ’02 is an instructor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning, which she joined in 2004. She is also an academic advisor in University College’s Academic Advising Center.

Mayfield was the catalyst for the establishment of the App Builds a Home (ABAH) initiative and has served as a faculty advisor and volunteer for the project since its inception in 2018. ABAH is a campuswide partnership between App State and Watauga County Habitat for Humanity to help local partner families build safe, affordable homes.

“Misty is a champion for student engagement, always encouraging students to step outside of their comfort zones, take on leadership roles and find ways to make a difference,” said a nominator. “She embodies the spirit of servant leadership.”

In recognition of her ABAH volunteer work, Mayfield was honored with a North Carolina Governor’s 2024 Volunteer Service Award. Among her many other accolades are the University College Excellence in Community Engagement Award and a Most Helpful Faculty and Staff Award, both of which she received in 2021.

Dr. Rahman Tashakkori is the Lowe’s Distinguished Professor of Computer Science in App State’s Department of Computer Science, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences. Tashakkori joined the department as an assistant professor in 2000 and was promoted to full professor in 2011. He served as department chair from 2017 to 2023.

Since joining App State, he has established interdisciplinary collaborations and research, engaging both colleagues and students. Tashakkori has created and taught several computer science courses and mentored more than 200 graduate and undergraduate students. Additionally, Tashakkori has presented at local, regional, national and international conferences and authored nearly 70 scholarly publications.

One nominator wrote that Tashakkori’s “commitment to mentoring and graduating students is unmatched,” and “his ability to generate innovative research ideas and secure external funding is absolutely remarkable.”

Last spring, Tashakkori and his research team were awarded a $641,951 grant from NCInnovation to support commercializing parts of the Beemon Hive Monitoring System — an innovative tool for decreasing honeybee die-off and increasing hive production.

Dr. Joby Bell, university organist and professor in App State’s Hayes School of Music, has been a faculty member at the university since 2004.

Bell teaches organ performance, music theory and church music studies, specializing in practice techniques, memorization, service playing and choral accompaniment. He also serves as the voice of the App State Marching Mountaineers.

As a musician, Bell is versatile in organ, piano and harpsichord. He has made 11 recordings, and his performance travels have taken him to 10 countries on three different continents, as well as 18 states and locally.

“Dr. Bell is truly a master at the content and style of the organ,” said a nominator. “His knowledge of the field, his commitment to excellence in performance, his dedication to mentorship and his love of teaching blends together for an outstanding learning experience for the student, but more importantly for an example on creative artistry and scholarship.”

Dr. Cuong Mai, associate professor in App State’s Department of Philosophy and Religion, has been a faculty member at the university since 2015.

Mai teaches broadly in Asian religions, and his research focuses on the history of Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhism. His general education survey of Buddhism is one of his most successful courses, consistently filling to capacity each semester, and his course Confronting Death presents a comparative history of the afterlife in several religious traditions as well as the modern, secular context.

“Dr. Mai’s approach to teaching general education courses is both innovative and successful,” said a nominator. “He routinely attracts repeat students and is responsible for the recruitment of several majors and minors in religious studies. His teaching of general education courses makes an indelible imprint in the livelihood of our department.”

Mai states that his goal as a teacher of religious studies at a secular, public university, is to convince students that religion is inherently interesting, and that studying religion is critical to understanding the current conflicts and debates in our community, nation and interconnected world.

Dr. Vicky Klima’s 22-year career at App State began in 2003, when she joined the faculty in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Klima is a professor in the department and serves as associate vice provost of the Honors College, which she led in an interim capacity for nearly two years, beginning in 2023. She has served as an academic mentor to Honors College students (2019–2023) and director of the Department of Mathematical Sciences’ honors program (2004–2017).

One nominator — a student in Klima’s most recent honors first-year seminar — said, “Whether it was academic guidance, encouragement during difficult times or simply being a reassuring presence, she always made herself available to support her students.”

Another nominator, one of Klima’s Honors College colleagues, shared, “Through empathetic leadership, mentorship and a profound level of dedication, she exemplifies what it means to be an advocate for first-year students.”

Klima has previously been recognized for her dedication to teaching and mentoring with the 2022 Mathematical Association of America Southeastern Section Distinguished Teaching Award and the 2021 Undergraduate Council Excellence in Academic Advising Faculty Advising Award.

Bryan Belcher ’97 is director of App State’s Interprofessional Clinic, which is part of the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (App Well) housed in the Beaver College of Health Sciences. Through the clinic, App State faculty and students, health care professionals and community members work together to provide high-quality, affordable programs and services that benefit the community at large.

Belcher oversees clinic operations across three sites — two at the Boone campus and one at the Hickory campus, where he guides a multidisciplinary team, mentors students and facilitates the Aging Well Collaborative, among other duties. He is also principal investigator for the grant-funded Administration for Community Living fall prevention project, part of the Aging Well program.

One of Belcher’s nominators shared, “Through his collaborative leadership, responsiveness to community needs and dedication to service excellence, Bryan has positioned App Well as a trusted leader in health care outreach and interprofessional education.”

Before joining App State, Belcher fulfilled a variety of roles while working in community and public health for 19 years — including 12 years in the High Country — and he is a 2023 recipient of the Beaver College of Health Sciences Interprofessional Champion Award.

Annie Johnson ’16 ’20 is associate director of curriculum, data and technology in Business Career Services, housed in App State’s Walker College of Business. She has held this role since 2021, and from 2019 to 2021, she worked as a career coach and employer relations coordinator in the center.

In her current role, Johnson develops the curriculum for and coordinates the delivery of the Career Development for Business Students course — a core Walker College course that all students are required to pass before admission into the college. Additionally, Johnson manages Business Career Services’ website content, as well as coordinates the collection and initial analysis of the college’s career outcomes data for undergraduate and graduate students.

One of her nominators shared, “Everything Annie does is with the students and her team in mind to create a positive learning and teaching environment that fosters care and support for those around her.”

Greene joined App State’s staff in 2014 and has worked in a variety of administrative and advising roles — from College Access Partnerships to TRIO Student Support Services. Since 2022, she has served as associate director of advising in the Office of Advising and Academic Support, housed in App State’s Beaver College of Health Sciences.

Greene also supervises the college’s professional advising staff and provides innovative solutions to advising data management. To accomplish the latter, Greene leverages Google applications to create, maintain and enhance tools that Beaver College advisors and faculty use to best support student success.

One of Greene’s nominators, a Beaver College colleague, shared that Greene goes above and beyond to “enhance, improve and make all office systems more efficient.” The nominator added that Greene’s work positively impacts the quality of advisors’ interactions with students.

Greene has previously served as a member of multiple university committees and organizations, including Staff Senate and the Work-Life Council. She is currently a member of the Undergraduate Advising Council.

Michelle Hair is the business officer for App State’s Beaver College of Health Sciences, where she has worked since January 2023. Previously, she served as the business officer in App State’s Office of International Programs, from January 2018 to December 2022.

In her current role, Hair manages Beaver College’s operating budget and external contract and grant allocations, and she is a resource for the college’s departments, providing insights into budget reconciliation and other financial questions.

Based on her extensive knowledge and experience, Hair was selected to participate in pilot projects testing universitywide accounting systems, and she often serves on search committees for administrative staff positions responsible for budget and personnel.

“Michelle consistently takes extraordinary action to meet and anticipate the needs of faculty, administrators and external partners,” said a nominator. “She has an uncanny ability to foresee potential roadblocks and proactively work toward solutions before they become disruptive. Michelle models professionalism, inclusivity and ethical behavior in every aspect of her work. She treats all colleagues with fairness and respect, ensuring that everyone — regardless of title or department — feels valued and heard.”

Mary Sheryl Horine has been a dedicated member of App State since 2004, initially serving as a lecturer before transitioning into a leadership role in 2008.

Horine currently serves as director of outreach and education in the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness, where she is committed to advancing health education, community engagement and wellness initiatives.

Under Horine’s leadership, programs such as Girls on the Run of the High Country, Healthy Heart Collaborative, Camp Crinkleroot and the Aging Academy have thrived. To support these initiatives, Horine has successfully secured more than $800,000 in external funding, further strengthening their reach and sustainability.

“Mary Sheryl’s ability to cultivate and maintain trust-based relationships is at the heart of her leadership,” said a nominator. “She is known for her consistent follow-through, personal investment in community well-being and responsiveness to the evolving needs of the people she serves.”

Cathy Bell is coordinator of academic services and student success at the Hickory campus location of App State’s Student Learning Center, having served in the role for nearly two years. She is also an adjunct instructor, teaching Time Management and other courses.

With the help of her student employees, Bell operates the Tutoring Center at the Hickory campus. She also provides one-on-one academic success coaching to students on academic probation and students who are struggling academically.

A nominator — one of her student employees — shared that Bell is more than just a supervisor: “She is a mentor, a role model and a source of constant support and inspiration.”

The nominator added, “Cathy invests time in her student employees’ personal and professional growth, providing constructive feedback and helping us set goals for development — guiding us in the direction of our strengths while challenging us to grow beyond our comfort zones. Her ability to mentor and empower those around her makes Cathy the ideal candidate for this award.”

Greene is part of the leadership team in App State’s Student Government Association (SGA), where she currently serves as chief of staff. She has been involved with the organization in a variety of capacities since 2021.

“I am especially grateful for Kaylee’s leadership during the spring of 2023, when SGA hit a critical change point,” wrote Greene’s nominator. “She was part of a very small group of students who asked Student Affairs to help them make change within SGA. This process was very stressful, intimidating and uncertain to students, but it enabled the complete rebuild of SGA to proceed.”

Greene is also a campus tour guide in App State’s Office of Admissions and a peer leadership educator through App State’s Office of Community-Engaged Leadership (CEL), where she facilitates interactive workshops aimed at cultivating leadership abilities among groups of students. She also previously served as a student guide for CEL’s Trailhead Experience.

Greene is enrolled in App State’s Accelerated Master’s program, and she anticipates earning her master’s degree in international and comparative politics in 2026.

Jaden Hatcher, of Chicago, Illinois, is a senior marketing-digital marketing major at App State.

After transferring to App State, Hatcher quickly became involved in the Black Student Association and currently serves as the organization’s chief of staff. He also holds a leadership position in App State’s Student Government Association (SGA), serving as director of SGA’s Academic Affairs Committee.

Among his many other accomplishments at the university, Hatcher is a past recipient of the Division of Student Affairs’ Rising Star Award. He was also the sole student member and served as president of App State’s Pi Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. — the largest historically Black fraternity in the nation. On April 3, he led the initiation of four new members, successfully reviving the chapter.

“Jaden’s ability to manage complex initiatives, mentor peers and advocate for positive change on campus embodies the spirit of Dean Ronny L. Brooks’ legacy of out-of-class learning and student development,” said Hatcher’s nominator.

As an intern for App State’s Mountaineers Athletic Fund, Hatcher performs a variety of duties for the initiative, including developing marketing campaigns to drive ticket sales, fan engagement and event attendance. He also works as a part-time audio visual technician in Plemmons Student Union.

Jake Jenson, of Hendersonville, is a senior political science-pre-professional legal studies major at App State. He will graduate from the university in May.

Jenson has been involved in the university’s Student Government Association since his first year at App State. He has served in a variety of roles within the organization, including as the recruitment and retention officer, president of the Student Senate and chief of staff. Jenson was integral in resetting the Student Government Association in 2023, serving as the lead facilitator for the constitutional rewrite process.

In his leadership roles, Jenson has made it a priority to build relationships with students at the App State Hickory campus, and he has also advocated for the university at the statewide level through his involvement with the University of North Carolina Association of Student Governments.

Jenson’s nominator shared, “Jake Jenson never served as a president or vice president, but we would not be where we are today in terms of effective student voice on this campus without him — period.”

Among his many other accomplishments at App State, Jenson has made the Chancellor’s List three times and the Dean’s List four times.

Margaret-Ann Littauer, of Hendersonville, is a senior nursing major at App State. She will graduate from the university in May.

Littauer serves as an Appalachian Student Ambassador, applying her student leadership in a variety of capacities for the organization, including as secretary, fall community service coordinator and conference coordinator. She was a Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader and member of the APPalachian Orientation Leader Corps for nearly three years, and she served as student body vice president in App State’s Student Government Association in the 2023–24 academic year.

“Margaret-Ann took over a top role in an organization and invested in relationship-building across campus, including with faculty, administration, students and App State’s Board of Trustees,” said Littauer’s nominator. “She helped reshape the image of student government and laid a new foundation that the organization has continued to build upon this year.”

Complementing her nursing studies, Littauer spent many years volunteering at Margaret R. Pardee Memorial Hospital in Hendersonville, and she acts as a mentor to her student peers in the App State nursing program.

Kam Smith, of Winston Salem, is a senior marketing major at App State. He will graduate from the university in May.

Smith is the president — and former vice president — of App State’s Black Student Association, where he plays a leadership role in the positive promotion of the African American community at large.

Smith also holds a leadership role with App State’s New Mountaineer and Family Engagement as the organization’s intern supervisor. In this position, he manages and mentors the interns team, ensuring an effective execution of orientation programming and internal operations, among many other duties. Previously, he acted as New Mountaineer and Family Engagement’s social media intern, as well as a Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader.

“His ability to navigate the complexities of peer management, organizational leadership and program development speaks to his exceptional maturity and problem-solving skills,” said Smith’s nominator. “In each of these roles, Kam has exhibited an unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for his peers while simultaneously enhancing the student experience at App State.”

In addition to his leadership on campus, Smith has volunteered with App Builds a Home — a campuswide partnership between App State and Watauga County Habitat for Humanity to help local partner families build safe, affordable homes.