Jennifer Schroeder Tyson ’07, research assistant professor in the Department of Public Health in App State’s Beaver College of Health Sciences. Photo by Chase Reynolds
NEW ORLEANS — Jennifer Schroeder Tyson ’07, research assistant professor in the Department of Public Health at Appalachian State University, has been named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Faculty Member of the Year.
The annual award recognizes a faculty member from a Sun Belt institution who has a passion for teaching, engaging and inspiring students — while also regularly supporting and displaying enthusiasm for student-athletes and their institution’s athletics department.
The honor marks the second time in three years that an App State faculty member has received the Sun Belt’s Faculty Member of the Year award. App State associate professor Dr. Zachary Farris won the award in 2023.
Each of the 14 Sun Belt Conference institutions nominated a Faculty Member of the Year finalist for the 2024–25 academic year. The conference’s faculty athletics representatives, student-athlete academic directors and members of the Sun Belt Student-Athlete Advisory Committee voted to select the overall recipient. The conference initiated the Sun Belt Faculty Member of the Year Award in 2019.
“We are honored to recognize these educators for their immeasurable impact on the lives of our student-athletes,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill.
“Supporting student-athletes in their public health journeys has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career,” said Schroeder Tyson, “and I look forward to continuing to help them thrive, both on the field and in the field of public health.”
Schroeder Tyson and each of the finalists will be recognized at the Sun Belt Conference Honors Banquet in conjunction with the Sun Belt Fall Meetings on Oct. 16 in Atlanta.
Jennifer Schroeder Tyson ’07, research assistant professor in App State’s Department of Public Health, has been named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Faculty Member of the Year. Watch this video to learn more about what the award means to her and how she supports Mountaineer student-athletes in App State’s public health program.
About Jennifer Schroeder Tyson
Schroeder Tyson, who joined App State’s faculty in 2016, currently serves on the faculty of the public health program at App State and Tec de Monterrey in Mexico. Her research centers on disaster preparedness and public health infrastructure in maternal and child populations, particularly in rural Appalachian communities.
Schroeder Tyson’s involvement with students during the 2024–25 academic year included coordinating a cohort of internships centered on the Hurricane Helene response and recovery initiative in Western North Carolina. Multiple student-athletes participated, contributing to emergency preparedness assessments, community health education and recovery planning.
The students’ roles were pivotal in gathering post-disaster data, supporting affected families and building resilience strategies in partnership with local leaders, according to Schroeder Tyson, who added that the experiences allowed students to see firsthand the importance of public health infrastructure in times of crisis.
“What I love most about working with student-athletes is their ability to lead and inspire others,” said Schroeder Tyson. “They often bring a team-oriented mindset into the classroom, elevating group work and fostering a sense of camaraderie among their peers. Whether they are presenting on campus mental health, organizing wellness fairs or developing outreach campaigns for underserved populations, their energy is infectious and their leadership is palpable.”
Schroeder Tyson describes her experiences with student-athletes as “nothing short of robust, dynamic and deeply rewarding.” She takes pride in creating experiential learning opportunities for all students while being mindful of the unique needs and schedules of student-athletes.
“What truly sets her apart is her authenticity,” said App State student-athlete and alumna Cierra Huntley ’24, who played as an outside hitter on the Mountaineers volleyball team. “She is approachable, easy to talk to and always finds time to support her students — whether academically, personally or by showing up to cheer on App State Athletics. She embodies what it means to be an engaged and inspiring faculty member.”
Additionally, Schroeder Tyson is the principal investigator of the Appalachian Public Health Innovation Lab — a program for which she helped secure over $1.1 million in funding to launch and expand. The lab includes nationally recognized programs such as AmeriCorps and Medical Reserve Corps. She also operates as a public health consultant through her firm, JSTrategies LLC, where she continues to apply her expertise to drive equitable public health outcomes.
“I approach my work with humor, enthusiasm and a student-centered mindset,” Schroeder Tyson said. “I strive to be the kind of professor who students can count on for guidance, encouragement and real-world preparation.”
Mountaineers and the Sun Belt
Founded in 1976, the Sun Belt now features 20 sponsored sports at 14 institutions across 10 contiguous states. The Sun Belt has established itself as a leader among intercollegiate athletics leagues since its move to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in 2001.
Fifteen of App State’s 17 varsity sports compete in the Sun Belt. The football, women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s cross-country, women’s tennis and men’s basketball teams have claimed a combined 15 conference titles since 2016.
Since joining the Sun Belt in 2014, the App State football team holds the 11th-highest winning percentage in the FBS and is the only collegiate team to have ever won each of its first seven consecutive bowl games.
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Ongoing post-Helene projects examine flood forecasting models, backup energy systems, ecological impacts, private well contamination and health solutions
The App State organization supports rural public health and community resilience and preparedness
About Mountaineer Athletics
More than 400 student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I varsity sports at Appalachian State University, and dedicated fans love to cheer them on. App State's championship football team has enjoyed unprecedented success at the highest level of Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision) with seven bowl wins in its first 10 years at the FBS level and four Sun Belt Conference championships. The Mountaineers were a dominant force in the Southern Conference for more than 40 years before moving up in 2014. App State student-athletes in all sports pursue daily comprehensive excellence in academics, competition and community involvement. All varsity teams compete in the Sun Belt Conference, except for field hockey (MAC) and wrestling (SoCon). For more, visit https://www.appstatesports.com.
About the Beaver College of Health Sciences
Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS), opened in 2010, is transforming the health and quality of life for the communities it serves through interprofessional collaboration and innovation in teaching, scholarship, service and clinical outreach. The college enrolls more than 3,600 students and offers 10 undergraduate degree programs, nine graduate degree programs and four certificates across six departments: Nursing, Nutrition and Health Care Management, Public Health and Exercise Science, Recreation Management and Physical Education, Rehabilitation Sciences, and Social Work. The college’s academic programs are located in the Holmes Convocation Center on App State’s main campus and the Levine Hall of Health Sciences, a state-of-the-art, 203,000-square-foot facility that is the cornerstone of Boone’s Wellness District. In addition, the college supports the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness and has collaborative partnerships with the Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program, UNC Health Appalachian and numerous other health agencies. Learn more at https://healthsciences.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.
Ongoing post-Helene projects examine flood forecasting models, backup energy systems, ecological impacts, private well contamination and health solutions
The App State organization supports rural public health and community resilience and preparedness
