App State’s Division of Academic Affairs recognized Dr. Dave McEvoy, chair of the Department of Economics, left, and Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas, chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, as the recipients of this year’s Departmental Leadership Awards. McEvoy and Salinas received their awards on July 16, during the university’s Chancellor’s Chair Summer Institute, which was held on the Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University faculty Dr. Dave McEvoy and Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas have been honored as the recipients of this year’s Departmental Leadership Awards, recognized for their service to and lasting impact on the university’s academic community.
McEvoy, chair of App State’s Department of Economics, received the Distinguished Leadership Award, which recognizes a department chair who has served in the role for six or more years and has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing faculty, staff, students and programs in their department.
Salinas, chair of App State’s Department of Mathematical Sciences, received the Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes a department chair who has shown outstanding achievements in advancing faculty, staff, students and programs within their first two to five years of assuming their leadership role.
App State’s Division of Academic Affairs instituted the Departmental Leadership Awards Program in 2024 and presented the third annual awards to Salinas and McEvoy on July 16, during the Chancellor’s Chair Summer Institute held on the Boone campus.
About the awards winners
Dr. Dave McEvoy, chair of the Department of Economics, center, is this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award — part of the Departmental Leadership Awards Program. McEvoy is pictured with Walker College of Business Dean Sandra Vannoy, left, and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Neva J. Specht. The Departmental Leadership Awards were presented on July 16, during the Chancellor’s Chair Summer Institute on App State's Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Dr. Dave McEvoy
McEvoy, professor in the Department of Economics, joined App State’s faculty in 2007. He was named department chair in 2020, after having served as associate dean for undergraduate programs and administration in the Walker College of Business.
According to one of his nominators, since becoming chair, McEvoy has advanced two new interdisciplinary minor programs — one in behavioral economics and one in philosophy, politics and economics. He has also established and taught a UN Climate Negotiations course, which provides students with the opportunity to travel to and attend the annual United Nations Climate Negotiations conference.
Additionally, under McEvoy’s leadership, the department is consistently ranked among the top collegiate economics departments in the nation for research productivity. The department is ranked among the top 25% of economics departments worldwide for overall research output and in the top 10% in the areas of environmental and experimental economics.
Walker College of Business Dean Sandra Vannoy praised McEvoy’s commitment to faculty-led student research, to fostering experiential learning opportunities and to upholding a supportive environment for faculty.
“Dr. McEvoy fosters a team-oriented culture that supports a community of individuals committed to quality work and positive societal impact,” Vannoy said. “He is a transformational leader, inspiring, motivating and empowering others to succeed.”
During his time at App State, McEvoy has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Triple E Award, the Sywassink Excellence in Research Award and the International Leaders Award. A prolific researcher, his work is focused on environmental and experimental economics.
McEvoy holds graduate degrees in environmental and resource economics from University College London and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas, chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, center, is this year’s recipient of the Emerging Leader Award — part of the Departmental Leadership Awards Program. Salinas is pictured with College of Arts and Sciences Dean Mike Madritch, left, and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Neva J. Specht. The Departmental Leadership Awards were presented on July 16, during the Chancellor’s Chair Summer Institute on the Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas
Salinas, a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, joined App State’s faculty in 2004. She was named department chair in 2023.
According to one of her nominators, under Salinas’ leadership, the department has expanded its course offerings to App State’s Hickory campus and through Project Kitty Hawk-supported App State Online: Flight Path programs. Additionally, she has expanded funds available for student travel, supporting experiential learning opportunities that strengthen both retention and post-graduate success.
Dr. Mike Madritch, dean of App State’s College of Arts and Sciences, commended Salinas’ outstanding leadership, including her role in leading the college’s current strategic planning efforts. He also highlighted her ability to balance day-to-day operations with long-term vision, as well as her leadership in managing the department’s relocation from Walker Hall to Edwin Duncan Hall, which is slated to reopen this summer after undergoing a nearly $32 million renovation.
“Dr. Salinas has cultivated a culture of openness and collaboration that has energized the department while modernizing key operations to support its continued growth,” said Madritch.
Salinas has held several leadership roles at App State, including director of secondary teacher education and engagement in the College of Arts and Sciences and director of the Mathematics and Science Education Center in the Reich College of Education. Her outreach and scholarship have focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education for teachers, and she has been involved in several projects seeking to improve recruitment, retention and development for faculty in STEM fields.
She holds bachelor’s degrees in social sciences and mathematics from William Carey University and master’s and doctoral degrees in education and mathematics education from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
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About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling nearly 5,000 students, including more than 4,500 undergraduates across 11 majors, the Walker College of Business has the highest full-time undergraduate enrollment in the University of North Carolina System. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more about App State’s Walker College of Business at https://business.appstate.edu.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.
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 about App State’s Division of Academic Affairs 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.
