BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new academic department chairs. Dr. Jennifer Cecile will chair the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences and Dr. Jason White will chair the Department of History.
"The strength of our college lies in the united leadership of our departmental chairs. This year, we are privileged to welcome two new chairs, both internal candidates, who have already demonstrated exceptional service, capable leadership, and have earned the confidence of their colleagues here at App. I am eager to work with them as they guide their departments toward continued excellence." - Dr. Mike Madritch, dean of CAS
A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences
Dr. Jennifer Perry Cecile holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Winthrop University and master's and doctoral degrees in chemistry from Duke University. Following graduation, she joined the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences as a postdoctoral scholar. That experience shaped her research interest in applying biophysical chemistry techniques to understand xenobiotic transport and learn about natural product composition and health benefits. Dr. Cecile has authored 21 publications with collaborators.
Cecile joined App State's Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences in January 2007 as an instructor. From 2008 through 2012, she served as the introductory chemistry coordinator for the department. She became an assistant professor in 2011 and was promoted to associate professor in 2017.
Cecile is committed to mentoring and teaching undergraduate students. A past recipient of the Honors College Mentor of the Year, she has directed 12 undergraduate honors theses. She has served over eight years as senior personnel and co-principal investigator on National Science Foundation S-STEM and STEP programs to enhance student participation in STEM. Cecile has also been part of a research team that acquired the confocal microscope in the William C. and Ruth Ann Dewel Microscopy Facility through a National Science Foundation (NSF) Major Research Instrumentation award.
Cecile has participated in two University of North Carolina (UNC) System projects to curate open educational resources and to develop adaptive learning homework software for general chemistry. This work initiated her Chancellor’s Innovation project with mathematics and chemistry colleagues to increase student success in first-semester Introductory Chemistry courses. Her teaching expertise ranges from introductory chemistry to physical chemistry and biochemistry.
Outside of the department, Cecile serves as Chair of the Institutional Biosafety Council for App State. She participates as an NSF graduate research fellowship reviewer and she is a graduate of the UNC System's BRIDGES Academic Leadership Program.
Cecile served as interim department chair of the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences during the 2023-24 academic year.
Department of History
Dr. Jason White holds a bachelor's degree in history from James Madison University, a master's degree in Scottish history from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland) and master's and doctoral degrees in history from Brown University. Following positions as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada) and a visiting assistant professor at Wake Forest University, Dr. White joined App State's Department of History in 2012 as an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor in 2018 and promoted to professor in 2024.
White's research and teaching specialties include Europe from 1500 to 1700, British and Irish history in early and modern and modern eras, world history and economic history. He is the author of the book Militant Protestantism and British Identity, 1603-1642 (Pickering & Chatto, 2012) with another one, titled Between Two Worlds: The Levant Company, 1581-1660, currently in progress. In 2016, White earned the prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities summer stipend to help fund his research project on the Levant Company.
Since 2019, White has served as assistant chair of the Department of History. During the 2022-23 academic year, he completed the Chancellor's Appalachian Leadership Development Program, which provides formal assistance and training to selected faculty and staff at Appalachian in their exploration and development of leadership capabilities.
White succeeds Dr. Jim Goff, who will return to his faculty role in the Department of History. We sincerely thank Dr. Goff for his service to the College.
To learn more about CAS and its many departments spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences, visit cas.appstate.edu.
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About the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences
The A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry, a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with eight different concentrations and an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in fermentation sciences. The department’s programs prepare students to attend graduate and professional schools, as well as for employment in the pharmaceutical and fermentation industries and other business sectors. Learn more at dcfs.appstate.edu.
About the Department of History
The Department of History offers a broad curriculum in local, national, regional and world history at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, which encourages history majors to develop a comprehensive approach to human problems. The study of history is an essential part of a liberal arts education and offers valuable preparation for many careers, such as law, journalism, public history, public service and business, as well as in teaching and the advanced discipline of history. Learn more at history.appstate.edu.
By Lauren Gibbs
July 23, 2024
BOONE, N.C.
Dr. Jennifer Perry Cecile (left) has been appointed chair of the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences and Dr. Jason White (right) has been appointed chair of the Department of History.
Dr. Jennifer Perry Cecile (left) has been appointed chair of the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences and Dr. Jason White (right) has been appointed chair of the Department of History.