BOONE, N.C. — The Appalachian State University College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) has appointed Dr. Katie Mawhinney as the Cain Distinguished Professor in Science Education, effective July 1, 2025.
The Cain Distinguished Professorship, supported by the C.D. Spangler Endowment Fund, is designed to elevate science education within the university and across North Carolina through innovative instruction, impactful outreach, and collaborative research. The initial appointment is for three years, with potential for renewal.
The professorship offers a stipend, course release, travel support, and the opportunity to impact science education across the region through direct collaboration with teachers, schools, and university stakeholders. The ideal candidate possesses a distinguished record of outstanding achievements in science education and a genuine passion for representing and promoting the university’s vision and core values.
Dr. Mawhinney, a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, has been a faculty member at App State since 2003. She has held various leadership roles in her department, including director of the honors program, assistant chair, and director of the graduate program. In the Spring, Mawhinney was selected to receive the 2024-25 Appalachian State University School/College Award from the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, recognizing excellence in teaching.
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.
"Katie is widely recognized across the state for her collaboration with school partners and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She brings a wealth of prior experience, a network of school contacts, and an awareness of policy and curriculum to this position. I have no doubt that she will be able to draw on the strengths of CAS to help us develop new opportunities and support our programs in secondary teacher education," shared Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas, chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Mawhinney.
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About the Department of Mathematical Sciences
The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in actuarial science and mathematics, with concentrations in business, computation, life sciences, physical sciences, secondary teaching and statistics, plus a general, self-designed concentration. The department also offers the Master of Arts in mathematics, with concentrations in college teaching and secondary teaching. Learn more at mathsci.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 cas.appstate.edu.
By Lauren Gibbs
August 28, 2025
BOONE, N.C.
The Appalachian State University College of Arts and Sciences has appointed Dr. Katie Mawhinney as the Cain Distinguished Professor in Science Education. Photo courtesy of University Communications
The Appalachian State University College of Arts and Sciences has appointed Dr. Katie Mawhinney as the Cain Distinguished Professor in Science Education. Photo courtesy of University Communications