BOONE - The College of Arts and Sciences has named Dr. Jennifer Burris Associate Dean for the coming academic year. Dr. Burris will assume her new role beginning July 1st, taking the place of Dr. Neva J. Specht, who has been appointed Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences by the Provost. Former Dean Dr. Anthony Calamai, will return to the faculty as a professor of physics and has accepted the Cain Distinguished Professorship in Science Education in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Dr. Neva J. Specht has successfully served in the role of Senior Associate Dean of CAS since 2013 and prior to that served as the Associate Dean. Dr. Specht received her Ph.D. from the University of Delaware and she has been a Professor of History here at Appalachian State University since 1996. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the North Carolina Humanities Council and has been a member of the council since 2009.
Dr. Specht is a graduate of the Bridges Academic Leadership for Women Program, the Blue Cross-Blue Shield Foundation Non-profit Leadership Academy, and the Research Education Series. She has received the Transforming North Carolina Faculty Research Award; ASU Board of Governor's Teaching Award; Jimmy Smith Service Award; and the Communal Studies Association Starting Scholar Award.
Dr. Burris has served in the role of Director for the MS Engineering Physics program since 2014. She was the 2015 recipient of the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2013 recipient of the Harvey R. Durham Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award.
In 2014, she graduated from the BRIDGES Academic Leadership for Women Program and currently sits on the BRIDGES advisory board. In 2016, she graduated from the ACE Spectrum Aspiring Leaders program. Dr. Burris is a past assistant editor and current editorial board member of The Physics Teacher. She received her Ph.D. from Colorado State University.