Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris became chancellor of Appalachian State University on March 1, 2025, after having served as interim chancellor of App State since April 19, 2024. Previously, she had served as provost and executive vice chancellor of App State since May 2021, after fulfilling that role in an interim capacity since February 2020.

She brings more than two decades of academic leadership, vision and expertise to her role as chancellor. Beginning her journey at the university in 2003 as a seasoned assistant professor in the Walker College of Business’ Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance, she was named assistant dean for undergraduate programs in 2005, associate dean for undergraduate programs and administration in 2008, senior associate dean in 2012, acting dean in 2014 and interim dean in 2015. In 2016, after a national search, she was named dean of the Walker College of Business. Her career has been characterized by her strong, collaborative leadership and service to both App State and the greater community.

Dr. Neva J. Specht is a well-known and widely respected academic leader who was appointed executive vice chancellor and provost for Appalachian State University, effective May 1, 2025.

Prior to assuming this role, Specht served as Acting Provost when Norris assumed the role of the university’s Interim Chancellor in April 2024. Specht manages the university’s academic enterprise, as well as all aspects of Enrollment Management, the Student Affairs departments that support students and student success, and Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources.

From 2017–21, she served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She was the college’s senior associate dean from 2013–17 and associate dean from 2010–13. She has been a professor in the Department of History since 1996 and served as the assistant chair of the department from 2007–09.

She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Transforming North Carolina Faculty Research Award in 2010 and the Appalachian State University Board of Governors’ Teaching Award in 2009.

Specht received her Ph.D. in United States history and material culture studies from the University of Delaware, where she also earned her Master of Arts in United States history with a certificate in museum studies. She received her bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College, with a double major in history and American studies.

J.J. Brown has served App State in a variety of roles for more than 15 years, including as vice chancellor of student affairs and as associate vice chancellor of Student Development and dean of students. Brown focuses on the challenges and support of today’s student in a complex learning environment. Prior to coming to App State in 2010, Brown served for nine years as an associate dean of students at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He received his bachelor’s degree in speech communication and master’s degree in college student personnel from the University of Tennessee.

Dawn Antonucci has a career of providing administrative and logistical support to Chancellors and high-level executives through multiple administrations at App State that spans nearly 15 years, ensuring efficiency and productivity for the university enterprise. Her career also includes a strong track record of supervising, developing and mentoring executive-level staff. In her current role as Chief of Staff, she acts as the Chancellor’s primary contact, providing strategic counsel and support; managing the staff in the Chancellor’s Office, Chancellor Communications, Chancellor Events and External Affairs and Community Relations; serving as Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees; overseeing special projects and ensuring smooth logistical operations for the Chancellor and Chancellor’s Office.

Kristen is a seasoned attorney with nearly two decades working in the UNC System. She comes to us most recently from UNC Greensboro, where she has served in the Office of General Counsel since 2016, most recently as Deputy General Counsel, since 2020. Prior to UNC Greensboro, Kristen was Assistant University Attorney, then Associate University Attorney at East Carolina University.

Her portfolio includes a vast array of higher education experience, including First Amendment, employment law, policy development, financial aid, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX compliance, internal investigations and external responses to the Office of Civil Rights, and significant background in policy development, compliance and risk management.

Kristen holds a Bachelor of Arts from UNC Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She served as a law clerk for Chief Judge John C. Martin of the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Chief Johnny Brown accepted the role of director of public safety/chief of police in September 2024. Previously, Chief Brown oversaw Appalachian State University Police Department (APD) patrol division and special events as operations captain from 2013 to 2024, and he has served with the Appalachian State University Police Department (APD) since 2002. He has served with APD since 2002.

Brown works with a team of dedicated police officers and staff members committed to ensuring a safe and secure campus environment for all. APD’s mission is to enhance safety across residential, educational and professional spaces by prioritizing proactive measures, community engagement and collaboration with key partners in the Watauga County community. Brown also serves on Watauga County’s special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team, working with local law enforcement partners on an on-call basis. In 2023, Chief Brown received APD’s first Medal of Valor for his outstanding action during a critical incident while serving with this team.

Brown serves as a general and specialized basic law enforcement training instructor for the Appalachian Police Academy and Wilkes Community College. He also provides specialized training to various law enforcement agencies in the region, sharing his expertise and insights to help other agencies enhance their skills and operational effectiveness. Brown is dedicated to supporting professional development and promoting best practices within policing, and he and his team regularly engage in comprehensive training programs.

Matthew T. Dockham joined Appalachian State University in February 2016 as the director of external affairs and community relations. Dockham’s primary responsibility is fostering, supporting and expanding the university’s relationships with state, regional and local governmental and nongovernmental organizations in order to strengthen the university and its ability to deliver educational, service and research programs. Prior to his role at Appalachian, Dockham served as director of legislative and intergovernmental affairs for the Department of Environmental Quality (formerly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources) in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dockham served almost six years in increasingly responsible legislative support roles for former U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick and three years as legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. Dockham holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wake Forest University.

Doug Gillin joined Appalachian as director of athletics in April 2015. He is responsible for all aspects of the university’s intercollegiate athletics program, including developing, implementing and managing the expectations and vision for the athletics program; marketing and promoting the athletics program; and fundraising in partnership with University Advancement. He represents the university in matters relating to athletics and ensures compliance of all athletics department employees with the rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Sun Belt Conference and Title IX regulations. Prior to joining Appalachian, Gillin was deputy director of athletics at the University of Missouri and spent a decade in North Carolina in leadership roles with ISP Sports/IMG College. A former student-athlete, four-year letter winner and ice hockey team captain, Gillin holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education with an emphasis on sport management from State University of New York College at Cortland and a master’s degree in physical education with an emphasis in athletic administration from Ohio University.

Megan Hayes has a background in marketing and public relations work with university, corporate, civic and government leaders, particularly as related to regional economic development, brand management and positioning in regional and national markets, college markets and the local tourism economy. Her skills and areas of expertise include executive communications, brand management; crisis management and communication; developing and executing organizational marketing and communication plans; and team development and project management for maximum productivity, efficiency and employee morale. In addition to her role in the Chancellor’s Office, she has also taught as an adjunct instructor at App State for 11 years, and currently teaches a course in the university’s Department of Marketing. Hayes is accredited in public relations with the Public Relations Society of America and is certified in crisis communications and media crisis interview and response training. She holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Appalachian State University and an MBA from Wake Forest University.

Dr. Christine Ogilvie Hendren was named Vice Provost of Research and Innovation at Appalachian State University on May 16, 2024, after an interim appointment to the role, during which time she was a key leader in the deployment of the university's first Strategic Plan for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities. Hendren joined App State in 2020 as the university's director of the Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics and as a professor in App State's Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences. With a background in environmental engineering, risk assessment, and the integration of knowledge across various disciplines, her most recent work focuses on developing and applying transdisciplinary methods to address complex global challenges, particularly those related to environmental and societal issues. Hendren holds a B.S. in industrial engineering from Texas A&M University, a professional master's degree in environmental analysis and decision making from Rice University and a Ph.D. in environmental engineering from Duke University.

Greg Lovins was appointed to the role of Interim CFO as of June 2, 2025. His background and experience includes more than 30 years of experience in higher education finance and operations, including 10 years as Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs (2006 to 2016) at App State. Prior to returning to App State, he served as a Director at First Tryon Advisors in Charlotte, where his portfolio included interim financial assignments at UNC Asheville, UNC Wilmington and Fayetteville State University.

Lovins is a Certified Public Accountant and served on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers. He holds a Master in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance from App State and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Will Sears assumed his role as interim vice chancellor of university advancement at App State in May 2024. Previously, Sears served as senior associate vice chancellor of development (2020–24), and prior to that role, he served as director of development in the Walker College of Business (2012–20).

Sears has a proven track record of successful fundraising and more than 15 years of success in pharmaceutical and real estate sales. Throughout his career at App State, he has developed strong relationships with hundreds of donors and alumni, with a focus on benefitting the university and its students, faculty and staff.

In the last 12 years, he has been the lead fundraiser on five distinguished professorships and has worked closely with many donors who have exceeded $1 million in cash giving to the university. As senior associate vice chancellor of development, Sears supervised the fundraising staff, and the division experienced fundraising growth in each of the last five years he served in this role.

During his time in Walker College, Sears secured six gifts of more than $500,000, doubled the college’s total giving to more than $3.5 million from 2013 to 2017, and directed a record year of fundraising in 2020, exceeding $4.2 million.

Sears is an App State alumnus, holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with triple concentrations in finance, risk and insurance, and real estate.

Keith Werner, serving as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at App State, leads an accomplished team of more than 100 IT professionals. His current focus is on steering the university's information technology policy, setting standards, ensuring robust information security, and driving the development of enterprise systems and applications. Werner's leadership underpins the strategic planning and operational continuity of IT infrastructure and services, enhancing App State's educational and research capabilities.