Chancellor's Cabinet

  • Dr. Sheri Everts
    Chancellor
    828-262-2040

    Dr. Sheri Everts joined Appalachian State University as its eighth leader in July 2014. Previously, she had been provost and vice president for academic affairs at Illinois State University since 2008.

    Under Everts’ leadership, Appalachian continues to distinguish itself as a leader in sustainability and has welcomed an increasingly more diverse community of students and faculty/staff. The annual Appalachian Energy Summit brings together some of the world’s most brilliant minds in energy policies and practices – and has resulted in more than $499 million in avoided utility costs (or almost 9 billion pounds of CO2-equivalent emissions) since it began in 2012. In 2015, Everts traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in a White House summit and receive a national Climate Leadership Award from Second Nature, a national nonprofit agency, and the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Center for Green Schools. In 2017, she returned to the nation’s capital to participate with Appalachian faculty and staff in a series of U.S. Senate-level bipartisan discussions around issues and initiatives impacting the 13-state Appalachia region. In 2016 and 2017, Appalachian’s solar vehicle team competed in the Formula Sun Grand Prix, an international collegiate endurance competition that sets the standards for and tests the limits of solar vehicle technology – taking third and second place, respectively.

  • Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris
    Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
    828-262-2070

    Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris was named Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor in May 2021, after serving in the role in an interim capacity since Feb. 2020. She joined Appalachian in 2003 as a faculty member 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.

    Prior to her time at App State, Norris served on the faculty at Bowling Green State University, Pennsylvania State University and West Virginia University.

  • Henry T. “Hank” Foreman ’95
    Vice Chancellor of External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, Chief of Staff and Secretary of the University
    828-262-2040

    Hank Foreman was named vice chancellor and chief of staff for Appalachian State University in 2017. He oversees the areas of University Communications, Arts Engagement (An Appalachian Summer Festival, the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts and the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts), the Holmes Convocation Center, the Office of Sustainability, the Small Business and Technology Development Center and External Affairs and Community Relations. As the principal aide to the chancellor, he is the liaison to the University of North Carolina’s Board of Governors, Appalachian’s Board of Trustees and community and university constituencies. Additionally, he assists in providing leadership and direction for institutional initiatives, special projects, critical, time-sensitive decisions, and policy development. Foreman has worked at Appalachian since 1993. He has held the positions of acting chief of staff, senior associate vice chancellor, special assistant to the chancellor for special initiatives, chief communications officer and founding director and chief curator of the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. Foreman is a first-generation college student who earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1986 and a master’s degree from Appalachian in 1995.

  • J.J. Brown
    Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
    828-262-2060

    J.J. Brown is Appalachian’s vice chancellor of student affairs. Previously, he served as the associate vice chancellor and dean of students of Student Development from 2010–17. Serving on other universitywide committees, Brown focuses on the challenges and support of today’s student in today’s complex learning environment. Prior to coming to Appalachian in 2010, Brown served for nine years as an associate dean of students at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Brown received his bachelor’s degree in speech communication and master’s degree in college student personnel from the University of Tennessee.

  • Jane M. Barghothi
    Vice Chancellor of University Advancement
    828-262-2090

    Jane M. Barghothi was appointed Vice Chancellor of Advancement in July 2020. Jane joined Appalachian State University in July 2019 as the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor of Development. Prior to this role, Jane was the Executive Director of Development at the University of Georgia. She has also worked in fundraising roles at the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business and the University of Wyoming. Jane is a proud Appalachian State alum where she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. She also has a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of South Carolina. Jane is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina.

  • Patrick Billings
    Director of Special Projects - Finance and Operations
    828-262-8217

  • Matthew T. Dockham
    Director of External Affairs and Community Relations
    828-262-2040

    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.

  • Alyson M. Ebaugh
    Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources
    828-262-6482

    Alyson Ebaugh was named Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources in April 2023, after serving in the role in an interim capacity since August 2022. She served Appalachian as Associate Director of Learning and Organizational Development in the Office of Human Resources from 2005 to 2009.

    Alyson has also worked in human resources leadership roles at Fortune 200 companies, an international non-government organization, and the University of North Carolina Charlotte. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a Master of Science degree in Human Resources from Western Carolina University. She is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina.

    As the University’s Chief Human Resource Officer she is responsible for comprehensive and strategic leadership of all aspects of human resource operations for the campus including affirmative action/equal employment opportunity compliance in talent acquisition, classification and compensation, position management, employee engagement, employee rewards and recognition, employee relations, performance management, and learning and organizational development with the goal of attracting, recruiting, onboarding, engaging and retaining a high performing, diverse workforce.

  • Doug Gillin
    Director of Athletics
    828-262-7825

    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 ’97
    Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Communications Officer
    828-262-7983

    Megan Hayes serves as associate vice chancellor and chief communications officer for Appalachian State University. She 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 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. She manages the Appalachian State University communications team and the university’s content management and marketing strategies. She also hosts the university’s SoundAffect podcast. For 11 years, she has also taught as an adjunct instructor at Appalachian, 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. Troy Johnson
    Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management
    828-262-7244

    Dr. Troy Johnson was named vice chancellor of enrollment management at Appalachian State University, effective April 1, 2023. He is responsible for providing strategic enrollment management for the institution and coordinating campuswide student access and success initiatives. Overseeing the institution’s enrollment management plan, he works closely with the chancellor and the senior leadership team to establish enrollment goals and estimate annual resource generation, and supports the development of university marketing strategies that are managed and implemented by University Communications. He oversees the Office of Admissions, Office of the Registrar, Office of Transfer Admissions and Engagement, Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships.

    Previously, Johnson served as vice president of enrollment management at The University of Texas at Arlington, where he led more than 200 staff working in a comprehensive undergraduate, graduate and international set of enrollment offices, managed community partnerships and oversaw federal TRIO programs. His career includes important contributions to increasing enrollment of international and underrepresented students. He has built a distinguished career working in Texas, California and Illinois, consistently leading enrollment operations that have established records for recruitment, retention and graduation rates. At Illinois State University, he led record enrollments, despite declining demographic circumstances in the state.

    His academic experience includes teaching in the graduate program at Texas Tech, teaching economics at Texas Tech and teaching as an honors adjunct faculty member at Illinois State University.

    Johnson holds a Doctor of Education in higher education administration, a master’s degree in economics and a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Texas Tech University. He also completed graduate research and studies in finance and economics, as well as in education systems and policy, at Loughborough University in England.

  • Dr. Dan Layzell
    Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations
    828-262-2030

    Dr. Dan Layzell was named vice chancellor of finance and operations at Appalachian State University, effective Aug. 15, 2022. He is responsible for administrative oversight of finance and administration, campus services, facilities management and human resources.

    Previously, Dan served as Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer at Louisiana State University, where he was the Chief Financial Officer for the University’s statewide operations and of LSU’s flagship campus in Baton Rouge. During his tenure at LSU, he also served as Interim President and CEO of the LSU Foundation. His higher education experience also includes serving as Vice President for Finance and Planning at Illinois State University, as Associate Vice President for Planning and Administration at the University of Illinois and as Director of Policy Analysis and Research for the University of Wisconsin System. His career also includes serving as Deputy Director of Planning and Budgeting for the Illinois Board of Higher Education, as a fiscal analyst for the Arizona and Florida state legislatures, and for a consulting firm partnership in the higher education practice MGT of America, Inc.

    Layzell has also been an adjunct faculty member in the higher education administration graduate programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Florida State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    Layzell holds a Ph.D. in higher education with a minor in public administration from Florida State University, a master’s degree in labor and industrial relations from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Illinois College.

  • Jason Marshburn
    Director of Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management
    828-262-8081

    Jason S. Marshburn joined Appalachian State University in 2014 as the director of environmental Health, safety and emergency management. Previously he was appointed as the inaugural director of emergency management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro after serving for two years as safety coordinator, assisting with campus preparedness among other duties. Jason provides strategic guidance on EHS&EM initiatives, develops policies for senior leadership and coordinates safety and emergency operations for large campus events with more than 35,000 attendees.

    He has led App State’s response and recovery efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and was awarded the university’s W.H. Plemmons Medallion in spring of 2021 for his efforts in that arena.

    Before working in higher education, Jason was engaged in emergency and disaster services with the fire service and the American Red Cross. His experience in disaster response began with Hurricane Floyd in 1999 while serving in a shelter for coastal evacuees. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in emergency management from Western Carolina University and a Master of Science in safety, security and emergency management from Eastern Kentucky University. He maintains several certifications related to emergency management and emergency services, which include his North Carolina emergency management certification and emergency medical technician (EMT) certification. Jason also leads Delta Sigma Phi fraternity as a chapter adviser and served as Staff Senate chair for the 2016–17 academic year.

  • Paul Meggett
    General Counsel
    828-262-2751

    Paul Meggett assumed his role as general counsel for Appalachian State University in June 2018. A former law professor and interim dean with the Charlotte School of Law, Meggett also served for 12 years in a dual, in-house counsel role as associate general counsel for the UNC Health Care System and assistant university counsel for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Meggett is an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) and North Carolina State Bar. He is a member and former chair of the NCBA Legislative Advisory Committee and a current member of the NCBA Law School Liaison Committee. He also served a three-year term as chair of the NCBA Joint Diversity Task Force. Meggett served on the Issues-Outreach Subcommittee and the Issues-Demographics Subcommittee of the North Carolina State Bar and as a consultant to the South Carolina Bar concerning its diversity initiatives. Meggett holds a J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law, a B.S. degree from North Carolina State University and is also an alumnus of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.

  • Jamie Parson, J.D.
    Chief Diversity Officer
    828-262-2980

    Prior to being named chief diversity officer at Appalachian State University in May 2022, Jamie Parson was an associate professor in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance at App State, where she taught undergraduate courses in business law and insurance. In addition, she led the Walker College of Business’ Inclusive Excellence Team (formerly Diversity Advisory Team), as well as the Risk Management and Insurance diversity initiatives in the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center. She also serves on numerous boards and committees, including the university’s Diversity and Inclusion Accountability Team.

    Prior to arriving at App State, she served as a Title VII investigator for the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission and a special investigative unit liaison and fire claims representative at State Farm Insurance Co.

    Parson holds a Bachelor of Science in sociology-anthropology from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln, Nebraska.

  • Andy Stephenson
    Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police
    828-262-2150

    Andy Stephenson joined Appalachian in 2017, coming from Indiana University (IU), where he served as captain of operations with oversight of all divisions within their police department.

    Stephenson graduated first in his class from the IU Police Academy in 1996, earned his Master of Science in criminal justice from Boston University, and joined IU’s Police Department in Bloomington full time in 1997. Stephenson served for eighteen years as an Indiana Law Enforcement Academy instructor, certified to teach topics such as defensive tactics, law enforcement ethics, emergency vehicle operations, standardized field sobriety testing, patrol techniques, vehicle stops and community policing. In addition, Stephenson was a certified drug recognition expert. He is a graduate of the 260th session of the FBI National Academy, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrator’s (IACLEA) Executive Development Institute and the United States Department of State Dignitary Protection Program.

    Stephenson has more than 25 years of experience in policing and public safety at institutions of higher education. He has also served for sixteen years as an adjunct professor in the criminal justice departments at Ivy Tech Community College and Appalachian State University, teaching courses related to police and community relations, ethics in policing, introduction to criminal justice, criminal investigations and introduction to policing.

  • Keith Werner
    Chief Information Officer

    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.