Dear Faculty and Staff,

Effective immediately, Dr. Darrell Kruger will step down from his position as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor. For the remainder of the academic year, he will be assigned to special projects within the Chancellor’s division.

I support Darrell in his decision, and I know everyone in the Appalachian Community joins me in extending appreciation to him for his leadership and service to the university and his work to support Appalachian’s slow and steady enrollment growth and superb graduation and retention rates. I know he is also especially proud of our ranking first in faculty Fulbright scholars for Master’s Comprehensive universities.

Walker College of Business Dean Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris will assume the position of Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor.

Heather’s distinguished career at Appalachian began when she joined the Walker College of Business faculty in the fall of 2003 in the 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 July 2016, following a national search, she became permanent dean of the Walker College of Business. Prior to her time at Appalachian, she served on the faculty at Bowling Green State University, the Pennsylvania State University and West Virginia University.

Heather’s career of service to Appalachian, her passion for the continued success of the university and her stellar reputation combine to make her an excellent choice for Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, and I thank her for stepping into this position.

A national search for Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor will be established in Fall 2020.

Sheri Everts, Chancellor