Dear Members of the App State Community,

I am pleased to announce that Jamie Parson has agreed to serve as Interim Chief Diversity Officer, beginning May 10, 2021.

Jamie’s leadership with diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at App State is well-known, and she is widely respected on our campus and nationally. Jamie has consistently built diversity, equity and inclusion work into her research, scholarship and service. Jamie will begin in her new role prior to Dr. Willie Fleming’s June 1 retirement. I appreciate her willingness to take on this cabinet-level position at this time so the important work we have underway continues seamlessly.

Jamie holds the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance at App State, where she teaches undergraduate courses in business law and insurance. In addition, she leads the Walker College of Business’ Inclusive Excellence Team, the Risk Management and Insurance diversity initiatives in the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center. She also serves on numerous boards and committees, including the university’s Diversity and Inclusion Accountability Team. Prior to arriving at Appalachian, 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 Company.

Jamie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology-Anthropology from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Please help me welcome Jamie into this new role, and join me in thanking her for her continued leadership.

A news release will be issued later today.

Best wishes,

Sheri