Two Reich College of Education staff members, Heather Brandon and Mel Falck, have been accepted into the Elevate Leadership Development Program.
The Elevate Leadership Development Program, presented by the Office of Human Resources, is designed to develop participants’ capacity to lead and influence others. Elevate provides an opportunity for introspection and growth. Participants will develop a greater appreciation for their core values and awareness of their personal strengths. Emerging leaders will also learn strategies for becoming more effective in interpersonal relationships, influential with groups, and engaged with their community. Some of the practical leadership skills participants will develop are:
- Fostering Creativity, Change, and Innovation
- Managing Conflict
- Public Speaking
- Visioning and Goal Setting
- Building Influence
Heather Brandon
Communications Liaison
Brandon joined the Appalachian family in 2008, after accepting a position with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. In 2010, she moved to Food Services, and in 2017, to the Reich College of Education, where she serves as Communications Liaison.
Her many duties include: internal and external communications, website development and content management, social media development and content management, newsletter publication and campus emails, publication design, digital signage development and management, and more.
Brandon received her BS in Anthropology from Appalachian State University. She is currently taking graduate courses in the Educational Media program. She is also a freelance columnist for local publication, All About Women.
Mel Falck
Student Records Specialist
Following completion of his service with the U.S. Army in 2011, Falck earned a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Appalachian State University with a focus in expressive arts therapy and addictions counseling. He is currently enrolled in Appalachian’s doctoral program in educational leadership with a concentration in the expressive arts.
His research interests include exploring how Posthumanist theory intersects with arts-based research practices and how the use of creativity and ritual can help to contribute to authentic, meaningful, and vulnerable conversations of social and ecological significance. Mel is currently licensed within the state of North Carolina as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA).
Falck works in the college as the Student Records Specialist and has more recently accepted the position of chair for the college’s Sustainability Committee.
Heather Brandon and Mel Falck
