Welcome new faculty members to Appalachian State University's Reich College of Education. Read on to learn more about each, including research interests and why they joined the faculty at Appalachian.
Jamie Brown
Family and Child Studies,
Lecturer
Brown earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction with a specialty in early childhood education from Pennsylvania State University, and she holds a current North Carolina professional teaching license in birth-kindergarten and K-6.
She was previously a lecturer in the child and family development program and served in a grant position as a mentor/evaluator at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Brown’s other positions include classroom teacher (infants - school age), community college instructor and program director.
“I am excited to join the Mountaineers and collaborate with, and contribute to, the Family and Child Studies program and Reich College of Education.”
Why Appalachian
“I have had the privilege of getting to know Appalachian State over the years through colleagues, friends and visits to the wonderful Lucy Brock Child Development Laboratory Program. This has inspired in me a desire to be part of the Mountaineer community.”
Ashley Carpenter
Leadership and Educational Studies, Higher Education
Assistant Professor
Carpenter has a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, an M.A. in American culture studies from Washington University, St. Louis, and a B.A. in psychology and sociology from the University of Missouri at Columbia.
Carpenter is joining the Appalachian community from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she served as the diversity programs coordinator in the Office of Graduate Education. While completing her doctoral work, she researched student experiences in pre-college programs such as Upward Bound and was the assistant director in the Office of Inclusion and Engagement.
“I am excited to join the phenomenal educators and practitioners in the Reich College Education. I am passionate about joining the innovative faculty within the Higher Education department and collaborating across programs. I am also excited about the majestic mountainous views.”
Carpenter's scholarly investments are in K-16 pipeline programs, multicultural student development, institutional research, college access and equity, and diversity and inclusion.
She is also an avid ice-skater and says she is excited to be in the snow and slide around the outdoor rinks.
Why Appalachian
“Appalachian State is a community of exceptional faculty, staff, and students that emphasize excellence in research, scholarship, and teaching. The institution's commitment to civic engagement and community service will be exciting to engage in, as these tenets are embedded in my teaching and pedagogy.”
Julie Hasson
Leadership and Educational Studies, School Administration
Assistant Professor
Hasson received her Ed.D. from the University of South Florida.
Previously, Hasson worked as an assistant professor at Florida Southern College, and she was a principal in Hillsborough County, Florida.
“I am excited about opportunities to collaborate with new colleagues. And, as a long time resident of Florida, I am excited to experience the change of seasons in beautiful Boone.”
Her research interests include building relationships and trust in organizations. “As a qualitative researcher, I am also interested in evidence of teacher impact beyond test scores.”
In addition, Hasson has a daughter who just finished her first year teaching third grade. “I am the proud mom of a new teacher,” she noted.
Why Appalachian
“I was drawn to Appalachian State University's commitment to equity in education. I am passionate about opportunities for women in educational leadership, and that is clearly a focus of the school administration faculty.”
Jason Lynch
Leadership and Educational Studies, Higher Education
Assistant Professor
Lynch received his Ph.D. in higher education from Old Dominion University, his master’s degree in higher education administration from North Carolina State University, and his B.S. in biology and B.A. in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Prior to Appalachian, he held many positions: adjunct assistant professor in Educational Foundations & Leadership at Old Dominion University, assistant director of MBA Student Engagement Analytics at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, program coordinator for Academic & Student Affairs at the University of North Carolina System Office, assistant director for Residential Life Administration at North Carolina Central University, resident director at University of California at Berkeley, and hall director at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
“This year, I’m most excited to get to know our students and my fellow colleagues across the university. I am also excited to be launching several initiates related to centering the health and well-being of faculty and staff across P-12 and higher education contexts.”
His research interests center on the impact of traumatic stress on educational organizations with specific regard to secondary traumatic stress, trauma-informed leadership, and trauma-informed organizations.
Additionally, he took twelve years of private art lessons and still tries to find ways of incorporating art and creativity into his personal and professional life.
Why Appalachian
“I have a passion for regional public universities, as well as the students and communities they serve. As a product of such institutions, I recognize the power they hold for social mobility and regional progress.”
Kimberly W. Money
Leadership and Educational Studies, School Administration
Assistant Professor
Money received her Ed.D. in educational leadership and administration, her Ed.S. in educational leadership and administration and her M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction, concentrations in curriculum supervision and TESOL, all from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She also received her bachelor’s degree in music education and Spanish from Greensboro College.
Previously Money was a full-time adjunct instructor in the RCOE’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She also worked in k-12 public education in North Carolina for over 20 years.
“I'm most excited about the learning that I will experience from working and networking with the amazing RCOE faculty.”
Her research focuses on teacher and principal preparation, principal efficacy, and data-driven instructional leadership. Money is also a classically trained pianist.
Why Appalachian
“I love the mountains and the spirit of excellence that is reflected throughout this institution! I am very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to serving here at Appalachian State!”
Ashley Pennell
Reading Education Special Education, Reading Education
Assistant Professor
Pennell has a B.S. in elementary education, an M.A. in reading education, and is completing an Ed.D. in education leadership - literacy this December, all of which are from Appalachian State University.
Previously, Pennell was a part-time adjunct instructor and a full-time adjunct instructor in the RCOE, as well as a second grade classroom teacher in Davie County, North Carolina, and a first grade classroom teacher in Watauga County, North Carolina.
“I looked forward to meeting new students and connecting with them and supporting them in new ways this year. I'm excited to hone my online skills and explore new ways to collaborate with students, teachers, and colleagues virtually. I am also looking forward to building on my dissertation research and embarking on new research endeavors.”
Her research focuses on early literacy development and instruction, clinical teaching of reading for pre-service and in-service teachers, and instruction for children with reading difficulties.
“I am a first-generation college student and have always sought out opportunities where I can learn and grow,” said Pennell. “I enjoy learning new things so that I can help and support others. Working with pre-service teachers, as well as with in-service teachers and their students, is the perfect profession for a helper!”
Why Appalachian
“The commitment to building relationships with colleagues, students, schools, and communities is really special about Appalachian. I am excited to continue my professional journey in a place where relationships are valued. I've spent 11 years collectively as a student at Appalachian and consider this community my home.”
Daniel V. Poling
Reading Education and Special Education, Special Education
Assistant Professor
Poling received his bachelor's degree from Towson University, his master’s degree from Appalachian State, and his Ph.D. from the University of Florida.
Previously, Poling was an IES post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“I am excited to be a part of a strong department, to work with pre- and in-service teachers, and to continue to collaborate with colleagues on shared research interests.”
His research interests include teacher-student relationships, social-emotional learning, and the prevention of aggression.
In addition, during Poling’s time working as a teacher he also worked as a part-time magician.
Why Appalachian
“I am a graduate of the master's program so I know that the faculty are dedicated to providing the highest level of training for pre- and in-service teachers. North Carolina was home for 10 years, and my family and I are happy to be back, especially in a beautiful town like Boone.”
Chauntee Thrill
Leadership and Educational Studies, Higher Education
Assistant Professor
Thrill received her Ph.D. in educational organization and leadership in higher education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, her M.Ed. in higher education administration from Mercer University, her M.B.A. from the University of Maryland College, her B.B.A. from Clayton State University, and her A.S. in business from Georgia Perimeter College.
Prior to joining Appalachian, she worked as a research associate on a NSF-IUSE funded grant to study metacognition in Black female Chemistry and Biochemistry students at Spelman College. She also worked as a research assistant/associate for the Office of Community Research and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she conducted research studies related to minority-serving community colleges, program review processes, and transitioning racially minoritized STEM students through developmental math to Calculus (NSF-funded).
“I am excited to continue advancing my work in an effort to understand student experiences, build connections with colleagues, and facilitate the learning experiences of my students.”
Her research focuses on understanding postsecondary educational access, STEM, college readiness and academic success for Black and Latinx student populations in community colleges.
Why Appalachian
“I choose Appalachian for several reasons. First, I felt that Appalachian was the perfect home for my interests and desire to educate practitioners in my field. RCOE's commitment to inclusive excellence and to building collaborative relationships with their students and community was also a selling point. In meeting with the higher education faculty and LES administrators, I believe I would be supported and nurtured towards success.”
Christina Tschida
Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education
Associate Professor
Tschida has a Ph.D. in curriculum and teaching and a master’s degree in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She also received her bachelor’s degree in English and elementary education from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Previously, she was an associate professor of social studies and elementary education at East Carolina University.
“I'm most excited to meet our students, get to know my colleagues and begin collaborating with them, and develop some new research projects.”
Tschida’s research centers around improving teacher education through critical, equity-centered, anti-racist pedagogies; quality online instruction; and clinical practice reform through the use of co-teaching and coaching.
She enjoys outdoor activities such as walking, biking, boating, and hiking in the mountains. “I feel most centered and calm out on a trail in the mountains,” noted Tschida.
Why Appalachian
“I have always been attracted to the education program at Appalachian because of its incredible reputation and commitment to producing quality educators. When I first came to campus for my interview I felt like I was home. The fact that it's in the mountains is an added bonus for me and my family!”
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