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 App State.
Dr. Kristen Evans
Child Development, Literacy, and Special Education - Assistant Professor
Evans earned a Ph.D. from Kent State University and an M.Ed. from John Carroll University.
Prior to App State, Evans taught elementary grade levels for two decades in Northeast Ohio. She also was an adjunct instructor at Kent State University in the literacy program.
“I am excited about working with and preparing future literacy teachers. I am also excited about collaborating with my amazing colleagues.”
Evans’s research interests include the literacy practices of children in elementary school, particularly grades 3-5. These practices include writing, reading comprehension, and oral language.
Why Appalachian?
“To be a part of Appalachian State's deep traditions in education and preparing high-quality teachers.”
Kelley Wilson ’04 ’08
Child Development, Literacy, and Special Education - Assistant Professor
Wilson earned both her Bachelor of Science in elementary education and her Master of Arts in reading education from Appalachian State University. She is currently enrolled in the Ed.D. in organizational learning and leadership at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Prior to App State, Wilson was an early literacy specialist in the Department of Public Instruction’s Office of Early Learning, a literacy learning coach with North Carolina Education Corp, and a reading specialist and classroom teacher with Watauga County Schools.
“I am looking forward to working with pre-service teachers who are eager to start their teaching careers and to help foster their passion for helping others. I am also excited about the field experiences and how they will help deepen my students' knowledge.”
Wilson’s research interests include field experiences related to the science of reading and how it helps increase student achievement.
Why Appalachian?
“Ever since I attended Appalachian State University and an undergrad, I knew it was special. My own college experience drew me in, and I want to help others to have the same experience I did. I worked with my professors to be the best educator I could be and continued to build those relationships even when I had my own classroom. I want to foster a love of learning for my students and help them to be able to teach all students.”
Dr. Dejanell Mittman
Counseling, Family Therapy, and Higher Education - Assistant Professor
Mittman earned a Ph.D. in counseling and counselor education from North Carolina State University, an M.S. and Ed.S. in school counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a B.S. in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Prior to App State, Mittman was a school counselor and social emotional learning specialist.
“I am most excited about teaching future counselors, beautiful mountain views, and App State football!”
Mittman’s research interests include school counselor turnover and retention, effective field placement experiences for school counselors in training, and school counselor wellness.
Why Appalachian?
“The atmosphere of Appalachian State invites connection, curiosity, and belonging. I love that the counseling department at Appalachian is committed to training school counselors to support students and their school communities. The counseling faculty are caring and experienced professionals that I look forward to working with and learning from!”
Dr. Lauren Selice
Counseling, Family Therapy, and Higher Education - Visiting Lecturer
Selice earned a Ph.D., M.S., and Ed.S. from Florida State University. Last year, she taught at App State as an adjunct lecturer.
“I am excited to focus on teaching and supervising students as they grow and begin seeing clients.”
Selice’s research focuses on mindfulness, sexuality, and sexual outcomes.
Why Appalachian?
“The Appalachian State University community and my colleagues are so kind, welcoming, and incredibly supportive. The university and surrounding area is also such a gorgeous setting and place to live.”
Dr. Joy Howard
Leadership and Educational Studies - Associate Professor
Howard’s work focuses on leadership for constructing humanizing educational communities. She is especially interested in humanizing movements, spacemaking and community engaged leadership.
Dr. Rachel Askew
Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum - Assistant Professor
Askew earned a B.S. in elementary education from Freed-Hardeman University, an M.Ed. in urban settings from Vanderbilt University, and an Ed.D. in curriculum leadership from the University of Memphis.
Prior to App State, Askew was an assistant professor at Freed-Hardeman University and a post-doctoral researcher at Vanderbilt University.
“I am most excited to get to know the students and faculty at App State as we work together to make education the best it can be.”
Askew’s research interests include student and teacher STEM identity and equity in STEM education.
Why Appalachian?
“Besides the beautiful location, the intentional focus on middle grades education at App State is like no other university.”
Dr. Lianne Jones
Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum - Assistant Professor
Johnes earned a B.S.Ed. in mathematics education from Baylor University, an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from Sam Houston University, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and teaching with an emphasis in mathematics education from Baylor University.
Prior to App State and earning her doctorate, Jones spent eleven years in the Houston area teaching middle grades mathematics in both public and private school settings.
“Coming from out of state, I am most excited to learn all things North Carolina, Boone, and App State! I am also eager to meet and build relationships with my students!”
Jones’s research includes mathematics teacher education, purposeful questioning practices, and educational partnerships.
Why Appalachian?
“Appalachian's rich history as a teachers' college, coupled with the stunning high country scenery, is what initially drew me in. From the minute I stepped on campus, I was impressed by the faculty's commitment to students, to supporting one another, and to the Boone community. I felt at home immediately!”
Dr. Dramaine Freeman ’15 ’23
Media, Career Studies & Leadership Development - Assistant Professor
Freeman earned a B.S. in electronics and computer technology from NC A&T State University, an M.Ed. in secondary teacher education from the University of Phoenix, and an Ed.S. in school administration and an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Appalachian State University.
Prior to moving into his faculty position, Freeman served as the doctoral academic advisor for students.
“I have grown and evolved in my career through my journey at Appalachian State University, which began in 2011. Joining the App State community has been one of the best decisions I've made. The professors here have consistently challenged me, helping to strengthen my skills in teaching, writing, and personal development. I aspire to offer the same level of support and inspiration to the students I interact with, just as my professors have done for me.”
Freeman’s research interests include K-12 leadership, leadership, Black males' experiences in K-12, and leadership roles.
Why Appalachian?
“Why Appalachian? Simply put, it's the people. The community here genuinely cares about their students and one another.”
Dr. Jason LaFrance
Media, Career Studies and Leadership Development Educational Leadership - Assistant Professor
LaFrance earned an Ed.D. in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida, an Ed.S. in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University, an M.Ed. in elementary education from the University of South Florida, and a B.A. in business administration from Moravian University. Last year, LaFrance was a visiting assistant professor at App State.
Prior to Appalachian, LaFrance was the director of the Center of Educational Leadership and Service, master's degree program coordinator, and associate professor of educational leadership at Georgia Southern University. He also worked at Flordia Southern College as an associate professor of educational leadership and master's degree program coordinator.
“I am most excited to build relationships with my colleagues and to support educational leaders in the school districts the App State serves.”
LaFrance’s research interests include cybersecurity, technology integration in schools, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) in higher education.
Why Appalachian?
“I am excited to join Appalachian State University because of its strong commitment to fostering transformative and inclusive learning environments and the unique opportunity to conduct research in North Carolina.”
Dr. Alex McAllister ’21
Media, Career Studies and Leadership Development - Professor
McAllister earned a B.A. in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a B.A. with honors in music from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, an M.M. in music history from the University of South Carolina at Columbia, an MLIS in library and information science from the University of South Carolina at Columbia, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Appalachian State University.
Prior to Appalachian, McAllister was an associate professor of collection management at App State’s University Libraries, associate professor and humanities librarian at App State’s University Libraries, a public services librarian at Coastal Carolina Community College, and a crime and court reporter for The Daily News in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
“I am most excited to teach new students about the wonderful world of libraries. Library science is a vast field with numerous areas of specialization and being able to research and teach in this discipline will be very enjoyable. I also look forward to working with my new departmental colleagues and meeting many more in different programs.”
McAllister’s research interests are focused on poststructuralism and the intersection of different areas of librarianship including leadership and management of academic libraries, collections, and space. As a doctoral student, he received the Alice Phoebe Naylor Outstanding Dissertation Award in 2021 for some of this research.
Why Appalachian?
“Having worked in a different department at Appalachian State for the past decade has been a pleasure, and I am so excited to transition to the Department of Media, Career Studies and Leadership Development. I think my previous experiences working as a librarian at different institutions will allow me to connect with students interested in different types of library work. I also know several colleagues in RCOE from my time as a doctoral student, and I am honored to join such an excellent and welcoming college.”
Dr. Benjamin Thevenin
Media, Career Studies and Leadership Development - Associate Professor
Thevenin earned a B.A. in media arts studies from Brigham Young University, an M.A. in interdisciplinary humanities from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in communications from the University of Colorado-Boulder.
Prior to Appalachian, Thevenin was on faculty, teaching media arts studies, at Brigham Young University.
“I am most excited about getting to know and become a part of the Boone/App State community.”
Thevenin’s research interests include media literacy education, youth media, film studies, civic engagement, and ecomedia.
Why Appalachian?
“So many reasons! Great program, beautiful landscapes, temperate climate, close to family, and my wife and I are both from the South originally.”