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. Susan Aigotti
Child Development, Literacy, and Special Education - Assistant Professor
Aigoitt earned a Ph.D. in special education from the University of Virginia, an M.S.Ed. in elementary education from Old Dominion University, and B.S. in social sciences from Florida State University.
Prior to App State, Aigotti taught collaborative math classes in grades four through eight in central Virginia.
“I am excited about getting to know my students and immersing myself in the Boone community!”
Aigotti’s research interests include preparing special education teachers to teach mathematics in inclusive settings, supporting in-service special education teachers, the concrete-representational-abstract strategy, and improving mathematics outcomes for exceptional learners.
Why Appalachian?
“I was really drawn to the mathematics clinic at App State and the opportunity to help future special education teachers gain confidence teaching math. It also helps that this region is beautiful and will allow me to continue many of the outdoor activities I love.”
Dr. Paul Delaughter
Counseling, Family Therapy, and Higher Education - Assistant Professor
Delaughter earned a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision, an M.A.Ed. in counselor education (clinical mental health counseling), and a B.S. in psychology and food science and technology, all from Virginia Tech.
Delaughter’s research interests include older adult and veteran wellness and mental health.
Why Appalachian?
“Beautiful area, excited students, kind faculty and staff, and new R2 status with research support.”
Dr. Kelsey Kunkle
Counseling, Family Therapy, and Higher Education - Assistant Professor
Kunkle earned a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of North Texas, an M.Ed. in college student personnel from the Western Carolina University, and a B.A. in communication from the University of Maryland.
Kunkle has worked in higher education for more than a decade, serving in student and academic affairs. Most recently, she served as a senior policy analyst at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO), supporting state higher education executive officers and their staff at state-level higher ed coordinating, governing, and policy agencies.
Kunkle’s research is primarily structured around state policy and partisanship in higher education, student-serving institutions (particularly community colleges and minority-serving institutions), and organizational change in higher education.
“I have a deep interest in institutions of higher education and the complex environments in which they operate, which foregrounds much of my scholarly work.”
Why Appalachian?
“I developed a deep connection to Western North Carolina during my time as a graduate student at WCU. I'd heard from many people over the years how special the App State community is, and I immediately saw it myself during my early interactions with faculty and staff in the department and the program. It was important to me to be part of a supportive and caring university community and department…and it was the icing on the cake for this university to be located in a region that I love!”
Dr. Lauren Power
Counseling, Family Therapy, and Higher Education - Assistant Professor and Internship Coordinator
Power earned a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy and a M.S. and Ed.S. in mental health counseling from Florida State University. She also received a B.S. in psychology from the University of Central Florida. Last year, she taught at App State as a visiting lecturer.
“I am excited to continue working with the MFT core faculty and to welcome in the new cohort of MFT students!”
Power’s research focuses on the interplay between mindfulness and sexuality, particularly how trait mindfulness relates to sexual outcomes and identity.
Why Appalachian?
“I chose Appalachian State University because of its incredibly welcoming and supportive faculty and staff. From the start, I’ve felt a genuine sense of community. Plus, the university is nestled in such a beautifully scenic area.”
Dr. Daniel Rios-Arroyo
Counseling, Family Therapy, and Higher Education - Assistant Professor
Rios-Arroyo earned a Ph.D. in education from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Prior to App State, Rios-Arroyo was a research assistant at UCSB.
Rios-Arroyo’s research examines the higher education experiences of rural students, particularly those attending four-year universities, with a special emphasis on rural Latinx students from migrant and immigrant backgrounds.
“I focus on exploring the interconnectedness of race and rurality, and how these intersecting identities shape students’ academic and social transitions, sense of belonging, and persistence through college. Through this work, I aim to highlight the unique challenges and strengths of rural Latinx students, including their navigation of structural barriers, leveraging community and familial support systems, and resisting deficit narratives about rural Latinx students and families.”
Why Appalachian?
“From a research perspective, App State is an ideal fit. My research examines the college experiences of rural students attending four-year universities, and many of App State’s students come from rural or small-town regions. This interconnectedness between my scholarship and the university’s student population provides rich opportunities for meaningful research, teaching, mentoring, and community engagement.”
Dr. Kelly Womack-Adams
Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum - Assistant Professor
Womack-Adams earned a Ph.D. in teacher education and learning, an M.Ed. in elementary education, and a B.S. in mathematics, all from NC State University.
Prior to App State, Womack-Adams was a postdoctoral research associate for the Center of Innovative Pharmacy Education and Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also taught high school mathematics for Wake County Public Schools.
“I am most excited about getting to know and work with the students of App State and getting connected with the elementary schools in the area.”
Womack-Adams’s research interests are focused on the use of language and dialects in the teaching and learning of elementary mathematics.
Why Appalachian?
“The area is a great place to be, and I have grown up frequenting this area. All of the people I have been able to interact with so far have also been extremely supportive, and the community of the area is also great. The language diversity of the area is also an important part of my research.”
Dr. Mark Chen
Media, Career Studies & Leadership Development - Teaching Assistant Professor
Chen earned a Ph.D. in education from the University of Washington and a B.A. in art from Reed College.
Prior to Appalachian, Chen was a lecturer at the University of Washington, the director of Gameful Design Lab at Pepperdine University, and the webmaster and game designer for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
“If anyone wants a crash course on video games or board games (for learning), I'm totally your guy!”
Chen’s research interests include games for learning, new literacies, and expertise development in informal contexts.
Why Appalachian?
“I wanted to find a place that had a very strong education-as-responsibility value system.”
Dr. Jason Curry
Media, Career Studies and Leadership Development Educational Leadership - Assistant Professor
Curry earned a Ph.D. in workforce education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, an Ed.S. in adult and technical education, an M.S. in adult and technical education, and a B.A. in counseling, all from Marshall University.
Prior to Appalachian, Curry has taught in both higher education and corporate settings. He is also the owner and operator of J. Curry Consulting.
“I am excited to build connections with students, colleagues, and community partners while teaching courses that integrate leadership theory with practical application.”
Curry’s research explores how organizations can create environments that enable broad participation in STEM while cultivating a healthy climate and a strong sense of belonging. His work integrates principles of critical thinking, program evaluation, instructional design, and workforce development to produce actionable frameworks for improving collaboration and performance in higher education, research, and industry settings.
Why Appalachian?
“I was drawn to Appalachian State University because of its strong commitment to preparing students for leadership in diverse professional and community settings, as well as its emphasis on applied learning and real-world impact. The Organizational Leadership & Learning program offers a unique opportunity to bring together my expertise in workforce education, instructional design, and program evaluation with the University’s mission of fostering innovation and collaboration. I was also impressed by the culture of collegiality and student-focused engagement that is evident across campus.”
Dr. Nakesha Dawson ’11 ’18
Media, Career Studies and Leadership Development - Assistant Professor
Dawson earned an Ed.D. in educational leadership and an Ed.S. in educational leadership from Appalachian State University. She also earned an M.A. in education from North Carolina State University and a B.A. in economics from Wake Forest University.
Prior to Appalachian, Dawson has over 23 years of dedicated teaching experience. She also served as a Career and Technical Education district leader in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for nine years. She is a National Board Certified Teacher.
Dawson’s research focuses on teacher preparation and training and student/teacher relationships for dynamic learning and academic growth.
Dr. Betsy Rosenbalm ’01 ’05 ’08 ’22
Media, Career Studies and Leadership Development - Clinical Assistant Professor
Rosenbalm earned an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from Gardner-Webb University and a teaching certificate in higher education from Harvard University. She is a four-time App State alumna earning a B.S. in elementary education, an M.A. in reading education, a graduate certificate in school administration, and a graduate certificate in autism.
Prior to moving to a faculty role, Rosenbalm served as the director of the Office of Partnerships and Engagement. She has extensive experience in the K-12 setting as a teacher, reading specialist, assistant principal, principal, and director of exceptional children.
“I am excited about intentionally focusing on one area that I believe in so passionately: developing school leaders! I will be shifting gears to serve in a faculty role that will allow me to teach North Carolina Principal Fellows, coach those Principal Fellows and their mentor principals during their internship experiences, and recruit, support, and launch North Carolina Principal Fellows Cohorts as they progress through our scholarship program.”
Rosenbalm’s research interests include leadership effectiveness; school climate and culture; educator pipeline initiatives; innovative partnerships and practices; improving teacher working conditions; beginning teacher/beginning leader support; asset-based coaching and mentoring; special education advocacy and reform; universal design for learning; differentiation for all learners; inclusive practices and mindsets; student and educator engagement; teacher recruitment and retention; equitable literacy programs and opportunities; work-life balance for educators; teacher and leader efficacy; teacher and leader autonomy; and appreciative inquiry as a research model.
Why Appalachian?
“Appalachian has given me both roots and wings since the fall of 1997, when I came to this campus as a freshman education major! I have learned so much as an undergraduate student, graduate student, and employee here at App State. This is where I learned to be a dreamer, a leader, and an advocate for education.”