The Beaver College of Health Sciences is pleased to announce five new members of their administrative team.
Dr. Denise L. Levy is Associate Dean for Academic Support in the Beaver College of Health Sciences and Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work. Dr. Levy earned her Ph.D. in Social Work, Master of Social Work, and B.S. in Education from the University of Georgia. She also earned a graduate certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy from Appalachian, and has infused expressive arts in her social work teaching and practice. Dr. Levy has been a faculty member at ASU since 2008, and has served as undergraduate program director (2012-2014) and graduate program director (2014-2016) in the Department of Social Work. Last year, Dr. Levy participated in the first cohort of the Chancellor's Academic Leadership Development Program. Her research explores intersections of sexuality, gender, and religion.
Dr. Dale Adkins is Chair and Professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education. Dr. Adkins earned his Doctor of Recreation from Indiana University at Bloomington; his M.S. in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies from Eastern Kentucky University; his M.A. in Christian Education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and his B.A. in Sociology and Recreation from Morehead State University. Dr. Adkins comes to Appalachian from Western Illinois University where he served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Research, and Innovation and prior to that as Chair of the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Administration. His research interests include youth development, camp administration, and leisure over the lifespan.
Dr. Meg Barth is Chair and Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management. Dr. Barth earned her Ph.D. in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois Medical Center, and Master of Business Administration from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Prior to ASU, Dr. Barth was Professor and Program Director in Nutrition and Food Sciences at California Baptist University. She also started the graduate program in Dietetics at the University of Kentucky, held a senior officer position with a national food service organization, and was an adjunct faculty member at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has extensive international experience as well as expertise in phytonutrient research in plant derived foods, emerging technologies and food safety systems.
Dr. Kelly Cole is Chair and Professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science. Dr. Cole earned his Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and M.S. in Communication Disorders from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to ASU, Dr. Cole served as Chair of the Department of Health and Human Physiology at the University of Iowa and was a faculty member there for 28 years. He is trained as a neuroscientist specializing in the neural control of posture and movement and has provided extensive service to the National Institutes of Health’s scientific review study sections.
Audrey Gurkin is the Communications PR Specialist for the Beaver College of Health Sciences. Audrey is an alum from ASU where she earned a degree in Communications/Advertising. She most recently served as the Office Manager and Marketing Director for a local orthodontist, and she also brings over 15 years of financial and business experience to our administrative team. She is thrilled to return to her alma mater and to be a part of BCHS.
Please extend a warm Appalachian welcome to our new colleagues!