By Amanda Mlekush
The Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS) has welcomed Dr. Katie Talbert as its new director of development. Talbert, an experienced higher education advancement professional, comes to Appalachian State University after most recently serving as the executive director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk.
Cutline: Dr. Katie Talbert (center) talks with others at a recent App State event in the North End Zone. Photo Credit: App State University Communications
As the lead development officer for BCHS, Talbert will work closely with the college’s leadership, advisory board members, donors and supporters to increase giving to help fund student scholarships, laboratory equipment, advanced technology and learning spaces, faculty development and other strategic initiatives.
“Katie dazzled us with her energy and passion for health sciences and is a wonderful addition to our team," said BCHS Dean Marie Huff, PhD. "Our recently retired director of development, Jenny Ward, built a robust foundation of philanthropy for the college. We are excited for Katie to further this legacy of giving as we continue to expand our health sciences degree programs, looking for new ways to connect with our alumni, supporters and friends to ensure that our students have access to incredible interprofessional learning spaces.”
Prior to working at Lees-McRae, Talbert was the head women’s soccer coach for 10 years at Queens University in Charlotte where she cultivated sponsorships, fundraised for the program, and received a number of honors, including Coach of the Year. She received a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida; a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Averett University in Danville, Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, North Carolina.
“I’m thrilled to join the outstanding team at App State, and thanks to the support of Dean Huff and my colleagues in the Beaver College of Health Sciences and University Advancement, I have hit the ground running,” Talbert said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity, motivated to serve the college and ready to help make an impact on our students, faculty and community.”
About the Beaver College of Health Sciences
Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS), opened in 2010, is transforming the health and quality of life for the communities it serves through interprofessional collaboration and innovation in teaching, scholarship, service and clinical outreach. BCHS offers nine undergraduate degree programs and seven graduate degree programs, which are organized into six departments: Nursing, Nutrition and Health Care Management, Public Health and Exercise Science, Recreation Management and Physical Education, Rehabilitation Sciences, and Social Work. The college’s academic programs are located in the Holmes Convocation Center on App State’s main campus and the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences, a state-of-the-art, 203,000-square-foot facility that is the cornerstone of the Wellness District. In addition, the college supports the Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services and has collaborative partnerships with the Wake Forest School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program, the Appalachian Regional Health System and numerous other health agencies. Learn more at https://healthsciences.appstate.edu
About University Advancement
Appalachian State University’s Division of University Advancement supports and encourages the university’s mission by engaging alumni, friends and the greater community. University Advancement staff help connect these constituents with Appalachian through one-on-one contact and special programming, thereby securing the resources necessary to create the best possible learning environment for Appalachian students and to positively impact the community, region and state. The division incorporates the offices of Alumni Affairs, Development and the Appalachian State University Foundation Inc. Learn more at http://give.appstate.edu
Image of a woman wearing gold shirt and black blazer
Dr. Katie Talbert