Beaver College of Health Sciences Dean's Scholarship
From 2014-2018, the Beaver College of Health Sciences Dean's Scholars program offered scholarships to incoming freshmen. This program is no longer active.
Meet Our Scholars
2018-2019 Scholars
Alex Bradley
Dean's Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Highland School of Technology
Gastonia, NC
Major: Health Care Management 
Hello! My name is Alex Bradley and I am currently a freshman at Appalachian State
University. Here, I am majoring in Health Care Management with a potential minor in Spanish.
After receiving my bachelor’s degree, I plan on attending graduate school to receive my master’s
degree in Health Care Management. I am from Gastonia, North Carolina, where I graduated from
the Business and Legal Studies pathway at Highland School of Technology. As a result of my
pathway in high school and my participation in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), I knew that
I enjoyed business and would potentially like to have a career in it. After taking part in several health care-oriented
activities such as Teen Action Council, HOSA, volunteering at CaroMont Regional Medical Center and
interning with the Gaston County DHHS, I also developed an interest in health care. Health Care
Management perfectly combines both my passions of business and health care into one career.
As a Health Care Administrator, I will be given the opportunity to see both of these fields
combine to help serve the community. During my time at Appalachian, I plan on studying abroad
for a semester in Spain, where I will be given the chance to learn about other cultures and
improve my Spanish-speaking ability which I believe will give me a tremendous advantage in
the health care field.
The Dean’s Scholarship is a wonderful opportunity in that it affords me the chance to
simply focus on my education and community outreach during my time at Appalachian State. As
a student here, I am given a wide variety of opportunities to grow in both my personal and
academic life. Through participation in various clubs and academic learning ventures, I am able
to gain significant insight into the world of health care management while learning to broaden
my worldview so that I will one day be able to help others even more than I am able to now. I am
very excited to be a Dean’s Scholar and I can’t wait to see where my four years at Appalachian
State University will take me!
Katie Childers
Dean's Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
T. C. Roberson High School
Asheville, NC
Major: Public Health
Hello, my name is Katie Childers and I am currently a Public Health major. I attended T. C. Roberson High School in Asheville, North Carolina and am now a freshman at Appalachian State University. In high school, I was involved in many extracurriculars. I played on many sports teams including the volleyball, cross country, and both indoor and outdoor track teams. I played the flute in symphonic band and further explored my passion for music by playing handbells in church, dabbling in guitar and organizing a school flute choir. I was a Girl Scout for 11 years, earning the Gold Award, the highest award, my senior year. For this award, I designed, created and implemented an arts and crafts curriculum for disadvantaged children at three organizations in my community.
Here at Appalachian, I am currently involved in the Wesley Foundation, play in the Watauga Community Band, and work at Earthfare. I hope to eventually hold leadership positions within the Honors College and the Wesley Foundation. In addition, I am interested in being a Residential Assistant. During my time here, I want to perform well academically, while also improving my leadership and communication skills. Because of this scholarship, I now have the opportunity to pursue my educational goals in the healthcare field, have an inspiring study abroad experience and flourish during my four years at Appalachian, and I could not be more grateful.
2017-2018 Scholars
Victoria Moreno
Dean’s Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
East Mecklenburg High School
Charlotte, NC
Major: Public Health
My name is Victoria Moreno and I am currently a public health major with a potential minor in Medical Humanities. I am from Charlotte, North Carolina and a proud IB Diploma graduate from East Mecklenburg High School (GO EAGLES!). In high school, I found my passion for science and my love for people. I was a part of HOSA (Health Occupations for Students of America), NationalHonors Society, Creative Writing Club, and Student Government. The Dean’s Scholarship of Health Sciences has given me the opportunity to confidently pursue my aspiration of helping people. With a Public Health degree from Appalachian, I am able to give back to the community that has given me so much. Thanks to this scholarship, I am able to be more successful here at Appalachian.
Lindsey Turbyfill
Dean’s Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Cannon High School
Charlotte, NC
Major: Athletic Training
Hello! My name is Lindsey Turbyfill and I am majoring in athletic training at Appalachian State University. I am currently a freshman and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. My dream is to work as a Certified Athletic Trainer in any of the many settings that Athletic Trainers work. As I grew up, watching professional sports was an integral part of my life. My dad has been bringing me to NFL games since I can remember, and I cherish having that shared love of sports with him. In high school, I realized that if I want to do something as a career that I am genuinely passionate about, I should consider pursuing a job in athletics. After researching various jobs in the field of sports medicine, I fell in love with Athletic Training. I could easily picture myself as the first responder to injuries on the athletic field as well as being there for every step of an athlete’s recovery. While I was a junior in high school, I began my incredible and invaluable journey of interning with the Athletic Trainers at my high school. Over two years, I spent around 700 hours in the athletic training room and watching practices and games. The knowledge and experience I gained from my time as an intern proved to me that a job as an Athletic Trainer is what I am truly meant to pursue. I understand the daily demands of the field and am excited to challenge myself with the rigor of Appalachian State’s Athletic Training program.
Being granted the Dean’s Scholarship will thankfully make it much more feasible for me to attend graduate school, which is something I have always dreamed of pursuing. It is also incredibly encouraging to know that people I do not know personally believe in me and show their advocacy by supporting me financially. I am immensely grateful to have been accepted into the family of existing Dean’s Scholars and I look forward to thriving at Appalachian thanks to being surrounded by such inspiring peers.
2016-2017 Scholars
Meghan Dempsey
Chancellor's Scholarship
Wakefield High School
Wake Forest, NC
Major: Nutrition and Foods
My name is Meghan Dempsey. I am a freshman at Appalachian State University and I am from Wake Forest, North Carolina where I attended Wakefield High School. I am currently studying as a nutrition and foods major with the goal of one day becoming a Registered Dietician. I concretely decided on this path during my time as an intern with the InterFaith Food Shuttle in downtown Raleigh. This experience allowed me to experience the needs of my community first hand and allowed me to help improve the situation of many community members. During my time at Appalachian, I hope to do many similar things. I want to become more involved and in touch with what our community members need and what I can do to help them. The scholarship that I was awarded has and will continue to help with these goals by encouraging my passion for the health sciences and by providing me with the necessary funding to do all that I have dreamed of. I could not be more grateful to have been chosen to be a scholarship recipient and a student of the Beaver College of Health Sciences.
Megan Campany
Dean's Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Hickory Ridge High School
Harrisburg, NC
Major: Exercise Science
Hi! My name is Megan Campany, and I am an exercise science major at Appalachian. I graduated from Hickory Ridge High School in Harrisburg, North Carolina in June of 2016 and began my journey at Appalachian State University the following fall. Throughout high school, I was involved in a wide variety of clubs, the most influential being Student Council. I was a Varsity Letter and Scholar-Athlete in softball all four years and served as a captain both years as an upperclassman. I entered Appalachian as a member of the softball team, as well as the Honor’s College. I now serve Appalachian as a Student Ambassador and enjoy giving campus tours and working with university faculty at all levels. I am also a member of Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) and work in the Vascular Biology and Autonomic Studies Laboratory with Dr. Scott Collier for my research.
Some of my favorite things to do off campus include hiking, running and finding new adventures! Within the next four years, I plan to apply to medical school and begin to pursue a career as a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon. As a Dean’s Scholar, I have access to invaluable resources, both within a classroom and with incredible mentors. I plan to travel to a third-world country with the help of my scholarship, experiencing medicine from a global perspective. The ability to study at Appalachian State with so many resources at my fingertips is very exciting and I can’t wait to see what the next four years will hold!
Olivia Gentry
Dean's Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina 
Buncombe High School
Weaverville, NC
Major: Health Promotion
My name is Olivia Gentry. I am a health promotion major from Weaverville, North Carolina and I attended North Buncombe High School. I began school at Appalachian in the Fall of 2016. I was part of a group in high school called Youth Educators and Advocates for Health, which worked to improve the health of students in both the county and city schools in my area. So far, I have loved my time at Appalachian. It truly feels like a second home to me. This scholarship will help me use my opportunity to help others who have not had the same opportunities.
Nick Stevens
Dean's Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
R.B. Stall High School
North Charleston, SC
Major: Exercise Science
Hi, everyone! My name is Nick Stevens Jr., and I am a first-year exercise science, strength and conditioning major and psychology minor from R.B. Stall High School in North Charleston, SC. In high school, I was a four-year varsity letterman and captain of both the wrestling and baseball teams, as well as a member of the swim team for a year. I graduated salutatorian of my class and was the Student Body President, secretary of the National Honor Society and three-year Student Athletic Trainer. During the summer, I am the head counselor for Camp LEAD, a week-long day camp for elementary and middle school children, teaching them how to be young leaders in their communities. At Appalachian, I am on the Executive Board of the student Yosef Club, a member of the Appalachian Mixed Race Coalition and the RHA Representative for Coltrane Hall Council.
My primary goal at Appalachian is to obtain my bachelor’s degree in exercise science. It is my dream to one day become a sports psychologist and researcher at the Gatorade Institute, the North Carolina Research Campus, or another similar facility and my scholarship has all but made that dream a reality. Without my scholarship, I would not have been able to attend Appalachian. I would not be a part of the clubs and co-curricular programs in which I am involved and I wouldn’t have the unique networking opportunities that only Appalachian has to offer. With my scholarship and with the help of Dean Whitt and the generous donors who made it possible, I can proudly call myself a Mountaineer.
Ilya Wang
Dean's Scholar funded by Beaver College of Health Sciences
Gray Stone Day School
Rockwell, NC
Major: Nutrition
Hello everyone! My name is Ilya Wang and I am a freshman in Appalachian State University class of 2020. I could not be more honored to be a part of this beautiful university, much less a Dean’s Scholar. In high school, I was able to partake and even lead many great programs such as NC’s Governor’s School West, National Honors Society, the Perry Outreach Program and the school’s varsity tennis team, but never anything like the Dean’s Scholar program. Being a Dean’s Scholar means so much to me. Coming from a low-income household, I cherish the opportunity to be in college more than ever. It is also from this that I have learned the importance of bridging healthy eating and socioeconomic equality. Food insecurity is something that I find is often overlooked in many communities. During my high school career, I taught healthy cooking classes at a local free medical center to help promote healthy eating on a budget. There, I was able to draw many connections between not only nutrition and physical health, but nutrition and mental health, as well as brain development. I hope to continue drawing these connections and furthering research in these fields with my time here at Appalachian and beyond.
This scholarship allows me to fully immerse myself in my studies by easing the financial burden that would otherwise weigh me down. It also opens up all the connections and opportunities that I have ever dreamed of having. I am so excited to be able to work on issues that I am passionate about in a community that not only supports but fuels that fire. I look forward to spending the coming years as a part of this beautiful, accepting, and encouraging family.
Sophia Yang
Dean's Scholar funded by Beaver College of Health Sciences
Asheville School
Asheville, NC
Major: Exercise Science
My name is Sophia Yang and I’m currently an exercise science major with a double major in chemistry. I’m from Asheville, North Carolina and a proud graduate from a small and academically focused boarding school called Asheville School. In high school, science had always been my favorite subject and I was awarded the Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award from the University of Rochester, Student of Excellence for First Year Physics and First Year Statistics, and upon graduation, the membership of Cum Laude Society. The Dean’s Scholarship of Health Sciences gave me the chance to further pursue my passion for science at Appalachian State University. With a degree from the excellent nursing program at Appalachian, I will be granted the opportunity and competence to help more people in our community when I graduate. Appalachian has inspired me to live fully, appreciate nature and people around me as I seek enjoyment in learning and helping people.
2015 - 2016 Scholars
Hayley Behm
Dean's Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Edgewater High School
Orlando, FL
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
My major is communication sciences and disorders with a minor in theater. I am from Orlando, Florida and attended Edgewater High. Last fall was my first year of college at Appalachian State University. In high school, in addition to being a part of many clubs, I ran cross country, played lacrosse and was the president of the theater troupe. I graduated 5th in my class. At Appalachian, I want to graduate with my degree and then go on to medical school to become an ENT physician. I want to combine my passion for the deaf community with medicine to provide a medical center specifically catering to the deaf. Without my scholarship, I would not be able to attend Appalachian, since I am an out of state student. Appalachian has also provided me with the experience I couldn't have anywhere else, including two study abroad trips and research that combine my passion for theater with my major of communication disorders
Amber Graham
Dean's Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
North Davidson High School
Winston-Salem, NC
Major: Nutrition and Foods
My name is Amber Graham and I am a sophomore at Appalachian State University. I am a nutrition & foods major with a concentration in Dietetics, as well as a Chemistry minor. I'm from Winston-Salem, North Carolina and attended North Davidson High School, where I graduated in 2015. I began attending App State in the fall of 2015. While here at Appalachian, I would love to achieve a bachelor's degree in nutrition and then go on to graduate school to become a physician's assistant. One of my biggest dreams is to travel the world and with this scholarship, I will begin to reach that goal with the study abroad stipend available. This scholarship has provided me with opportunities that will aid me in reaching my goals, as well as providing a wonderful college experience!
Kirby Rose
Dean's Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Pine Forest High School
Linden, NC
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
My name is Kirby Rose and I am from Linden, North Carolina and attended Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville. I was Student Body President the year my high school hosted and planned the North Carolina Association of Student Council’s State Convention. I was also co-captain of my school’s soccer team when we won our first conference championship in almost two decades.
I am currently a sophomore and was recently named an Ambassador for the Beaver College of Health Sciences. I am majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in leadership studies.
I hope to be a speech pathologist and am interested in working with both geriatrics and young children. My favorite classes have included Contemporary Global Issues which grew my love for service projects; Intro to Backpacking which included an overnight trek to Grayson Highlands and increased my outdoor recreation skills; and Communication Development which introduced me to the different milestones of language in children.
In addition to my Honor College activities, I also volunteer with several student groups including serving as sponsorship chair for “Autism Speaks U”; secretary for the American Sign Language Club; and I am on the ImpACT team which organizes events to benefit local nonprofits including the Dance Marathon, Blood Drive and Hunger Games Canned Food Drive.
Being a student at Appalachian has increased my love of the mountains and the recreational opportunities for hiking, backpacking and rock climbing. Being a part of the Appalachian community has given me leadership and service opportunities that have influenced me to minor in leadership development and has given me a passion to be involved with nonprofits. I hope to combine my professional and personal interests and work in a non-profit speech and hearing clinic in the future.
I am grateful for the financial assistance of my scholarship as it gives me the opportunity to spend my summers working as a counselor at Camp Seafarer where I daily see the impact independence and outdoor education has on young girls. Being a counselor is very rewarding personally, but limiting financially. Having my tuition provided for has also given me more time to devote to service projects that give back to the Appalachian community.
Maggie Steranko
Dean's Scholar funded by Delia and Marshall Courtney
Community School of Davidson
Mooresville, NC
Major: Communications Sciences and Disorders
Hi, I am a sophomore communication sciences and disorders major. I am involved with NSSLHA, ASL Club and Summit Hall Council. I am also a part of the Appalachian Honors College where I am able to work within a community of like-minded people. I hope to one day become a Speech Language Pathologist that works with children ranging in all abilities.
2014 - 2015 Scholars
Emily Cluen '18
Dean's Scholar funded by Beaver College of Health Sciences Advisory Council
White Oak High School
Jacksonville, NC
Major: Recreation Management
Hi friends! My time at Appalachian has truly taught me the value of an education both inside and outside of the classroom. I consider myself extremely lucky to have taken challenging courses, attended academic and professional conferences, and joined a few amazing clubs and organizations during my time at Appalachian. Of course, I could not have come this far without supportive friends, loving family and truly incredible faculty members.
Education is one of the few things that can never be taken from a person. As long as someone is alive, they will always know what they are taught. However, in today’s world, people are forced to sacrifice much to gain this irreplaceable knowledge. I am especially thankful for my scholarship because it has allowed me to gain knowledge and experiences without incurring such a burden. This is something I believe all students should have. By pursuing a career in higher education, I hope to provide some of what I have been given to future students.
Amber Daniel '18
Dean's Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Grimsley Senior High School
Greensboro, NC
Major: Exercise Science
My time here at Appalachian State has helped to reaffirm my values of working hard to achieve your goals, being honest and treating everyone with respect. These values were instrumental in helping me obtain the Beaver College of Health Sciences Dean’s Scholarship. This scholarship has been and will continue to be a tremendous help by relieving financial burdens and allowing me to remain focused on my plans and career goals. As a junior, I am well underway in putting my plans of becoming a Physician’s Assistant into motion.
Because of my scholarship, I felt this extra kind of support system. I also think the scholarship allowed me additional opportunities to expand my professional network.
Olivia Farmer '18
Dean's Scholar funded by Delia and Marshall Courtney
Hickory Grove Christian School
Charlotte, NC
Major: Social Work
I chose Appalachian State University because of the beautiful location and the sense of freedom I got from the campus.
I was also involved in the Elevation Extension site where I was able to find the “family” atmosphere that is so often talked about at Appalachian. Being a student here has taught me a lot about making the most of what is in front of you. The study abroad stipend given by the Dean’s Scholarship has allowed me to travel to France, Germany, and Austria to study the films and history of the Holocaust. That trip taught me more than I could’ve imagined and it was a once in a lifetime experience. I would not have been able to travel to Europe had it not been for this scholarship.
I have also taken advantage of the skiing PE class at Appalachian and I can now ski! For my electives, I chose art classes that have reignited my love of self-expression in all forms. This scholarship has allowed me to make my education my own. It has given me the freedom to focus on what I love and value instead of having to worry about how I will pay for school. My education is very important to me and I am so thankful to the donors for giving me this opportunity.
To know that my donor is investing in the idea of educating people is a really cool concept and for me to be included in a group of such ambitious young professionals was a tremendous boost to my confidence.
Madison Gunning
Dean's Scholar funded by Delia and Marshall Courtney
Chapel Hill High School
Chapel Hill, NC
Major: Social Work
Throughout my college career I was Vice President, and later President, of AIESEC at Appalachian, a local chapter of the largest youth-run not-for-profit in the world. Focused on cultural and exchange and leadership development, I have attended conferences in Romania, Poland, and Brazil, and have spent my summers working in New York City at our national office. Locally, I volunteer as a judicial advocate with OASIS, a domestic violence / sexual assault non-profit organization.
My time at Appalachian has taught me that your world is only as small as you allow it to be. Being a part of such a close-knit campus has taught me the power of community and the relevance of creating a global network and cultural understanding. These learnings are critical as I begin to explore career paths in international human rights. I am honored to be a recipient of the Dean's Scholarship, as it has been a platform for me to explore more than I could have ever imagined.
Caitlin McConnell '18
Dean's Scholar funded by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System in honor of Virginia Dare Harrison
Charlotte Catholic High School
Charlotte, NC
Major: Nursing
I have gained so much from my time at Appalachian and I know that I am fully equipped to enter the profession of nursing with confidence. The Dean's Scholarship for the College of Health Sciences has been a huge help for me throughout my college experience. It has enabled me to put my focus on school without having to worry about financial burdens, and because of it, I will be able to study abroad.
Not having the financial burden has been a tremendous relief for me and my family. Being awarded the Dean’s scholarship made it easier to focus on school and other outside opportunities without having to worry about how to pay for my education.
Ella Perrin '18
Dean's Scholar funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Raleigh Charter High School
Raleigh, NC
Major: Exercise Science
Hello all! I am a Certified Nursing Assistant at Health Services on Campus. I am also an Undergraduate Research Assistant for Dr. Zwetsloot, a professor in the Exercise Science department. I am a volunteer coach for Girls on the Run. I also helped start a new club at App called Whole Life, which emphasizes a holistic view of health and establishing healthy eating, exercise, and mental habits. I am also in Phi Chi Premedical and Predental Society.
Going to Appalachian has been a great experience for me because I have been able to have all of these experiences and take on roles that I probably would not have been able to at other schools. My scholarship has also been very helpful because it has allowed me to not have to worry about money, so I work as much as I can and use as much time as I need to focus on my grades and do things like volunteering for Girls on the Run. Going to Appalachian has been a great experience for me, and I know I wouldn’t have been able to have the same experience anywhere else.
Jennifer Stevenson '18
Dean's Scholar funded by Balfour Beatty
William Amos Hough High School
Davidson, NC
Major: Health Care Management
During my time at Appalachian, I was a member of the Honors College and my scholarship gave me the opportunity to study abroad in my final semester, as well as conduct research with professors in the Beaver College of Health Sciences. I am a member of the Future Healthcare Executives organization and a leader in the Association for Women in Mathematics. I hope to use my math skills in the health care field to improve the industry and many lives.
Being able to graduate without debt has made such a significant impact on me because I did not have that burden during my time in college. I also did not have the stress of having to work while in school and that allowed me the opportunity to focus on my studies and extracurricular activities.
Lyndsay Wilcox '18
Dean's Scholar funded by Sally and David Liner
R.J. Reynolds High School
Winston-Salem, NC
Major: Social Work
I have loved every minute of being a Mountaineer and have had opportunities here that far exceeded my expectations. I am a member of the Honors College, the Autism Society of North Carolina, Order of Omega, Kappa Delta Sorority and I currently serve the Greek community as the Panhellenic President. Here at Appalachian, I have learned the importance of holding leadership positions, engaging in the community and forming long-lasting friendships.
My scholarship has allowed me to make connections, as well as provide me with unique experiences that I would not have had otherwise. I am so thankful to be a Dean’s Scholar and for the lifelong support I have received through this amazing scholarship.
Receiving the scholarship encouraged me academically, just knowing that I had requirements to meet and that I was a Dean’s Scholar representing the Beaver College of Health Sciences gave me the motivation to do my very best.