Jamie Parson appointed Acting Vice Provost of Faculty Policies, Development and Training
Dear App State Faculty and Staff,
I am pleased to announce that Jamie Parson has been appointed as the Acting Senior Vice Provost of Faculty Policies, Development and Training in the Academic Affairs division, effective immediately. She will retain her role as one of App State’s two designated free speech officers.
In her new role, Jamie will oversee and review faculty policies and procedures, lead academic development and training, interpret the Faculty Handbook, and participate in key faculty governance bodies, including the Faculty Senate, Council of Chairs and Faculty Governance Committee. Additionally, she will chair the Academic Affairs Standard Operating Procedures (AASOPs) Review Committee, provide guidance for faculty appointment, promotion, tenure, and post-tenure review processes, facilitate administrative matters related to faculty personnel, and supervise the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success.
Jamie has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication throughout her tenure at App State. Her extensive experience in teaching, coupled with her active involvement in various university boards and committees, exemplifies her unwavering commitment to academic excellence and faculty development.
The expertise Jamie has gleaned from her prior roles at App State will be key to her new role, which is also focused on student and faculty success. The relationships she built with faculty, staff and students while working to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment in her CDO role, in particular, will continue to be integral to her work as Acting Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Policies, Development and Training. It is important to note that App State's commitment to supporting our faculty, staff and students has been a cornerstone of our mission long before the creation of the CDO role. Jamie's new appointment reflects this ongoing dedication.
Jamie is an associate professor in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance at App State. With a background in teaching undergraduate courses in business law and insurance, her extensive service on numerous university boards and committees, universitywide and within the Walker College of Business, underscores her dedication to our institution.
Before joining App State, Jamie served as a Title VII investigator for the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission and worked with State Farm Insurance Co. as a special investigative unit liaison and fire claims representative.
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Science in sociology-anthropology from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law.
Jamie’s transition to this role will help ensure App State’s compliance with the new UNC Policy Manual section 300.8.5, as adopted by the Board of Governors last week. Under the previous Policy 300.8.5, we were required to have a senior-level administrator as a D&I Officer to assist in oversight of D&I activities and related reporting to monitor the effectiveness of these efforts. The new policy removes this requirement, and emphasizes a commitment to equality of all persons and a commitment to equality of opportunity for all students in the System and for all employees that serve the University of North Carolina System.
We will soon provide additional information on the continuation of the services and initiatives previously managed by the CDO office to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing support for our community. In the meantime, questions or concerns previously directed to the Office of Diversity may be directed to Academic Affairs, Human Resources, the Office of Access & Equity, or the Ombuds office, and we will work to assist you.
Please join me in welcoming Jamie Parson to her new role and in supporting her as she undertakes these vital responsibilities for our academic community.
Sincerely,
Neva J. Specht
Acting Provost