Community-Engaged Leadership

Dr. Heather Jo Mashburn (she/her)

Director

Heather Jo provides leadership and strategic direction for all co-curricular service and community engagement opportunities. Heather Jo believes that mutually beneficial community engagement can serve as a vehicle for student leadership, for discovering one's purpose, and for fostering deeper impact and transformation. In addition to leading the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership, Heather Jo works closely with over 150 community partners to intentionally connect the University with the larger community. Heather Jo also serves as a Staff Senator, representing the Division of Student Affairs.

Ed.D. Educational Leadership, Appalachian State
University; M.A. Higher Education Administration, Georgia Southern University

Ask me about: department info, community engagement, spirituality and college women

Courtney Holder (she/her)

Associate Director

Courtney works with students, staff, and community members to realize their potential to lead, take action, and create the change they want to see. Courtney believes in the power of critical reflection, collective action, and engaged citizenship. In addition to teaching, writing, presenting, and researching on topics about leadership and social change, she has been a part of the Haiti Compact, the National Survey of Alternative Breaks Research team, the Executive Committee of the Leadership Educators Institute, and the National Clearinghouse of Leadership Programs. Currently, Courtney serves as the Chair of the Break Away Board of Directors.

M.S. College Student Personnel, University of Tennessee

Ask me about: leadership education, Leadership Studies Minor, Plemmons Scholars

Summer Wisdom
(she/her)

Assistant Director of Alternative Service Experience

Summer joined Community-Engaged Leadership in 2018, after previously serving as a Learner Partner on three programs and falling for #ASEmagic. ASE gives students opportunities to lead and learn about social issues by working alongside local, regional, and global communities. Summer previously served as the Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs at Appalachian State, and was the founding director of the LGBT Resource Office at East Carolina University. Summer met her husband Hunter Boone as Mountaineer undergrads, and they welcomed their daughter Decker Jean Boone in 2020. They have three dogs - Charlie, Sophie, and Rosie.

M.A. Sociology, East Carolina University

Ask me about: service breaks, Sustained Dialogue, LGBTQ student services

Dr. Joshua Kurz
(he/him)

Assistant Director of Leadership Education & Development

Josh oversees the Trailhead Experience, Plemmons Leadership Scholars, and Leadership in Action residential learning community. Prior to joining App State in 2021, Josh taught Global Studies and Sociology at the National University of Singapore. Before pursuing a PhD, Josh worked in student affairs in a variety of roles, including two years as the Graduate Program Assistant at the Miami University Women's Center in Oxford, Ohio. Josh is passionate about working with and developing students' leadership capabilities, building community, and acting as an ally to marginalized students. In his free time he enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and photography.

Ph.D. Comparative Studies, The Ohio State University; M.S. College Student Personnel, Miami University

Ask me about: Trailhead, Leadership in Action RLC, sociology and culture

Carly May
(she/her)

Assistant Director of Community Engagement

Carly May is the Assistant Director of Community Engagement. Carly believes that mutually beneficial relationships with community partners allows for students to create positive local change, while expanding their knowledge of global social issues and leadership skills. Carly earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Development from University of Connecticut, and a Masters in Higher Education Student Affairs from Baylor University. Carly is looking forward to working with CEL programs and local nonprofits to serve the Boone community.

M.S. Higher Education Student Affairs, Baylor University

Ask me about: Student initiatives and events, Blood Drive, AppVotes

Ashley Borders
(she/her)

Assistant Director of Leadership Education & Development

Ashley loves creating connections with students while helping them discover their leadership potential and apply their skills to their own experiences. Ashley earned her B.S. in Communication, with a minor in Leadership from Emporia State University and her M.S. in Student Affairs Administration from Appalachian State University. In her free time, Ashley loves reading, watching reality TV, and taking her two pups on adventures.

M.S. Student Affairs Administration, Appalachian State University

Ask me about: LEAD Team, Leadership Workshops, Leadership Conferences