Getting to Know More People in Student Affairs
In continuing with our "Getting to Know More People in the SA Series", this month we are highlighting Dr. Heather Jo Mashburn, Director of Community-Engaged Leadership, Dr. Erin Bunton, Assistant Dean and Director of Student Conduct and Dr. Chris Hogan, Director of Counseling & Psychological Services. Enjoy reading about who makes up the Division of Student Affairs at Appalachian State University!
Hi there Dr. Heather Jo Mashburn!
Heather Jo was born and raised in Cusseta, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University (Go Eagles!). She earned her Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership at Appalachian State University.
Heather Jo has more than a decade of experience working in higher education having worked directly with community engagement activities, leadership development, risk management, student conduct, and scholarship programming. Heather Jo began her career at Appalachian in 2013 and currently serves as the Director of the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership.
Outside of work, Heather Jo lives a full life with her husband, Mark, and two boys. As a family, they enjoy hiking, riding bikes, and being close to the water. Heather Jo enjoys cooking, gardening, live music, and sunshine. She also enjoys running and is currently training to run a half-marathon on her next birthday.
Meet Dr. Erin Bunton!
Hello Student Affairs! I’m Erin Bunton, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.
This is my fourth year at Appalachian State as the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct. I am originally from Flint, Michigan and most recently from Norfolk, Virginia – I consider both to be my “home” outside of Boone. I can trace my family’s heritage back to this area for many generations and enjoy learning about local history.
I’m a proud First Gen college student with a B.A. from Bradley University, and the following from Old Dominion University: M.S.Ed, Ed.S., and Ph.D. I am absolutely thrilled about the Sun Belt and will be cheering loudly at that Fall ’23 game!
My hobbies are vast, and include genealogy, reading, fantasy football, cooking, kayaking, and budget traveling. I am mom to two cats with their own Instagram accounts, @curry_kitty and @open_sesame_kitty
The photo above is with my friends Liz and Kelly in Asheville.
Hello Dr. Chris Hogan!
Chris is a Licensed Psychologist and serves as Director of the Counseling and Psychological Services Center. Originally from upstate New York, Chris went to undergrad at Villanova University, University of Notre Dame for a master’s degree in counseling, and then returned to upstate New York to work as a counselor and director of a prevention program for children and families. He then began migrating south for a doctorate at Virginia Commonwealth University before coming to Boone. He has been at App State for 20 years in a variety of roles in the Counseling Center, with the past 6 years serving as Director. He has a passion for college student mental health, with particular interests in the relationship between physical and mental health, prevention programming, mindfulness, and research / program assessment.
Outside of work Chris enjoys spending time with his wife and 13 year-old daughter; sports and exercise; being outside – going for walks, hikes, or working in the yard; traveling and exploring new places; and the challenges of learning how to do new home improvement projects.