Last Updated on February 27, 2025 12:33 pm
RALEIGH, N.C. – Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris, who has served as interim chancellor at Appalachian State University since April of 2024, was elected the university’s next chancellor today by the UNC Board of Governors.
UNC System President Peter Hans recommended Norris, who previously served as both the App State provost and dean of its Walker College of Business, to lead the university with more than 21,000 students and campuses in Boone and Hickory. She will begin as chancellor on March 1.
“The recovery from Hurricane Helene showed Interim Chancellor Norris at her best, bringing healing and steady leadership to campus and bringing people together across the community,” Hans said. “She has the temperament, the experience, and the drive to take App State to the next level, improving student outcomes, launching a fundraising campaign and maximizing the success of the new Hickory campus.”
The election on Thursday followed an eight-month national search that attracted more than 40 candidates. During the process, a total of 250 people attended nine campus forums, and online surveys elicited more than 2,300 responses. Last week, the App State Board of Trustees endorsed three finalists for the position, forwarding candidates identified by a search advisory committee made up of faculty, staff, students, alumni, trustees and UNC System leaders.
Deanna Ballard, chair of the search advisory committee, thanked members for their commitment. “Our committee engaged in a thoughtful and thorough search process, incorporating listening sessions, interviews and on-campus visits to ensure all voices were heard,” she said. “Our diverse and highly qualified candidate pool was exceptional; however, Dr. Norris’ deep-rooted connection to the institution, her ability to foster stability on and off campus during critical times, and her sincere dedication to our community distinguished her. I am optimistic about the positive energy and fresh ideas she will bring as she fully assumes her role.”
Norris arrived at App State as an assistant professor of finance in 2003. She rose through faculty and administrative ranks, serving as dean of the Walker College of Business from 2016 to 2020, and provost and executive vice chancellor from 2021 to 2024. She began her career as a faculty member at Pennsylvania State University, Bowling Green State University and West Virginia University. During her time at App State, she has focused on student success, strategic academic planning, and ensuring the value of App State’s degree programs.
“I was first drawn to App State because of the university’s commitment to student success, which remains strong today,” Norris said. “In the 125th year of the university’s history, I’m excited and humbled to help create the next chapter of our history. Our existing strengths are numerous, and include our tremendous faculty and staff expertise, our amazing students, our passionate alumni base, our highly successful athletics programs, our well-poised research and innovation enterprise, and our growing pathways to open even more access to education and lifelong learning. It is my great honor to continue to serve this university, and the communities we serve. Together, we will continue building upon a strong foundation of academic excellence and commitment to the people of our region.”
Nearly all of Norris’ 30-year career has been spent in rural Appalachia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from James Madison University and master’s and doctoral degrees in finance from Pennsylvania State University.
Mark Ricks, chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, said the university was poised to advance given its new Carnegie Classification designation as an institution with high research activity.
“This is an exciting time for App State,” Ricks said. “Having just achieved Research 2 status, we’re well-positioned to lead innovation in research and creative endeavors for the western part of the state, driving economic development that will help with hurricane recovery and improving economic well-being and quality of life for our region for decades to come. We have the perfect person at the helm to move us forward.”
Board of Governors Chair Wendy Murphy, who served on the search advisory committee, said Norris’ experience and her financial expertise would be an advantage for the university.
“Dr. Norris has held successful leadership roles at the university for years,” Murphy said. “She is a bridge builder and a great champion for students, and I look forward to seeing App State continue to thrive under her watch.”
