Walker College of Business

• In 2015, the Walker College added a minor in Human Resources to its programs offered.
• In 2016, the Walker College added a Hospitality and Tourism Management minor to the programs offered.
• In 2016, the Marketing Department expanded program offering to include Sales and Professional Selling.

• In 2015, the Walker College created a Diversity Advisory Team, now called the Inclusive Excellence Team. Women of Walker was also started to support women in leadership.
• In 2017, the Walker College started hosting an annual Courageous Conversations events to promote inclusive excellence.

At the time Dr. Sheri Everts joined Appalachian in July 2014, enrollment had topped 17,800 and the university was attracting international attention with its entry in the Solar Decathlon Europe 2014 competition in Versailles, France, and students’ exhibition of designs in the Milan Furniture Fair. Appalachian was also preparing to host its third annual Appalachian Energy Summit, at which leaders from North Carolina’s public and private universities convene to share best practices.

• Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris became the seventh dean of the Walker College of Business. Dr. Norris would later be named interim provost and executive vice chancellor in February 2020.
• The Walker College added Sustainable Business, Human Resource Management, Advanced Entrepreneurship, and Entrepreneurship Studies Minors to the programs offered.

• In 2011, a $1M lead gift from BB&T supported the creation of the Student Leadership Center in the Walker College of Business.
• By 2012, a student services center on the second floor of Peacock Hall was named for college supporter and 1986 accounting alumnus Marshall Croom. Croom served as a leader on the college's advisory council (2001-present). The Marshall Croom Student Services Center began housing the college's Business Career Services in the BB&T Student Leadership Center and the business academic advising center in 2016.

The Walker College launched a fully online BSBA degree program through the University’s Distance Education services in 201. The program would earn a high ranking from US News & World Report for Best Online Bachelor's in Business Programs in 2021.

• In 2006, a Center for Entrepreneurship begins operation with director Bryan Toney to provide opportunities for students. Fundraising provided ongoing support to develop more co-curricular student programs like the annual Carole Moore McLeod Entrepreneur Summit (which had begun in 2003), the Pitch Your Idea in 90 Seconds Contest (initally sponsored by Mission House Creative) and the Young Entrepreneurs Symposium sponsored by Backyard Burgers.
  

Dr. Randal K. (Randy) Edwards became the sixth Dean of the Walker College of Business. Previously, Dr. Edwards had served as chair of the Department of Accounting for 13 years, having first joined the business faculty in 1981. During Dr. Edwards' tenure, the Walker Fellows, a student ambassadorial group, was founded (2009). In 2014, Dean Edwards would be appointed chief of staff of Appalachian by the Office of the Chancellor, replacing Dr. Lorin Baumhover, who first held the position from 2005 to 2009 and again beginning in fall 2012 through June 2014.

The Martha Guy Summer Institute was established with twenty-two participants the first year. The business exploration program aimed to recruit top talent to Appalachian to major in business. Dr. Martha Guy (1922 - 2019) was an icon and pioneer for women in the banking industry. A native of Newland, Guy served and led Avery County Bank for more than 60 years in every capacity from assistant cashier to president. She was inducted into the North Carolina Banking Hall of Fame in 2010 and has been honored by the North Carolina Bankers Association with its Legends in Banking Award.

Under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth E. Peacock (2004-14), Appalachian became a destination of choice for high-achieving, intellectually curious students wanting to be engaged in the community. In addition to small classes and challenging academics, Appalachian became known for its undergraduate research, internationalized curriculum, service-learning and sustainability, both in academic programs and campus practices. The university grew significantly in the areas of healthcare and the nexus of energy, the environment and economics.