The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University has welcomed 16 new faculty to begin the Spring 2026 term.
Josh Sigmon, Accounting Lecturer
Josh Sigmon joins the faculty in the Department of Accounting as a lecturer.
Over the last 10 years, Sigmon’s career in both industry and public accounting has focused primarily on tax accounting. He most recently served as a senior tax associate at Humana. Sigmon brings teaching experience from CCC&TI.
Sigmon earned a bachelor’s degree from App State and his Master of Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sigmon can be reached by email, sigmonjl@appstate.edu.
Computer Information Systems
Terry Bowman and Ross Gosky join the Department of Computer Information Systems as adjunct faculty members. Bowman can be reached by email at bowmanta1@appstate.edu. Gosky can be reached by email at goskyrm@appstate.edu.
Finance, Banking & Insurance
Stephen Girard joins the Department of Finance, Banking & Insurance as an adjunct faculty member. Girard can be reached by email at girardrs@appstate.edu.
Jill Nicklaw, Management Lecturer
Jill Nicklaw joins the faculty as a lecturer in the Department of Management.
Nicklaw brings experience from both business and education, most recently working in product and project management roles in the software industry.
Nicklaw also spent 11 years teaching adult education at Caldwell and Wilkes Community Colleges and operated Sunshine Cove Farm, a certified-organic microgreen-growing operation in Boone, NC, for seven years, growing the business to six-figure sales with high-end restaurant customers across three states.
Nicklaw is a two-time App State alumna, having earned bachelor’s degrees from the university as well as a Master of Business Administration from the Walker College.
Nicklaw can be reached by email, nicklawjw@appstate.edu.
The Department of Management also welcomes nine adjunct faculty members.
- Madison Beard, beardmw@appstate.edu
- Stefanie Billette, billettess@appstate.edu
- David Jackson, jacksondm@appstate.edu
- Jeremy Jones, jonesjm24@appstate.edu
- Kimberly Ladenthin, ladenthinka@appstate.edu
- Phil Ostwalt, ostwaltpd@appstate.edu
- Paula Sharpe, sharpelp@appstate.edu
- George Wildeman, wildemangf@appstate.edu
- Sean Womack, womacksd@appstate.edu
Judi Billups, Marketing & Supply Chain Management Associate Professor
Dr. Judith Billups joins the App State faculty as an associate professor in the Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management.
Billups will also serve as director of the university’s BSBA in Sales Marketing program.
Most recently, she guided key strategic initiatives in Salisbury University’s sales program, strengthening industry partnerships and hands‑on learning opportunities. She now brings her experience developing innovative sales education to Appalachian State.
Billups earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech, an MBA from Bethel University, and a PhD from Kennesaw State University.
Billups can be reached by email, billupsmj@appstate.edu.
Natalie Martin, Marketing & Supply Chain Management Practitioner in Residence
Natalie Martin Noah joins the faculty as a Practitioner in Residence in the Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management.
Noah is a four-time App State alumna, having earned a BSBA and a Master of Business Administration from the Walker College, as well as a BS and an EdD from the Reich College of Education.
Noah can be reached by email, martinns@appstate.edu.
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling nearly 5,000 students, including more than 4,500 undergraduates across 11 majors, the Walker College of Business has the highest full-time undergraduate enrollment in the University of North Carolina System. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.
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